About the Blue Collar PC .Org and Webmaster

As Webmaster and site guide - I am creating the "fast lane" idea here as part of our "About Page" for our website Visitors and Members to help you as being  new - or well into things.... how to get around quickly whether you are at sonic "number cruncher" speed or new and wondering where to begin and how - how to use this website for help easily. The BlueCollarPC.Net Website is an extended site - including its own User Groups and Forums available for "live help" - and all users of our Website are invited to join ! The Webmaster is an "Advanced User" offering free help as Moderator of our groups and forums from personal experience (and background) - and all Members may post help of course, and interact in the groups.

Where to Start ? You have curiosity or problems with adware and spyware....

Begin Here:The "Spyware Removal Center" webpage of our website is set as the main  central area for detection and removal of threats information with actual free online scans if you are new - to discover any "infections" (Earthlink, Trend Micro, Webroot, others). For the not-so-new (and the new too), there are the public databases shared by the professional security companies with keyword searches at their online search engine databases. The databases are disclosure of the full application of an adware or spyware installation - giving all files and registry entries made by them, discovered at their industry 'labs' and are the basis of the definitions. CA (Computer Associates) Spyware Center is best known and are the makers of well known and used Pest Patrol Antispyware for the home-home/office user, as well as industrial applications for businesses worldwide. (Also other peronal user defense software - AntiSpam and Firewalls). These databases are very few actually worldwide - and an extremely valuable Community Service offered by those - giving a full disclosure of threats that allows and helps us immensely in detection by keyword search of a possible or suspected threat - when at times in searching around the files and registry of home computers we come accross an item that is unknown ..... Example: you see or find "malware.exe" somewhere in Files and it does not look right. Type it into their Search Engine - and sure enough it is a part of the "MalwareX" spyware malicious application.You now know what you were looking at is indeed part of the infection files. As well, you can search your computer for any left over remnants that antispyware software may have missed (rare) by knowing the full disclosure of the unwanted malware installation (adware/spyware) shown at the online search of the threat(s). You are also able to search out a threat by any name or file or key you may have discovered or may display in some manner. 

There are several engines - some specializing in .dll files (system32 interaction in Windows) and some in the BHO (Browser Help Object) items that are parts of an unwanted toolbar (Active X item) and so on. Those look like - Example: {12345-ABC-6789-DEF-10-G} found in the Windows Registry. These can be exactly copy/pasted into a search engine including the normal Google search engine for example, and will show results - and with the registry item or key matching EXACTLY you can discover what threat to look up by name for a full disclosure of files and other keys if any. Note that generally well known antispyware software programs on the market will not only safely and cleanly remove practically all infections, but that they can also prevent installations in the first place - see "drive by installations". In becoming familiar then, with these malicious rouge malware applications - you can gain a keen eye and a trained eye to visually inspect your machine (computer) time to time - gaining the experience and confidence of knowing where to look for, and safely deleting what you know is malware - unwanted installations dangerous to personal information and computer operating systems - making them very unstable past the complete annoyance of it all. 

So, if you are new or somewhat experienced or even an advanced user - these are the only known public databases available - and quite the ease as opposed to complete manual inspections (do that for "in the wild detections"). (Mail a link to the Webmaster to add one). 

About the Blue Collar PC Dot Org Website....  
The most popular themes for catagory Personal Websites are generally personal hobbies, or family and friends fun sites with pictures, and so on. The "About" webpage is generally always added to a business website to give the public information about who the company is and addresses and contacts and perhaps even a little history of the business - and as the webmasters of the site. So the "About" is short for "About the Company", or for "About this Website" - somtimes will be used giving particulars of the webhosting and formats used and navigation of the site. And there is also the "Community" area of the internet where you will find websites with information and help and displays that generally have anything to do with computers, software, and web design - to any hobbies under the sun and so forth - as sharing themes or actual help information, How To's  - for learning and sharing. 

The BlueCollarPC.Org is a personal website in the "Community" theme areas of the world web that offers publically shared information about malware threats and removal, and ongoing computing safety to the community of computer owner/users, Of course as Webmaster, I have extended our website to add user groups for the same, for the community of owner/users to interact in the group theme (malware removal and discussion). Being the Webmaster, as creator of the extended user groups and forum of the site - I am also the Groups and Forums Moderator/Adminstrator. The Community areas of the world web are a free sharing of resources as skills and knowledge by we the Members, and adding publically shared information from professionals and experts of a theme or topic - who many times join in anywhere at various Community groups and forums and message boards. This was basically how things actually began with the original and very first computer owners - and look up "Usenet" which became Google as we know it today. 

Comments

Freeware security was a solution - once upon a time…..
Moderator: Freeware security was a solution - once upon a time…..
http://bluecollarpc.wordpress.com/2008/08/29/freeware-security-was-a-solution-once-upon-a-time/ 
 
What the problem is, is that professional polls were conducted recently (2008) and it is discovered that a large percentage of users thought they were protected - but in reality were not. THAT IS ALARMING !

The simple knowledge actually is that in the basic computer system security - viruses were invented. So the next logical step was to invent something to destroy or eradicate of safely quarantine and remove them as unwanted installations that are dangerous to computers. Of course that was in the 1990’s. Today, they are more sophisticated and are able to perform much more than simply destroying files or parts of the operating system (Windows).

With the antivirus industry in full swing at currently counted just over one million viruses now (2008) they have what is called heuristics and is real time protection. What ? That means not just scanning email. It means when you are browsing the internet, there are all sorts of viruses at all sorts of bad websites - or “malicious content websites”. When you hit the bad website and a virus launches to infect the computer system - antivirus software programs immediately quarantine the virus (and most trojans).

The difference between email viruses and viruses on the world web are your email itself - and also your files. With email and files, antivirus will attempt to “clean” the virus from the email or file to preserve the email or file content for the User. This works virtually always, as the industry has come a long way and are obviously more sophisticated then “e-street thugs”.

But with malicious websites - the virus (and most trojans) are just that - and have not touched anything on the computer yet being stopped dead in their tracks by the antivirus software program. There are no files to clean. With a malicious download as a software secretly infected intentionally with a virus, again it will try and clean that to protect the intended installation. Sometimes, as cyber crime is tricky anymore, it is just a bogus fake software anyway and you would get the antivirus program pop up “Can not Clean the File” and you simply delete it - if there was an installer downloaded to like “My Documents” or other destination (folder of your choice). And too, if it is in the antivirus program “Quarantine Folder” , in that case, it would generally be in the Temporary Files of the system and is not any actual file on the computer per se except the actual temporary files folder entry. If you would see that extension as part of the file name infected on the quarantined item - you just click Delete. It is no software at all - just malware (virus).

But there is only one way to do the above….. you have to have Real Time Protection. This is not available in free home versions (freeware) . You have to pay for it (shareware). Generally for just antivirus, it has been about 35 dollars (US) yearly. Now the free versions (and this is all basically the same with the antispyware programs - just different threat, malwares) will scan the computer, detect threats, and react appropriately as to whether quarantining for User action (attempt clean or just delete) or deleting trojans. Trojans are a like their own little program to do and control stuff as opposed to a virus infecting - merging into a file. Antivirus will always delete a trojan because there is nothing to clean to salvage. A trojan is malicious malware period.
 
EXAMPLE… of why free protection is worthless:
SEE
Security software disabler Trojan
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/security_software_disabler_Trojan.html

The bottom line is to reiterate (say again) that it was just fine to use the free versions and they do great, but….. The problem and inconvenience used to be getting “hit” while browsing and everything was messed up, and you had to stop everything you were doing to scan the computer for threats to remove the bastard. Very, very time consuming. And you couldn’t do anything else until the system and files were cleaned and safe to use again - or you knew you were risking the spread of its intent - whether a virus or spyware.

So, said all that to say this - to reiterate that today’s malwares and their creators and the cyber criminals behind them have become very, very, very sophisticated. They can easily - in the blink of an eye - totally infect the system unprotected (no real time protection) and now have the ability to disable free security softwares and go further to restrict access to the Windows Registry and other navigation functions like Task Manager with the intent to block the User from attempting to manually remove the malwares (delete their files and registry entries by hand in Windows Explorer and Registry).

So my whole point is as webmaster of www.BlueCollarPC.Net and our groups and lists and forums - I am engaged to warn new and intermediate users that this is simply NOT an option anymore - the freewares as your Security Solution.

Did I make that point well enough ? Even though this is a brief one page writing….

Happy and Safe Computing
www.BlueCollarPC.Net and the dial up friendly www.BlueCollarPC.Org 

• About the Webmaster...

• As Webmaster, I am also the creator and Moderator of our Website Group and our off-website groups and forums lending my expertise and moderation duties. 

For Visitors and Members in need of spyware and associated threats removal.... Okay what I am all about is that I am classified as an
Advanced User as a computer person. The common chain of command goes like this: Novice User (new) > Intermediate User > Savvy User > Advanced User > Professional or Expert.

Born and raised in Pennsylvania - the Philadelphia Metropolitan - is also where computers were invented. Our suburban Blue Bell, Pennsylvania has been a home of Sperry Rand / Unisys and is like a smaller "Simi Valley" in California, semi-conductor capital of the world ? A great "ivy-league" city of the Mid-Atlantic States on the East Coast.  There are two main things in finding help for threats removal (adware, spyware, trojans, and all). One is finding someone who knows how to, and two -  is trust in that person or persons. Myself, I am a non-professional - meaning I am not employed in the industry. I am community help oriented, free of charge, and donate what time and expertise I have. Although I am not an Expert (programmer) I do have a computer degree in outdated systems - a Data Processor Certificate.  I graduated at the Folcroft Vocational Technical school in Pennsylvania USA. Trained in IBM 029 and Univac 026 Data Processor Machines and as well some programming in the Sperry Rand 9200/9300 Series Computer (and COBAL). 

Although the transfer to today's Personal Computers is actually the difference of an ant and a hill, at least I am not computer illiterate as an operator and owner and in maintenance. Just in over 6 years of experience (since 2001), and especially in threats removal the past couple years, I am able to offer removal help from personal experience successfully - clean removals of entire unwanted installations, not the click a button "fix this" which leaves all but one file still in the computer. And that leads to the freezes and crashes, read about registry cleaners. Note in today's pc's a Data Processor is more or less as "IT" or data and pc security management.

I have made discovery in the security area. This involves the area of RAS Autodial registry entries - removal of different spyware programs registry associated entries, similar to "dialers" malware (or "call home" of sorts). The entire security software industry of antispyware software has never addressed these and the discovery is mine, and as far as going public with it. Not that I am irate, but rather surprised with the industry because I believe in "clean removal" with any unwanted installation (or otherwise) - so that it was a complete surprise the industry never included these in their defintions for removal, which reputations are built on. This ties into Registry Cleaners that advertise clean removal of "orphan files and keys" for system stability to avoid crashes and freeze up. Obviously this is not 'snake oil' (fake products) either, or they (registry cleaners) would have all been held for false advertising a long time ago. The Disk is just something like picturing an old style vinyl record with grooves and played with a needle. If it were scratched, the record player would just either skip right to the end of the record or keep in the rut going round and round and round. That is not an analogy and does not include anything technical, but it is a good picture in mind to imagine what is going on with the computer in system freezes and crashes - and this all ties into having a clean machine. And there is only one way to have a clean machine - and that is to have clean uninstalls of software and especially in the Windows Registry.  As mad as one gets at some spyware installation in their PC - is the same energy one should employ in keeping a "clean machine".

About the "Free Stuff" - you are not protected !

Many people everywhere at boards and forums and groups always ask about "free protection" available to download and use. Sure, that's fine, because there are many genuine real programs and utilities available for free. But you must know the difference and dangers - using paid programs and free programs. This is the same for antispyware as well as antivirus software programs. Reasons for those seeking these softwares free may be being sick of shoveling out the money after realizing inferior product purchases, short or tight budgets, or no online purchase abilities, and the best reason - to have back up programs if the primary gets 'hit'. Whatever the reasons -  you must know the differences in free and paid programs in antivirus and antispyware softwares, because with free stuff you are not protected ! (The free ones only scan and remove if able). Read... 

About "free stuff"....  
You need to understand what "real time protection" is. None of the free programs offer this with the exception of the real time active shields in the free Microsoft Windows Defender (antispyware) program. In other words, without real time protection (which will block viruses from
installing and most adware and spyware or at least present a warning for blocking) your computer will get infected first. After that, the free programs in antivirus and antispyware will allow removal after a full scan and detection. The problem with that is corruption of files or softwares - as well as the personal information already leaking (being transmitted back to cyber criminals).  In severe threats in many cases your free programs will be blocked from even operating or retrieving update definitions. Paid subscriptions activate real time protection for antivirus and antispyware programs that have active shields like Webroot Spysweeper or Trend Micro Antispyware. Note that only the top sellers in antispyware actually have real time shields - the others are just scanners basically. 

EXAMPLE... of why free protection is worthless:
SEE
Security software disabler Trojan 
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/security_software_disabler_Trojan.html

Your best bets are AVG Free Antivirus, A-Squared Trojan Remover, and SuperAntispyware. Those are some of the best and will remove virtually all infections - but keeping in mind the threat of not having real time protection by paid subscriptions. All of these are free for personal use and have lifetime free defintions updates. Also use Ad-Aware free antispyware version - very well known and used for years and is getting better and better in detection. Again, the free Microsoft Windows Defender antispyware program is the only free protection with real time active shields you should have installed if you are going to refuse spending money. Note it is rated as lackluster in detections. To understand what protection you get from antispyware programs with active shields - take a look at this screenshot picture of the industry leader Webroot Spysweeper showing the shields section and what is being protected: 

Shields Screenshot: Click our Photo Album Tab (left)

Note the screenshot (picture) shows areas quality antispyware programs protect including the free Microsoft Windows Defender ! 
With worms and viruses having the capability to immediately corrupt, destroy, and delete files and directories and even the Windows Operating System - it is pc suicide to not have up to date paid antivirus protection protecting in real time constantly. Usually this occurs (final decision to purchase)  for delinquent users after their first infection with a worm and nothing works suddenly on the computer no matter how many times they slam the buttons or kick the computer. You may want to consider an MSN.com internet subscription. MSN customers get the full free versions of McAfee Antivirus, McAfee Firewall, and Webroot Spysweeper - all free and the first three months of dial up subscription at MSN.com. For broad band, choose the free MSN software package and get all these for free. Note they are the full versions of the programs - not just enterprise/industrial limited softwares, or in other words you get them free as you would buy them on the internet or store. 

Lastly, for free antispyware - you definately want to visit this well known website that is a sort of 'clearing house' for fake and bad antispyware products:

The Spyware Warrior List of Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products & Web Sites
Description: Bad, False, Fake products
URL:  http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm

There are cyber criminals that offer antispyware programs that are actually spyware installations. That website lists all known bad ones. 

Bottom Line ? DO NOT operate your 2,000 dollar plus computer without spending the 100 dollars a year for a Firewall, Antivirus, and Antispyware period. These are on average about 30 to 35 each per year. That simple. That protected. Period. 

Your Computer slows down to a crawl ....

Computer completely slows down, bogged down, multi-tasking becomes impossible:

If there are not errors going on from operator error or faulty software freeze ups and so on, this can be a sign generally of two things. One, would be of course infestation of adware and spyware which will do this. The computer can slow down to a crawl - and there may be constant crashes and unexpected reboots caused by severe spywares that are actually transmitting your personal data back to the cyber criminlals or others and committing reboots and flushes and erasure of their tracks. SMTP outgoing mailers may have been installed that transmit data out to them. For sake of rule out process, you either use free scans to determine if your computer is infected with these - or actually install and use a known and trusted antispyware program to quarantine and delete them. If this does not clear things up significantly and almost instantly - then it is indeed time most likely for a RAM Memory Upgrade neccessary for further operation of the machine safely and efficiently.

If you have downloaded a lot of programs and have a lot of start up processes running you may need a RAM Memory Upgrade to be able to run things as normal again, or as expected. This would generally apply only if you have installed a lot of softwares and programs. The standard upgrade has been, in the Windows XP years, sometimes called the 512M RAM Upgrade. This means your RAM installed from the factory was probably at 256M RAM of processor Random Access Memory. This is kind of a cache of memory that start up programs are in to make things faster - like antivirus, antispyware, firewall, other programs installed like media and other applications that start up and run when you start your computer. This is farily simple, and can be done at home by ordering the correct upgrade - little electronic stick that snaps into the empty row inside the computer. To do it takes looking up your exact Model and what the limit is for the upgrade. The standard has been most Windows XP PCs were released with 256M RAM and the maximum size is 512M RAM. So the upgrade would be an additional 256M RAM memory stick thus making the new total 512M RAM. You can buy lower like a 128M RAM stick to add that would make your mazximum then 384M RAM. You would want to have the maximum size of 512M RAM obviously for fastest and safest operation, Safe so that running software does not fail. Software programs can become corrupted and useless when encountering low RAM. Most times you are going to get the Windows warning that your virtual memory is too low and Windows needs to adjust. You can temporarily adjust the maximum memory that Windows "borrows" in the settings: 

Click > Start (lower left) > Control Panel > System > Advanced > Performance > Settings > click Adjust for Best Performance (note will revert to Classic graphics and click Okay to save settings) > click Advanced (same place) > Virtual Memory click Change > on C-Disk only you can set the maximum size available by clicking Custom ..... you can also click Reset to set things back to normal. Note with a RAM Memory Upgrade these limits will increase here.

You can view your current RAM installed by clicking Start > Control Panel > System

Note that the new PCs with Vista are like a whopping 1G (gigiabits) of RAM or more. This is best if you run broadband and download a lot of  media and audio files - and the more RAM Memory you have installed generally allows the most multi-tasking.

Some Helpful Links:

How to Add Memory FAQ
for Personal Computers
http://www.cyberwalker.net/faqs/how-tos/ram-upgrade-faqs.html

Microsoft - Add more memory to your computer
If your computer seems slow, now's the time for additional RAM
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/moredone/addmemory.mspx 

Ultimate Memory Guide
http://www.kingston.com/tools/umg/default.asp 
Kingston has written the definitive document related to memory and the technology behind it. Everything you ever wanted to know about memory can be found here.

What is Computer Memory? RAM vs Hard Drive
http://www.weeno.com/art/0699/87.html 

How to add a second hard drive 
http://www.cyberwalker.com/article/76/11

Edge (RAM Memory Store)
http://www.edgetechcorp.com/