Symptoms of a computer virus

What is a computer virus?

A computer virus is a small software program that spreads from one computer to another computer and that interferes with computer operation. A computer virus may corrupt or delete data on a computer, use an e-mail program to spread the virus to other computers, or even delete everything on the hard disk.

Computer viruses are most easily spread by attachments in e-mail messages or by instant messaging messages. Therefore, you must never open an e-mail attachment unless you know who sent the message or unless you are expecting the e-mail attachment. Computer viruses can be disguised as attachments of funny images, greeting cards, or audio and video files. Computer viruses also spread by using downloads on the Internet. Computer viruses can be hidden in pirated software or in other files or programs that you may download.

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Symptoms of a computer virus

If you suspect or confirm that your computer is infected with a computer virus, obtain the current antivirus software. The following are some primary indicators that a computer may be infected:

• The computer runs slower than usual.
• The computer stops responding, or it locks up frequently.
• The computer crashes, and then it restarts every few minutes.
• The computer restarts on its own. Additionally, the computer does not run as usual.
• Applications on the computer do not work correctly.
• Disks or disk drives are inaccessible.
• You cannot print items correctly.
• You see unusual error messages.
• You see distorted menus and dialog boxes.
• There is a double extension on an attachment that you recently opened, such as a .jpg, .vbs, .gif, or .exe. extension.
• An antivirus program is disabled for no reason. Additionally, the antivirus program cannot be restarted.
• An antivirus program cannot be installed on the computer, or the antivirus program will not run.
• New icons appear on the desktop that you did not put there, or the icons are not associated with any recently installed programs.
• Strange sounds or music plays from the speakers unexpectedly.
• A program disappears from the computer even though you did not intentionally remove the program.

Note These are common signs of infection. However, these signs may also be caused by hardware or software problems that have nothing to do with a computer virus. Unless you run the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool, and then you install industry-standard, up-to-date antivirus software on your computer, you cannot be certain whether a computer is infected with a computer virus or not.

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Symptoms of worms and trojan horse viruses in e-mail messages

When a computer virus infects e-mail messages or infects other files on a computer, you may notice the following symptoms:

• The infected file may make copies of itself. This behavior may use up all the free space on the hard disk.
• A copy of the infected file may be sent to all the addresses in an e-mail address list.
• The computer virus may reformat the hard disk. This behavior will delete files and programs.
• The computer virus may install hidden programs, such as pirated software. This pirated software may then be distributed and sold from the computer.
• The computer virus may reduce security. This could enable intruders to remotely access the computer or the network.
• You receive an e-mail message that has a strange attachment. When you open the attachment, dialog boxes appear, or a sudden degradation in system performance occurs.
• Someone tells you that they have recently received e-mail messages from you that contained attached files that you did not send. The files that are attached to the e-mail messages have extensions such as .exe, .bat, .scr, and .vbs extensions.

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Symptoms that may be the result of ordinary Windows functions

A computer virus infection may cause the following problems:

• Windows does not start even though you have not made any system changes or even though you have not installed or removed any programs.
• There is frequent modem activity. If you have an external modem, you may notice the lights blinking frequently when the modem is not being used. You may be unknowingly supplying pirated software.
• Windows does not start because certain important system files are missing. Additionally, you receive an error message that lists the missing files.
• The computer sometimes starts as expected. However, at other times, the computer stops responding before the desktop icons and the taskbar appear.
• The computer runs very slowly. Additionally, the computer takes longer than expected to start.
• You receive out-of-memory error messages even though the computer has sufficient RAM.
• New programs are installed incorrectly.
• Windows spontaneously restarts unexpectedly.
• Programs that used to run stop responding frequently. Even if you remove and reinstall the programs, the issue continues to occur.
• A disk utility such as Scandisk reports multiple serious disk errors.
• A partition disappears.
• The computer always stops responding when you try to use Microsoft Office products.
• You cannot start Windows Task Manager.
• Antivirus software indicates that a computer virus is present.

internet explorer vs firefox vs the new google chrome

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5433454/google_chrome_vs_internet_explorer.html?cat=15

In reset studies it has been found that internet explorer (IE) has become the slowest browser out there.  The  above link takes you to an article that goes over the browser usage and speed.

I have used firefox for years, I have just recently started using Google chrome and I really like the speed!! 

I recommend trying a new browser!!!! When you do it will import all of your bookmarks from IE for you. 

tips for forwarding an email

Hello Everyone,
I have a few tips for you on how to forward an email without all the extra forward junk. 

 When you hit the forward button on your email it will open a new email for you and allow you to edit the forwarding message.  At this point you should high light the extra email trail and any other info you do not want to pass to clients.  Once you have selected content to remove simple hit the delete button.

**You can edit in content in the body of an email before you send it**

**It is very important to delete the old email trail from the new forwarded message**

Another tip for sending or forwarding emails to mulitiple clients is to add the contact info to the BCC (blind copy) box instead of the TO or COPY box.  I will talk more about this in the next blog. 

join me- a new screen sharing tool!

Join Me is a new screen sharing tool that is a great way to interact with clients who are not in your office.  Join me is similar to Log me in, which allows you to see another persons computer screen.  Join Me is easy to use and allows your clients to see your screen with the click of a link.  

Check out the article below that explains it better.  I will be happy to help everyone setup and use this free tool!

http://www.mytechopinion.com/2010/10/join-me-online-meetings.html

Tip for searching the internet

I have found these tips to be useful when trying to search the internet. 

1. Place a plus sign (+) prior to each word to view each word separately within your search results, such as: "+writer+grammar+punctuation".
2. Place a minus sign (-) prior to each word to omit a word, such as: "recipe-meat" for a vegetarian meal.
3. Use quotation marks ("), to view consecutive words of a phrase, such as: "flower arrangement."
4. Use hyphens to replace quotation marks, such as: To-be-or-not-to-be.
5. Use plus signs with the quotation of a phrase, such as: +baking+"chocolate cake."
6. Connect words and phrases with hyphens and quotation marks to pinpoint the search, such as: "baking German-chocolate-cake."
7. Use and within a phrase. “James Taylor and singer” will result with a list of singers with the name of James Taylor.
8. Use not to eliminate part of a search. “James Taylor not singer” will result with a list of people that are '‘not’' singers, but have the name of James Taylor.
9. Use or. “James Taylor or Frank Sinatra” will result with a list of ‘'either or both’' of these phrases.
10. Connect to search similar items, such as: "blue-bird or black-bird or blackbird."