Thursday, October 28, 2010

IMPORTANT UPDATES OCTOBER 28

MOZILLA FIREFOX
Firefox version 3.6.12 was released this morning to fix a critical security issue in last week's version. Annoying though these frequent updates may be, you're better off with the security fixes than without. Update when prompted, or open Firefox, click Help - Check for Updates, then follow the prompts.


CCLEANER
My favorite utility updated to version 3.00.1303 today. As always, CCleaner only updates by installing the new version. You'll need to download here, then install.  Remember to download first - THEN install. Don't simply click Run during the download. If you want to know why, re-read my earlier post: http://cathycom.blogspot.com/2010/03/run-or-save.html
 
 
SUPERANTISPYWARE
Another great free utility to remove spyware. Used along with Malwarebytes and Spybot, you can clean out most infections.  Download here, or update your installed version.
 
 
THUNDERBIRD
Thunderbird is an open-source email client - a good alternative to Microsoft's Outlook Express, Windows or Live Mail. Download from and install it after download: http://www.mozillamessaging.com/en-US/thunderbird/

Thursday, October 21, 2010

HAS AVG TURNED INTO NORTON/MCAFEE? PERFORMANCE ISSUES APLENTY

Grisoft's AVG 2011 version of probably the most-used antivirus software on the planet has fallen short. AVG is a free (and pay) antivirus program, with paid versions that add firewall, identity and spyware protection.

A few years ago it was one of the fastest, more compact and accurate antivirus programs available, free or pay. As with most successful products, we insist on *improvements*.  Improvements lead to larger, more invasive programs. In the quest to protect almost everybody from almost everything including ourselves, Grisoft seems to have joined ranks with Norton and McAfee in putting out a product that's almost unusable on anything but the latest high-powered computers.

I haven't broken up with AVG completely; we're just taking a break. In the meantime, I'm using the free version of Avast, found here: http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download. Avast will prompt you to register within the first 30 days; it's still free and all you have to give up is your name and email address. The current version is much easier to register than before.

We'll be watching, Grisoft. Make us and AVG proud again.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

NEW UPDATES - WINDOWS, OFFICE, JAVA AND MORE

WINDOWS and OFFICE
Microsoft released a number of Windows and Office updates on Tuesday. If you're using Automatic Update, be sure to allow the updates to install. You'll need to reboot, and installation will finish on startup.  If you update manually, in Windows XP open Internet Explorer, go to Tools - Windows Update and follow the prompts. In Vista and Windows 7, click Start - Windows Update.

JAVA
A Java update was released this morning (1.6.0.22). You can install when prompted if Auto Update for Java is on. Or you can download and install from here: http://www.filehippo.com/download_jre_32 or go to the Java Downloads page: http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp   If you have Vista or Windows 7 and use both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of your browser be sure to install both 32- and 64-bit versions of Java.

ADOBE READER
Version 9.4 of Adobe Reader was released last week. Follow the prompts when the update indicator appears, or open Adobe Reader, click Help - Check for updates, then follow the prompts. 
There've been some problems updating Adobe Reader, with several different resolutions. If you see an Error Code while trying to update, copy it down and type it into a search engine (Google, Yahoo, BING, etc.) for suggestions to fix.  Or ask here.

AVG FREE ANTIVIRUS 2011
Grisoft put out an update to the new version of AVG last week, so at least they know something's not quite right. Don't change over to 2011 just yet - let them fix it all. While you'll see prompts to upgrade it's not necessary at this time, and following the prompts from inside the program will only take you to the pay version.  There is still a free version available.  Ask if you have questions - I have suggestions.