program

SpyFalcon is the latest rogue anti-spyware program that dupes unsuspecting users into registering (paying) for a full version of the program in order to remove a supposed Spyware infection. SpyFalcon operates in the same manner as SpyAxe and ... SpywareStrike by issuing fake warning messages similar (and almost identical to) Windows Update Notification balloons. Click here for an example. Like SpyAxe and SpywareStrike, SpyFalcon infects the host computer due to an exploit in MS Windows. The exploit can be resolved after infection is removed and after visiting Windows Update Web site. Both steps ... (view more)

While I was on the way home from work one day, I was thinking how I kept typing the same headings and formatting commands over and over again. Maybe I could write a quick and dirty program to help me with the formatting? The program would need to ... show me an interface that would let me paste in text and URLs to make a new review with the formatting already done for me. Thankfully, my coding 'wish' came true when I accidentally stumbled onto a program called, the 'Form Letter Machine' later that evening. The Form Letter Machine: How it Works The Form Letter Machine was fairly easy for me to ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader S. Frisch recently asked a question regarding rootkits: " I've been hearing a lot of talk these days about 'rootkits' and how they can infiltrate Windows (regardless of whether or not you have a Firewall installed). What is your ... opinion of rootkits? I've also heard that there are programs that can help to defeat rootkits (with frequent updates): Rootkit Revealer, Ghostbuster and Blacklight. Do you think any one is better than the other? Do you think installing these programs is necessary? And if so, are there any others that are better?" Before answering this question, let' ... (view more)

A plugin (or "plug-in") is a computer program that interacts with another program to provide a certain function. Typical examples of plugins include: a web browser plugin (such as "adobe acrobat reader"), a program to display specific graphic ... formats (such as "video codecs" for Windows Media Player), and the like. Plugins are slightly different from program extensions, which modify or add to existing functionality. The main difference is that plugins generally do not change a user interface and run within well-defined boundary; comparatively, extensions generally ... (view more)

A crash in computing is a condition where a program (either an application or part of the operating system) stops performing its expected function and also stops responding to other parts of the system. Often the offending program may simply appear ... to freeze. If this program is a critical part of the operating system kernel the entire computer may crash (a system crash). Many crashes are the result of the execution of a single machine instruction, but the causes of this are manifold. Typical causes are when the program counter loses track of the correct execution path or a buffer overflow ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Wayne B. writes: " Dear Dennis, Can you please tell me how I can Print the Titles of all the songs I have in Windows Media Player Library? I have a ton of songs listed here and I'd like to have a hard copy for my reference. " My ... response: What you're referring to is a printing a PlayList. According to Microsoft.com, you have two options. Option 1: You can "use the 'Media Info Exporter PowerToy' to export your library to Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Access, or even to an HTML or XML file, and then you'll be able to print. Note that this tool only ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Jim M. writes: " Dear Dennis, I always have problems running Microsoft Windows defrag because it continually restarts and takes forever to finish. A lot of the time I have to restart my computer in Safe Mode and run defrag just to ... get it to finish properly -- and most of the time it takes 2 to 4 hours to complete and I cannot use my computer! I am writing you today because I just finished reading your latest article on PowerUp XP Platinum 2 , and noticed that you briefly mentioned a program called Magic Defrag. Can you please tell me how this works? I've never heard of ... (view more)

Recall -- Yesterday, Andy P. asked if there was a freeware program that could display the send and receive activity of his internal modem: " I use a dialup Internet connection from AOL. Before I upgraded to Windows XP, I ran a wonderful utility ... called 'FMLights' which allowed me to view the Send and Receive activity internal modem. Unfortunately, FMLights is not compatible with Windows XP, and I can no longer view my network traffic when I'm connected to the Internet ... If you can recommend a freeware application that displays my modem lights and is compatible with Windows XP, that ... (view more)

Synopsis: According to "Jupiter Research", unwanted email or Spam messages occupy at least 50% of email sent around the world! And there doesn't seem to be a fix anytime soon: research has shown that junk mail will continue to increase exponentially ... over the next few years. So what's the most effective way to combat Spam and Viruses on the Internet? Answer: MailWasher Pro, of course! MailWasher Pro saves you oodles of time by allowing you to preview and delete unwanted email *before* it actually gets downloaded to your computer! MailWasher Pro takes Spam complaints to the next level by ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader B.R. Hudgens writes: " Dear Dennis, I just read your article regarding the Registry Mechanic v4 release, as well as the article on WinOptimizer Platinum Suite . I have not yet tried either of these utilities on my system, but plan ... to do so very shortly because my PC has become very sluggish. I was wondering if you would give your opinion on the comparison of Registry Mechanic to WinOptimizer Platinum? I'm a bit confused because your article on WinOptimizer states that it cleans the System Registry (as does Registry Mechanic). And, both programs, as far as I understand ... (view more)