Listener Questions

To firewall or not to firewall?

G`day Peter, I have just joined a new ISP, Q; is do I need there Fire wall? or is there a free one I could use, I run Windows XP home with XP Pack 2, which has a fire wall.

I am currently until the change over with another provider, and pay them a $1 p/m for there fire wall,,, I also run Norton Anti Virus 2003,,

Hope you can help.. ( more time on the radio too would be good,) Thanks. Lou..

Hi louis,

Firstly remember to give me your new email address when you change over, i don't really believe you need a software fire wall as windows one does suffice, keep your anti virus up to date but microsoft is launching a firewall and anti syware service shortly. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=435bfce7-da2b-4a6a-afa4-f7f14e605a0d&displaylang=en

# posted by Peter Saville - IT Consultant @ 6:38 pm 0 comments

I would appreciate if you could help us with a message that flashes on to our computer screen constanly with a message "Your computer is infected, windows has detected Spyware infection ...........Click here to proctrect your computer from spyware.

On clicking into the box it proceeded to download a spyware program which I did not continue with.

As I have Norton installed I checked the status which indicated that installed programs are working correctly.

Could you please advise the best way to delete this message.

Regards John & Julia (Adlington)

Hi John,

Yes you have a piece of spyware on your machine trying to sell you of all things a antispyare cleaner. don't buy their one as it isn't likely to clean much off you machine but clean some of credit card balance. I suggest you need to look at adaware and spybot to clean it off otherwise you may need to buy a professional spyware cleaner from pctools.

adaware and spyware are free from www.download.com

# posted by Peter Saville - IT Consultant @ 6:32 pm 0 comments

Listener question from the this mornings Mid North Coast session was on power protection. Now unfortunately not being able to go into brand names made it a little difficult to answer on air other than telling the listener he needs a UPS.

UPS is short for uninterruptible power supply, a power supply that includes a battery to maintain power in the event of a power outage. Typically, a UPS keeps a computer running for several minutes after a power outage, enabling you to save data that is in RAM and shut down the computer gracefully. Many UPSs now offer a software component that enables you to automate backup and shut down procedures in case there's a power failure while you're away from the computer.

There are two basic types of UPS systems: standby power systems (SPSs) and on-line UPS systems. An SPS monitors the power line and switches to battery power as soon as it detects a problem. The switch to battery, however, can require several milliseconds, during which time the computer is not receiving any power. Standby Power Systems are sometimes called Line-interactive UPSes.

An on-line UPS avoids these momentary power lapses by constantly providing power from its own inverter, even when the power line is functioning properly. In general, on-line UPSs are much more expensive than SPSs. However, the good news with these UPS devices is that they filter the power and make sure the power is kept at a constant level.

A UPS can also have surge production which also filters the power levels on both the mains or the telephone lines. Many users have installed internet 56k modems and these being connected directly to the mainboard expose the computer to a potentially disastrous when a power spikes hits the phone line.

I use two brands of UPS in my own network, these are Powerware and Sola I find them very easy to use and reasonably priced. Please note I am sure there are other brands out there that are just as good these are just the two I have used.

I also use a Fortron Power surge protector they are great as they offer a warranty that pays out if there product didn’t save your items plugs into it.

# posted by Peter Saville - IT Consultant @ 6:14 pm 1 comments