Advise Abilene

January 2009

Computer

About Us

Your source for quality hardware and software solutions. We offer design, installation & implementation of network systems, including Linux, Novell & Microsoft. Security evaluations, maintenance and upgrades, troubleshooting and administration on existing systems, and more. We also offer data recovery and conversion, software installation, virus and adware/spyware removal, and Internet access configuration and troubleshooting.

If you're not sure exactly what you need, we can help you evaluate your requirements. Pathfinders can help you find cost-effective solutions. From simple Windows-based, peer-to-peer networking to full-scale, wide-area client-server networks to upgrading or building new computers, we have the knowledge and experience to build stable, secure systems that work for your business.

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Monday - Friday 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

F.A.Q.

Q. The formatting toolbar on my Microsoft Word has disappeared. How do I get it back on the screen?

A. Well, that question is very dependent on the version of Microsoft Word. Not all of them disappear the same way.

Typically, use the View drop down menu, click on Toolbars, and put check marks next to the ones that have disappeared.

Possibly, what you have in mind is covered with this procedure:

Restore original buttons and menus on a built-in toolbar

On the Tools menu, click Customize, and then click the Toolbars tab. In the Toolbars box, click the name of the toolbar you want to restore. Click Reset.

Q. Sid, my son wants to download music from the home computer to his mp3. I have been told that this is where the spyware comes from. I have Ad-Aware and Spy Sweeper, but I have told him he cannot do it anymore. Is there a way he can safely use the computer to download his music?

A. First, let me start by saying Spyware can be controlled. Spyware can be removed most of the time with little ill effect. Spyware doesn't come from the download of music. However...

Visiting Internet sites that have spyware engines attached to them gives you spyware. You don't ask for it, you just get it with some of the sites you visit.

Download music from reputable, pay-for type services, which keep their servers free of spyware engines. Free servers most probably have plenty of spyware. If you are going to download music, visit sites you can trust, and run Norton Internet Security, Version 2006 (our favorite choice). At least once per week, run Ad-Aware and Spybot Search and Destroy. If you are visiting infected servers, you may need to run the spyware programs more often. Do full system scans with Norton at least once per week. Do updates on Norton more often that that.

Q. I am using USB memory sticks to store data and pass from computer to computer all necessary information. How do I password protect my memory sticks, or is it possible?

A. Your concern is valid. These guys are easy to lose and can have very sensitive data on them. Encryption of 128 bit or greater will usually do a decent job of protection.

WinEncrypt is one free source.

If your thumb drive doesn't have encryption software, you can buy additional software. Programs like File Encryption XP ($30), Folder Crypto Password ($24.95) and Folder Lock ($35) can encrypt your thumb drive files.

Be careful when you connect your thumb drive to shared computers. Just like floppy disks, thumb drives can easily transfer viruses.

Make sure you're only transferring data. Any computer you connect the drive to should have anti-virus software running. Of course, the virus definitions must be current. The anti-virus software should scan the drive as soon as it is connected.