7 Types of Computer Viruses

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Blue Screen of Death in Silver Black Laptop

What do you need to know about viruses?

A virus is no joke because it could delete all your files, steal them, and enter your email to spread in other people’s computer.

True, viruses can expand by means of email attachments, messages, and email  attachments. Do not open especially if you do not know the sender. The virus could even hide themselves in a friendly greeting card, audio and video files, even funny and cute images. It could also come as a file or program, if not as a software.

The list below are the types of viruses and where they attack:

  • Boot Sector Virus is the most dangerous virus. This could have an effect on the master boot record, destroy or encrypt the code. The most difficult part is that, boot sector virus is hard to remove. It requires the formatting of the whole system. Parity boot is an example of this.
  • Resident Viruses is a permanent virus which resides in the RAM memory. It causes interruption of the operations which the system has already done. Eventually, this leads to corrupting programs and files. Mr. Klunky, Randex, Meve, and CMJ are examples of this.
  • Non-resident Viruses is the type that does not reside or complete itself from the memory of the computer. It is also a finder module and likewise damage files when the module is executed. Executable virus is an example of this virus.
  • Multipartite Viruses can spread in so many ways and distribute through the infected media. It stays in the memory and unhurriedly goes to the boot sector of the hard drive. They affect the boot sector and executable files and rapidly spread itself at the same time. This makes it difficult to remove. If you clean the program files, it is useless because the virus resides in the boot sector. The minute you open your computer, the virus immediately replicates.
  • Overwrite Viruses may not be as dangerous to your system, but surely it can delete the files that it infected. To remove this kind of virus, delete the file and all its content so that it cannot pass the infection to the entire pieces of standalone files and software. This spreads via the email. Way, Trivial.88.D, and Way are examples of this.
  • Direct Action Virus, a file infector does its work by connecting to a particular type of file which is often EXE or COM files. When the file is completed, it will hunt down other files in your directory and start spreading. An anti-virus program can deal with the virus.
  • Stealth Viruses can deceive anti-virus software by just putting into halt the request of the operating system. It is hard to detect it because it hides itself.

 

Viruses are all out there just waiting to attack your system. There are ways of fighting them – know about them, know where they reside, and know how to get free of them. Also, use a good anti-virus program. Be wary in downloading from the internet because it might just have a virus. Scan files before opening because or utilize this online scanner to ensure you ain’t opening a trap.

8 Tips in Protecting Your Original Content

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check, class, deskThere is a big possibility that your content can be stolen…

even if you just started to blog either for a content websites or an online magazine. You will be surprise to see your content being reposted on personal websites, article websites, and other blogs.There could be times when your work will be copied from your website and posted to another website. To make it look original, your article will be altered. There could be times when your content will be reposted but with proper credit to you but without your permission. If you prefer your content to stay in your site, remove the duplicate content.

Here are some suggestions:

  • Go to Google Alerts to find the content stolen from you. Place a part of your article and specify the kind of websites to be searched. Give your email address for you to be duly informed on the result.
  • Find out if there is any abuse on your website. Make a survey on your logs and server. Find out if there is any sizable increase in your bandwidth for referrers or host. Know the quantity of your server logs.
  • Copyscape will immediately scan the whole web to look for duplicate content of your page. It will give you top results for a word for word comparison. There is a price for Copyscape, but it is all worth it for those who write and publish their content.
  • You can use trackback notifications ,which are provided by Movable Type, WordPress, and Drupal. These will tell you if someone is linked to your post.
  • Contact the site service that hosts the site who stole your content. You can also use Google, or Go to Who Is to remove the stolen content.
  • Go to Google Webmaster to report a complaint against the site that took your content. The site will be banned from using Google’s search engines. If your stolen content is earning money using Google Adwords, the account will be instantly closed and the thief cannot open another account.
  • Set up Google Search Authorship if you are actively doing online posting. This will convey that you are the writer or creator of the content. Google will likewise guide you on how to affirm the content that you created.
  • Post a copyright notice which should include the terms of use page to show that you are the true owner and no one has the right to copy the content without your permission.

When this happens to you…

Do not panic because you can still do something. Whenever you post what you have created or written, be aware that a thief is out there is waiting for the chance to steal your content. Learn different ways to protect your work, and apply the necessary precautions. When you have proven someone stole your work, gather evidences before calling the authorities.

Where to Sell Your Photos?

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art, clothes photos

Websites to sell your photos.

If you have taken a number of photos of good quality, why not sell them online and earn good money from it? There are a lot of options online. Many companies have means to help photographers in selling their photos. If you are looking for a place to sell your art, look no further.

Here are 9 great sites you can try:

  • Shutter Stock is the prime sites for photographers. Each picture is $0.25-$2.85 and this rate could be higher for excellent photos. There are thousands of photos added to the inventory every day, and before they get uploaded, every photo is analyzed.
  • iStock Photo They offer millions of clip art, photos, illustrations, video. Every download  earns 15% royalty rate.
  • Fotolia This micro stock agency company is based in New York. Each download payment ranges from 20% to 63%.
  • PhotoCrati is a website for photographers and visual artists. No coding needed because you can quickly sell photos with the Photocrati theme’s built-in ecommerce galleries. It integrates easily with Paypal so collecting money is easier than expected.
  • Tour Photos It showcases amusement parks, northern lights excursions, cruise ships and many more. It also has photos of activities like diving, paragliding, scuba diving, and rafting. If you are interested in these sports, this website is perfect for you. You can choose to sell your photos, or make them available for free.
  • Smug Mug In this site, you can showcase your greeting cards, photos, prints, digital downloads, and sell it at the same time. You decide on how much each cost and the royalty is 85%. Shopping won’t be a hassle because you will provided a storefront and your customers can easily buy them with one single click.
  • Photo Shelter There are nine website templates available to choose from and in minutes, you can build your own site. There is no coding required. Simply upload your work. Plans begins from $9.00 every month but it can go up to $49.99 monthly.
  • Alamy It boasts that they feature the world’s most diverse stock photo collection. This photography agency was launched in 1999, and they sell around 60 millions of images and videos. A photographer may also sell their photos in other sites.
  • Snapped4U It shows event like gigs, festivals, weddings, parties, etc. Here, selling photos are really simple and the sales of each photos raises money for good causes. The site will charge 10% commission on photos that are sold at more than $5.00.

 

Planning to Turn Your Photography Hobby into a Business?

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photography, art, artist

Tips in making your photos better.

You are wrong if you think that photography is a small time business, because it isn’t! In fact, photography is a rapid and lucrative business because a lot of people wants to purchase photos online. Just take very clear and captivating photos, and then, upload them on your site or other websites. Either way, you will be noticed.

But first of all, ask yourself this question – what photos would people buy? The substantial number of people who purchase photos are bloggers or those who has their own websites. The sought-after photos are:

  • Nature
  • Things like books, computers, tools, bag, dress, jewelleries
  • Animals
  • People
  • Travel
  • Close-up photos
  • Work situation like office
  • Cities

It is a great idea to find out which images are in demand in various websites.

Admit it, to have good photos you need a good camera. A DSLR camera is a wonderful choice. If you’ve got shaky hands or you need to shoot for quite a long time, use a tripod. You can also find photography kits in reliable websites. Lastly, never miss-out  on storing your pictures online. If you are a member of Amazon Prime, you can use their free online storage. Another option is Carbonite who can do the same.

When you shoot, use backdrops to have a larger surface. The vinyl backdrops can do a fantastic job. It also has a reversible version. Use a light tent to soften the blaze of the sun. You can use a table top for smaller items.

Once your photos are sold, money will start coming in. But there is another way to earn, and that is, not to sell your photos! Sounds, conflicting? Well, this is how it works. Give a license to buyers who wants to use your photos. This way, you can sell as much photos to different people and yet, you still have the copyright. It may sound as if you are not going to earn a lot, but wait! If your photos are offered for sale many times, you could earn a huge amount of money. That makes stock photography very profitable.

Another option is to sell your photos as prints. Simply upload them to different printing sites where buyers can purchase your printed photos. It may not be so much, but it sure is a good start. The great part is that you don’t have to print, to ship, and ask for your payment because they will do that for you. How good is that?

If you want to earn a lot more, then, you have to put money in the business. This means creating your own website and selling your photos. You need time and of course resources but you will not regret it. The result will surely be good. On the other hand, if you want an immediate budgeted way, you can buy a portfolio website that will show ready-to-use template. Find out the websites that offers portfolio solution and you can start operating in just a few days!

9 Tips to Prevent Online Fraud

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bank, banking, businessOnline businesses use websites as their trading ground.

It is the most rapid way to get in touch with clients. But you have to watch out for those fraudsters, who are studying how they can pull a fast one on you. These people might sell you something that does not exist or sell something that has no quality. They can also ask details of your identity or your financial information to scam you. Be careful in clicking different links because they might provide a website that looks real just to get your payment details. Always check the authenticity of the website you visit.

If you are the seller, buyers may not pay right away. There are various reasons like the payment cannot be sent immediately, but the buyer wants the items delivered and expect payment later. They may not pay you.

Save yourself from complications. Here are tips to help you:

  • Scammers will set dummy sites. Because they are familiar with the authentic sites, they can add some things, a different spelling or a word. Check the web address to know if they are real.
  • Do not click any links or use a money transfer mode when you want to pay on an auction site. Use Paypal or other similar services that can protect your money.
  • It is wise to know the dispute resolution, terms and conditions of the auction sites before transacting.
  • One of the famous scheme of fraudsters is opening a credible account like eBay. They would buy things to get great feedback, hence, they get positive feedback scores. Smart, right? Be smarter, go and check the seller’s profile and know the true comments from actual buyers. If they don’t have it, you are their target!
  • You need photos to know if the product is for real. Do your research and check Google to know if there is a cut and paste routine. Once you confirmed it, that is warning sign.
  • Very little details? Do not hesitate to ask for pictures that will set the scammer to give you pictures, which you can check later.
  • Bargain price? A lot of fraudster uses this bargain tactic using a good online platform like Gumtree or eBay just to appear reliable. The reality is: it is a fake item or the product does not exist. If you have sent your money, say goodbye to it.
  • No contact number? Sometimes, if not, fraudsters put a number that you cannot contact. Stop right away and do not transact with them.
  • You are asked to communicate outside the official system like using mobile phone or email? Why, when there is an official platform to contact each other.

If these instances happen to you…

Take note of these tips before you buy anything online. To be sure, purchase items at the brand’s official website and avoid transacting with shops in social media. If you buy from other people, you cannot be certain of their quality and authenticity. If you have been scammed, call the right authorities. If you are in the UK area, you can call the Action Fraud helpline 0300 123 2040.

 

5 Ways to Help Cool Down Your Computer

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abstract, art, blazeCan you feel your computer burning? Is your desktop computer suffering from too much heat? Electronic devices – like your computer – produce heat when it’s tirelessly working and doing countless of processes. If the temperature gets intolerable, it can deal a lot of damage to your computer.

These tips will help you to keep your computer cool, and these are very easy to do, and definitely cost-effective, too, so you do not have to worry about your PC crashing or giving up on you.

  • Clean your computer. You do not need to spend money actually. Shut your computer down, unplug the wires, open your case, and do some actual cleaning because cleaning helps a lot. Remove the dust, dirt, and any other debris that is clogging up your computer’s vents. From time to time, it’s best to clean your computer  especially the fans. A unclean fan will not be able to function properly and battle the rising temperature. Combat dust and dirt because those will slow down your fan and when the fan slow, your computer will suffer. Schedule regular cleanups, let’s say, once a week.
  • Clean your working area. Clean not only your computer, but also your desk especially if it filled with all sorts of papers, notes, and mess around your computer. You need to clear those and keep them away from your computer’s exhaust ports. Nothing should be near your ports because your clutter can block the air vents .
  • Move your computer. You should also give your computer some space because adequate air flow is important. If your computer is located in a place near a wall, it is better to give it some breathing room. There should be some space between your computer and the wall. If you put your computer in the basement, it will be prone to damage than a computer in the living room. It is in a scorching hot environment and in a closed space. Please do not put your computer in a place where it will be exposed to the blazing sun. Keep it away from the window, too.
  • Keep your computer close. Some people would say that to keep the air flowing, it would be better if you open your computer’s case. That is huge misconception, and do not ever follow that advice. Yes, it may seem the right to do, but you are exposing your computer more to more harm than good. It is susceptible to more dust and dirt. See tip #1. Remember that these computer cases are made to handle situations like increase in temperature. So, it’s best to keep the case shut because opening the case w won’t help even the slightest a bit.
  • Add or upgrade your computer’s fan. The important part of your computer is the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and it is most likely the most expensive part also. If you a have a budget to upgrade your CPU’s fan, that would be a great option. If you have more extra money, you can even get a computer case fan, too. Most case fans are in the front and back of your computer. These can help in keeping the other computer components – graphic cards, memory, HDD – in your computer are calm and cool.

4 Ways to Improve Your Slow Computer

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annoyed man

A slow computer can be frustrating at times.

Everyone hates a slow computer. We all want to go ballistic if our computers are slow as a snail. Don’t worry because there are ways to make a computer run faster without spending money. Just a side note though, this guide only applies to a Windows PC and it will only focus on solutions that are easy to do.

Follow these tips below to speed up your computer:

  • Remove unused programs. Normally, when you purchase a new computer, it is packed with programs you never asked for and you will never use.  It has trial versions of programs that you might find helpful. Typically, the programs are there to help manage your computer’s hardware and software, but most of the time, you just ignore them.
    • To uninstall a program, click the Start button , select Control Panel. Under the Programs, and select Uninstall a program. Just choose the apps you wish to uninstall.
  • Defragment the fragmented. Removing unnecessary files in your hard drive is not enough because you also have to learn to use that space effectively.
    • Your computer stores large files in fragments and there are apps – like Disk Defragmenter – that will help you to rearrange fragmented data. When data is fragmented, your computer must search for the pieces of files that is stored all over your hard drive. With Disk Defragmenter, you can enhance your computer’s performance by organizing existing data and freeing up space so your computer can search for files faster.
    • In order to defrag, go My Computer. Then, right click the hard drive you wish to defrag. Once you’ve chosen which hard drive, click Properties, Tools, then click Defragment Now.
    • You can also defrag removable storage devices such as USB flash disks, and external hard disks. The same rule applies: analyze the storage devices first and defrag them immediately if they’re above 10%. If you have a solid-state drive, do not use defragmentation!
  • Remove the temporary files. Every time you open different applications, your computer creates a huge chunk of temporary files. This occupies a tremendous amount of space, and further slowing down your computer. Constantly clean it whenever you think your computer is running slow.
    • To open the temporary files folder, press the Windows button + R on your keyboard simultaneously. After, type in %temp% in the dialog box. You can now see all the temporary files. Delete all the files in the folder, but you might not be able to delete some currently used files so just click on skip.
  • Regularly run your malware scanner. Keep your malware scanner up to date, and schedule a scan at least once a week. Malwares can secretly sneak into your computer and run in the background. These programs use your computer’s resources, and can absolutely decelerate your computer. It’s important to remove them so your computer can handle important processes.

Get rid of the clutter.

Slow computers are often the result of unwanted programs that are running in the background. Keeping these applications in your computer will just consume disk space & waste system resources so constantly perform these tips.

8 Tips in Extending Your Laptop’s Battery Life

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businesswoman, company, computerOnly diamonds last forever because laptop batteries definitely wont. After an hour or two, laptops will start to notify you that the batteries are running out of juice and you need to find an outlet asap to recharge them. When you constantly move from one place to another, every minute of running time is precious.

These tips will help you and your laptop make it through the day:

  • Hotter battery means faster deterioration. Your laptop’s number one opponent is HEAT. At all times, you have to  keep your laptop cool. To lessen the heat, a cooling pad will combat the heat. If you do not know what to look for in a cooling pad, you can read through this buying guide.
  • Avoid multitasking. We are so used to running various applications simultaneously whenever we are on our desktop computers. These applications and services consume battery. Prioritize the apps that you really need to use and close unnecessary applications that that you can resume at a later time. Reserve your cherished battery life for the urgent tasks.
  • Go for simple applications. If you cannot avoid to multitask, at least, learn use simple applications. For instance, whenever you are planning to write a proposal, it’s better to draft it in a notepad first than typing directly in Microsoft Word. Select a simple text editor over a RAM heavy application. Another tip is to do the intense gaming later because games consume a lot of RAM too.
  • Tweak your power options. Typically, your default power plan is set to balanced. Edit it to energy saver or power saver. Whenever you are mobile, avoid the high performance power plan. This may utilize more battery life. When not in use, turn off your display or put your computer to sleep. Moreover, there is no need to set the laptop’s brightness to its highest configuration if you are in a well-lighted room.
  • Shut your computer down. If you are not using your computer for long time, it’s better to turn it off because the standby mode will still use up battery life. Boot up your computer when you are ready to resume.
  • When not in use, turn off wireless connections. Whether it is the Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth connection, if you do not intend to use it, disable it to avoid depleting the battery.
  • Disable unused ports. Temporarily disable certain ports like USB, VGA, Ethernet because these ports can affect your battery life. For Windows users, open your Device Manager to know more about these ports.
  • Defragment your hard disk. The more fragmented your HDD is, the more it needs to work. Therefore, it consumes battery life. For Windows users, it is advisable to defrag if your hard disk is 10% fragmented. (You can learn more about it  by checking this guide.) For Mac users, this does not apply as it automatically defrags whenever necessary.

At the end of the day, batteries really won’t last long and they are only for back up purposes. It allows you to check some files, or review a presentation whenever you are on the road. So, know your priorities because batteries will wear off.

6 Tips in Caring for Your Laptop Battery

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laptop, device, charging

Charging a laptop.

Knowing how to extend your laptop battery life is one thing, but taking care of it is another story. You need to know what is harmful for batteries, and what is not. Laptops, nowadays, are using lithium-ion (Li-Ion), and these lithium-ion batteries age so they will last for two to three years.

Follow this guide to get the best of your laptop batteries:

  • When you’re charging, remove the battery. Normally, your battery will stop receiving charges once it hits 100%. So, extending laptop charging won’t affect your laptop. The danger is when your device is suffering from excessive heating. If this happens, it is best to remove your battery. The heat is your battery’s enemy especially if your battery is lithium-ion. Overheating may be happening because you have too many applications open all at the same, are playing heavy games, or doing anything that tires your hard disks.
  • Make sure your battery has around 40-50 % charge left if you plan not to use your device for a long time. Do check it from time to time because a depleted battery will stay dead if it’s not recharged. A battery can die by just being dormant and not doing anything.
  • Keep your battery (or batteries) in a dry cool place. You can even store them in a fridge to let it stay cool. Just make sure the battery is isolated by using a resealable zipper storage bags.
  • No to extreme temperatures, and yes to just the right temperature. Your battery might have stayed cool, but you left your laptop at the trunk of your car afterwards. All at costs do not leave your laptop in any place where it can get really hot. Just as stated on the first tip, batteries despise the heat and subjecting it to too much heat will definitely kill your battery.
  • You don’t need to fully discharge a lithium-ion battery. Avoid waiting for your laptop to shutdown, or reach 0% battery status because this wears the battery. Use your laptop battery without bottoming it out and as much as possible, avoid letting it discharge below 20%.
  • This is a continuation to the previous tip. When recharging your battery. you don’t have to reach 100% status. It is advisable to charge it around 80-85%. Not charging the battery to 100% will help by lessening the battery degradation.

Not all laptops are the same.

Laptops serve different purposes; there’s a laptop built for games, everyday computing, entertainment, business, and so on. Do not expect that these batteries have the same specifications. For older laptops, you can probably replace the battery when it gets damaged. For newer laptops, the batteries are usually built-in. Warranties may be null and void if you decide to open the laptop yourself, and replace the battery. Please contact the respective manufacturers for further assistance.

It is recommended to do partial discharges and frequent charges. Just constantly repeat the last two tips. In case you’re curious, it works for tablets with lithium-ion batteries too. Whenever you decide to buy additional batteries, just remember to buy a battery that has  the same capacity as your original battery. Better check the mAh rating of your batteries.

Types of Laptop Batteries

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battery, charging, device

Li-ion batteries for mobile phones.

There are many amazing gadgets in the market, but despite that, laptops remained to be the much preferred gadget by people who constantly on the move. Students and sales persons require the freedom and flexibility to accomplish their work anywhere they are. The main concern here is the laptop batteries. They lose its charge capacity and a replacement will be needed. The life span of a battery is from one to three years depending on how it is charged or discharged.

Here are the different types of batteries:

  • Nickel cadmium (NiCad)
    • is made of nickel  and is used by many electronic gadgets. The Cadmium affects the “memory effect” of this battery. This causes the battery to think it is fully charged when it is not. This will result to shorter gadget usage. Aside from this, this heavy metal battery is not environmental friendly. When buying for a new battery, check if it is not NiCad. Because if not, then, you won’t have a problem.
  • Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries (NiMH)
    • made an appearance in the 80’s to replace the toxic NiCad. It uses hydrogen as its active element instead of cadmium. It has no toxic metals, therefore it is environmental friendly. The capacity of this battery is approximately two times the capacity of NiCad. NiMH is likewise receptive to “memory effect” but in a smaller degree. It is more expensive than NiCad, but it is a better option and good for the environment.
  • Lithium Ion (Li-ion)
    • is the most frequently used rechargeable batteries of more current laptops. Li-ion is not as heavy as NiMH batteries and provides a bigger total charge capacity. This is most helpful during crunch time. In comparison to NiMH that has a 30% discharge power in a month’s non-usage, Li-on loses only 10%–15% of its overall power, making it a much better battery. This is the kind you would prefer for your mobile devices. It is environmental friendly too.

All laptop batteries degrade, but you can help them last longer.

Just follow some simple steps:

  • Laptop batteries need the right temperature. Never leave your laptop near a window when it is too cold or leave it at the back of your trunk when it is too hot. When you are in a certain place you may feel uncomfortable, it is the same with your laptop batteries.
  • Make sure you drain your laptop batteries from 40-60%. Discharge and recharged it once or twice every year. Experts advise the removal of the battery before plugging-in your laptop so it will not overheat.
  • When you go on a long vacation, store your battery for a long time, with a 40-50% of juice left. There could be a damage if you fully discharge your battery.
  • A little twitch at the power-saving settings could go a long way.

The secret to a longer battery life is to lessen the work it does. To learn more helpful tips, you can check out: how to care for your laptop battery, and read the guide on extending your laptop battery life.