A few months ago, I warned you about using CNet’s “Download.com” Web site. The reason, if you remember, is many of their downloadable files contain malware that can infect your machine so that ads are popping up all over the place. I know because I was infected by some of them, the worst of them being “Sweetpacks.” It took me four separate attempts to get rid of it. The last of it was cleaned by AVAST antivirus…or so I thought.
Just a few days ago, strange things started happening. Whenever I opened up Firefox and clicked on a link, I would get and AT&T ad. And I found words on my own Web site were being automatically linked with ad sites. This only happened in Firefox, not Internet Explorer of Chrome browsers.
After some deep investigations on my own part to see what was causing the problem, I ran SuperAntiSpyware software that I have used for a few years. It found nothing. Then after doing more research, one article I read suggested using Malwarebytes. So I downloaded it and ran a scan.
Not only did it find several pieces of malware that SuperAntiSpyware missed, but it found Sweetpacks had again invaded my system. It was buried deep in my browser, my hard drive, and my registry. It then removed every trace of it. My Firefox browser returned to normal and all trace of the links put on my site were gone.
You will find a link to Malwarebytes in one of the stories below. I can’t recommend it enough for what it did. It is free, but I am going to spend a one-time fee of $25 and have it for life. I wish I could charge it to CNet.
In other news, be sure and read the lead story about how HP is bringing back Windows 7 for its desktop and laptop computers. After using Windows 8, it makes perfect sense to do this. Wake up Microsoft and smell the coffee! Windows 8 stinks while Windows 7 is the best operating system you ever made.
Enough rambling. I leave the rest of the stories up to you. - JRC
News and Opinions
HP brings back Windows 7 'by popular demand'
HP woke up and figured out people are not buying their desktops because of Windows 8. So now, Windows 7 is their default choice for many computers. Smart move.
What to expect from Microsoft in 2014
2014 looks to be even bigger than 2013, with the company expected to ship a number of major updates to existing products as well as expanding into new product lines thanks to the Nokia acquisition.
Microsoft CEO search proves again it's still Gates' company
Microsoft's lack of progress suggests a board still deeply divided in terms of what it wants in a CEO.
New Pew Poll Finds That E-Books Are Booming but Print Holds Its Own
While the number of people reading e-books continues to climb (17 percent in 2011, 23 percent in 2012, and 28 percent in 2014), the figure for people who read printed books remained fairly constant for the same period.
We should be worrying about Google’s assimilation and consolidation, and here’s why
For Google, all this integration means better user profiling and more accurate ad targeting – never forget that Google is above all an advertising firm.
Computer Tips and Tricks
An Online Office Suite That's A Real Alternative To Microsoft Or Google
There's nothing to install, you're always running the latest version, and you can access your files from anywhere that has web access. Which is especially handy if you travel a lot, or like to work at both the office and at home, or if you collaborate on documents with other people.
Click this: All about mechanical keyboards and why you need one
Keyboards are of two kinds: (1) the cheapo, no-name slabs that are bundled by the millions with PCs, and (2) the ones that are actually worth using—and in most cases, that’s a mechanical keyboard.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware FREE
You and your antivirus need a wingman. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free uses industry-leading technology to detect and remove all traces of malware, including worms, Trojans, rootkits, rogues, dialers, spyware, and more.
The Most (and Least) Reliable Hard Drive Brands
Backblaze uses 25,000 hard drives for its online backup service. This has provided some interesting information, such as how long hard drives are likely to last and the difference in reliability between enterprise and consumer drives.
Amazing! Create A Windows Font From Your Own Handwriting
Here is a new web-based service that will do the job instantly, and for free.
Portable Computing
Ripoff nation: How Verizon and AT&T stacked the deck against cellphone users
If you live in America, there’s a good chance you’ve not been overjoyed by your wireless plan. Simply by using a device essential to your daily life, you have been screwed. Let us count the ways.
Apple users hit with "Update using new SSL servers" phishing email
"Your online access has been blocked," says the fake email equipped with the Apple logo and color scheme.
6 apps you need to delete from your iPhone right this second
I bet there are some great apps on your iPhone. I mean, why else would you have downloaded them, right? But some apps just don't live up to their billing, and others lose their luster over time.
10 ways to pay without ever whipping out your wallet
The mobile wallet dream may still be a way off for the average consumer, but a cashless and cardless utopia is closer than ever before for the adventurous technophile.
Box rebuilt its iOS app and is offering 50GB of free storage for downloading it
Box's normal free storage limit is 10GB, so this special offer comes with a considerable boost in storage.
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