Internet Archives - Page 4 of 6

How to Remove Toolbars

Internet, Security, SoftwareAvoid, Remove, security, ToolbarOphtek, LLC

Sep 2014

Browser toolbars entice you with safety and promised convenience. In reality, they should be avoided as much as possible. Here’s how to remove toolbars.

Hopefully, your web browser doesn’t look like the one above. If so, something drastic is in order to restore an smooth web browsing experience.

Though initially designed to enhance a user’s web browsing experience, the reality is toolbars are piggy- backed by malware, data mining or browser hijacking to steal the user’s information. In addition, they burden your processor and memory with an extra, unnecessary application.

Here are three ways to remove toolbars.

1.) Uninstall them as applications from the Control Panel

After selecting Control Panel from the Start menu, choose either Programs and Features or Uninstall a Program, depending on the menu you are presented with.

From the list of programs that appear, find the one that looks like the toolbar. Sometimes it can be tricky, as the name can be different.

Click Uninstall from the top menu. If you are presented with a User Account Control warning, click OK or Yes to allow Windows to uninstall.

2.) Toolbars in browsers can be disabled

In Internet Explorer, click either the gear icon or Tools and select Manage add- ons.

In the Add-on Types menu on the left, choose Toolbars and Extensions.

Select each toolbar and click Disable in the bottom right corner.

In Google Chrome, select Settings or Tools then Extensions.

Select the extensions that are the toolbars and click Remove.

For some Chrome browsers, there will be a trashcan icon insread of the Remove prompt.

In Firefox, select Add- ons then Extensions.

You navigate there by typing about:addons in the address bar. Click the toolbar you wish to remove and click Remove.

3.) Browsers can be restored to their factory default states

You are best advised to backup your bookmarks or any other setting you wish to retain from the browser.

In Internet Explorer, select Internet Options and the Advanced tab.

Click Reset and click to confirm.

In Google Chrome, click Settings and show advanced settings.

Click Reset browser settings.

In Firefox, select Help denoted by the ? icon.

Select Troubleshooting Information.

Click Reset Firefox.

For more information about toolbars or other issues affecting your PC, consult your local IT professional.

Should You Update Adobe Flash?

Internet, Security, SoftwareAdobe, Flash, security, updateOphtek, LLC

Aug 2014

Adobe Flash player is an indispensable part of web browsing. Whether you’re watching Youtube videos, gaming online, or streaming videos, Adobe Flash will likely be necessary so be sure to keep it secure.

What is Adobe Flash?

According to Wikipedia:

Adobe Flash (formerly called Macromedia Flash and Shockwave Flash) is a multimedia and software platform used for creating vector graphics, animation, games and rich Internet applications (RIAs) that can be viewed, played and executed in Adobe Flash Player.

In other words, when you view multimedia through your web browser such as videos, music or animations, there is a good chance that it is using Adobe Flash.

What’s the risk?

The increased functionality flash player gives you also comes with risks. Flash player gives criminals almost as many opportunities to compromise your system as Java. If these risks are not addressed, you could be subject to exploits such as one that allows attackers to mimic a website to obtain your confidential information or even cause a denial of service by corrupting your memory.

Keeping your flash player updated to the latest version is the best way to plug these security holes that jeopardize your system. Fortunately, if you web browse with google chrome, your flash player is automatically updated.

How to update Adobe Flash player

1.) Go to Adobe’s website to check if you have the latest flash player installed.

Click Check Now to see if you have the the current version. If you do, congratulations. If you don’t….

2.) Go to the download link in step 2.

Click Download now to download the file. Before doing this, make sure NO extra programs are checked for you to download. Frequently, this will be McAfee as shown below:

Immediately uncheck the box next to Yes, install McAfee Security Scan Plus. You do NOT need this program, and it will make Windows run slower if you already have an antivirus program running.

3.) Follow the installation instructions on the download page.

4.) Enable Flash Player on your browser. The links for the instructions for each browser can be found on Adobe’s website.

5.) Verify if Flash Player is installed by checking the animation on Adobe’s website. If you see clouds moving, you have installed the player. If you don’t, try refreshing the page. If that still fails to produce moving clouds, go through the installation steps again.

For more information on this or other security issues affecting your PC, consult your local IT professional.

Why It’s Important to Update Java

Internet, Security, SoftwareImportant, Java, security, updateOphtek, LLC

Aug 2014

Java is required by many applications and websites to work properly. It can also be exploited by criminals. Here’s why you should keep your java up to date.

Many business users need it to run custom or legacy applications. Java is not just for gamers. It is used by countless business applications.

Java Security Risks

As recently as January, hackers were able to exploit a security hole in Java to serve up malware to hundreds of thousands of systems per hour.

It is because of these security holes and many others that Java must be updated frequently.

Java often uses your web browser to access websites, and your web browser is the most vulnerable attack surface for hackers. Therefore, not updating Java religiously is playing with fire.

How to Update Java

First, find out if you have the latest version here.

Click the red Verify Java version box to allow Oracle’s website to find out if you have the latest version installed. If you are given a prompt stating Allow the Java plugin for your browser, click to allow it. Next, another prompt will likely appear as shown below:

Click Run to allow the application to run. If you have reached this stage, you have Java, though not necessarily the latest edition. If you have the latest Java, you should get a window telling you Congratulations with an accompanying green check. If you don’t have the latest Java, you should see a screen that looks like this:

Click Click Download Java Now to get the latest version of Java.

Click the red Agree and Start Free Download to get the newest Java for your system. The progress of the download should appear at the bottom of your browser. It will finish when no time appears next to the download.

Click the .exe file to kick off the installation. You should promptly close your browser to avoid any roadblocks or conflicts.

When the security warning appears, click Install to permit the latest Java to be installed.

On the Welcome to Java screen, click Install again to allow the installation to proceed. At some point during the installation, you will see the following window:

At all costs, do NOT check the Install the Ask Toolbar and make Ask my default search provider option. The Ask Toolbar is completely unnecessary and makes your computer more vulnerable to infections. Click Next to allow the final steps of the installation.

After the green progress bar reaches the end, you will be directed to Oracle’s website where you will again see the following:

As before, click the red Verify Java version button. Once again you should click Allow to enable the website to see what Java version you are running. Also, click Run in the following window to enable the test.

If you have the latest Java, you will see the following window:

If the website still tells you your Java is outdated, go through the earlier steps starting with Download Java. If you have already downloaded and installed the latest Java and you get the outdated message, simply closing and reopening your browser will often correct the problem. Go back to Oracle’s website to verify your Java version.

For more about Java or other security issues affecting your home or office computers, consult with your local IT professional.

3 Reasons to Block Advertising on your PC

Internet, Office IT, Security, Uncategorizedadvertising, browsing, internet, securityOphtek, LLC

Jul 2014

Does advertising improve your web browsing experience or make it worse? Even legitimate advertising can cause major headaches to major infections.

Advertising can be a great source of revenue for websites that offer content and information for free. Major websites that you use everyday have taken this to an extreme by serving up video ads that talk to you and track your online behavior. However the more websites rely on advertising for their revenue the more willing they will let any run an ad on their networks. Here are three reasons why advertising has reached a point where it can be a threat to the average user browsing the internet.

1. Malware spreads through legitimate advertising

There have been many cases in the last few years where hackers and criminals have used legitimate advertising and banners in websites and in videos to spread their malware. One example is a bitcoin mining virus being spread through Yahoo advertising. Even Youtube fell victim to advertising serving up remote code execution. These major website quickly patched up the problem but it will take more than a break-fix approach to end this cat and mouse game.

2. Are you really getting what you click on?

Accidentally clicking on the wrong link when you want to download a song, file or program from the internet can open the flood gates of junk on your computer. The above image shows a legitimate download website. Can you guess which link is the correct link to download your program?

3. Popups, search engine hijackers and junk programs

Once junk programs from advertising get their foot in the door, it can be very difficult to detect or even remove the software. The above search engine may look like Google, but it is a knock off website meant to steer you to their partners websites.

For now until major websites have better safeguards in place to prevent malware, junk programs and sneaky advertising methods from their ad networks it’s better to steer clear from advertising all together. We recommend running Firefox or Chrome with ad block plugins installed.

For more tips on staying safe online at your home or office, contact your local IT professionals.

Why Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is the Best Choice

Internet, Security, SoftwareAnti- malware, Best, Malwarebytes, ReasonsOphtek, LLC

Jul 2014

Since its first release in 2008, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware has been one of the go-to tools for malware detection and removal.

It’s no wonder that its critical reception among computer journals has been stellar. Let’s take a look at what makes Malwarebytes synonymous with anti-malware for end users.

1. Installs easily and quickly with no reboot required

If you have to equip multiple computers with anti- malware software, installation ease and time is an important consideration.

2. The free version of the software is great at detecting malware than most paid versions of other programs

When you download Malwarebytes, you have the option of choosing between the free and the premium versions.

While the free version is a manually activated scanner, the premium version gives you real time protection, allowing for a relatively worry- free web browsing experience.

As an added bonus, Malwarebytes allows you to try the premium version for 30 days before committing to purchase it. Simply check the Enable free trial of Malwarebytes Anti- Malware PRO option during installation.

3. Minimal system resource usage

It uses little CPU and memory compared to other applications such as Webroot and Spybot and especially less than programs like Norton and McAffee. You will likely want to perform other tasks on your PC when your anti-malware application scans for threats. This also means it doesn’t grind your PC’s progress to a snail’s pace.

Bonus: Detected the most malicious virus of 2013, CryptoLocker.

Malwarebytes was one of the few programs that could successfully detect early variations of CryptoLocker. This infection allowed criminals to ransom the personal files of hundreds of thousands of PC users worldwide.

If these reasons aren’t enough to opt for Malwarebytes as your personal defense against malware threats, consider the case offered by Techrepublic.

For more information on malware or other issues affecting your PC, consult your local IT professionals.

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Category Archives: Internet