PsychNet Reviews and Recommendations » Windows XP

Update: Microsoft Security Essentials

djbaxter — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 16:06:56 +0000

In my review of an early release of Microsoft Security Essentials, I noted:

I installed it on a Dell Vostro desktop computer running Windows XP Pro SP3 with an Intel Core2 2.33 GHz processor and 4 gigs of ram, as well as a Toshiba laptop running Vista Home Premium SP2 with an AMD dual-core 2.4 GHz processor.

I found it was a little slower than Avast on the Vista laptop but tolerable, especially given that it scanned for spyware as well the virus family. My initial impression was uncertain but I was willing to work with Security Essentials for a while on the laptop.

On the desktop it was a very different story. It slowed my XP system to a crawl with almost constant activity that was using 20-50% of available RAM at any given time. I gave it a couple of hours in case this was just an initial scan but even following the Quick Scan I’d requested it continued to churn away. Even switching windows from email to my browser or to Word often took a few seconds.

I recently decided to give it another try to see if there had been any improvements in speed, and I’m happy to report that it is now running smoothly on both the laptop and the desktop.

Recategorized as “Recommended”.

Update: Microsoft Security Essentials is a post from: PsychNet Reviews and Recommendations

Review: Microsoft Security Essentials

djbaxter — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 17:25:09 +0000

Microsoft recently released their free antivirus and antispyware product called Microsoft Security Essentials, which appears to be based on the same engine that previously powered Windows Defender for Windows XP and Vista. Security Essentials works for both XP and Vista (and presumably also for Windows 7).

As I’ve noted previously (Basic Computer Security 2009 Part 2), I long ago became fed up with big commercial or freeware suites that hog computer resources in the name of security. I’ve been personally using Avast antivirus and recommending Avira as an alternative.

However, I decided to give Security Essentials a test drive. I installed it on a Dell Vostro desktop computer running Windows XP Pro SP3 with an Intel Core2 2.33 GHz processor and 4 gigs of ram, as well as a Toshiba laptop running Vista Home Premium SP2 with an AMD dual-core 2.4 GHz processor.

I found it was a little slower than Avast on the Vista laptop but tolerable, especially given that it scanned for spyware as well the virus family. My initial impression was uncertain but I was willing to work with Security Essentials for a while on the laptop.

On the desktop it was a very different story. It slowed my XP system to a crawl with almost constant activity that was using 20-50% of available RAM at any given time. I gave it a couple of hours in case this was just an initial scan but even following the Quick Scan I’d requested it continued to churn away. Even switching windows from email to my browser or to Word often took a few seconds.

I have reverted to Avast on both machines. Perhaps the fault lies with an imperfect release candidate (although this is supposed to be a debugged “gold” release) but I’m not willing to struggle with another resource hog when more efficient solutions are available.

Note: See Update: Microsoft Security Essentials.

Review: Microsoft Security Essentials is a post from: PsychNet Reviews and Recommendations

Basic Computer Security 2009 Part 1

djbaxter — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 15:52:50 +0000

About three years ago, I wrote a short blog entry titled Basic Computer Security. I recently came across this again and realized that much of what I said three years ago has changed. It’s time to update that article for 2009.

Part 1: Scanning and Disinfecting Your Computer

First, you should check to see if your system may already have been compromised. Start by downloading and running the latest Microsoft® Windows® Malicious Software Removal Tool. If you have your system set for Automatic Windows Update or Microsoft Update, you are already receiving and running the latest version as the other security updates are downloaded. The Microsoft Tool removes the currently most prevalent active malicious threats to your system:

The Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool differs from an antivirus product in three key ways:

The tool removes malicious software from an already-infected computer. Antivirus products block malicious software from running on a computer. It is significantly more desirable to block malicious software from running on a computer than to remove it after infection.

The tool removes only specific prevalent malicious software. Specific prevalent malicious software is a small subset of all the malicious software that exists today.

The tool focuses on the detection and removal of active malicious software. Active malicious software is malicious software that is currently running on the computer. The tool cannot remove malicious software that is not running. However, an antivirus product can perform this task.

You can also run Trend Micro’s Housecall free online virus scaner (this is a good idea even if you have an AV program but fear it may have been compromised). If the online scanner finds anything and can remove it, great. If it finds something it can’t remove, make a note of whatever virus-trojan-worm is identified and do a search for a removal tool – the best place to start for finding and downloading one of these is probably the Symantec Removal Tools Page.

You should also check for rootkits, using one of these free tools:

Note: If one or more of these procedures has located a malware threat that cannot be removed, you may have to default to a hard drive reformat. If you do not feel comfortable doing this yourself, take it to a reputable computer repair outlet and have them do it for a fee. Otherwise, follow the following steps:

First and foremost, back up all your important data files because a hard drive format will erase everything.
Make sure you have the original installation CDs (or backup copies of those setup disks) and the Product Keys for your Windows XP or Vista operating system, your essential software (e.g., Microsoft Office, your banking software, etc.), your antivirus software, any other security software and system utilities, and the System Drivers CD for your specific computer manufacturer. All of these will need to be reinstalled following the reformat, along with your data files.
For more detailed instructions on how to proceed, see How to partition and format a hard disk by using Windows XP Setup or How to install Windows Vista. Additional detailed instructions and suggestions are available at So you are going to reformat and re-install Windows.

System Mechanic – Automatic system optimization for Windows XP and Vista

djbaxter — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 06:37:28 +0000

System Mechanic 8.5

Get System Mechanic Now!

Fix, optimize, and speed up your PC… Automatically!

Is your computer running slower than it used to? Does it take longer than ever to boot up, to open files, and even to connect to the Internet?

All PCs slow down with use. Over time, your normal computing activities leaves a tangled trail of junk files, fragmented drives, registry conflicts, and system errors that degrade performance.

iolo System Mechanic combines over 40 powerful tune-up tools to automatically clean your computer and keep it running fast and problem-free. The world’s best-selling PC tune-up software gives you the most complete suite of performance tools on the market, integrated in a simple, user-friendly interface.

Version 8.5 gives you these great new features:

	Now 64-bit Vista Compatible! 64-bit compatibility allows you to run System Mechanic on 64-bit versions of Windows XP and Vista.

	ActiveCare 2.0 automatic PC tune-up is 100% configurable, putting you in control. This patent-pending system uses virtually zero system resources, never competes with or interrupts other programs, and fixes and cleans your PC only when you’re away, like a housekeeper or professional mechanic you never see.

	A 3-step Registry Optimizer: 1. Repairs your registry; 2. Graphically displays and removes the RAM-eating bloat that remains; 3. Defragments and compacts your registry for maximum performance.
	DriveSense™ hard drive reporting tool shows you special real-time information from up to 46 hard drive sensors, including temperature.

System Requirements

System Mechanic runs on 32-bit 64-bit Compatible versions of Windows Vista, XP, and 2000

Review and Comments

I have been using System Mechanic on two desktop computers running under Windows XP Home and XP Pro for approximately 3 years now. I’ve recently installed another copy on a laptop running under Windows Vista Home Premium.

This is the most unobtrusively efficient system optimizer and maintenance utility I have ever used. It’s easy to configure with the options you want and you have the option to either automate all features or automate only the features of your choice with manual initiation of the remainder. The automated features run for the most part in the background while your system is inactive, so it doesn’t require system resources you may need for other active tasks.

System Mechanic is that rare product that actually lives up to and exceeds its advertising claims. Annual license updates are very reasonably priced and iola offers substantial discounts (typically 50% off the regular price) for extensions of active licenses.

A single license allows you to install System Mechanic on up to 3 separate computers.

Download System Mechanic Now!

System Mechanic – Automatic system optimization for Windows XP and Vista is a post from: PsychNet Reviews and Recommendations

PsychNet Reviews and Recommendations » Windows XP

Update: Microsoft Security Essentials

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Review: Microsoft Security Essentials

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Basic Computer Security 2009 Part 1

Part 1: Scanning and Disinfecting Your Computer

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System Mechanic – Automatic system optimization for Windows XP and Vista

System Mechanic 8.5

Version 8.5 gives you these great new features:

System Requirements

Review and Comments

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