Update Drivers in Windows

You might need to perform a driver update in Windows for all kinds of reasons. Usually, a driver update is used as a solution to an issue with how Windows works with a piece of hardware. Updating a driver can also enable new or updated features for the hardware.

Drivers are updated in Windows by using a driver update wizard from within Device Manager..

The driver update wizard walks you through the entire driver update process, making updating drivers a fairly painless task.

Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP all have slightly different processes for completing driver updates:

• How to Update Drivers in Windows 7
• How to Update Drivers in Windows Vista
• How to Update Drivers in Windows XP

Updating a hardware device's driver is usually the first troubleshooting step to any hardware issue in Windows. In particular, a simple driver update will correct many of the popular Device Manager error.

About.com - Sat 6/6/2009

11 Free Registry Cleaner Programs

Registry cleaner programs are software tools that remove duplicate or undesirable entries from the Windows Registry. Registry cleaner programs are especially useful for removing registry entries that point to files that no longer exist.

Important: Registry cleaner and registry fix programs should only be used as troubleshooting tools for actual PC issues. Registry cleaning should NOT be part of your regular PC maintenance.

The Futon Critic

FutonCritic.com is the “web’s best television resource.” One of the highlights of the site is the “Rants and Reviews” that explores on the different interviews, events, and the plot of a given episode on a particular TV series. Check these sections below for more entertaining TV updates:

• “Breaking News” has the most revealing scoops on the television scene.
• In “Shows A-Z,” you will find the list of the TV series from past to present, and even the TV movies and mini-series.
• “Listings” covers the air dates of TV series including what’s showing today.
• Take a look at the “Ratings” section and see what programs capture the viewers appeal.
• Also view “TV on DVD”“, Summer Guide,” and “MyFuton”.

Five ways to keep the dust bunnies out of a PC

If you keep your PC on the floor or operate them in dirty environments, the dust bunnies can quickly take over. Don’t believe me. Check out the dirty machines in our gallery of dirty computers.

Don't Fall Victim to Scareware

You're surfing the Net and all of a sudden a screen pops up warning you there is a problem on your computer. You're not sure if it's real or not, so what do you do? Be careful, it could be scareware. Bob defines scareware like this:

SCAREWARE: Software that is created for the purpose of tricking people into downloading or purchasing it, when in reality it's either unnecessary, marginally useful, or outright dangerous. Scareware programs often run a fake or cursory scan, then present the user with a list of hazards that must be corrected. Fixing these "problems" then requires the user to pay a fee for a "full" or "registered" version of the software.

Microsoft Outlook users targeted in phishing attempt

Trend Micro is warning about a phishing attempt that targets users of Microsoft Outlook.

The phishing e-mail arrives in Outlook e-mail in-boxes and looks like it comes from Microsoft. It prompts recipients to reconfigure their Outlook by clicking on a link that leads to a Web site that asks for an account name and password, as well as mail server information, according to the TrendLabs Malware Blog

By getting the mail server information, the phishers would get total access to the Outlook user's account and be able to read e-mails and use it to spam others, TrendLabs said.

Twitter "Best Video" Scam Attacks PCs

Crooks are going after Twitter users once again, this time with a "Best Video" tweet that attempts to lure victims into visiting a site that will launch PDF-based attacks.
Read more...

Securing the Desktop: Eight Internet Security Suites

Below are links to each suite's review, in alphabetical order, and to PC World Magazine's chart:

• AVG Internet Security 8.5
• BitDefender Internet Security 2009
• CheckPoint ZoneAlarm Extreme Security 2009
• Comodo Internet Security Pro 3.8
• G-Data Internet Security 2009
• Panda Internet Security 2009
• PC Tools Internet Security 2009
• Symantec Norton Internet Security 2009
• Top Internet Security Suites (chart)

Simplify Your Life With Free Web Services

Dig into some great online tools: an alternative to Google Alerts, a site that tracks your favorite bands, and a service that updates all your social networks.

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