Stop Using Internet Explorer!!!
Published January 22, 2010 | 
I don’t know if you’ve been watching the news lately about the problems Google has had with China, but it appears that the bad guys in China have figured out a way to use a vulnerability to exploit Internet Explorer and attack Google and some 20 other odd companies’ websites.
Microsoft has released a patch to repair the vulnerability and if you have automatic updates turned then this should not be an issue. Sort of…
From the experience repairing consumer computers, I have discovered the following:
1. Many people do not have automatic updates turned on, and they don’t do updates manually. Update manually once a week just to make sure you are up to date!
2. Most people are still using Internet Explorer, usually version 7 or version 8. If you’re going to use Internet Explorer, make sure you have upgraded to version 8, weather you like it or not.
3. Many people do not have a newer version of an antivirus. This means you must install the latest software once every year or two. Not just the daily updates that you pay for.
The best advice I can give you is this, STOP USING INTERNET EXPLORER, PERIOD!
Download another browser. For example, Firefox, Chrome, Opera, or Safari. I my favorite browsers are Firefox and Chrome for their safety and speed.
The vulnerability found by leading antivirus companies which used Internet Explorer to attack Google and other companies has already been found and 100 popular websites. And, it’s spreading! When using Internet Explorer, if you visit these sites, you can become infected without your knowledge. Without clicking on anything. Without downloading anything. Just by visiting this site.
It’s time to stop paying me to repair your computer and take matters into your own hands. What’s the easiest way to do that? The first step is to STOP USING INTERNET EXPLORER!!!
Do it now. Go to get GetFirefox.com, click the green download button, and install it.
How to remove Symantec/Norton Products
Published February 12, 2009 | How to remove Symantec/Norton Products.
Sometimes you find that your computer is really slow or that you can not access the Internet after you’ve updated Internet Explorer or Windows.
In most cases, it is whatever Internet Security Software you have installed. Norton, McAfee, Trend Micro, Panda, etc can all cause this problem.
Sometimes they can also cause your computer to hang when you try and shut it down.
Unfortunately, if you use the Add/Remove program in the Control Panel, the programs do not remove cleanly.
Here are the instructions to remove Norton using the Norton Removal Tool. It is normally difficult to find. I have made it easily available on my Download Page at http://savemybutt.com.
- Go to http://savemybutt.com with any browser.
- Click on the Downloads link in the menu bar near the top.
- Scroll down to and click on “Symantec/Norton Removal Tools and Instructions”
- You will be taken to my page with some brief instructions.
- Click on the link at the bottom of the page. You will be taken to the Norton Removal Tool page.
- Click on the link that represents the Norton product you are trying to remove and download it.
- Run the program you just downloaded. Follow the instructions as they are presented.
- You will be asked to reboot your computer when the tool is finished.
- Now make sure you install Avast, which is also available on my downloads page. Don’t forget to register Avast to make it free.
