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Arrse Gaming and Computer Advice

From ARRSEpedia

To answer the questions which are often asked on ARRSE:

1 Help! I think I've got a virus
2 Help! I think I've been infected with spyware
3 I am threaders with Internet Explorer, what else can I use?
4 Outlook Express is pants, what else can I use?
5 Do I need a firewall?
6 What else can I do to protect myself?
7 How do I extract a clip from a DVD?
8 I have a file with one of these extensions:
9 I have another technical question...
10 I've been sent an email warning me about a virus, what should I do?
11 I need a guide to Excel
12 I want a free piece of software to...

[edit] Help! I think I've got a virus

If you want a 'one-off' test, go to Nod32 online scan or Bitdefender online scan.

If you are running anti-virus software, have you updated it in the last few days? If not, there are a number of free antivirus programs available for non-commercial use:

If you are using your computer for commercial use, or wish to pay for your antivirus software, have a look at the following:

NOD32
Bitdefender
Panda Platinum Internet Security Download the latest version. Its free to download and install. What you will not get is the daily updates. To subscribe, go to their store online. You can enter 15PANDAS as a code in their store to get 15 quid off the price

[edit] Help! I think I've been infected with spyware

Download the free Spybot Search and Destroy and run it. Additionally, you could use Lavasoft AdAware or the free antispyware software from Malwarebytes and now it is released try [Windows Defender] and don't even start on the irony... Lastly, if your PC has been hijacked by Spyware (e.g. a crappy Explorer Startup Page disguised as "about:blank", or random pop-ups appear while you surf), try this wonderful little program: Hijack THIS. Caveat Emptor: not for beginners.

[edit] I am threaders with Internet Explorer, what else can I use?

Both Firefox and Opera offer free alternatives to IE. Neither suffer anything like the spyware problems associated with Internet Explorer.

[edit] Outlook Express is pants, what else can I use?

Try Thunderbird from the same stable as Firefox is much more secure than OE and will filter out junk email

[edit] Do I need a firewall?

Did Oliver Reed carry a bottle opener? Yes, you do, there are a number of free firewalls available of which ZoneAlarm is probably the best. If you have Windows XP, with Service Pack 2 applied, then you will have a firewall. To check this, go to [grc.com] and click on 'shields up'.

If you have a router (not a modem) then that will include a firewall. To check this, go to [grc.com] and click on 'shields up'.

[edit] What else can I do to protect myself?

The best way (if you are using Windows XP) is to run Windows Update (Start -> All programs -> Windows Update) and set it to download and install the updates automatically. The only thing to be aware of is Microsoft are putting some checking fixes into Windows (and maybe Office) to see if you have a legal copy. If you haven't then it will "Prompt and keep prompting" you to legalise your copy.

[edit] How do I extract a clip from a DVD?

http://www.mrbelshaw.co.uk/teacher/video/fairuse.htm

[edit] I have a file with one of these extensions:

7-ZIP, A, ACE, ARC, ARJ, B64, BH, BIN, BZ2, BZA, C2D, CAB, CDI, CPIO, DEB, ENC, GCA, GZ, GZA, HA, IMG, ISO, JAR, LHA, LIB, LZH, MDF, MBF, MIM, NRG, PAK, PDI, PK3, RAR, RPM, TAR, TAZ, TBZ, TGZ, TZ, UUE, WAR, XXE, YZ1, Z, ZIP, ZOO

IZARC will open it.