How Much Memory Do You Need ?
The answer really depends on how much and for what your system is used. Upgrading is easy and cost effective. RAM is used every time you open an application, download, play a game or simply turn on your computer. Additionally if you work with or plan to work with digital audio and video more ram is a necessity. Our suggestions below are all based on a Windows XP operating system.
Novice User / Administrative: If you use your computer to send and receive email, do a little word processing, and are starting to surf the Web, you can get by with 128MB. However, you would benefit from going to at least 256MB of memory.
Basic User: If you are spending more time surfing the internet, sending and receiving email, and doing word processing along with other applications, you can get by with 256MB, but would benefit from going to 512MB.
Professional / Feel the need for Speed! If you are running multiple business applications, want to play the newer video games and/or work with graphics, you can get by with 512MB, but your computer speed would benefit greatly by having 1GB.
Advanced Professional: If you work with high-end graphics, CAD software, digital images, or video, you can get by with 512MB, but would benefit greatly by installing 1GB of memory or more.
Graphics Design Professional: If you are, or plan to be, a professional graphics designer, use CAD or modeling software, digital images or video, you can get by with 1GB, but would benefit from going to 2GB of memory or more.
If you are using a Windows Vista, the situation is a little bit different. Since Vista consumes much more memory, you need more memory then usual operating system to get the same speed as what we said above. Moreover, if you are a 3D gamer, then the situation is totally different. The answer for you is to get at least 1GB memory and 2 or 3GB is recommended.
Novice User / Administrative: If you use your computer to send and receive email, do a little word processing, and are starting to surf the Web, you can get by with 128MB. However, you would benefit from going to at least 256MB of memory.
Basic User: If you are spending more time surfing the internet, sending and receiving email, and doing word processing along with other applications, you can get by with 256MB, but would benefit from going to 512MB.
Professional / Feel the need for Speed! If you are running multiple business applications, want to play the newer video games and/or work with graphics, you can get by with 512MB, but your computer speed would benefit greatly by having 1GB.
Advanced Professional: If you work with high-end graphics, CAD software, digital images, or video, you can get by with 512MB, but would benefit greatly by installing 1GB of memory or more.
Graphics Design Professional: If you are, or plan to be, a professional graphics designer, use CAD or modeling software, digital images or video, you can get by with 1GB, but would benefit from going to 2GB of memory or more.
If you are using a Windows Vista, the situation is a little bit different. Since Vista consumes much more memory, you need more memory then usual operating system to get the same speed as what we said above. Moreover, if you are a 3D gamer, then the situation is totally different. The answer for you is to get at least 1GB memory and 2 or 3GB is recommended.
Guide on how to remove System Protector
What this programs does:
System Protector is a rogue anti-spyware program that is installed and promoted through the use of Trojans. These Trojans will display fake security alerts and warnings on your computer and then when clicked on, will download and install System Protector without your permission. Once installed, the program will be set to start automatically and to scan your computer. When the scanning has finished, it will state that your computer has numerous infections and will not remove them unless you purchase the program. These infections, though, are all false and do not even exist on your computer. System Protector also utilizes built-in removal protection by blocking proper access to certain anti-malware sites and tools. In order to bypass this protection you simply need to end the program's process so that you have proper functionality of your browser. Our guide below will explain how to do this. When the program is running you will also constantly see nag screens appearing stating that your computer is infected or has another problem. These nag screens are all fake warnings and should be ignored as well.
System Protector screen shotFor more screen shots of this infection click on the image above.There are a total of 7 images you can view.
System Protector screen shotFor more screen shots of this infection click on the image above.There are a total of 7 images you can view.
Some installations of System Protector include a DLL that is loaded via the Winlogon Notify key. This DLL has a random name and is located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder. If this DLL is loaded it will make it so you cannot run numerous anti-malware programs on your computer. An example HijackThis entry for this type of DLL is:
O20 - Winlogon Notify: aeefaaeeafcbba - C:\WINDOWS\system32\aeefaaeeafcbba.dll
If you have problems starting anti-malware utilities or if they shut down automatically when you start them, then you may have this module installed. If this is the case you will need to delete this file before following the rest of the steps in this guide. For help removing and identifying this DLL, we suggest you ask about in the forums. Otherwise, please use the following guide to remove System Protector and any associated malware for free.
O20 - Winlogon Notify: aeefaaeeafcbba - C:\WINDOWS\system32\aeefaaeeafcbba.dll
If you have problems starting anti-malware utilities or if they shut down automatically when you start them, then you may have this module installed. If this is the case you will need to delete this file before following the rest of the steps in this guide. For help removing and identifying this DLL, we suggest you ask about in the forums. Otherwise, please use the following guide to remove System Protector and any associated malware for free.
Guide on how to remove System Protector
(by Grinler)
System Protector is a rogue anti-spyware program that is installed and promoted through the use of Trojans. These Trojans will display fake security alerts and warnings on your computer, and then when clicked on, will download and install System Protector without your permission. Once installed, the program will be set to start automatically and to scan your computer. When the scanning has finished, it will state that your computer has numerous infections and will not remove them unless you purchase the program. These infections, though, are all false and do not even exist on your computer. System Protector also utilizes built-in removal protection by blocking proper access to certain anti-malware sites and tools. In order to bypass this protection you simply need to end the program's process so that you have proper functionality of your browser. Our guide below will explain how to do this. When the program is running you will also constantly see nag screens appearing stating that your computer is infected or has another problem. These nag screens are all fake warnings and should be ignored as well.
Some installations of System Protector include a DLL that is loaded via the Winlogon Notify key. This DLL has a random name and is located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder. If this DLL is loaded it will make it so you cannot run numerous anti-malware programs on your computer. An example HijackThis entry for this type of DLL is:
O20 - Winlogon Notify: aeefaaeeafcbba - C:\WINDOWS\system32\aeefaaeeafcbba.dll
If you have problems starting anti-malware utilities or if they shut down automatically when you start them, then you may have this module installed. If this is the case you will need to delete this file before following the rest of the steps in this guide. For help removing and identifying this DLL, we suggest you ask about in the forums. Otherwise, please use the following guide to remove System Protector and any associated malware for free.
System Protector is a rogue anti-spyware program that is installed and promoted through the use of Trojans. These Trojans will display fake security alerts and warnings on your computer, and then when clicked on, will download and install System Protector without your permission. Once installed, the program will be set to start automatically and to scan your computer. When the scanning has finished, it will state that your computer has numerous infections and will not remove them unless you purchase the program. These infections, though, are all false and do not even exist on your computer. System Protector also utilizes built-in removal protection by blocking proper access to certain anti-malware sites and tools. In order to bypass this protection you simply need to end the program's process so that you have proper functionality of your browser. Our guide below will explain how to do this. When the program is running you will also constantly see nag screens appearing stating that your computer is infected or has another problem. These nag screens are all fake warnings and should be ignored as well.
Some installations of System Protector include a DLL that is loaded via the Winlogon Notify key. This DLL has a random name and is located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder. If this DLL is loaded it will make it so you cannot run numerous anti-malware programs on your computer. An example HijackThis entry for this type of DLL is:
O20 - Winlogon Notify: aeefaaeeafcbba - C:\WINDOWS\system32\aeefaaeeafcbba.dll
If you have problems starting anti-malware utilities or if they shut down automatically when you start them, then you may have this module installed. If this is the case you will need to delete this file before following the rest of the steps in this guide. For help removing and identifying this DLL, we suggest you ask about in the forums. Otherwise, please use the following guide to remove System Protector and any associated malware for free.
What You Need to Know About Spyware
Spyware is a mean villain. Many of us recognize spyware by the name adware, which is a hotly debated topic in the world of cyber security.But spyware has more than just one face. In fact, adware is one of spyware's least dangerous mutations.
What -- exactly -- is spyware?
Spyware, which is actually 'computer monitoring software,' can take many forms.Basically, spyware is software that tracks your actions and/or your Internet use. It can capture what you type on your keyboard, including passwords, and send it to the spyware creator.Its most popular mutation is adware, which is advertisement related monitoring and marketing software. Adware is "a form of spyware that collects information about the user in order to display advertisements in the Web browser based on the information it collects from the user's browsing patterns."Adware can be found all over the Web. In fact, many 'free' programs are infested with it. It usually comes bundled within a free program such as KaZaa, Grokster, Comet Cursor, HotBar, InternetOptimizer, Gator, Money Tree, etc. etc. etc. The list can be endless.
How can ad related spyware (adware) infect a computer?
If you've ever downloaded a free game, accounting software, cool Web utilities, media players, etc. -- any program offered as free on the Internet -- you're likely infected with a marketing type of spyware (adware).What does ad-related spyware do?There are different types of adware programs, but most of them are programmed to record all of your online activities and/or browsing habits. They closely track every single page you visit in order to determine what your interests are. They keep a log of what you do online, and every so often, transmit that data to a remote site, which processes this spyware generated information.This may or may not sound that harmful to you. However, you haven't even heard the rest.
How can ad-related spyware harm you?
This perhaps seemingly harmless form of spyware has several downfalls. First of all, it generates huge amounts of spam, pop-up ads and advertisement related content.If the adware determines you visit runner sites, you will be bombarded with ads offering you hot new sneakers, heartbeat monitors, sore muscle remedies, etc. (any commercial item related to running).Does this mean you only get ads about products you're interested in? In part yes, but the sheer number of ads generated by the spyware can become so bothersome that you can get to the point of not wanting to be online or opening up your email!And adware causes even greater problems.Advertising-related spyware can greatly reduce your Internet speed and can cause your CPU usage to artificially go up. Adware can also rob you of great amounts of hard disk storage space.The amount of online, as well as offline, activity going on in the background -- sending information back and forth to remote sites, feeding you ads, storing ads on your hard drive to ensure you see them online as well as offline, etc. -- can severely interrupt the correct functioning of your computer.'Browser hijacking' is another characteristic of some truly invasive adware programs. The spyware might change your home page, your default search engine might turn out to be some strange Russian site, weird links might be added to your list of Favorites, new buttons might appear on your toolbar, etc.Advertising related spyware has also been known to cause many system crashes.Now the amount of damage you suffer depends on the individual type of spyware installed on your computer.
Many people get so frustrated with the spyware on their computer that they just buy a new computer!Unfortunately, if they do the same things regarding free software, etc., they'll wind up with the same spyware programs and problems with their new computer.
What -- exactly -- is spyware?
Spyware, which is actually 'computer monitoring software,' can take many forms.Basically, spyware is software that tracks your actions and/or your Internet use. It can capture what you type on your keyboard, including passwords, and send it to the spyware creator.Its most popular mutation is adware, which is advertisement related monitoring and marketing software. Adware is "a form of spyware that collects information about the user in order to display advertisements in the Web browser based on the information it collects from the user's browsing patterns."Adware can be found all over the Web. In fact, many 'free' programs are infested with it. It usually comes bundled within a free program such as KaZaa, Grokster, Comet Cursor, HotBar, InternetOptimizer, Gator, Money Tree, etc. etc. etc. The list can be endless.
How can ad related spyware (adware) infect a computer?
If you've ever downloaded a free game, accounting software, cool Web utilities, media players, etc. -- any program offered as free on the Internet -- you're likely infected with a marketing type of spyware (adware).What does ad-related spyware do?There are different types of adware programs, but most of them are programmed to record all of your online activities and/or browsing habits. They closely track every single page you visit in order to determine what your interests are. They keep a log of what you do online, and every so often, transmit that data to a remote site, which processes this spyware generated information.This may or may not sound that harmful to you. However, you haven't even heard the rest.
How can ad-related spyware harm you?
This perhaps seemingly harmless form of spyware has several downfalls. First of all, it generates huge amounts of spam, pop-up ads and advertisement related content.If the adware determines you visit runner sites, you will be bombarded with ads offering you hot new sneakers, heartbeat monitors, sore muscle remedies, etc. (any commercial item related to running).Does this mean you only get ads about products you're interested in? In part yes, but the sheer number of ads generated by the spyware can become so bothersome that you can get to the point of not wanting to be online or opening up your email!And adware causes even greater problems.Advertising-related spyware can greatly reduce your Internet speed and can cause your CPU usage to artificially go up. Adware can also rob you of great amounts of hard disk storage space.The amount of online, as well as offline, activity going on in the background -- sending information back and forth to remote sites, feeding you ads, storing ads on your hard drive to ensure you see them online as well as offline, etc. -- can severely interrupt the correct functioning of your computer.'Browser hijacking' is another characteristic of some truly invasive adware programs. The spyware might change your home page, your default search engine might turn out to be some strange Russian site, weird links might be added to your list of Favorites, new buttons might appear on your toolbar, etc.Advertising related spyware has also been known to cause many system crashes.Now the amount of damage you suffer depends on the individual type of spyware installed on your computer.
Many people get so frustrated with the spyware on their computer that they just buy a new computer!Unfortunately, if they do the same things regarding free software, etc., they'll wind up with the same spyware programs and problems with their new computer.
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