Computer Tips Hello and welcome to the first computer tips column by Debug Computers. We hope to offer you advice on computing problems each month. We will also offer advice on new purchases, upgrading or any issue that you may have. Feel free to email us at debugcomputers (@hotmail.com with any problems you would like to see covered here or you can call us at 476-8721. Anyway, enough with the shameless self-promotion and on to the tips. Since we are headed into flu season, it seems like a good time to talk about viruses. The computer virus is very similar to its natural counter part, in that it 1s very easily contracted and spread. The big difference is the computer virus is preventable. If your computer is hooked up to the Internet in any shape or form you should invest in some kind of virus protection. The most common programs are Norton Antivirus and Mcafee Virusscan. Both of these programs can be set to scan your computer on a regular basis and to examine everything that you download or email for most of the viruses that can be picked up on the Internet. The key to using these programs Be is to keep their virus scan files up to date. tis not a difficult process and can be accomplished | by visiting the software manufacturer site and looking for a link that says update virus files or download latest DAT files. Once you have downloaded the latest updates, double click on them to update your virus scan programs. We recommend doing this at least once a month. This way you can be assured of being up to date and not running the risk of contracting a virus. What to do if you do become infected with a virus? Most of the programs available can fix older or common viruses automatically. This is the easiest way. If your virus program cannot {ix the problem then it is recommended that you get in touch with a technician. Most viruses change things in the computer registry and only experienced users or technicians should tinker with the registry as you can really do some severe damage to your machine. The main thing to remember is not to panic as most viruses are easily Memory - Continued from page 7 but it will likely be a world far different from the one we now know. The aims and justifications used by the terrorists in weir so called Holy War are not contained in the Qumran nor the teachings of Islam nor are they held by more than a relatively small insane group. We must not assist them in destroying our way of life by behaving in an unthinking way nor by trying to lash out in our frustration against innocent people only because of their race or creed. September 11, 2001 1s a date we will always remember. Let me wish us all the ability to carry on in the face of this disaster and extend to us all the wish of Tiny Tim - GOD BLESS US EVERYONE. : - John A Jackson Weddings by fat (at the Ginkgo Tree Place B & B) Picton, Ontario # Other wedding services available sw Call for appointment Pat Dubyk 476-1792 ; Es rman SO SEneneTenen resent cence ures A at wl fixed with no damage to your data or machine. One other thing to note, most of these programs offer some kind of automatic update. We recommend switching this feature off and updating manually. Why? Our connection speeds in this area are quite slow. These auto update features try to connect to their site every time you logon to the Internet. This will result in even longer waits and degraded performance when you connect. If you update manually, you are able to set the time when you are downloading. Don't let viruses get you down as long as you have antivirus software that is current and updated you will find yourself virus free. Hope this helps and see you next month. 352 Main St. E. | : : Custom designed wedding cakes § 1 Pat and Steve - DeBug Computers Family Hairstyling 2058 COUNTY ROAD 17 1/2 Kil. FROM MILFORD By ap ointment only. Call Linde at 476-2170 CLOSED TUESDAY & SUNDAY