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Speaking of full screen ‘Start Apps’. This in the weirdest way is like an evolutionary semi-step backwards.

In the days of DOS there were methods to run many apps just like Start Apps/Windows store apps with a 3rd party app called Software Carousel. It would load the apps you’d want to run and at the touch of a hot-key 1 app would replace the other full screen…

Of course graphics and memory weren’t near what they are today but the underlying principle is there.

The big switch to Windows was the idea of multitasking, having more then 1 window opened at a time with the option of taking the floating window and making it temporarily full screen for whatever the reason. At a glance I’ve seen many apps that have absolutely no place being run full screen even with bad eye sight. Go figure.

I realize this is all changing, but almost every one of you has paid for a finished product, not one that hasn’t fully evolved… I have a paid copy of Windows 8, but so far I haven’t seen reason to even try it. If I need to fix a windows 8.x machine it’ll take me an extra 10 minutes for something I may not be familiar in finding.

I build, fix, game, program, watch TV and movies, re-encode, and more all on my pc flawlessly. I’m still running Windows 7.

Yes. Malware can and does get stored in system restore points. And your registry usually has keys created by malware and those to would also be restored.

I found this all out years ago when using combofix. I will tell you this. I do use Malwarebytes (pd version) but if something gets by or “I” by accident let something in and didn’t discover till later. I use Combofix. It cleans everything including all those system backups, restore points (without deleting them all), registry entries. I love it it’s awesome. It just simply removes what at least 99% of those apps you’d pay for cannot do… Combofix is for removal, the author physically updates the program constantly so nothing can stop, bind, or blind it.

Any worries you have will become a non issue.

Did you try changing your DNS servers (2) manually? This is a not easy to find option.
– Open Network Sharing
– Click Change adapter settings
– right click ‘Local Area Connection’ */ Properties
– Highlight ‘Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)’ and click Properties
Here you have a choice, either: Obtain DNS server address automatically’ or ‘Use the following DNS server addresses:’

The 2nd choice is always better if you know your best DNS server alternatives.

For me the default AT&T DNS is the slowest of all public DNS servers. I happened to talk to one their repair people when there were issues and he gave me 2 other DNS servers. It so happened that these are apparently the fastest of all public DNS servers available according to Steve Gibsons ‘DNS Resolver’ software.

I highly recommend Gibson’s software. It shows all available DNS servers and speed tests them all including yours. Depending on your provider, you can use most of these DNS servers instead of a slower default server.

I know this is ‘after the fact’, but it’s good to know.

I stopped using ZoneAlarm with this ‘new update. It seems whenever there’s an update and I install, it always stops with an error. This has been going on for what seems forever. I just did a clean Windows install and don’t know if I’ll install ZA again. The only thing I like about it is the ease of allowing or denying programs both in and out. And your automatically Stealth until you allow. If I use again I will image my 2 drive system before I play with ZA again.

Programs can be denied net access with Windows firewall but it’s not a one click process.
1. From Control Panel open Windows Firewall
2. Click Advanced Settings (left section)
3. Click Outbound Rules (left section)
4. On the right side click New Rule
A screen will pop up, select the program and it’s done.

I believe there are 1 or 2 third party lightweight apps that work with windows firewall to make things better and easier.

It’s not the best firewall, your not automatically invisible (stealth) which could lead to possible danger. But so far it’s working with no ill effect and it’s just so nice not loading an additional firewall which I’ve done since XP. Only time will tell.

Very good article on ‘more to be weary of. The section that interested me the most was about the video viewing and the need of a new codec. First of all, almost all the online video players are flash based. The video’s are streamed as FLV or mp4. Logical as either can have a smaller file size without sacrificing quality. Specialty, hobby’s, and other things sometimes stream in wmv , or mov. These codecs are almost by default in every pc, except for flv. And like the boss said, installing VLC has every codec you should ever need and then some.

Back to those Flash video streaming sites. Most of the time when you see the “phoney” you need a new codec covering the screen you want to look at, there is many times a way to close the overlay. Sometimes a very tiny x, almost hidden will close it. If you do close the overlay and the player seems dead, then you can know for certain the link you clicked to get there was a dirty link. If you can’t close it it’s time to find another stream. The streaming sites and their flash based interfaces are not responsible for those overlays. You can access that same streaming site from another link or directly and won’t see all that crap.

Ethics aside, the people that facilitate streaming servers are doing it for a reason. Infecting you is not on the agenda.

The money game. Some streaming companies (for lack of better words) will throttle your stream and want you to pay a premium for fast streams. I can’t tell you what to do, but unless their free stream’s video quality is above 480p, don’t throw away your money. They don’t have video’s before the ‘other guy either. You’ll find those videos on another ‘free’ server.

When it comes to streaming and sites offering streaming links, it can become a mission for the inexperienced. I know of sites tagged as malicious yet they have the same links (and more) as popular sites such as Sidereel, and they have absolutely no spam links!

It’s all risky. Just don’t download anything from a video window, there’s no reason for it and there’s a 99% chance you don’t need it. If you can’t close the overlay just utilize another stream link.

My biggest question is why by this Thursday? It sounds like doomsday, or the Attack of the sidebar Widgets day. To remove at anytime, I understand entirely. But by Thursday? Why the deadline of Thursday?