Wolfbytez Computer Services
67 Enniskillen Avenue
Thunder Bay, Ontario
(807) 343-0133
Useful Definitions Search
Adware Scans | Clean Install | Defragmentation
Disk Cleanup | Firewall | Freeware | LAN | Modem | RAM
Registry Defrag | Router | Shareware | Virus Scans |WAN
Adware Scans: Have you ever wondered how the junk mail purveyors find your email address? The bad news is that your computer is contacting the advertisers and asking for the junk mail, because as you innocently surf the internet, programs called Trojans and malicious cookies are constantly being downloaded in the background without your knowledge and installed on your computer. Adware scanning searches for and destroys these cookies and Trojans as well as many other types of malware. Adware scans like virus scans are important and if not run manually each day, should at the very least be running on your system in the back ground.(top)
Clean Install: This is the process of re-installing the operating system in order to remove all the adware, often useless software packages installed by manufacturers in order to create a much cleaner and faster system.(top)
Defragmentation (Disk Defragmentation or Defrag):The process of writing disk information to the hard drive contiguously so that data can be accessed in as small an area as possible on the hard drive instead of having to search all over the disk. The more compact the data the faster the access. (top)
In Windows to locate the Defrag program: Goto:
Start/All Programs/accessories/System Tools/Disk Defragmenter.
Note: There is a Defrag program that comes as part of Windows systems but there are much better after market defrag systems available. (top)
Disk Cleanup: Disk Cleanup is the process of running a program that removes useless data generated by the day to day use of your computer system i.e. Internet and explorer temporary files, system temp files, files held in the Recycle bin for deletion etc. There is a Disk Cleanup program that comes as part of Windows systems but there are much better after market disk cleaners available.
In Windows to locate the Disk Cleanup program: Goto:
Start/All Programs/accessories/System Tools/Disk Cleanup. (top)
Firewall: This is another of the never-go-without type of software (sometimes hardware) that you should;d always have as part of your system. Firewalls watch all the data being accessed by your computer for certain profiles of threats to the computer system. When a potentially harmful profile is detected the firewall blocks it from entering the computer system. A Two-way firewall watches the system for any piece of software attempting to contact a remote computer. This thwarts a virus type called backdoor which enters the system then waits gathering data to transmit like your personal information i.e. banking information, social insurance number etc…
Note: Windows systems come with a built in firewall, but it is a one way firewall that ignores out bound calls to remote computers by default. (top)
Freeware: this is software that has been written and published online and is free for download and use.(top)
LAN:(Local Area Network)A LAN is what you have if there is more than one computer connected via cable or wireless through a router.(top)
Modem: This is the hardware device that your Internet Service Provider (ISP) (Shaw Cable, TbayTel, TELUS, Rogers etc…) places in your home in order for you to connect to the internet through their service.(top)
RAM: (Random Access Memory) Countless computers are taken in for repairs because “it’s running so slow all of a sudden…” Probably one of the most important, but most misunderstood computer components is the RAM.
Whenever your computer calls a program, say, Microsoft Word for instance, the system loads as much of the Word program into RAM as possible, because from RAM, the program can be accessed by the system several times faster than it can be accessed from your computer’s hard drive.
Without getting into deep boringness, just know that the Windows Vista system needs at the very least, one gigabyte of RAM just for basic life support. Keep in mind that that same Vista system is already running 40 or so programs in the background as soon as you boot up(all of which are trying to share that same 1 gig of RAM) *Rule of thumb: whatever the recommended amount of RAM as per Microsoft, you should at least double it if quality of computing is important to you.(top)
Registry Defrag: The registry is a large file that stores all of the properties and behaviors of all of the programs on your computer. As you add and remove data, a record of those additions and deletions is kept in the registry. To defrag (compress) the registry is to remove references to no longer necessary information about those changes. Since the computer must read all these data to run programs as well as when it boots up or shuts down, defragging the registry speeds up the computer by optimizing these reads.(top)
Router: The router is a piece of hardware that looks a lot like your modem that stands between your modem and your computer. It is the first line of defense your computer has against the threats that populate the internet these days i.e. viruses, Trojans, backdoors etc. A router usually incorporates some type of firewall and sometimes even includes anti-virus protection. If your internet connection is any type of broad band (high speed) a router is an absolute necessity, but should never be solely relied upon as an anti-virus solution by itself.(top)
Shareware:This is software that is online for download and can be installed on your system usually on a trial basis. Beware, shareware is often made to appear as freeware until installed, whereupon you are informed that this software must be paid for in order to become fully functional. To make matters worse these programs are often designed without the uninstall function so it continues to reside on your system constantly nagging for registration (payment). This technique is also known as 'Bait and Switch'.(top)
Virus Scans:This is one of the most important software tools you, as a computer owner, needs to have. As you read this it’s likely that somewhere, someone is writing and/or publishing yet another annoying or even dangerous virus. A virus is any program that installs and runs on your computer without your permission and functions in ways that usually cause problems. No one should ever run their computer without good anti-virus protection(top)
WAN: Wide Area Network as in World Wide Web i.e. the internet at large.(top)
Affordable Custom Built Systems
We also build custom, one of a kind systems for the true power user who'd rather buy performance than a sales pitch. Our custom systems cost little more than the off the shelf system sold by the large outlets but come with higher quality parts, better workmanship, a vastly superior potential for upgrade plus, local, personal support of the system's builders.
wolfbytez.com©copyright 2009