jamesodriscoll
Posts: 91 +0
Quite Often I am asked why a program that someone has downloaded / installed does not seem to be doing its job properly.
I have tried to come up with 12 categories below of what i consider to be some of the most USELESS applications that are around. It is fair to say that there are people out there who do create programs that fall into the caregories below with the intention of actully trying to help but in the long run it probably ISNT a good idea!!!
If you come up with any others please let me know.
THE LIST
********************
1) Broadband Connection Tweakers:
They are supposed to optimize your broadband connection for faster throughput. The only thing they'll optimize is their bank account at your expense.
2) Download Managers:
Countless users install these utilities on their PCs to speed up downloads. Although they can be handy in picking up broken downloads from where you left off, they don't speed up anything at all.
3) Registry Editors:
They don't do nothing. They do lots. Almost all of it destructive. Avoid like the plague. If you dont really know how the registry works LEAVE IT ALONE
4) RAM Memory Optimizers:
They're supposed to reallocate your RAM to free up all sorts of extra memory. A quick fresh re-allocation of your RAM can be done by a simple reboot. NB: a program will use as much RAM as it requires to run so if you find you have RAM “spare” when running a memory intensive program DONT try and allocate it more. You can always free up RAM by running Task Manager and closing any apps/processes that you dont require open.
5) Hard Drive Crash Protectors:
These utilities are supposed to predict when your hard drive is about to crash and save it. How can a program predict when your about to crash???
6) Alternate Explorers and Skins:
These utilities will change around your desktop and sometimes even your entire user interface to one that is "more effective." The only thing that these utilities are more effective in is to mess up your system. Avoid!
7) File Erasers:
Sure, they'll overwrite your files seven or more times to United States Department Of Defense (USDOD) standards, but if you're doing something on your PC that requires that level of security, you should be in jail. If you're getting rid of an old hard drive try formatting a couple of times or better still take a magnet to it. Sledge hammer even maybe ....
8) Remote Storage:
Wow, what a concept! You can pay to have 10, 20 or more GB of your data stored completely securely on some server somewhere. Not only are you opening yourself up to being data mined unless you encrypt everything first, but have you ever tried to upload 20 GB from your PC? Even on very fast broadband connections, that can take days!
9) Emergency Recovery:
If you can't get into your system by Safe Mode and a pre-set-up Emergency Boot Disk, your system is toast anyway. Windows 7 actually does provide an option to create a Recory Disc using an IMAGE your really dont need any thrid part apps.
10) Browser Plug-Ins and Gadgets:
If you tried really hard to come up with some of the most patently useless and ridiculous wastes of hard drive space and CPU cycles, you would be hard pressed to create anything worse than 99% of all the Browser Plug-Ins and Gadgets out there. All they do is take up space, slow down your PC, and all the while providing incredibly important information such as how cold the beer in your fridge is.
11) Torrent Optimizers/Secrecy
Ok firstly dont download ilegally then you wont have a problem. simple
Secondly this is complete rubbish!!! These programs are meant to hide your details when you are ilegally downloading and prevent third parties from watching your traffic and stop you getting caught. All it does it track your data and mess around with your torrents and PC. it DOES NOT stop third parties from seeing what you download. if they wish to do so then they will.
12) Mallicious Antivirus Programs / Malware Programs
This is a bit skeptical as there are LOTS of free Antirvirus / anti malware programs out there that are genuine. The ones I refer to here are the ones you see when you visit a site and it instantly tells you your computer is infected with X number of viri. Clever site for scanning your PC in approx 0.3s! These programs actually INFECT your PC trying to get you to spend money on a program to fix it when there is nothing wrong with your PC and sometimes blocking genuine programs such as IE or FF
WHERE DID THEY COME FROM?
***************************************************
Ok so there are the categories so where do we find all these programs???
They are pretty much everywhere!! When asking clients where they get these programs from these were the TOP 3 that they came up with.
SO HOW DO WE STOP THESE PROGRAMS?
******************************************************************
We cant stop people fron creating these programs but you can help yourself
Sometimes some common sense is also required. You visit a site and it tells you you have so many Registry errors ro Viri (see Category 12). PLease think if it takes a normal Antivirus programs sometimes 2-3 hours to do a full system scan how can site do it in less the 2-3 seconds?
WHAT TECHSPOT CAN OFFER YOU?
*********************************************************
I hope this helps people to determine wether they actually need to install a certain program onto their computer.
James
I have tried to come up with 12 categories below of what i consider to be some of the most USELESS applications that are around. It is fair to say that there are people out there who do create programs that fall into the caregories below with the intention of actully trying to help but in the long run it probably ISNT a good idea!!!
If you come up with any others please let me know.
THE LIST
********************
1) Broadband Connection Tweakers:
They are supposed to optimize your broadband connection for faster throughput. The only thing they'll optimize is their bank account at your expense.
2) Download Managers:
Countless users install these utilities on their PCs to speed up downloads. Although they can be handy in picking up broken downloads from where you left off, they don't speed up anything at all.
3) Registry Editors:
They don't do nothing. They do lots. Almost all of it destructive. Avoid like the plague. If you dont really know how the registry works LEAVE IT ALONE
4) RAM Memory Optimizers:
They're supposed to reallocate your RAM to free up all sorts of extra memory. A quick fresh re-allocation of your RAM can be done by a simple reboot. NB: a program will use as much RAM as it requires to run so if you find you have RAM “spare” when running a memory intensive program DONT try and allocate it more. You can always free up RAM by running Task Manager and closing any apps/processes that you dont require open.
5) Hard Drive Crash Protectors:
These utilities are supposed to predict when your hard drive is about to crash and save it. How can a program predict when your about to crash???
6) Alternate Explorers and Skins:
These utilities will change around your desktop and sometimes even your entire user interface to one that is "more effective." The only thing that these utilities are more effective in is to mess up your system. Avoid!
7) File Erasers:
Sure, they'll overwrite your files seven or more times to United States Department Of Defense (USDOD) standards, but if you're doing something on your PC that requires that level of security, you should be in jail. If you're getting rid of an old hard drive try formatting a couple of times or better still take a magnet to it. Sledge hammer even maybe ....
8) Remote Storage:
Wow, what a concept! You can pay to have 10, 20 or more GB of your data stored completely securely on some server somewhere. Not only are you opening yourself up to being data mined unless you encrypt everything first, but have you ever tried to upload 20 GB from your PC? Even on very fast broadband connections, that can take days!
9) Emergency Recovery:
If you can't get into your system by Safe Mode and a pre-set-up Emergency Boot Disk, your system is toast anyway. Windows 7 actually does provide an option to create a Recory Disc using an IMAGE your really dont need any thrid part apps.
10) Browser Plug-Ins and Gadgets:
If you tried really hard to come up with some of the most patently useless and ridiculous wastes of hard drive space and CPU cycles, you would be hard pressed to create anything worse than 99% of all the Browser Plug-Ins and Gadgets out there. All they do is take up space, slow down your PC, and all the while providing incredibly important information such as how cold the beer in your fridge is.
11) Torrent Optimizers/Secrecy
Ok firstly dont download ilegally then you wont have a problem. simple
Secondly this is complete rubbish!!! These programs are meant to hide your details when you are ilegally downloading and prevent third parties from watching your traffic and stop you getting caught. All it does it track your data and mess around with your torrents and PC. it DOES NOT stop third parties from seeing what you download. if they wish to do so then they will.
12) Mallicious Antivirus Programs / Malware Programs
This is a bit skeptical as there are LOTS of free Antirvirus / anti malware programs out there that are genuine. The ones I refer to here are the ones you see when you visit a site and it instantly tells you your computer is infected with X number of viri. Clever site for scanning your PC in approx 0.3s! These programs actually INFECT your PC trying to get you to spend money on a program to fix it when there is nothing wrong with your PC and sometimes blocking genuine programs such as IE or FF
WHERE DID THEY COME FROM?
***************************************************
Ok so there are the categories so where do we find all these programs???
They are pretty much everywhere!! When asking clients where they get these programs from these were the TOP 3 that they came up with.
- Torrent / Illegal Download Sites
- Third Party Driver Download Sites
- Porn Sites
SO HOW DO WE STOP THESE PROGRAMS?
******************************************************************
We cant stop people fron creating these programs but you can help yourself
- Down Ileagally download
- OK i will admit it can be sometimes difficult to find the drivers that you need but ALWAYS try the manufacturer site first
- Just dont visit them!
Sometimes some common sense is also required. You visit a site and it tells you you have so many Registry errors ro Viri (see Category 12). PLease think if it takes a normal Antivirus programs sometimes 2-3 hours to do a full system scan how can site do it in less the 2-3 seconds?
WHAT TECHSPOT CAN OFFER YOU?
*********************************************************
- If you look under the Downloads section of TECHSPOT you will find lots of FREE apps that you can install from Firewalls/antispyware/antivirus etc that will help protect your PC
- If you think you are infected with MALWARE then visit the team on the MALWARE section of this. Make sure you read the following thread first https://www.techspot.com/community/...lware-removal-preliminary-instructions.58138/
- Make sure that your have the pop-up blocker turned on in IE or FF. Alternativly you could download the google search toolbar which again has a pretty decent pop-up blocker on it.
I hope this helps people to determine wether they actually need to install a certain program onto their computer.
James
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