Originally posted by Kafka:

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I uninstalled Avast and activated Defender. I have found on occasion that defender is not running and I have to switch it on, which is a new thing.

Have I got too much stuff on my computer? I must admit to being a bit obsessive when it comes to cleaning the registry and removing malware. Whilst uninstalling software using Revo Uninstaller I have noticed that I have lots of programs which I can't identify and am therefore reluctant to remove.

As regards scorpNZ's comments and yours following, I am embarrassed to admit that I am not new to the world of computers. I bought my first in the late 70's (a TI99) and got my first one at work in 1983. My expertise was in spreadsheets and databases. When I had a technical problem I rang the I.T. section.

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Originally posted by Kafka:

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A quick question on a related matter. I want to schedule backups of my data drive to an external hard drive. What do you reckon is the best free software to do this? I have tried Syncredible which worked fine for a while but then ran into problems. At the moment I am trying ToDo Backup but so far I've been unable to schedule the backup.

Is the any point in backing up my C drive?

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Originally posted by Kafka:

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I'm back! Yesterday was my wife's birthday and I thought it would be maritally unwise to spend much time on the computer.

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Originally posted by Kafka:

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I have uninstalled a whole lot of stuff, however some I couldn't find via Revo Uninstaller and others I wasn't sure about, such as:

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I have never been sure whether I need to keep such files as:

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Originally posted by Kafka:

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PS, in answer to your questions, I don't have a router and both my firewall and Avast are working.

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Originally posted by 2oldGeek:

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Originally posted by Kafka:

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PS, in answer to your questions, I don't have a router and both my firewall and Avast are working.

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Here is a little something from my archives that you may be interested in. As to how you may become infected even though you have an AV and Firewall:

Why use a router? And why is that my No.1 priority for blocking malware?

Do you really need a router when you get a cable or DSL broadband Internet service?
Do you need a router, even if you only have one computer that you?re connecting?
My answer is always, ?Yes!"

Your cable company might tell you that you only need a router if you?re going to have a home network. Remember that these are the same people that used to tell us that we don?t need a firewall because they had one.

You DO need a router, even if you only have one computer that you?re connecting.
Think of it this way. Do you need a lock on your front door?

So, what?s the big protection if you?re already running a software firewall? The importance is that you simply are not accessible.

A Firewall will block the windows (ports) but not the front door (usually port 80) that connects you to the internet. The router functions to lock the Internet away from your computer. If your computer asks for something from the Internet, it asks the router. The router asks the IP address on the Internet. The server at the other end can respond, and the router will know to which computer to route the response. But, no computer on the Internet side can INITIATE communications with your computer. In order to receive something you must request it.

With a router your computer will not have an IP address on the Internet. Its address would be on the local home network (even if that network is nothing but one router and one computer). The WAN port of the router is the only thing that has exposure to the Internet.

Some of the Windows flaws have been such that Windows itself would be subverted before a firewall program ever had a chance to block an incoming connection. With a router, we prevent that incoming connection?

Check it out:

This hacker is looking at you from the internet side. Can he see your real IP address?

To find out:

Here's How: on Win 8
Swipe up from the bottom of the Start screen and then touch the All apps icon. If you have a mouse, right-click anywhere on the Start screen and then click on All apps.

Note: If you're using a keyboard with Windows 8, you can open Command Prompt via its shortcut on the Power User Menu, which you can access by pressing the Windows key and X keys together.

Now that you're on the Apps screen, swipe or scroll to the right and locate the Windows System section heading.
Under Windows System, press or click on Command Prompt.

A new Command Prompt window will open on the Desktop.
You can now enter the command ipconfig and press <enter> to run.



The IPv4 Address is your Real IP address. Is it the same as the Hacker is showing in his sign? If it is, that?s the address that a Hacker can use to infect your computer. So, yes, you need a router. It?s a security issue.

p.s. You can also go to http://whatismyipaddress.com/ and see what the internet sees as your IP address...

I will be happy to answer any questions.
Good L.U.C.K. = Laboring Under Correct Knowledge.

2oG

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Originally posted by Kafka:

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Thanks again! I removed Classic Shell but couldn't find DeviceIO, perhaps I have already removed it.

Re you advice concerning routers. I will look into them from my end. Are they easy to install? By that I mean do they plug into the modem and then the computer with no further action required?

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Originally posted by Kafka:

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I bought a NetComm liberty Series 3G Wireless N150 Router this afternoon. I have already run into trouble installing it. I don't have a 3GB USB modem, just a plain old cable modem, so I have connected the ethernet cable from the computer to a LAN port on the back of the router then connected the modem to the router (the WAN port).I've followed NetComm's instructions for non 3G connections

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At the login screen type admin into both the username and password fields, then click submit

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I rang my ISP to find out what the WAN connection type and the DHCP Hostname were but they were most unhelpful, suggesting I ring NetComm. I's late now but I'll phone NetComm in the morning, unless you have any advice.

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you should be able to disable the wireless from within the router settings if your not using wireless

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