How Run Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

Most of my clients know that one of my favorite software programs is Malwarebytes Anti-Malware!  This program has helped me remove some of the top Malware and virus threats on their computers. As a result, I help all my clients download and install this program on their computers.  I've written much about about Malwarebytes Anti-Malware in previous posts, but I wanted to focus this post on showing folks how to update it and run the scans.

First, after you download and install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, you'll see a red icon with a white "M" on your desktop (like that shown on the right.  You may or may not see the shield on top it.  To run the program, just double left-click the icon (Windows Vista and 7 may ask you to confirm that you want to open/run that program).  After the program opens, you'll see the screen below.

Don't be fooled by all the tabs you see.  The only two that you really need to pay attention to are the "Scanner" tab and the "Update" tab (circled in red). 

If you're using the free version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, you'll have to manually update the software and run the scan.  

So first thing you want to do after opening Malwarebytes,  is click  the UPDATE tab so you can update the software. 

Once on the update page, there are two pieces of information you'll want to pay attention to.  The first is the date of the last update.  Malwarebytes provides updates daily. And every time you update it, this date will change.  Knowing when you last updated the software and ran the scan is helpful.  

The next step is to click the "CHECK FOR UPDATES" button (you must be connected to the internet for this step).  Depending on when you last updated the software, it could take a few minutes to complete, and you may (or may not) need to reboot the computer to finish the update.  Sometimes Malwarebytes will need to close the application and then you'll have to reopen it.

Just be sure to always update the software before running the scan.  

After Malwarebytes has been updated, click the SCANNER tab to run the scan.

There are two types of scans you can run - Quick Scan or Full Scan.  Most of the time, the Quick Scan will suffice (especially if you're running scans regularly).  The only time I run the Full Scan is when I want to perform a deep thorough scan for maintenance purposes or when I suspect a problem.   

The Quick scan takes 15-30 minutes are on average and the full scan can take anywhere from 1-6 hours (depending on the size of your hard drive and how much data you have on it).  The good news is that you can do other things on the computer while the scan is running - although it may slow you down a bit.

After selecting the type of scan you want to run (Quick or Full), click the SCAN button to start the scan. 

While the scan is running, you'll notice that it shows "Objects Infected" followed by a number (which is zero at the start) on the screen.  If Malwarebytes finds any problems, "Objects Infected" will turn red and show a number.  You'll have to wait for the scan to complete before you can see what it found.  If Malwarebytes doesn't find anything, this number will remain "0".

If you look at the bottom of the window while the scan is running, you'll see two buttons:  "Purchase" (if you're running the free version) and "Exit".  If  Malwarebytes finds infections, these buttons will disappear after the scan completes and you'll see a new button labeled, "SHOW RESULTS" (you'll only see this button if infections are found).

If you see the "SHOW RESULTS" button after the scan completes, you'll want to click it. The next screen shows you in detail what infections were found and by default, all are checked.  To remove those infections, you'll want to click the REMOVE ALL button.  In most cases, you'll be told to reboot computer to complete the removal process. 

After you reboot computer, I would recommend running the scan again to make sure it comes out clean.  I have seen cases where a scan needed to be ran 2 or 3 times before all infections were removed.

I recommend updating and running Malwarebytes Anti-Malware at least weekly to help keep your computer clean of malware. 

How to Protect Your Computer From Malware

In addition to virus protection, it's important to protect your computer from Spyware, Adware, and Malware.  Some "internet security" and Antivirus software will protect you against some of the additional threats, but they may not catch them all.

For years I ran Stopzilla and  Lavasoft's Ad-aware on my personal computer from spyware and adware.  But since discovering, Malwarebytes Anti-malware, I now favor this program. I've written several posts about the biggest Malware threat (Windows Antivirus) nfecting many of my client's computers, and Malwarebytes Anti-malware is the ONLY program out there that's been able to completely remove it in most cases.  For that reason alone, I've become a HUGE fan of Malwarebytes.

Malwarebytes makes a free and paid version of their Anti-malware program.  I've been using the free version, which is fine for me, but it's takes some discipline on my part.  The biggest difference between the paid and free version is automation.  With the free version of Antimalware, I have to remember to update the software and run the scans myself.  The paid version will automate updates and scanning for you.  If you're one of those people who doesn't want to be bothered with managing the software yourself, then I'd highly recommend getting the paid version.

Regardless of which version you use of Malwarebytes Antimalware (paid or free), I highly recommend downloading and installing it on your computer.  And of course, don't forget to use it!  This is one program you really want to have on your computer BEFORE some of these problems find their way onto your computer because some malware programs will prevent you from installing it after they infect your computer.

Between Norton Internet Security and Malwarebytes Antimalware, my computer stays really clean of viruses, malware, spyware and adware.

To download and install Malwarebytes Antimalware, click here.

How to Add Collaborators to Google Sites

Google Sites is a tool that allows you to set up a free web site.  While there are many pros and cons to using Google Sites (or any free web host for that matter), this post will only you how to add collaborators to your existing Google Site.

The first thing you need to know is that Google Sites allows you to add 3 types of users to your existing site:

• Additional Owners (which can do everything the original owner can do)
• Collaborators (which can create, edit and delete pages, but not change site layout, name, etc.)
• Viewers (which can only view the site but not make changes).

For more information about each category of Google Site Users, click here. 

In most cases, if you're looking to add others to a Google Site so they can create and edit pages, it's best to add them as a "Collaborator" as opposed to an "Owner".  This will help lessen inadvertent mistakes by other users.

The next thin you need to know before you can add a Collaborator to your Google Site is that the prospective collaborator must have a Google Account first ... or they won't be able to log into the site.

Getting a Google Account is easy. Share the link below with the prospective Collaborator and tell them to sign up for a free Google Account.

https://www.google.com/accounts/NewAccount

Be sure that the person creating the Google Account responds to any email verification requests sent in order to create the account.

Once the Google Account is created, you're ready to add this person as a Collaborator to your existing Google Site.  To do so, follow the steps below:

1. Log into your Google Site (and go to the website)
2. Click the MORE ACTIONS button (top right corner) and then MANAGE SITE
3. In the left navigation under "Site Settings", click SHARING
4. Make sure COLLABORATORS button is checked  (or click it if you need to)
5. Type in the prospective collaborators email address
6. Click INVITE THESE PEOPLE button (this sends an email to prospective collaborator)

The person you've invited to be a Collaborator will get an email informing them that they've been invited to a collaborator on your Google Site.  All they need to do now is log into their Google Account and then access the Google site.   If they need more help, they can follow the isntructions below:

1. Log into Google Account (https://www.google.com/accounts/Login)
2. If you don't see the navigation links on the top left of page (web, images, video, etc.), then GOOGLE HOME link near top right of page.
3. Click MORE link on top left page then SITES
4. Under MY SITES, click the name of your Google Site

You (the Collaborator) now has full control to create, edit, and delete pages.

Unable to Play Games in Firefox?

One of my clients recently had a problem playing facebook games using Firefox.  The funny thing is that only some games had problems, while others were fine.  Inconsistencies like this make troubleshooting a problem difficult.

But while going through the normal steps to correct the problem, I came across a small note the other day on the Java website that mentioned a compatibility problem with the latest version  of Java (6 update 18) and Firefox (version 3.6).  It's a tricky issue, but in short, before upgrading to the latest version of Firefox, you have to have an older version of JAVA on the computer.

People like me, who always uninstall older versions of  software before installing newer versions, are the ones who primarily seeing this problem.

Without going into too much technical mumojumbo, if you're having trouble playing games on Facebook or other JAVA based games, you might want to try these steps to resolve the problem.

1. Uninstall Firefox completely (through Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs)
2. Uninstall JAVA completely (through Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs)
3. Download and install an older version of JAVA, click here.
4. Reinstall Firefox

Hopefully,  your problem is now fixed.  Give the games another try.

Obama Administration Wants to Track You Via Cell Phones

If you value your privacy, you might want to read an article published today on CNET.  It's titled, "Feds Push for Tracking Cell Phones".

As you know, most cell phones today have GPS chips in them which can allow emergency services and cell phone companies track your whereabouts.  These are sold to us as a good thing - for our own protection.  By having the GPS chip, emergency services can find us if we find ourselves in need of help.

There's also an ongoing battle between the ACLU, the government and law enforcement agencies on whether cell records can be used in tracking criminals. Again, on the surface, this seems like a valid reason to scare folks into giving up their privacy - for the good of society.

But here's the problem.  Often times, our definition of criminal activity is not the same as that of the government's or others.  Just look at how many convicted felons are currently serving in the Congress and Senate!

The liberal left went into a frenzy when Bush put the Patriot Act into motion ... and rightly so!  The Patriot Act is another example of how privacy violations are sold to the American public by playing on their fears.

But the Obama administration is taking it a step further.  The Patriot Act was set up to "monitor suspected terrorists phone calls" and now Obama wants to go further and track the whereabouts of American citizens via their cell phones.  This is Soviet-KGB like monitoring ... and it's definitely an invasion of your privacy!

Read the article, linked above.  No doubt, you'll find it very interesting.  

By the way, cell phones still emit a tracking signal when the phone is OFF.  The only way to prevent this is to remove the battery.  When the battery is removed, the tracking feature is disabled.  

Jury Duty Phone Scam

One of my clients alerted me to this Jury Dury Scam.  Here's how it works.  Folks get a call from a person who claims to be an officer of the court and informs you failed to show up for jury duty.  After telling him you never received a notice, he says he will need some personal information for verification (birthday, social security number, etc.).  He now can steal your identity.

We all tend to be trusting, especially with folks claiming to be from law enforcement agencies.  But if Hollywood has shown us nothing else, it's shown us that we can't trust everybody who claims to be from law enforcement really is.

ANYTIME somebody asks you for personal information on the phone, DO NOT GIVE IT TO THEM.  Hang up the phone and call the agency in question yourself and ask if they were trying to contact you.  If you're able to extract information from the caller (like their name, phone number, where they're located, etc.) it may be useful in the caller turns out to be a scammer.

For more information about this scam, visit the FBI's web page using the link below:
http://www.fbi.gov/page2/june06/jury_scams060206.htm

"Share This" Plugin for Firefox

A couple of weeks ago, I shared information about how you can easily share web content on Facebook.   While that little tool is great for Facebook users, it didn't help those using Twitter and other social networking sites.

Now somebody has developed a plugin for Firefox users that allow them to easily share web content on Facebook, Twitter, My Space, etc.  To get the plugin, just go to the link below and click the "Add to Firefox" button.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/5000

You'll have to restart Firefox to install the plugin. After you do, you'll notice a new green button in the top right corner of your Firefox window. If you click it, a list will drop down with different social networking sharing options.  Just click the one you want.