Take Back Your Wasted Ram!

When ever you install new software on your computer, or access the computer, your computer uses up RAM. RAM is a type of computer memory. In common usage, the term RAM is synonymous with main memory, the memory available to programs. For example, a computer with 8M RAM has about 8 million bytes of memory that can be used for running programmes. The more time you spend on the internet and run programmes, the more RAM your computer uses, which causes it to slow down. This of course goes back to normal once you turn your computer off. But what's the point of having a computer if it's only fast when it's on stanby? How do we get back some of the RAM lost? Easy, with FreeRAM XP Pro. Installing this now will help speed up the downloading time for the next programmes.

FreeRAM XP Pro Software Publisher's Description: FreeRAM XP Pro includes automatic memory monitoring and optimization; advanced tray support; fast, threaded freeing with a stop option; multiple system-metric monitors; a simple and attractive GUI; memory reporting and diagnostic logging; and real-time memory information. FreeRAM XP Pro's AutoFree feature intelligently scales how much RAM is freed with your current system status, thus optimizing RAM without slowing down your computer. FreeRAM XP Pro has been designed to be easy to use yet highly customizable by computer novices and experts alike. Minimum requirements: Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP �YourWare Solutions, 2002-2005. All rights reserved. [ DOWNLOAD SITE ]

Guard Against Viruses

Now, onto viruses. New viruses are made every day, so is your computer on guard? Is your anti-virus software up to date? Don't have one? Then don't worry because heres a solution. There aren't many free anti-virus software out there, and chances are, many aren't ICSA Certified. Using a non- ICSA Certified program puts you at risk for a virus infection, since it may not detect all known viruses or produce false positives. Luckuly, there are a few that are ICSA Certified and AVG is one of best.

AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition Software Publisher's Description: AVG Free Edition is the well-known antivirus protection tool. AVG Free is available free of charge to home users for the life of the product. Rapid virus database updates are available for the lifetime of the product, thereby providing the high level of detection capability that millions of users around the world trust to protect their computers. AVG Free is easy to use and will not slow your system down (low system resource requirements). Highlights include automatic update functionality, the AVG Resident Shield, which provides real-time protection as files are opened and programs are run, free Virus Database Updates for the lifetime of the product, and AVG Virus Vault for safe handling of infected files. Minimum requirements: Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP �Grisoft 2005. All rights reserved. [ DOWNLOAD SITE ]

And Rootkits too!

"Rootkits are a special kind of software tool used to hide trojans, viruses and other malware from your anti-virus scanner and other security products. Unfortunately, they are extremely effective which means that some of you reading this will be infected even though you believe your PC to be totally clean. Thankfully there is a new class of  security product now available called rootkit detectors that use specialized techniques to detect these dangerous intruders."- TechSupportAlert

F-Secure Blacklight Software Publisher's Description: F-Secure BlackLight Rootkit Elimination Technology detects objects that are hidden from users and security tools and offers the user an option to remove them. The main purpose is to fight rootkits and all kinds of malware that use rootkits. The F-Secure BlackLight Rootkit Elimination Technology works by examining the system at a deep level. This enables BlackLight to detect objects that are hidden from the user and security software. What are the key benefits of F-Secure BlackLight Rootkit Elimination Technology? F-Secure BlackLight can detect and eliminate active rootkits from the computer. Traditional antivirus scanners can't detect active rootkits. On a normal system F-Secure BlackLight does not confront the user with a long list of suspected objects. This makes F-Secure BlackLight useful even for non-technical users. F-Secure BlackLight Rootkit Elimination Technology can be used in the background during normal system operation. Other available scanners require a reboot during scan or may produce false positives if the system is used during scanning. Minimum requirements: Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP ©Grisoft 2005. All rights reserved. [ DOWNLOAD SITE ]

Dirty Minded

Next, the registry. The registry is the command centre of your computer. It controls all of it's essential programming, from start-up programmes that run as soon as you switch on, to how programmes interface with eachother. Cleaning the registry is very dangerous if you don't know what you're doing, as it can seriously damage your system. Luckily, here's a programme that does it for you and it's so easy, a monkey could do it.

TweakNow Reg Cleaner Software Publisher's Description: The Registry is the heart and soul of any Windows system. It contains information that controls how your system appears and how it behaves. Most applications today use the Registry to store configurations and other important data. When you install an application, new Registry entries will be created. These entries automatically will be deleted when you uninstall the application. Unfortunately, this process does not always work. Sometimes, some applications fail to remove their own Registry entries. These entries become obsolete. After a long period, after you install and uninstall a number of applications, your Windows Registry will contain a large number of obsolete entries. This will significantly increase the Registry size and slow down your computer, because Windows will need more time to load, search, and read data from the Registry. To keep your computer at top performance, it is recommended you periodically clean your Windows Registry. Minimum requirements: Windows 98/Me/2000/XP/2003 Server �TweakNow.com, 2003-2005. All rights reserved. [ DOWNLOAD SITE ]

Malware Protection

Ok, we've saved you some RAM and cleaned your registry and set up your virus defence. Now, we need to clean out your computer from adds that websites or downloaded programmes have set up without you knowing. Adware and Spyware spy on you, recording everything you do and sending the information back to it's creator. This is used in marketing so businesses can tell which websites you prefer, which you bookmark and what you download. As well as telling the creator what programmes you have installed on your computer. This is a huge breach of privacy and also slows down your computer by taking up memory for its storage. Below, you'll find three 5 star rated programmes that will eliminate all your privacy issues, at least from a computer stand point.

Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition Software Publisher's Description: With the ability to scan your RAM, registry, hard drives, and external storage devices for known data-mining, advertising, and tracking components, Ad-aware SE easily can clean your system, allowing you to maintain a higher degree of privacy while you surf the Web. Ad-aware SE Personal Edition boasts a number of improvements. Extended memory scanning now scans all modules loaded by a process. Scanning uses the all- new CSI (Code Sequence Identification) technology to identify new and unknown variants of known targets. Extended registry scanning now scans registry branches of multiple-user accounts and performs additional smart checks to detect dynamically created references. Scanning speed is noticeably faster, and this version offers an Extended Scanning mode for known and unknown/possible browser hijackers. Minimum requirements: Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP �Lavasoft, 2004. All rights reserved. [ DOWNLOAD SITE ]

Spybot - Search & Destroy Software Publisher's Description: Spybot - Search & Destroy can detect and remove a multitude of adware files and modules from your computer. Spybot also can clean program and Web-usage tracks from your system, which is especially useful if you share your computer with other users. Modules chosen for removal can be sent directly to the included file shredder, ensuring complete elimination from your system. For advanced users, it allows you to fix registry inconsistencies related to adware and to malicious program installations. The handy online-update feature ensures that Spybot always has the most current and complete listings of adware, dialers, and other uninvited system residents. Minimum requirements: Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP �Patrick M. Kolla., 2002-2004. All rights reserved. [ DOWNLOAD SITE ]

Keep Them Out

Now that you've deleted all the spyware and adware from your computer, lets keep them out! These two programs will create real time security from the above mentioned. What is real-time security? Well, it basically works as you work. It means it's always on guard. You're computer will love you for downloading these, so go ahead and grab these two bad boys, but, if you have chosen to download Microsoft Dendender, then skip this bit as the Defender comes with real-time security!

SpywareBlaster Software Publisher's Description: SpywareBlaster doesn't scan for and clean spyware - it prevents it from being installed in the first place. SpywareBlaster prevents the installation of ActiveX-based spyware, adware, dialers, browser hijackers, and other potentially unwanted programs. It can also block spyware/tracking cookies in IE and Mozilla/Firefox, and restrict the actions of spyware/ad/tracking sites. With the built-in Check for Updates feature, you can help ensure your protection is up-to-date. SpywareBlaster also includes a System Snapshot feature, which lets you take a snapshot of your computer in its clean state and later revert, undoing many changes made by spyware and browser hijackers. Minimum requirements: Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP �Javacool Software LLC, 2002-2005. All rights reserved. [ DOWNLOAD SITE ]

SpywareGuard Software Publisher's Description: SpywareGuard provides a real-time protection solution against spyware that is a great addition to SpywareBlaster's protection method. An anti-virus program scans files before you open them and prevents execution if a virus is detected - SpywareGuard does the same thing, but for spyware! And you can easily have an anti-virus program running alongside SpywareGuard. SpywareGuard now also features Download Protection and Browser Hijacking Protection! Minimum requirements: Windows 98/Me/2000/XP �Javacool Software LLC, 2002-2005. All rights reserved. [ DOWNLOAD SITE ]

Faster Loading, Better Browsing

Finally, lets enhance your internet experience. We do this by configuring Forefox's command database. This will make more use of your connections to the internet and will reduce loading time. DISCLAIMER: If you decide to change settings other than the ones listed here, it is YOUR choice and Devillisin waives ALL responsibility for your actions. If you do NOT know what you are doing, stay with the instructions as changing any of the about:config controls without knowledge will corrupt your computer and cause major damage.

1.Type "about:config" into the address bar and hit return. 2. Alter the entries as follows: Set "network.http.pipelining" to "true" Set "network.http.proxy.pipelining" to "true" Normally the browser will make one request to a web page at a time. When you enable pipelining it will make several at once, which really speeds up page loading. Set "browser.turbo.enabled" to "true" Set "network.http.pipelining.maxrequests" to 30. This means it will make 30 requests at once.. 3. Right-click anywhere and select New-> Integer. Name it "nglayout.initialpaint.delay" and set its value to "0". This value is the amount of time the browser waits before it acts on information it receives. 4. Now right-click anywhere and select New-> Integer. Name it "browser.cache.memory.capacity " and set its value to "16000". This will improve Firefox's memory capacity and stop it slowing down during longer browsing. Now lets optimize that Registry we spoke of before to enhance your internet speed! Go to SpeedGuide.net and download the patches that match your Operating System, located in the SG Registry Patches and older tools section. I currently use the sguide_tweak_2k.zip, winxp_dnscache.zip and sg_webtweak_2k.zip patches as I'm running Windows XP. If you're using a broadband connection you'll load pages MUCH faster now!

Now that you've downloaded these PC enhancers, you're computer should be as healthy as possible without spending any money. Make sure you scan your computer for adware and spyware at least once every 2 days and make sure you download any updates from the programmes. If you need any help, please don't hesitate to contact me.