Preventing Malware Downloads With A Spyware Adware Blocker

The internet has made the world a little smaller, allowing those with computer access to surf through large amounts of information with a simple click of the mouse. They can also enjoy the convenience of online shopping, banking, and even making travel arrangements. Unfortunately this convenience comes with a price, namely in the form of spyware and adware that at the least can cause computer performance issues and at the worst steal important personal information that might be stored on your PC. These are the primary reasons every personal computer needs a good spyware adware blocker program.

Many people are unknowingly infected because they fail to understand just how dangerous software is downloaded and installed on unsuspecting internet surfer's computers. Many times these malware programs are hidden in some other form of freeware or shareware, or even third party browser toolbars that many people like to install.

If you understand what these unwanted programs do you'll see the need for installing a spyware adware blocker as soon as possible. These programs that run quietly in the background can do everything from record your surfing habits to logging your keystrokes, making it easy for their creators to steal valuable passwords, account numbers, and other important personal information.

The first tell-tell sign that your computer has been infected with unwanted spyware is a noticeable slowing of performance. Programs do not work as they used to and they are slow to open up. Your computer may even appear to hang and stop responding. Another sign is annoying pop-up ads that appear faster then you can click them away. You may also notice that your home page on your browser keeps changing.

Most spyware and adware comes bundled with many forms of downloadable freeware, shareware, and toolbars. Because of this your first line of defense is to read the End User License Agreement (EULA) closely. Many times this will disclose that some form of spyware or adware is bundled with the program and will be installed with your software installation.

Your best defense against unwanted malware programs is a dedicated spyware adware blocker. These programs will not only scan your computer for existing infections and eradicate any dangerous programs but also prevent any further infections from occurring. Combined with good anti-virus software spyware blockers will keep your computer operating at peak efficiency.

By: Andrew Bicknell

Yahoo Bid Is Over, Microsoft Says

By BLOOMBERG NEWS, New York Times

Published: November 19, 2008

Steven A. Ballmer, chief executive of Microsoft, told shareholders on Wednesday that the company was no longer interested in acquiring Yahoo, setting off a 21 percent decline in Yahoo’s share price.

“We’ve moved on,” Mr. Ballmer said.

He reiterated that a partnership between Microsoft and Yahoo in the Internet search market was an “an interesting possibility.” There are currently no talks about such an agreement, he said.

Mr. Ballmer’s stance may force Yahoo’s next chief executive to find another way to revive the company’s profit, which declined in 10 of the last 11 quarters as sales growth stalled. Yahoo’s chief executive, Jerry Yang, who spurned Microsoft bids of as much as $47.5 billion this year, announced plans two days ago to step down.

Yahoo, based in Sunnyvale, Calif., fell $2.41, or 21 percent, to $9.14 a share. The shares, down 61 percent this year, are trading at their lowest price since February 2003. The shares rose 12 percent the day after Mr. Yang announced his decision as investors bet that Microsoft would reopen talks.

Microsoft offered as much as $33 a share for Yahoo in an effort to increase its share of Internet searches and close the gap with Google in online advertising.

Stock in Microsoft, based in Redmond, Wash., fell $1.33, or 6.8 percent, to close at $18.29 a share. Mr. Yang, who will step down when his replacement is found, has said he is open to new talks.

It’s Small and Thin and Comes in Champagne

By AZADEH ENSHA , New York Times

Published: November 5, 2008

It’s been said that you can never be too rich or too thin, but Asus’s Eee PC S101 netbook gets pretty close to being both.

The S101 weighs in at a waifish 2.2 pounds (0.8 of a pound less than Apple’s MacBook Air) and is 0.7 of an inch thin. Fortunately, the company did not substitute substance for style. The S101 is rich with features, including 20 gigabytes of free online storage, a 16-gigabyte solid-state drive and an integrated flash card reader that accepts four kinds of formats.

The netbook also has a 10.2-inch, LED-backlighted widescreen display fitted for 1024 by 600 WSVGA resolution, and comes with Windows XP.

The S101 costs $700 (with other, chunkier netbooks costing around $400, don’t forget about the “too rich” part). It comes in a choice of three colors: brown, graphite and — as fashion necessitates — champagne. AZADEH ENSHA