This month
I will be addressing some of the common computer myths and rumours I hear from
customer arriving with broken or infected computers. You will probably recognize
most of them but some may be new to you. Either way here is my two pennies
worth on common computer myths.
The Exploding Email
This
annoyance usually arrives in your inbox with a warning about a circulating email
with a particular subject. It warns you if you open the email message it will
immediately wipe your hard drive. It
is usually accompanied by a story telling how this has happened to a friend.
The email requests you to pass the warning on to all your friends so they don’t
become a victim.
Truth or Myth?: Myth.
These emails are just junk and are designed to harvest email addresses for
spammers or are just a myth that goes viral. Delete them, don’t reply and don’t
forward to your friends.
Free Speedup Software/Cleanup Software
Usually
offered from a website you have visited or after you’ve been surfing on new
sites. The advert promises to heal all the woes on your computer including
speeding it up with some “magic” software. You download it and it immediately
identifies hundreds of errors and offers to fix them.
Truth or Myth?: Myth. This software is what is termed
junkware, or in simple language rubbish software which does absolute nothing to
your computer. In actuality most of this genre of software will cause your
computer to go even slower over time.
Coupled
with this is the fact a good portion of this software provides a gateway to
your system for other junkware apps. It is not unusual for me to see six or
more of these programs installed on a computer. This software can also lead to
more serious issues as it can be used to install stealth apps which can steal
your information or turn your machine into a slave for cyber criminals.
Addons/Toolbars Have Not Effect on Your Browser
Truth or Myth?: Myth. These add-on apps for browsers are a
curse and in my opinion the cost in performance on your surfing far outweighs
the benefit of installing them. Next Month I’ll discuss these and other myths
in more detail.
