Top gift ideas from this established UK seller. Look for the unique and weird Genie head massager!
Internet Explorer new version
Microsoft are pushing the installation of Internet Explorer as a Windows Update. This means that if you have Windows Updates turned on then you will have to accept the upgrade.
I am personally not a fan of this browser but it does make attempts to lock down some serious vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer that have existed for a long time. Consequently, I am recommending this upgrade.
How can I check what version I have?
Simple. Start Internet Explorer, click on 'Help' and 'About'. If you do not see the 'Help' icon, then use the double arrow to the right of 'Tools' to find it.
Options after installation
When prompted, I suggest the following:
Don't turn on suggested sites
Choose custom settings
Keep your default search provider (Google is recommended if you wish to change)
Yes to downloading updates
Turn off all accelerators
Turn on smart screen filter
No to making it your default browser (as long as you have an alternative like Firefox, otherwise 'Yes')
Yes to using compatibility view updates
Print this page before installation to make it easier.
Please check that you do not already have it installed as I often put this on post-repair. Irrespective of what you finally decide to use, please update Internet Explorer as this will aid the security of your PC. Both browsers (IE and Firefox) happily co-exist on the same PC.
Video of the month
What can I say about this video? Apparently, extreme sheep herding is coming to a town near you. I sincerely hope not.....
AVG version change requires update
The free and paid for versions of AVG's popular antivirus package now require an upgrade from version 8.0 to 8.5. This is totally free. It is usually prompted by a pop-up box advising of the upgrade which takes you to the AVG website. I recommend users upgrade to this version which provides a few extra capabilities over the current version. I have been installing this on recent PCs that have been repaired so do not upgrade unless you are on the older version 8.0.
To find out what version you have, right click on the AVG icon in the bottom right of your screen and select 'Open AVG User Interface'. From here select 'Help' then 'About AVG'. The version number is displayed.
Ensure that you download and install the free version if you are upgrading and do not wish to subscribe to the paid version. When running the installation, select the repair option which will keep most of your old settings intact. Follow the simple on-screen prompts which will guide you through finishing the installation. Restart the PC when done.
Site update
We're now able to offer you "discount codes" for use on major retail websites. To use these codes, simply copy them from the column on the right, click the link and use them at the relevant website's checkout page.
Identity theft
Because of the increasing amount of identity theft I am seeing on customer PCs, can I urge you all to ensure that your antivirus scans are running regularly and to keep aware of the basic protection methods listed below.
There seems to be a huge increase in fake bank emails and telephone calls at present, so please follow these simple rules:
Never reply to an email from your bank asking you to update your details - this is always a scam.
Never speak to a person over the telephone about your account if they phone you, no matter how convincing. Always ensure that YOU telephone your bank on a known number before giving any details.
Never give out your credit card PIN number (the one you tap into the cash machine) either online or by telephone.
Always logout of any online banking session.
Never use a public PC, eg in a library/hotel/cafe, to access online accounts.
Free insurance quotes in less than 5 minutes
Online comparison insurance sites take the
strain out of renewals (and you don't get earache!), so I've linked to the quickest and most
straight forward of them all. Please look at the 'Shopping' menu above
to find links to cheap car, bike, home and van insurance
New website additions
A restructure to the menus
Added an 'Identity theft' section to tutorials
Added the hilarious 'QWOP' and 'Elf yourself' to the games section
The introduction of another free online virus scanner, Eset's NOD32
A full AVG tutorial in the 'Our services' menu above
Major retailer discount codes for cheap shopping
PC health check
The 'PC health check' is now £95 for previous customers
and £105 for new customers. It remains the most comprehensive check of
your computer that is currently available in the area. This covers all of the following:
Complete scan of the hard drive(s) for malicious code
Antivirus test and update
Antispyware test and update
Trojan and worm scan (including the Conficker worm)
Rootkit scan
Firewall check, update and penetration test
Temporary file removal (accumulated 'clutter' of Internet pages, history, logfiles etc)
Hard drive error scan
Registry clean
Router settings backup
Examination of startup entries for malware
Windows security patches and updates
Advice on backup regimes
All necessary updates will be carried out provided there is broadband
Internet access at your home. Should you be interested in this service
please contact us via telephone or email. Details can be found on the
'Contact us' page of this site.
Leukaemia and Parkinsons Disease donations - update 3
We are now concentrating our efforts until the end of 2009 by collecting for the Parkinsons Disease Society. The link can be found by clicking 'Contact us' on the menu above. My
family have been personally touched by this illness and any
contributions to aid the Parkinsons sufferers, present and future, is
warmly received. Donations to date are in excess of £400. Thank you for any
donations, however small.
Last year we ran a link for donations to
the Leukaemia Research charity fund. Our final total was £142 thanks
to your generous donations. Your money went towards leukaemia
research and the treatment of sufferers of this horrible disease.
Leukaemia Research is the only charity in the UK dedicated exclusively
to researching blood cancers and disorders including leukaemia,
Hodgkin’s and other lymphomas, and myeloma.
