CompuClever Blog

New Year’s PC Resolution

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This past year we introduced topics and subject matter related to PC enhancement. We intend to highlight the best of these as they apply to providing you the tools needed to enhance your PC performance and take action against unwanted behavior. It is our hope that you can take a look at our year in review and pick what you need to carry out your PC goals for the upcoming year. It’s likely that there are items in your computing world that need attention and here’s your chance to fast track to those areas that have been neglected.

We have chosen six of the most popular articles from 2014. Here is an overview of these articles in three categories:

Privacy / Security:
– Identify and Clean Cookies (July)
– Virus vs PUP and How to Remove Both (Sept)

TuneUp / Clean Up:
– Improve Startup (Aug)
– Spring PC Cleaning (June)

Support:
– CompuClever Free Functionality (Oct)
– DIY vs. Repair Shop (Nov)

Here are the PC enhancement articles for 2014.

Identify and Clean Cookies

About: Not all cookies are created equal. Cookies are created when browsing to particular web pages. While most are safe – especially when coming from a trusted source – not all are. While cookies cannot infect your PC, there can be potential dangers related to security and privacy.

Action: You can prevent cookies from being stored and you can delete existing ones. We focus on removal beginning with backing up your data. When you data is secure… PC Clean Maestro is well equipped to scan, display, and clean cookies and other items that are security or privacy risks. We also include information on how to set up your browser for DNT – Do Not Track mode.
Read the entire article here…

DIY vs. Repair Shop

About: In this article we give warning to anyone who blindly takes their PC to a repair shop. We highlight one case where a particular gentleman had been ripped off by a technician who blamed the cause of his PC troubles on a computer cookie planted by CompuClever! This brings up the question – who can you trust? Checking credentials is paramount. For example, CompuClever applications have approved Microsoft and Intel certification.

Action: This article assists the reader in determining if the cause of their issues is from unwanted software or from a virus. We empower the reader to take the right steps before putting trust in someone who claims to be an expert.

Step 1: DIY – Do It Yourself – when possible. Check for available free solutions.
Step 2: Use free available support. CompuClever has one-on-one support for direct PC tune up.
Step 3: If it is a virus… get the right information from a repair technician before you hand over your PC.

Read the entire article here…

CompuClever Free Functionality

About: We’re very familiar with the notion of “free” but… with strings attached. We see this whenever we download a free application and it includes around three or more extra bits of software that you have to carefully remove during the installation process. We took the opportunity to introduce our applications and show how anyone can use some of their functionality for free indefinitely.

Action: If you have purchased one of the CompuClever applications and you like what you see… here’s your chance to try out one of the others for free. If you want the full program you can upgrade at any time of your choosing. Here are some examples of the free functionality available:

  • PC TuneUp Maestro: includes free scans (registry, fragmentation, system tune up, and Internet tune up), system backup capabilities, and many other free tools to explore.
  • PC Clean Maestro: includes free scans (privacy, security and junk file accumulation), removal of junk files, plus the use of the Uninstaller tool.
  • Ultra File Opener: includes free Open & View, Manage File Associations, Submit Files for Analysis, and more.
  • Ultra eBook Reader: enables you to open eBook files, manage file associations, bookmarks, find tool for free. And that’s the short list!

Read the entire article here…

Virus vs PUP and How to Remove Both

About: This subject matter is complex and involved. We focus on simplifying it as best we can to define virus and PUP – Potentially Unwanted Programs. We find that users often feel that the occurrence of PUPs can mean they have a virus. This is not necessarily true and we want to empower our readers to take action.

Action: It makes sense to work on the symptoms first. If you have unwanted behaviours coming from an unknown source, you can begin by identifying the source. PC Clean Maestro comes with a newly upgraded Uninstaller tool that can assist you to examine what is a trusted application so you can remove what is not. As for viruses, there are free tools available and there are paid applications. We recommend the best place to start is with trusted free tools from Microsoft.

Note: One important last note we stress in our article and here… be very cautious when downloading anything. Take care during the installation of a program to make sure it doesn’t come with extra programs and functionality. Clear the check box of unwanted items and choose only the program you want!

Read the article here…

Improve Startup

About: We focus on one area of poor performance which can be very annoying – the startup time of your PC. Although we can’t expect that our PC will run as fast as when we first purchased it, we can adjust what programs first get started when powering up.

Action: You are instructed on how to use PC TuneUp Maestro’s Optimize PC tool. You will find it easy to review all the programs displayed in the list. Once you have done so you can customize how they perform at startup by disabling or enabling any item in the list.
Read the entire article here…

Spring PC Cleaning

About: This article is one of our favorites as it appeals to our instinct to clean and organize and we have used very easy and straightforward steps. In terms of “clean” we refer to removing clutter and backing up files we want to keep. By doing so we improve the performance of the PC and make our lives a lot easier in terms of accessing the files and data we need.

Action: If you are getting the feeling you have a lot of files on your PC and space may eventually be an issue… here is your chance to follow some easy steps. They include:

Step 1: Assess your space needs in terms of free space.
Step 2: Backup your files. – Not as tedious and challenging as we think –
Step 3: Deal with the junk using PC Clean Maestro. From scan to clean this is a fast and simple process.

By managing your files you are actively preventing performance degradation and you can take comfort in the fact that the files you value highly are safe!
Read the entire article here…

Here’s to 2015…

We thank you for taking interest in our articles this past year. May you rediscover the joy of using PC in 2015. Welcome to the New Year!

We will continue to provide story lines like this that benefit all of us and we will describe them in a manner that is within reach of everyday computer users. If you have some ideas of topics you would like us to cover, email us at: newsletter@compuclever.com

Browsing for browsers

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There are two main themes to present – choice and browser clean up.  As for choice… not all browsers are created equal.  Most all of us start off with what comes with our PC – Internet Explorer.  For some people, this is the only choice they know.  While all browsers have the ability to access your favorite sites and create bookmarks, there are very real differences between the top most widely used browsers.  This could be the time for you to look into the options.  As for browser clean up, we have new functionality to roll out with our PC Clean Maestro application.  As we are well aware, browsers start out with the basics and then, through the installation of extensions, they can get bogged down or in some cases are altered without our approval – most frequently, our homepage or search engine changes.  It’s time to take charge and have your browser function as you would have it.

 

Here is what we will cover:

  1. Components:  We’ll start with a breakdown of the components.
  2. Top Picks:  We’ll look at the top three browser candidates.
  3. Our App:  We’ll describe how you can make full use of our latest release of PC Clean Maestro.

Without getting into too many of the details and specifics of this technology we will point out some basics.

Components

We will focus on components related to what we see when we bring up our web browser, namely the user interface.  We will also talk about the items that are referred to as “extensions” that can be added to a browser after you have installed it.

Typically the user interface (UI) consists of three areas:

  • The toolbar area at the top.
  • Main viewing area sometimes referred to as the viewport.
  • The status bar at the bottom.

The toolbar is used for navigational purposes as it has buttons such as back, forward, refresh, stop, and home (to get you back to your homepage).  It also has an address bar so you can type in a web address and you likely have a search bar to enter in words that can bring up a list of applicable web pages to the subject you are interested.

Two Most Frequently Altered Areas of the Browser: We get a lot of feedback and reports of how alterations have been made to the Search engine and the homepage.  The Search engine is designed to search for information and content on the Internet.  Examples include Google, Bing, Ask, Yahoo! Search and the like.  These are sophisticated programs that crawl the web and quickly provide results of your inquiry.  A homepage is the page you first see and want to access when you open your browser.

All users want to make a choice of a Search engine and homepage that they are both familiar with and meet their needs.  It becomes all that more frustrating when installing something that modifies these areas of your browser without consent.  We will show you how to return your browser to its default settings in a later section of the article.

Extensions: Components that can be added to the browser to increase functionality are referred to as extensions.  These can be in the form of toolbars and other add-ons or plug-ins.  Examples include toolbar extensions to provide some specific functionality such as web searching using a specific search engine, better access to installed applications, or providing convenient links or categorizations of media sites.  In some cases they can provide extra functionality as with Ad blockers that block ads on the sites you visit and terminate items that collect and send your data.  The challenge with all extensions is identifying what each of these are, making absolutely sure they are from trusted sources, and knowing that they are not bogging down your browsing experience.

Top Picks:

Google Chrome came into the browser fray in 2008 and this brought about new advances in browser technology in terms of speed, standards, and design which forced the other players to catch up.  And catch up they did.  One review by PCMag put the independent open source Mozilla Firefox at the top of their list for best browser:

With a beautifully redesigned interface, excellent performance, thrifty memory use, helpful browsing tools, and leading customizability… [1]

But the “best” is a matter of preference and to a large extent will depend on your needs. The three most commonly used browsers are: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft IE.  These take top honors and we can focus our attention on them.

Most Popular:  In terms of popularity, at this time Google Chrome ranks number one, with Mozilla Firefox second and IE in third place.[2]

Speed: Most reports[3,4] related to speed (startup and web page load times), put Chrome at the top followed by Firefox and then IE.  It is important to note, no browser reviewed here is in any way sluggish and there are trade-offs for speed as described below.  Based on our experience of browsers, we concur with these findings.

Operating System (OS): Finding the right browser can depend to a great extent on what OS you are running on your PC.

  • Windows 8: If you use touch screen technology then IE is the best choice.  However, both Firefox and Chrome are better in terms of being expandable and offering device synchronization of program settings.
  • Windows 7: IE has some advantages (easy to use), but both Firefox and Chrome are better in terms of expandable functionality.
  • Windows XP:  The best choice is Google Chrome based on how far back it supports early versions of XP. IE is not supported on Windows XP.

Privacy: The three browsers each have private browsing modes.  Firefox and Chrome lead the way in this arena.  Note: browser privacy means not saving cookies or browsing history but does not protect you from websites that can collect or share information about you.  To take it to the next level you need to look into extensions, such as HTTPS Everywhere, Disconnect, or AdBlock Plus.

Extensions:  Firefox takes top place with a combination of add-ons, pin tabs, web apps and more.  Next in line is Chrome which taps into Chrome desktop apps and Google Now notifications.

Google Chrome:
+ fast and reliable
+ good customization with exclusive access to the Google store extensions
– fast but uses up considerable computer memory; sluggish on older PC’s
– some operations are not very intuitive
– compatibility issues on some sites (especially if using the 32-bit version) 

Mozilla Firefox:
+ open-source means available to all developers; transparent and trustworthy
+ good set of available extensions for customization and functionality
+ intuitive in terms of creating bookmarks and changing options
– slower than Chrome for starting up and for loading web pages
– requires considerable memory; sluggish for older PC’s
– compatibility issues with some sites; you sometimes have to install add-ons

Internet Explorer (IE):
+ easiest browser to use in terms of functionality
+ fewest compatibility issues
+ fully compatible with Windows 8 and has access to Windows store add-ons
– not as customizable and less extended functionality
– it has a history of being exploited and plagued by security issues
– slower than Chrome and Firefox by some reports
– also requires considerable PC resources

Price:  When making your choice you will want to know what the costs are and what it takes to try out a new browser.  Internet Explorer is included with Windows operating systems and can be downloaded for free.  All browsers are free to download and run and you simply have to go to the website (such as Mozilla.org or Google.com).  This makes it possible to pick and choose one – or more than one – without worrying about the price tag.

Browser Clean Up with PC Clean Maestro

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Making a decision about which browser to use could depend largely on how well you can customize it and take advantage of extended functionality.  However, some things have a way of taking on a life of their own.  You can start off small – with the basics – and soon you have more than you bargained for.  This can happen all too easily with browser extensions.  At times these little program tidbits can get installed without our expressed knowledge or consent.  Situations occur where your homepage or our favorite search engine is modified.  In the worst case scenario, rogue or malicious software can make alterations we do not want.

The most recent version of PC Clean Maestro now comes with new functionality to provide you the ability to examine browser extensions and disable them.  Once you open the program you can click on the “Browsers” tab in the left pane and you will see the following:

Now the steps are easy…

  1. Review the list and select an item.  Note: you can also search for an item by typing the name in the Search box and then make a selection.
  2. Click the applicable action button: Disable or Enable.

You’ll note with the example above that extensions are organized in categories specific to the type of browser you are using.  Also, as in this case, more than one browser can be installed to your system and you can examine these one at a time using the tabs at the top (for example, “Chrome” or “Firefox”).

Restoring Settings:  You can easily restore the browser settings that you had by default when first using your browser.  This is especially useful if they have been altered without your consent.  Frequently, new software installations like to make changes to your search engine or your homepage to direct your web surfing.  To restore your settings do the following:

  1. At the top of the Browsers page, select the browser tab (“Chrome”, “Firefox”, or “IE”).
  2. Click the Restore button located at the top right.

Note:  If you have customized your settings you will have to repeat the process by opening up the Browser settings and choosing the homepage and search engine of your choice.

In Summary:

Being able to pick a winner from the top three most popular browsers is a personal decision for most of us but one that needs to be based on PC capabilities and individual needs.  We appreciate that there are these choices available to us and that the competition spurs on better technology.  We promote good ethics when it comes to PC technology.  Browser extensions need to be installed with our knowledge and consent and from trusted sources.  PC Clean Maestro offers the ability to have you turn off add-ons that are unwanted.

We will continue to provide story lines like this that benefit all of us and we will describe them in a manner that is within reach of everyday computer users.  If you have some ideas of topics you would like us to cover, email us at: newsletter@compuclever.com


[1] http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2365692,00.asp
[2] http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_stats.asp
[3] http://shirleycomputerservices.co.uk/blog/pros-and-cons-of-browsers/
[4] http://www.pcworld.com/article/2605933/browser-comparison-how-the-five-leaders-stack-up-in-speed-ease-of-use-and-more.html

DIY vs. Repair Shop

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Why is it that asking for help can be an overwhelming obstacle?  The reality is… there is a certain shame that comes from seeking help when we don’t know something.  No one wants to admit to being lost and needing directions and no one wants to feel like they are not smart enough.  Plus, we all want to join the ranks of DIY – Do It Yourself.  To be real, this takes assessing the situation and knowing if the issues are outside our expertise.  When we are simply spinning our wheels, it’s time to take it to the professionals.  The next task is to get good and reliable service that will lead to a real solution.  This article segues from some of our recent articles that focus on assessment of PC problems.  We’ll cover this in brief and provide links.  The main impetus for this article is to shine some light on PC repair technicians that are not trustworthy and to strongly emphasize how our users can benefit from available tools and services including those offered by our CompuClever support team.

Here is the article menu du jour:

  • Background:  We’ll start with the background story of one man’s experience with a not-so-honest repair shop.
  • Assessment:  How to assess what’s up with your PC.
  • What to Do:  Get the right tools and utilize the services that are available.
  • Repair Shop Pointers:  When all else fails and you need to take your PC to a paid professional.

Background

In today’s world, certain buzz words can cause a great deal of stress and concern such as “terrorism” and “virus” (in this case PC virus or “malware”).  We all look on those responsible for the creation of these as being deplorable.  And then there are those that reap a reward by taking advantage of the fear generated from these malevolent and disruptive acts.  In our example we highlight a true case that came directly to us when a PC repair shop accused our software of infecting a user’s PC.  Let’s start with the details.

In the spring of 2013 we received correspondence from a Consumer Protection agency on behalf of a private individual who had been charged a fee for services incurred by a PC repair shop (name withheld).  The specifics begin with a frustrated man who was unable to get an online connection and decided to take his computer to a repair shop.  The technician there said he needed a new hard drive in order to back up his data and that they would need to reinstall his operating system.  This was all done to the excessive tune of $340.

What strikes us as interesting up to this point, and we will put aside how purchasing an external HD can be done fairly cheaply and how it was likely unnecessary to reinstall the OS… what really is of concern is that it could have simply been something related to configuring his online connection.  What is the most outlandish aspect of this story, and how it specifically came to our attention, was that the repair technician had stated that CompuClever Systems had purposefully placed malware on his computer by planting a cookie without the user’s knowledge or consent while he was online.  There was also an accusation that CompuClever software was on his system by means of a silent install.  In the end, this individual put his trust in the repair shop technician, made all these changes to his system and paid a fee far in advance of what was required.

Assessment:

Let’s just say upfront – there are grey areas when determining causes of PC issues.  When it comes to examining symptoms it is a challenge to determine if the culprit is a virus or something else.  Certain conditions such as a slow performing computer, popup messages, applications slow to open, are common to both malware related causes or items referred to as PUP – Potentially Unwanted Programs.  The best thing to do is to retrace your steps and find what the most recent changes were leading up to the issue.  If you can identify some software that was installed on your system you can then begin to examine it more closely – was it from a trusted source or is it a known virus?

Trusted Source: If you have done an examination and find that there are PC cookies on your system be advised – this is not an indication of a virus or malicious program.  As our readership is aware from our previous article on this matter, it is not possible to infect a computer using PC “cookies” – they cannot run programs that deliver viruses or malware to your PC and they cannot access your PC.  We recommend removal of cookies from unknown sources and keeping those from trusted sources.

A definite way to tell the source is a trusted one is to check credentials.  For example, CompuClever Systems is certified as a Microsoft Partner and an Intel Software Partner.  As such explicit user consent is required to install software certified through Microsoft and Intel.  In order to get this kind of Microsoft and Intel certification the software must not contain any virus, malware, or other forms of destructive code.  This means the software undergoes rigorous and thorough review.  Not only does this level of software require user consent to install, all certified software must completely uninstall at the request of the user and at his/her sole discretion without any confusion or any complications.  So… if the disgruntled user in our background story was in the least bit uncertain about CompuClever software he could simply uninstall it.  Or, he could have contacted us and we could assist him in uninstalling it.  What other software companies can uphold this level of support and service?

It is vital to use proper discretion when installing items to your PC.  As we have pointed out in previous articles there are cases where you want to install one program and you end up getting a bundle of apps some of which include annoying popup messages.  Reading the fine print as you go from one page to the next during the install process is critical.  In most cases you have the option of selecting only the program you want to install.

Virus / Malware: Without going into too much detail we will revisit this area briefly and encourage you to look more deeply into the differences between virus/malware and other PC annoyances and unwanted programs.   For more information on this see our article: Virus vs PUP. We also have covered “foistware” – the annoying software that has been forced onto your PC.  See this article for more information.

Basically, a virus is a type of malware (malicious software program), that is installed on your system without consent and will replicate itself in whole or in part.  It behaves in a manner that can be thought of as an infection by targeting one or more areas of your PC.  You can often expect to experience harmful activities or negative impacts such as monopolizing system resources (disk space and CPU), gaining access to private data, sending out spam content, corrupting data on the system, and displaying messages on the screen (popups).

The following are definite and true characteristics of a virus/malware infection:

  • Inability to remove cookies or software from a computer system.
  • PC security software and/or firewall become disabled.
  • Computer starts acting on its own.

If something has gotten onto your system without your knowledge or consent you have some options available to you: find a solution online, try out a trusted virus removal product, get available technical support (by phone), or… take your PC to a repair shop.

What to Do:

Free Solutions:  Do you have anti-virus protection for your PC and is it active?  Recent Windows operating systems provide anti-virus protection (see article: Virus vs. PUP).  There are also other third-party anti-virus tools available and some are even free.  We encourage you to go online and research this by using customer reviews and finding out whether there is a solution that meets your needs.  We are confident that in the very least anti-virus tools will not steer you in the wrong direction by placing the blame on legitimate software.  The shortcoming here is that they may not get the job done that is specific to your problem.  If so, you can take it to the next level… get some support that is available to you.

Available Support:  CompuClever offers a TuneUp Service for performance related issues as an alternative to taking your PC to the repair shop.  What you get is a one-on-one direct PC tuneup service through phone and remote desktop connection.  With remote desktop connection we are able to view and run your desktop environment from our offices to assist with your issues.

Note: This is a free service offered to our full license users.  We will also be offering this to any and all PC users for a fee so as to assist with solutions related to PC performance.   We emphasize here that our service is focused on PC’s that perform poorly and require optimization – at this time we do not repair PC’s suffering from virus/malware infections.

This service is conducted by our senior technical support specialists and our aim is to solve your PC performance issues and enrich your experience and knowledge of our software solutions with our assistance.  The list of symptoms and issues we address include the following:

  • Uninstall unwanted programs:
    Review installed applications with you the customer.  Research and remove unwanted or suspicious applications.
  • Remove junk:
    Use PC Clean Maestro’s scan to remove files considered junk that clog your PC.
  • Optimize startup and shutdown:
    Review the StartUp Manager and disable unnecessary or unwanted startup apps.  Use “System TuneUp” from PC TuneUp Maestro to optimize both StartUp and Shutdown speed.
  • Remove browser add-ons:
    Review the add-on list(s) for the default browser and disable unnecessary or unwanted add-ons.  This could result in the removal of annoying popup messages.
  • Reset and optimize browser settings:
    Reset your browser to factory default settings.
  • Registry cleaning:
    Use PC TuneUp Maestro’s registry cleaning function to clean and optimize the registry.
  • Registry defrag:
    Defrag and optimize the registry using PC TuneUp Maestro’s registry defrag feature.
  • Hard Drive defrag:
    Perform a deep defrag on your hard drive using PC TuneUp Maestro to free up space and improve PC performance.
  • Privacy and security scan/clean:
    Use PC Clean Maestro to clean privacy and security items.
  • System and Internet optimization:
    Use PC TuneUp Maestro’s System & Internet Optimization functionality.
  • Check and ensure Windows Update is turned on:
    Check to ensure that the mechanism is turned on so you receive Windows updates.

If your PC issues are outside our scope of items listed here we will give you our recommendation of taking your PC to a computer shop for hands on repair.  We would also give advice on options related to necessity of repair service and whether the cost of repair is reasonable versus purchasing new.

PC Repair Shop:

Be aware – PC repair shops can rip you off!  An easy way to make a quick buck as with our example in this article is to take advantage of a situation where it is difficult to know the root cause of an issue as well as the actual repair effort that went into the fix.  As with any professional that gives you advice and offers their service, you have to ask the right questions up front before any work starts.  Here are the questions you need to ask:

  • How much do you charge per hour?
  • How many hours do you estimate this will take to fix?
  • Do you guarantee your service?
  • If you run into difficulties can you call me ahead of time to get my approval?
  • Can you save my data?

What you should expect to get in terms of answers are:

  • Cost per hour: somewhere in the range of $50 – 100 per hour.
  • Time it takes: somewhere within 2-3 hours.  They may need to actually see your PC beforehand but they should give you some estimate of time.  If not – do not employ their services.  If they do need more time for repairs then agreed upon, make sure they contact you ahead of time and get your approval.
  • Guarantee of service: Yes.  Somewhere in the range of 30 – 90 days.
  • Call for approval when faced with situations that are beyond the agreed estimate: Yes.
  • Save data: Yes.  In extreme situations where the PC cannot be salvaged and the files can be accessed, they can be saved to external storage.

Other tips:

Keep in mind that you may have to pay a minimum fee – usually the first hour – just for them to look at your PC.  It’s worthwhile to check into this as well.  Also, check to see what the reputation of the company is beforehand.  AND, as with any professional services – get a second quote for purposes of comparison.

Note: After you get an estimate take a step back and think.  How long have you had your PC/laptop?  What are the advantages of repairing this versus buying a new one?  Keep in mind that entry level PC’s and laptops are becoming lower than $500.  And with entry level computers we are talking about specifications that exceed what was offered three years ago!

In Summary:

At CompuClever we are committed to creating PC utility software that improves the performance of your PC and we also offer support designed to address PC issues related to performance.  You can save yourself time, money, and headaches by looking for solutions that address your PC issues rather than getting stuck with a bill from a disreputable PC repair shop.

We will continue to provide story lines like this that benefit all of us and we will describe them in a manner that is within reach of everyday computer users.  If you have some ideas of topics you would like us to cover, email us at: newsletter@compuclever.com

 

CompuClever Free Functionality

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We’ve mentioned before in previous articles how there are some companies of poor repute that offer “free” stuff.  But what you actually get is something not entirely free.  At best you get a free time trial of the product; at worst you get a free app bundled with a bunch of add-ons that you didn’t want resulting in a clogged system with popup ads or other system modifications you didn’t ask for.   CompuClever provides applications that have some functionality enabled for you to try for free.  If you want the full program you can upgrade.  There are no tricks or deceptions.  We want you to try our products and see if they meet your needs.  As you do have one of our paid programs we encourage you to look at our entire application suite and try out anything that looks of interest.

CompuClever offers four programs including: PC TuneUp Maestro, PC Clean Maestro, Ultra eBook Reader, and Ultra File Opener. We will provide a description of each product, introduce what each product is capable of, and highlight the free functionality that is available with that product.

PC TuneUp Maestro

PC TuneUp Maestro is the most advanced suite of PC maintenance software tools available. PC TuneUp Maestro uses advanced error analysis and resolution technology to fix, clean, and optimize your system.  You get a stable and reliable PC that runs at peak performance like when you first began operating it.

  • One-Click PC Error Repair and Optimization
  • Enhanced PC Performance and Stability
  • Faster Windows Startup Time
  • Free Product Updates and Technical Support

Free function list

  1. Free scan: PC TuneUp Maestro includes registry, defragmentation, system tune up and Internet tune up scans. You can scan your system to see results to better determine state of PC health and need for optimization.
  2. Hard Drive CleanUp: Provides easy access to the onboard system tool for your PC. Hard Drive CleanUp works to free up space on your hard disk by searching for files that you can delete safely.
  3. BackUp & Restore: Many of the PC TuneUp Maestro functions involve an automatic backup before making changes. With the BackUp & Restore section of PC TuneUp Maestro you can view all your system restore points, manage them, and create new ones.
  4. Launch Internet Explorer without Add-Ons: From the Fix & Clean toolset, this feature enables you to run a temporary Internet Explorer session without any add-ons, toolbars, or Browser Help Objects. This provides a good preview of how your browser can perform without all these extra items. (Read more about how to optimize your IE…)
  5. Windows System Tools Management: The Windows System Tools tool provides easy and quick access to the most useful and relevant Windows System tools such as the Control Panel, Programs and Features, Task Manager and more.
  6. StartUp Management: This feature provides access to the applications that launch when you boot your system so you can optimize your computer’s startup performance. From the list that is provided you can enable or disable items and you can choose to remove items. (Read more about managing your startup programs…)
  7. Unknown File Extension Search: When you come across a file that your PC cannot handle, the program provides you with access to a comprehensive database of file extensions and matching viewers. You will be prompted automatically when your PC encounters files it can’t open. (Read more about file extension support…)

PC Clean Maestro

Your PC can store unwanted “junk” files and traces of your personal information including passwords, credit card information, and email / chat communications.  As a result your PC runs slower and exposes you and your family to identity and security theft. PC Clean Maestro removes unwanted files and it eliminates confidential information so your PC is clean and safe.  It also comes equipped with an Uninstaller tool to help you identify and remove applications you no longer need or use.

  • Remove Junk Files to make your PC clean
  • Prevent Theft of Your Online Identity
  • Safeguard Your Private Information
  • Uninstall Programs Cleanly
  • Free Product Updates and Technical Support

Free function list

  1. Free Scan: PC Clean Maestro includes privacy, security and junk file scans. You can scan your system to see results to better determine state of PC health and need for optimization.
  2. Clean Junk Files: You can run the Scan and Clean Tool and remove any and all files that are considered junk.
  3. Uninstall Programs: You can run the Uninstaller tool which is specifically designed to display a list of all the programs installed on your system for the purpose of uninstalling, repairing, or changing the way the features are installed.

Read this past issue of our newsletter for an in-depth understanding of how to clean your PC using these free features.

Ultra File Opener

Ultra File Opener (UFO) is the ultimate viewer for opening PC files.  Hundreds of different file types are supported, including images, text files, archive files, audio and video files, and data files.  Equipped with Hex Decoding technology, UFO is capable of opening files of any type.  You can view images, text files, and the contents of archive files.  You can also choose from a number of functions for each of these file types including printing, converting, and extracting.  UFO also enables you to manage the default file association so each file format is handled by the program you want.

  • Open over 280 different file types, including images, documents, data, and archived files.
  • Convert files to commonly supported file types for easy sharing.
  • Make beautiful prints with multiple printing templates.
  • Free product update and technical support for one year.

Free function list

  1. Open and View: You can view images, text files, and the contents of archive files. UFO supports hundreds of different file types, including images, text files, archive files, and data files. With Hex Decoding technology, UFO is capable of opening files of any type
  2. Manage File Associations: You have the option of selecting which files you want the program to open by default. That is to say, any time you double click on the file type you have selected, UFO will open.
  3. Submit a File for Analysis: In the event that you encounter a file format that you cannot open we would like to assist you. CompuClever will analyze the file for the purpose of including it in our list of formats we support.
  4. Partially Downloaded Files: Internet browsers create partial files for the purpose of storing a file that was in the process of being downloaded but was interrupted or left incomplete. UFO can examine the contents of these types of files and extract the original download URL if available. With UFO, you can also restart the download or get directions on how to resume to completion. (Learn more about partially downloaded files generated by Chrome, Firefox, and IE…)
  5. Portable Executable Files: The Portable Executable (PE) format is a file format for executables, object code and DLLs, used in 32- and 64-bit versions of Windows OS. UFO enables you to open and view Windows executable file types by providing access to the contents of the file. You can open, find, and export the decoded resource files available with executable files. (Learn more about PE files…)
  6. Unknown File Extension Search: When you come across a file that your PC cannot handle, the program provides you with access to a comprehensive database of file extensions and matching viewers. You will be prompted automatically when your PC encounters files it can’t open.

Ultra eBook Reader

Open an eBook directly on your PC or device and enjoy the ultimate PC reading experience. Ultra eBook Reader supports 12 of the most popular file types.  You can view your eBook using a variety of display modes.  If you have touch screen support you can use pinch-to-zoom and multi-touch functionality.  You can navigate using bookmarks and with the table of contents, as well as taking advantage of the search functionality. You can create bookmarks and link to them in the Bookmark pane.  You can even print your eBook.

  • Instantly open and read eBooks, PDF, comics, and other document file types.
  • Convert eBook and document files to text files for easy sharing.
  • Print eBooks and documents to make real paper copies.
  • Free product update and technical support for one year.

Free function list

  1. Open eBooks Files:  Open and read eBooks, comics, PDF and document files.  Ultra eBook Reader supports 12 of the most popular eBook formats.
  2. Manage File Associations:  You have the option of selecting which files you want the program to open by default.  That is to say, any time you double click on the file type you have selected, Ultra eBook Reader UFO will open it.
  3. Bookmarks Management:  Bookmarks are a convenient way to mark favorite sections in the book or the place mark where you left off.  You can display the Bookmarks pane and click on a bookmark link to jump to the specified page.
  4. Find Tool:  Ultra eBook Reader comes equipped with a search tool.  You can search for and locate any word or group of words in your eBook file.
  5. Submit a File for Analysis:  In the event that you encounter a file format that you cannot open we would like to assist you.  CompuClever will analyze the file for the purpose of including it in our list of formats we support.
  6. Unknown File Extension Search:  When you come across a file that your PC cannot handle, the program provides you with access to a comprehensive database of file extensions and matching viewers.  You will be prompted automatically when your PC encounters files it can’t open.

Read this article to learn more about how you can use Ultra eBook Reader to enhance your reading experience using your existing computer.

In Summary:

At CompuClever we are committed to creating PC utility software that improves the performance of your PC.  We also offer programs such as our Ultra eBook Reader for the everyday user that makes day-to-day computing more rewarding.  We combine our products and our service to offer a professional package to meet our user’s needs.  Look for our program updates such as a new and improved Uninstaller for PC Clean Maestro, as we continue to improve our offerings to you.

We hope this article has helped gain some knowledge about our product lines and stimulated your interest of trying some of the aforementioned free functionality to make your day-to-day use of computers more enjoyable and productive.  We will continue to provide story lines like this that benefit all of us and we will describe them in a manner that is within reach of everyday computer users.  If you have some ideas of topics you would like us to cover, email us at: newsletter@compuclever.com

 

Virus vs. PUP and how to remove both

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We are going to tread carefully and examine two areas of PC ailments. We will strive to make this more understandable and to provide effective and free solutions for both.  If you look at how Microsoft deals with these categories you will find that they admit these two areas are not mutually exclusive and certain terms are used interchangeably.  For our purposes we want to be more definite so that we can pinpoint what steps you need to take in order to deal with these items if you are or ever have experienced them.  This article also assists you in preventing them from happening, provides free tools, and outlines the steps to get rid of both types.

How could a PUP be unwanted?  Well, in this case, we are not referring to a fluffy, playful dog or even Power Pup the Office Assistant.  We’re referring to a term that is increasingly being used to describe Potentially Unwanted Programs.  We are likely all too familiar with a virus infection; your PC becomes infected when opening something such as an email attachment or having something downloaded without your consent when visiting an infected website – even ones that are considered legitimate can be sabotaged.  A PUP on the other hand can be installed with your consent – even though you may not know it.

It is widely recognized… that many if not most users fail to read a download agreement in sufficient detail to understand exactly what they are downloading.[1]

Let’s Get Started!

We’re going to look at a general definition and description of these two types of PC predicaments.

Virus

A virus is a type of malware (malicious software program), that is installed on your system without consent and will replicate itself in whole or in part.  It behaves in a manner that can be thought of as an infection by targeting one or more areas of your PC.  You can often expect to experience harmful activities or negative impacts such as monopolizing system resources (disk space and CPU), gaining access to private data, sending out spam content, corrupting data on the system, and displaying messages on the screen (popups).  While these harmful behaviours are typically expected not all viruses come equipped with a damaging payload.
Other traits:

  • Creators of viruses exploit security vulnerabilities on your system and are motivated by profit, desire to spread messages, sabotage, or operate for personal pleasure and sense of mastery.
  • Computer viruses cause billions of dollars worth of damage each year.[2]
  • Most viruses target computers running Microsoft Windows operating systems and often using complex stealth and anti-detection strategies to evade anti-virus programs.  As we point out in upcoming sections, Windows offers free tools to prevent and cure issues as a result of viruses.

PUP

This term, short for Potentially Unwanted Program, refers to items that may be unwanted.  This can include spyware (tracking software that gathers information), adware (where advertisements are displayed during operation), and dialers (if you have a modem, a dialer can make pay-per-call phone calls to other computers).  Most frequently it includes items you downloaded but without explicit consent.  In other words, you said yes but didn’t read the fine print.  One or more PUPs are most often downloaded along with software that you did in fact want (bundled together).  These items can bog down your system and can cause poor PC performance.

In a previous article we introduced “foistware” – a term derived from the word “foist” which is to foist upon or impose fraudulently or unjustifiably as with inferior merchandise on a customer.  This includes software that gets installed in addition to software you intended to install without your full knowledge or through stealthy methods such as being bundled with software you actually want.  The result can take the form of:

  • Additional Internet browser toolbar add-ons,
  • Changes to your default search engine (for example, from Google search to Bing),
  • Changes to your browser homepage,
  • Display of pop-ups with scary messages like “Back up your PC or lose it”, or “Your computer has 1000 errors”.

Unlike a virus, a PUP does not have the ability to replicate itself.  As for “unwanted”, they can include behaviours that result in negative impacts such as popups and annoying messages appearing and resources being excessively utilized (hard drive space or CPU).

Software vendors use bundling techniques frequently when offering a free application.  We have mentioned in previous articles how “free” is not always free; this is yet another example.  This is yet another example.  To gain revenue a software vendor will partner with a less desirable software creator to deliver a bundled program that requires you to carefully select what you are installing during the install process as we soon point out.  Once on your system, the manufactures of the less desired software provide advertisement or benefit from you clicking to their site.

These types of unwanted programs are not technically malware but have undesirable side effects for your PC as listed above.  Side effects can also include slower performance as these items will launch processes that run in the background.

Treatments:

There are ways of treating these PC plights.  However, as can be expected there is not one solution that works in all instances.  You cannot expect anti-virus tools to work for items that have been installed to your system with your consent albeit using dodgy methods.  We are going to reverse the order here and start with what should be easier to deal with –potentially unwanted programs.  If you cannot deal with them using these methods… chances are you are dealing with something more malicious.

Note: We are starting here with the Uninstaller tool offered with PC Clean Maestro and it is a free tool.  If an item is not displayed in the list of programs there is a good chance that it is a virus or some form of malware.

Remove PUP

The process of removing a PUP is to begin by identifying it.  With PC Clean Maestro you can use the Uninstaller tool.  Begin by opening the program and following these steps:

  1. Click the Uninstaller button in the left navigation bar.
  2. The Uninstaller tool will appear and a complete list of programs is displayed as seen here:
Cleanly Uninstall any Program - PC Clean Maestro
  1. Review the list by selecting any item and use the Program Information in the right pane to help identify programs.
  2. If there are items you do not know and you are unsure if you should remove the item go online to better verify it.  You can enter the program name in the Should I Remove It website.  This site provides removal percentages and ratings for a wide range of programs.
  3. Return back to PC Clean Maestro when making your decision and uninstall the item if you are certain you do not need it using the Uninstall button.

Clean Virus

There are free anti-virus tools that have been developed and there are pay-to-use solutions that are part of a multi-billion dollar industry.  Unfortunately, no one software program can provide 100% protection and offer the ability to remove all types of viruses as there are countless known viruses and new ones constantly being introduced.  New viruses that appear take time for the creators of anti-virus programs to include in their arsenal of protection.  This is why constant updating of these kinds of programs is required.  Fortunately free tools are open source; that is, free and open for anyone to run, modify and update so as to be available to the public domain.

Free From Microsoft: You can get free anti-virusl tools from Microsoft that will assist you with cleaning up an infected computer.

Tools include:

  • Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT): It supports XP, Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.
  • Windows Defender – provides always-on, real-time protection against spyware, adware, keyloggers, and so on. It supports XP, Vista, and Windows 7.
  • Microsoft Security Essentials – and all-in-one, consumer-security tool to detects and removes a wide range of malware. It supports  XP, Vista, and Windows 7.
  • Win8 Defender – provides the same level of protection against malware as Microsoft Security Essentials but for Windows 8.
  • Microsoft Safety Scanner – for detecting malware hidden at even the deepest levels of your system. It supports XP, Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.
  • Windows Defender Offline (WDO) – Microsoft’s most powerful anti-malware tool for consumers.

Our recommendation to average consumers:

  • For Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7 users: Microsoft Security Essentials.
  • For Windows 8 users: Windows 8 Defender.

Detection and Prevention:

To prevent a PUP from being downloaded to your system you need to be very vigilant when downloading anything.  This means you need to detect when a program is bundled with other add-ons during the installation process.   When installing software you typically see a step-by-step install wizard that guides you through the process and offers you choices along the way.  The choices you make – even during the EULA (End User License Agreement) – will determine what you accept to be downloaded.

We recommend that you follow this link for a very clear, step-by-step example of potentially unwanted programs and how you can detect and avoid downloading these unwanted apps.

In Summary:

Even when software is installed to your system using legitimate means there are instances when additional software and add-ons, sometimes referred to as “crapware”, are included.  What you get isn’t what you see.  Removal can be questionable when you don’t know what you are dealing with.  With the information provided here you now have the tools and knowledge to better identify these and to remove them.

We hope this article has helped gain some insight and offered you some effective strategies on cleaning your PC.  We will continue to provide story lines like this that benefit all of us and we will describe them in a manner that is within reach of everyday computer users.  If you have some ideas of topics you would like us to cover, email us at: newsletter@compuclever.com

 

[1] http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/definition/PUP
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_virus