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A who's who of Mideast-targeted malware

What's up with all the malware aimed at the Middle East?

For the second time in two weeks a virus outbreak has been reported at an energy company in that region. Qatari liquified natural gas producer RasGas said its corporate network and Web site were down after getting hit by a virus on Monday. Earlier this week the Saudi Aramco oil company confirmed that its network was hit by a virus two weeks ago, shutting down 30,000 workstations. Neither company identified the virus, but in at least one of the cases it is believed to be malware known … Read more

Delete it securely with Free File Wiper

Everybody knows that the files and folders you delete in Windows aren't really deleted from your hard drive, at least not right away. Even when you empty the Recycle Bin, the files aren't overwritten until Windows needs the disk space. You can download many free utilities that offer secure file deletion, such as My Portable Software's Free File Wiper. It's portable freeware that offers multiple secure deletion methods, context menu integration, and drag-and-drop simplicity.

Free File Wiper is so simple that it opened the first time with its Help file displayed just so we'd know … Read more

Permanently delete files in Windows 7

Files that are deleted in Windows are not really deleted--just the links to where the files are located on your hard drive are removed. Despite allowing you to use the space for other files again, the actual information is still lurking on your disk space. In other words, a knowledgeable computer user would be able to locate enough information to restore a file you wanted to keep private. Luckily, the ever-useful program CCleaner provides a method to permanently remove any deleted data from your hard drive.

Step 1: Download and install the latest version of CCleaner.

Step 2: From … Read more

Winter car care tips

Winter temperatures can be tough on cars. Here are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your car performs its best in the cold:

Keep battery backup. It takes more electrical power to start a car in cold weather, yet those chilly temperatures also drastically reduce the battery's cranking power. To compensate for the increased need and reduced output, keep a good set of jumper cables or a portable power pack in the trunk.

Check climate controls. Make sure the heater and front and rear defrosters are working properly. If it takes more than a few minutes … Read more

Top five car troubles

A recent AAA survey names some of the most common -- and potentially dangerous -- auto ailments. Fortunately, all of these maladies can be prevented with a little care and attention. Here are the top culprits:

5. Worn-out windshield wiper blades. Old, torn, or cracked wiper blades can greatly reduce visibility when driving in bad weather. Experts recommend changing blades at least once a year, or when streaking begins.

4. Low or dirty oil. Low oil levels can cause overheating and severe engine damage, since there is not enough fluid to lubricate all of the engine's moving parts. Dirty … Read more