If your PC gets slow, you will be waiting longer and longer for it to complete it’s tasks.

Is your Registry an unorganized collection of entreis? Then your slow Windows 7 has arrived

Your windows operating systems contains a very important file called windows Registry. It holds data about your computer. The location of all the software you have installed, the DLLs files, program short cuts that reside on your desktop and in the Windows start menu.

Everything you do while using Windows ends up in the Windows Registry. That could be the location of the latest files used (documents, spread sheets, images, videos etc.). You will also find data about the applications installed and uninstalled.

Several reasons can be mentioned as to why your PC suddenly get slow.

You can make your computer fast again using professional tools.

A professional solution normally follows these steps:

• The tool scans you PC and detects the errors on you Windows operating system (e.g. Windows XP, Vista and 7).
• Reparing the errors
• Eventually your computer is faster, it will also boot faster because it no loger has any registry errors.

Additional factors that can cause your Windows PC to be slower

A cluttered Windows Registry is not the only thing that can make your notebook slow

Sometimes anti-virus programs causes your PC to be slow due to bad configuration

If your anti virus is set up to check for viruses i

In addition your anti-virus can be configured to not only scan your local harddrives but also all network drives.

Regular scans of your network drives takes a lot of your CPU time, the reason is that network drives are much slower than local harddrives

Normally you will not compromise you security if you disable network scans within your antivirus application.

- Eric Waterhouse Hansen

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Nearly every high school student, and even many junior high students, has a cell phones. This makes it very easy for you to keep tabs on your teenagers with cell phone listening devices. Because they are interested in have phones that allow them to call their friends, you will be the hero when you give them a cell phone. And because you want to keep tabs and make sure that they are not engaging in destructive behavior, you can make use of these cell phone listening devices to keep track of where they are and what they are doing.

The great thing about today’s cell phone listening devices is that they do more than just let you listen to conversations over the cell phone. They also let you hear what is going on in the room, and they come equipped with GPS trackers. These are great because you know where your teenager is, as well as what she or he is doing.

Car tracking devices merely let you know where your car is. There is no way of knowing whether or not your teen is in the car. When you make use of cell phone listening devices with GPS tracking capability, you can know where your teen is. The phone is something he or she will keep on the person. The car can be parked where it should be, and then someone else can give a ride to someplace forbidden. A cell phone bug is a more complete device.

In addition to showing location, cell phone listening devices also let you listen in. The most advanced device works just like a regular cell phone. Your teen will get incoming calls, have a phone book, make calls, and even sometimes have a camera on the phone. The only difference is that you have the power to listen in. You dial a secret secondary number that gives you access to the phone. You can hear the conversation over the phone (and record it) or you can activate the microphone on the phone that picks up the sounds in the room.

You can always know exactly what is going on with your teens you make use of cell phone listening devices.

(c) 2005 Copyright www.spyassociates.com. This article is about: Cell Phone Listening Devices.

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One of the great things about today’s technology is all the great things that you can do with it. The hidden camera is a prime example of what technological advancements can achieve. With a hidden camera or two (or three) secreted about your home, you can keep a close watch on everything that goes on inside your domain. And that is especially important in a world where there are unwholesome influences on your children, and in a world where people are increasingly dishonest. A hidden camera usually is more than just tucked in some corner somewhere. It is actually hidden in plain sight. These cameras often masquerade as ordinary, everyday objects. Not only do these objects hide cameras, but they also perform whatever normal function they look like they should perform. For instance, the electric can opener sitting on your kitchen counter (conveniently at an angle where the front room is also visible) will actually open cans, even as it records everything through a camera hidden inside. Other objects that might have a hidden camera silently watching all that passes include pictures, clocks, figurines, books, and sometimes even teddy bears. The best thing you can do is tell the sitter that you have hidden cameras about the house, but not tell her or him where. She or he will be on best behavior, and will follow your instructions with the kids. Not only that, but you can keep tabs on your teenagers while you are away. Don’t let them know where the cameras are, either, and you can bet that there will not be a party in your house over the weekend. A hidden camera acts as your eyes while you are away. If something turns up missing while guests are over, you can look over the footage and determine who might have taken it. Additionally, it is a good way to watch your housekeeper to find out whether he or she is cleaning everything as agreed. There are many practical uses for such cameras, and because a hidden camera looks so ordinary, others will not even know where you are watching from. (c) 2005 Copyright www.spyassociates.com. This article is about: Hidden Camera.

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For the average homeowner it may not seem necessary to
worry about having spy gadgets. However, there are three spy
gadgets that can serve to help you better protect your family
and your home. These gadgets are indispensable, and they allow
you to know what is going on inside your home, as well as what
your family is up to. You can monitor the safety of your
children and protect your property when you make use three
pieces of spy electronics. Surveillance cameras. Protect your
home inside and out with surveillance cameras. They may not seem
like spy gadgets per se, but they really are. Innocuous objects
in your home, such as clocks or pictures, can hide cameras that
can watch to make sure sitters are treating the kids well, help
you be aware of whether your kids are having parties while you
are away, and keep an eye on valuables so that you can protect
them from people with access to your home. Outdoor cameras allow
you to capture people who come near your home, allowing you to
identify vandals and thieves. GPS tracking system. Spy gadgets
in the form of GPS trackers are immensely useful. You can keep
them in cars so that if you know where your kids are driving.
They are also helpful in the event of your car being stolen. You
are much more likely to recover the vehicle if you can track
where it is. And today there are GPS tracking systems that are
small enough to be carried on a person. They even come in cell
phones. Know that your kids are where they should be (and safe)
with trackers. Listening devices. These are especially necessary
if you are afraid that someone may try to take advantage of a
conversation you have had. Recording your own conversations with
the help of covert listening devices can help you protect
yourself. Additionally, if you have these devices in the form of
phone taps and cell phone bugs, you can keep tabs on teenager
conversations that might tip you off to unsafe behavior. Devices
planted around the house can provide useful audio to go with the
visual images from your hidden cameras. These spy gadgets are
quite useful for any home owner. (c) 2005 Copyright
www.spyassociates.com. This article is about: Spy Gadgets.

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Obviously, a great deal of spy equipment is legal. It is used by private investigators and bounty hunters. Additionally, our federal government uses spy equipment, as do local law enforcement entities. So, with many people allowed to use surveillance equipment, it only makes sense that it is also okay for private individuals to own it. For the most part, many individual amateurs make use of spy stuff to play pranks on their friends or to protect their homes. Neither of these things is illegal (although you better be sure what kind of friend you are playing the joke on). It is important to note, though, that different states have different laws. Some spy equipment is not legal in all 50 of the United States. Additionally, surveillance equipment may not be legal in some countries. With the Internet so prevalent, it is possible to purchase nearly anything from anywhere and have it shipped to your door. It is not the responsibility of the company that sells the spy gadgets to determine whether or not some equipment is legal where you live. That is up to you to determine. Additionally, you should realize that even though it may not be illegal to own some spy equipment, some of the uses that you put the equipment to may carry legal ramifications. Before engaging in a specific mission, you should check your local, state, and federal laws in order to ensure that you are not treading on forbidden ground. And for some professionals in certain situations, what may be illegal for a random amateur individual is legal for someone with the right authorization. You are pretty safe in most cases when you choose to purchase spy equipment. It can be fun to use and it can also protect your privacy and your family. But you have to make sure that you are using it appropriately. If you are a professional, you have few restrictions on you than just any random person. But you should also realize that you may operate under some very real guidelines. Using spy gear can be a rewarding and fun pastime, and it can make a good job. Just make sure that you are using your spy equipment in a legal manner. (c) 2005 Copyright www.spyassociates.com. This article is about: Spy Equipment.

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January 31, 2006, Plymouth, Minnesota — Dotcom-Monitor has just added Sydney as its newest web server monitoring location, bringing executive class monitoring to Australia.

“Companies need to know how their web sites respond to customer usage,” says Vadim Mazo, CEO of Dotcom-Monitor. “Adding the Sydney monitoring station means they will now be alerted if their web site is inaccessible or slow to Australian customers.”

The Sydney’s monitoring station is a robot that visits a company’s web site, simulating a human visitor, and performs various functions, including surfing, form-testing, shopping cart usage, etc. Performance speed, accessibility and response times simulate a human user’s experience.

Companies depend on remote web server performance monitoring to respond quickly to emergencies (such as an order form no working), as well as to plan for long term upgrades to ensure maximum satisfaction for customers. It is estimated that $20 to $40 billion is lost each year from users who abandon slow loading web sites.

Global web site monitoring secures customers world-wide

Global marketers understand that web sites respond differently in different parts of the world due to trans-Atlantic connections, bottlenecks, the quality of local connections, etc. “Just because a web site performs well in New Jersey, does not mean a customer in Sydney or London benefits from the same performance,” Mr. Mazo says. “Monitoring your web servers from Sydney will tell you if you need to make changes to better serve your Australian market.”

While only 13% of U.S. home users still use sub-56K Internet connections, that number is much higher in less developed countries, meaning web sites optimized for U.S. customers might not perform well overseas.

Sydney is the tenths monitoring station in Dotcom-Monitor’s global network. The other five sites are:

- London, UK - Minnesota, USA - New York, USA - California, USA - Florida, USA - Calgary, Canada - Colorado, USA - Frankfurt, Germany - Honk Kong, China

Dotcom Monitor is an executive class website monitoring company, offering top performance services above and beyond the norm in the industry. Since 1998, its goal remains to protect the reputation and profitability of online business by bringing together monitoring, reporting, notification, escalation and analysis in the combination best suited to a company’s needs.

About Dotcom Monitor: Dotcom Monitor is an executive class website and network monitoring company, offering top performance services above and beyond the norm in the industry, including website load stress testing introduced in 2004 (offered by very few monitoring companies). Since 1998, Dotcom Monitor has been protecting the reputation and profitability of businesses online by bringing together monitoring, reporting, notification, escalation and analysis in the combination best suited to a company’s needs. Visit the website at www.dotcom-monitor.com or get more details about website monitoring services at www.dotcom-monitor.com/web-site-monitoring.asp. Get information on network monitoring at www.dotcom-monitor.com/network-monitoring.asp.

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Security is the most important aspect of life, most so in the case of home security. In the days of ever increasing crime and theft, it is all the more imperative for us to have a safe and strong home security system. The miscreants are well exposed to the modern methods of surveillance and monitoring making normal life highly vulnerable even inside our own home.

Many a careless family would tell their horrifying experience of house breaks and thefts that had happened to them out of sheer negligence and lack of proper security system.

Home security systems of varied nature and methods are plenty available. A simple warning signal by means of a security tag from a reputed security agency itself acts a deterrent for the robbers. However it is wise to choose an effective and economical system to make the security at home really effective. A good monitoring system to work in your absence and that would react when triggered enabling someone to see, or a system that produces an alarm, that can be directed to the Police or emergency service, is an ideal choice.

Use of variety of locks is another option to protect the house in one’s absence. Protecting the family and the belongings from the vulnerability of thefts and house breaks is no small task. One has to be quite relaxed when one is away from one’s house and has to ensure the possessions are quite safe even in their absence.

Wireless home security system, the modern effective way of protecting the home and the family, though a new concept, is really effective. One has to know the basics of wireless home security system before choosing the same.

The first aspect to be considered in a wireless security system is to determine the number of doors and windows that could be brought under the system. The placing of the control panel and keypads is an individual choice, while some prefer it near the front door, others find it convenient to be on the side of the bedroom.

The doors and windows need to be near to the sensors to enable them to communicate with the sensors. Various choices are available in monitoring systems; one option is to hire a company for a nominal fee. If on the other hand one choose to spend less, a basic system with a dialer connected to the telephone, that can dial the chosen numbers would be sufficient.

Motion detectors is normally a good option, unless of course the pets in the home roam around, during night or when the system is enabled making unwanted alarms or warning signals.

One should entrust the home security system to a reputable and trust worthy security agency. The wireless home security system chosen should monitor every zone in the house. Further the system should be user friendly and effective during an emergency.

The batteries used in the contact devices tends to be a costly as the same is to be replaced and each service call needs to be paid. The system therefore is a bit expensive compared to a hard wired system. One has to be a little technical savvy to avoid such expenditure and capable of reinstalling the batteries by oneself.

Installation of the wireless security system is quite easy and once the control panels and sensors are properly placed at desired points, the system is operational and you stand protected. Alternatively one can also get the system installed by a contractor or a company specialized in the service at a nominal cost.

The author is a regular contributor to Inside Home Security where more home and personal security information is freely available.

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Millions of people everyday rely on fire extinguishers to put out minor fires which start in the home. Fire extinguishers contain a powder which is known to instantly put out a fire and prevent it from spreading any further. In 2004, fire extinguishers saved over 25 lives in the United States and prevented over 1,500 injuries. Fire departments all over the world encourage home owners to have at least one fire extinguisher in the home at all times. That said, studies show that approximately 80% of homeowners do have at least one in their home, but the question is do they know how to use it?

Sure it’s great to know there’s a fire extinguisher close by if you ever need one, but what most people don’t understand is if you don’t know how to use these devices, they are practically useless. Everyone should know how to use a fire extinguisher and if you are one of the many who don’t, the follow steps will provide you with everything you need to know.

The easiest way to learn how to use a fire extinguisher is to memorize the acronym P.A.S.S. and memorize the meaning of each letter. The following list will provide you with the meanings of each letter:

P - The first letter to remember is “P”. This indicates to the user to pull the pin. Pulling the pin is the first step in the process and is crucial to the successful execution of fire extinguishers.

A - The “A” stands for Aim. This tells the user to aim the fire extinguisher nozzle towards the base of the flames.

S - The first “S” stands for Squeeze. This advises the user to squeeze the trigger while maintaining the extinguisher in an upright position.

S - The last “S” stands for Sweep. The user will then sweep the extinguisher from side to side making sure to cover the area of the fire completely.

Remembering the word PASS can save the life of you or someone you love.

Having a fire extinguisher in your home is a great idea however the location of your extinguisher is a determining factor in whether or not it will be useful. You will want to keep your fire extinguisher in areas which are most likely to produce fires such as kitchens, near fireplaces, garages or areas with a number of candles (perhaps a bedroom).

Do not keep your fire extinguisher near your stove. Stoves are a prime target for fires and should a fire break out near your stove, you will want to be able to access your extinguisher. You may also want to keep your extinguisher near an exit so you can leave it the fire becomes too large.

Jim Staller has worked in the industrial field for more than 15 years. In his spare time, he serves as a contributing writer for http://www.industrial101.com - a site offering information about data aquisition, cleanrooms, frequency converters and more.

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Airport Menace: The Wireless Peeping Tom

—————————————-
As a network security consultant, I travel quite frequently.
At times, it seems like the airport is my second home. I
actually like to fly, it’s a moment in time where no one can
reach me by e-mail, or mobile phone.

It never fails that something interesting happens to me at
the airport. I’ve even met some famous people during my
travels. A few months ago, I ran into Frank Bielec, from the
TLC show, Trading Spaces. But one of my favorite things to
do at the airport is browse the wireless Ethernet waves. I’m
never really surprised at what I find. I’m just glad I know
more about wireless Ethernet than the average road warrior.

The Dangers Of Ad-Hoc Wireless Networking

—————————————–
Most people who have wireless Ethernet at home, or the
office, connect to the wireless network by attaching to a
wireless Access Point, or AP. This method of wireless
networking is called “Infrastructure Mode”. If you have a
secure wireless network configured in “Infrastructure Mode”
you are using MAC address filtering, some level of
encryption, and have made some additional changes to your AP
in order to prevent just anyone from using it or capturing
data. For more information on configuring your
“Infrastructure Mode” wireless network take a look at the
“Wireless Network Security” page at Defending The Net.

Links

—–
http://www.defendingthenet.com/WirelessNetworkSecurity.htm

However, for those who are not using “Infrastructure Mode”,
and are configured to communicate from machine to machine,
or “Ad-Hoc”, there are a few things you should be aware of.

A wireless Ad-Hoc network allows you to communicate with
other wireless Ethernet systems without using a wireless
access point. It’s kind of a peer to peer configuration and
it works rather well. The problem is, most people just set
it up, and forget about it. At home, it’s not a huge
problem, but when your on the road, it could cause you a
great deal of grief. The airport is probably the best place
to find Ad-Hoc networks. Business men and women, delayed
once again, power up their laptops and get to work
completing the days tasks, or planning tomorrows agendas.

I can’t tell you how many systems I find in the airport
configured this way. Not just in the terminal, but on the
plane. About three months ago, just after we reached
cruising altitude and were allowed to use our “approved
electronic devices”, I found that the gentleman two seats up
from me had a laptop configured as Ad-Hoc. He walked by me
about ten minutes later and commented on how much he liked
my laptop. I thanked him, and asked if his laptop was on,
and configured to use wireless Ethernet, he said yes.

To make a long story short, I showed him that I could see
his laptops wireless Ethernet and informed him of the
danger. He asked me if I could access his hard drive, and I
told him that it might be possible. He asked me to see if I
could, so I obliged. After configuring my laptop to use the
same IP address class as his, and typing “net use *
hiscomputersIPAddressc$ “” /USER:administrator”, I
received a notice that the connection was successful and
drive Z: was now mapped to his computer. I performed a
directory listing of his hard drive and the guy almost had a
heart attack!

After this, he moved up to the seat next to mine and we
spent the next hour or so configuring his laptop securely,
starting with securing his computers local administrator
account. At one point during the configuration, he made the
statement that I got real lucky because his local admin
account did not have a password. My response to him was, I
get lucky quite often.

Who Else Has Your Client List

—————————–
Just think of the possibilities. What do you have to lose if
someone is able to just peruse the files and data on your
laptop? Do you maintain your customer list on your laptop
(Do you want this in the hands of a competitor)? How about
your personal finances (Identity theft ring a bell)? So many
people I talk to initially say, “I really don’t have
anything of great importance on this system”. Then they
think a little bit and start rattling of things they never
really thought about before. All of a sudden, they get
concerned.

The fact is, whether it be “Infrastructure Mode”, or
“Ad-Hoc” wireless Ethernet communications, if not properly
configured and secured, can pose a significant risk. There
are thousands of articles on the Internet about the dangers
of improperly configured wireless networks, yet the number
of unsecured networks seems to be getting greater, not less.

Strength And Posture Does Reduce Your Risks

——————————————-
Keep in mind that your objective should be to reduce the
chances that you will become a target for computer
compromise. When I was growing up in South Philadelphia, I
remember my father telling me that when you walk down the
street, especially in the evening, to walk tall, and project
a position of strength and authority. Why, because thugs
typically pick out those who look like an easy target. The
same thing goes for computer security. Reduce the risks of
becoming a target buy configuring your system with a strong
security policy.

When I perform security assessments, I create a list of
potential targets, and potential methods of compromise. I
then prioritize that list by which system, with a particular
vulnerability, may be easiest to compromise. Those at the
bottom of the list typically never come on my radar screen;
the best scenario it to keep of the radar altogether.

Conclusion

———-
If your are using wireless Ethernet, no matter what
configuration, follow a few rules and keep yourself secure
against most common types of compromise.

1. Above all, make sure all your user accounts have strong
passwords, especially those that have administrative control
over your system;

2. Configure your wireless network to use some sort of
encryption. I know there is a lot of concern about the
“crackability” of WEP, but if this is all you have to work
with, and then use it. It is still helpful;

3. If possible, use MAC addresses filtering to restrict
unwanted systems from attaching to your wireless network;

4. Make sure the firmware for your AP’s and wireless
Ethernet cards are up to date. These updates can be found on
your card or AP’s support site.

Remember, if you are compromised over your wireless network
it can be near impossible to track down where the attack
came from. Worse yet, think about how many systems become
compromised, and no one ever knows it?

About The Author

—————-
Darren Miller is an Information Security Consultant with
over sixteen years experience. He has written many technology
& security articles, some of which have been published in
nationally circulated magazines & periodicals. Darren is a
staff writer for http://www.defendingthenet.com and several other
e-zines. If you would like to contact Darren you can e-mail
him at Darren.Miller@ParaLogic.Net or
DefendTheNet@ParaLogic.Net.

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Every family wishes to protect their domicile and it is more than just a home where people like, it is much more than that and the need to protect your living space and territory is an innate characteristic of the species. Humans are a territorial animal like other higher mammals; we see in the wild the Great Apes, bands of chimpanzees even dens of Lions protecting their territories from predators.

Even at a time in this present period where we have few if any predators, we seem to have held this need to protect our homes. In fact we enlist government to do this and in trade we all agree to live by certain rule in trade the government protecting us. Yet they really do not protect our homes, after all there is no with the exception of some criminals and looters who might threaten our homes. In fact about the only real threats to our homes come from the government in “imminent domain” actions or lawyers suing us using the very law we agree to live within? Interesting isn’t it?

Then there is Mother Nature namely; rain, flooding, snow, wildfires, locusts, Earthquakes or the wind from a Tornado or Hurricane. But even there we trust the government to tell us how to build thru building codes, such as no shingle roofs near forest fire prone regions, stronger foundations in known Earthquake areas and of course the government also provides storm drain rules for the 100-year flood to developers of virgin real estate.

But even with all these rules and regulations, nothing is guaranteed and you need to also consider what you can do to protect yourself. I suggest you draw out your house on some graph paper and take a look at every possible risk from mold and rats to rain and snow. Think of anything that could happen and the simple things you can do in the potential eventuality of such event. There are little things you can do, which do not cost much and as you do research you will learn more about what you can do to protect your home. Think on this.

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

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