The Energon Pub

[Uniprimus]

I am desperate for some help on these topics...so please help!

1. I used to have IE. I recently switched to Firefox, but when I go to the Recycle bin it is still IE. How to I switch it to Firefox?

2. Still can't make the enlarged tool bar normal sized again. Help?

3. Which security system, in your experience, is the best?

4. This is the biggie. My parents recently got infected with a heavy load of spy ware on their computer. The system they have (McAfee) doesn't seem to do **** about it. How do you recommend they fix this?

[Overcracker]

I am desperate for some help on these topics...so please help!

1. I used to have IE. I recently switched to Firefox, but when I go to the Recycle bin it is still IE. How to I switch it to Firefox?
This doesn't make sense, what does the Recycle Bin have to do with your Browser?

2. Still can't make the enlarged tool bar normal sized again. Help?
What Toolbar?


3. Which security system, in your experience, is the best?
AVG from Grisoft. Its also free

4. This is the biggie. My parents recently got infected with a heavy load of spy ware on their computer. The system they have (McAfee) doesn't seem to do **** about it. How do you recommend they fix this?
Mcafee is an antivirus, not a Spyware remover. They could try with Ad-Aware from lavasoft.com or Spybot Search and Destroy.

[homelessjunkeon]

I am desperate for some help on these topics...so please help!

1. I used to have IE. I recently switched to Firefox, but when I go to the Recycle bin it is still IE. How to I switch it to Firefox?

2. Still can't make the enlarged tool bar normal sized again. Help?

3. Which security system, in your experience, is the best?

4. This is the biggie. My parents recently got infected with a heavy load of spy ware on their computer. The system they have (McAfee) doesn't seem to do **** about it. How do you recommend they fix this?

1. The recycle bin opens a Windows Explorer window, the same file browser you use to see files on your hard drive.

2. What tool bar? Take a screenshot and post an image.

3. I use AVG, Spyware Guard, Spybot, and AdAware.

4. Stop downloading "codecs" that end with .exe when you're looking for porn, and get noscript for FireFox.

[Uniprimus]

Um...

1. Huh?

2. The toolbar with the sound volume, connection, time, etc.

3. Not like, say, Norton?

4. Wasn't looking for porn...

[homelessjunkeon]

1. The Recycle Bin should not open in FireFox. If it did, then something would be horribly wrong.

2. You mean the Taskbar. Right click it, untick "lock Taskbar", resize it, then lock it again.

3. Norton is widely used, so it's a prime target for anyone wanting to bypass a system's security. Keeping in mind it's not free, I wouldn't bother with it.

4. Yeah, that's what they all say.

[TheMuffin]

1. Recycle Bin should never be opening in your internet browser. It should always open in a Window Explorer window like My Music or My Computer or Control Panel.

2. Do what Homeless Junkion said.

3. DO NOT GET NORTON. Good luck not having it eat a system file by accident if you do decide to use it. Use AVG. Look on download.com for an earlier version as it was free.

4. Spybot Search and Destoy and AdAware.

[Uniprimus]

1. Alright, when I go to recycle bin and open a favorite, it is IE.

2. I unlocked it, how do I resize it?

3. Little too late...I already have Norton, and it works like a charm so...what are some systems I should add to it from this happening in the future?

4. No really...I WASN'T LOOKING AT PORN CUZ I AIN'T NO PERVERT.

[TheMuffin]

I don't understand why you're opening favorites in your recycle bin. But to answer this, your primary internet browser isn't set to firefox.

When you unlock it, just move over the "lip" at the top edge of it and left click. While holding left click, drag it down.

[Bombus distinguendus]

you can have more then one anti-virus program just shut norotn off and stick with AVG.....

[Uniprimus]

Alright, some new questions...

1. How do I make Firefox my primary internet browser?

2. What are some security systems you recommend besides Firefox? (not just for spy ware, but for spam, protection, etc)

[Powersurge]

1. In Firefox go to Tools/Options then under the "Main" tab tick the bottom option marked under "system defaults".

2.Firefox isn't a security system, true its more secure than IE and it does have some security features, but its not made to just protect you system.

I would recommend having these software types installed:-
-Anti-Virus like Avast or AVG. (use only one, as having more can cause conflicts)
-Anti-Spy/mal/adware like Spybot, Adaware, Windows Defender (you can have more than one of these programs installed, they tend to work better like that.)
-Firewall (don't stick with Windows Firewall, use something like zonealarm or comodo).

I would also move to Thunderbird for you email, like Firefox it offers better protection, and has a built in Spam/Junk filter.

[Uniprimus]

Thanks!

But wait...

1. I went there, and the box is already checked.

2. Okay I downloaded it...I hope it worked...

[Powersurge]

1: If the box is checked that means Firefox makes sure its the defalt browser, but you have to remember that XP will sometimes open IE when you click on some links in the OS, like under the auto updates, if you click to go to the web site to see the system updates, IE will open.

Thats because Firefox can't "read" some sites, only IE can, but you can get a add-on for Firefox called "IE Tab" that will open a tab in Firefox that uses the IE engine.

But you can tell XP to make Firefox your default browser by going into "Set Program Access And Defaults" even under the Start menu, or in "Add or Remove Programs" (its the tab on the left), and expanding the "Custom" option and ticking the box next to Firefox.

2: What did you download, i suggested quite a few programs in my last post, and you should be able to get quite a bit of support for those programs i suggested.

[Uniprimus]

Oi...I'm sorry. You must think I'm a complete idiot.

I downloaded Thunderbird. Now does this secure my MSN Hotmail, or do I have to use their email?

[Powersurge]

You can use any email account, Thunderbird is just a email client, but it can be used to access RSS feeds (like the one this site uses).

There is plenty of documentation for the use of Thunderbird, but setting it to use a hotmail account won't be that hard.