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Want to get up to speed and be more secure? Past editions of the ParetoLogic Online Safety and ParetoLogic Performance Solutions email newsletters are filled with interesting stories and great tips to enhance your computing experience and improve your PC’s performance and optimization. Now you can check out past issues through our archives and never miss another edition!
Do you remember the telephone game, where a "secret" is whispered down a line? Do you recall how "peanut butter sandwiches" became "pneumonia battlefield sandcastles?"
This game can produce some pretty funny results. When it comes to your computer though, clear communication is no laughing matter. If your PC hardware, software and operating system are not speaking to each other, you will find hardware problems, erratic performance and instability.
Drivers are what let your computer components speak to each other. They are crucial for the operation of your PC and hardware devices. These small programs take generic commands from your software and translate them into specific instructions the hardware understands. Drivers are very specific to certain hardware devices. Even different models often require a distinct driver.
If you have upgraded from Windows XP to Vista, you might not have the right driver. Or perhaps, over time, your driver has become corrupted. Another possibility is that the scanner company has released a new driver that allows access to new features. How do you ensure you have the right driver?
The easiest way is to use ParetoLogic DriverCure. This sophisticated software scans your PC to see which devices you have. It then accesses an ever-growing database to find the correct drivers and guides you through the download process.
This means that you do not have to scour your house for those lost discs that came with your hardware devices. Even if you found those CDs, the drivers on them would not be current. By using ParetoLogic DriverCure, you also protect yourself from being infected by spyware or other malware by searching online for what you need.
Once you have ParetoLogic DriverCure, it is easy to keep your drivers up to date. When a new driver is available, you will be notified by email. It could not be easier to ensure you have the drivers you need and to keep your PC running right.
To learn more about ParetoLogic DriverCure, please click on the links above. Or, learn about ParetoLogic's other advanced products.
Tip of the Month
Never use birthday, address or family names as passwords on websites.
Q. I recently downloaded PGsurfer and it has been great for my family. However, something now seems to be wrong. I keep getting the "No User" popup. What gives?
Signed: "Confused"
A. Dear "Confused"
This occurs when no one is logged into PGsurfer but someone tries to use the Internet. It is PGsurfer's way of trying to stop someone from circumventing the user profiles the administrator has established. The popup should state that a PGsurfer account is required. To stop the popup, make sure you are logged in with a valid profile. Only a PGsurfer administrator can create the profiles.
Spin me right round: DJs embrace technology, but vinyl still sells
No matter whether 8-tracks, cassettes, CDs, or MP3s were the music format of the day, a DJ hovering over turntables spinning records to rock a party was constant. Sales-wise, vinyl has enjoyed a resurgence in the past couple years. However, as exciting new technology develops, DJs, longtime vinyl holdouts, must decide whether to keep their crate of records or embrace the digital media for performances.
Vancouver DJ, producer and vocalist Ill-Esha explains that analog definitely sounds different than digital formats. "It's warmer and pleasingly erroneous in harmonic reproduction," she observed. When it comes to performing though, Ill-Esha hardly spins vinyl anymore.
"For me, the difference is minimal compared to the difference in my spinal health from not carrying 90-pound bags of vinyl. A hard drive weighs only a few pounds."
With just a laptop, noted artist Girl Talk has whipped crowds into frenzies at large festivals such as Lollapalooza. There are a variety of Live Personal Appearance (livePA) software that artists can use. As well, products such as CDJ and Serato allow DJs to reproduce familiar vinyl techniques. CDJ is a compact disc player that can be manipulated like a turntable. Serato uses blank records printed with "timecode" information that DJs can use as controllers to integrate with their computers, explained Victoria, B.C.-based DJ and promoter James Turner. The aptly named Turner is also a valued member of ParetoLogic's Customer Care and Support Team, when not performing onstage as "Jim Turns".
Learn more about artists embracing technology and vinyl »
ParetoLogic unveils new malware analysis service
Have you ever come across a file on your computer and asked yourself, "Is this dangerous?" Now you can find out quickly and easily. ParetoLogic, an innovative leader in online security, has launched the Zheng™ File Analysis service.
You can upload any file from your PC and quickly receive a free, detailed report on whether it has been identified as a virus, spyware or another form of malware. The Zheng™ File Analysis service uses signature-based detection as well as ParetoLogic's own innovative Zheng™ technology.
"Zheng™ utilizes complex heuristics and does not rely on signatures," said Jerome Segura, the leader of ParetoLogic's Spyware Analysis Team (SWAT). "This makes it the best system to detect zero day threats."
In traditional signature-based detection, the scanning engine looks for a byte-pattern that is part of a virus or virus family. However, new threats are constantly emerging and while proven, signature-based scanning cannot keep up with the number of new programs malware authors are turning out.
Learn more about ParetoLogic's Zheng Technology »
The Pirate Bay takes shot to bow but keeps afloat
Although they took a blast of legal cannon fire, the founders of The Pirate Bay are not willing to make their free, file sharing website walk the plank just yet. The site continues to operate and allow people to share files via torrents - including copyrighted material such as music and videos. The four founders were sentenced by a Swedish court to one-year prison terms and ordered to pay compensation and damages of 30-million kronor ($3.6 million US), according to an April 17 Bloomberg News story. What effect will this have on file sharing?
"It takes out the No.1 source of global illegitimate file sharing," said Richard Pfohl, general counsel for the Canadian Recording Industry Association, in an April 22 Canwest News Service story. "Obviously some of that traffic will migrate to other sites, but I think other sites' (operators) will start to think twice when they think they will be held criminally liable."
However, The Pirate Bay founders Fredrik Neij, Gottfrid Svartholm Warg, Peter Sunde Kolmisoppi and Carl Lundstroem are not willing to give up. They are appealing their sentence. They allege the judge in the case was biased: Tomas Nordström belonged to the Swedish Copyright Association and would therefore have a conflict of interest, according to a May 20 Ars Technica website article.
The Pirate Bay has also taken their fight to the people. In an effect to wound the law firm representing the recording industry, they have setup a website and asked its supporters to send no more than one Swedish kronor at a time to the firm. The idea is to force the lawyers to spend thousands in processing fees, according to a May 13 Guardian newspaper website story.
Learn more about The Pirate Bay lawsuit »
Affiliate Summit West 2009
Earlier this year ParetoLogic was proud to be part of Affiliate Summit West 2009. At this prestigious event, the company launched its exciting "Sell Big, Win Mini" contest. Click here to learn more about this lucrative opportunity...
Pareto networks with the best
There were more than registered attendees at the Affiliate Summit West 2009, the premier conference for affiliate marketing. The event, held in Las Vegas, has seen an increase in registered participants and booths every year since its 2003 inception. In fact, a number of people had to be turned away because the Summit was sold out. The event gave ParetoLogic an opportunity to network with many of the top affiliates. Opportunities exist for many exciting partnerships to come out of the relationships made at the Affiliate Summit West 2009.
What awaits you online?
Malware Diaries gives you an inside look at what is going on in the world of spyware and malware and how to secure your computer and yourself from new and emerging threats.
Sound Advice - Open Mic with Malware Diaries' bloggers
Members of ParetoLogic's Spyware Analysis Team (S.W.A.T.) were guests of The Computer Information Show featured on C-FAX 1070 radio station. Our Computer Security specialists discussed malware, spyware and viruses with host Bill McCarter. Click to listen to the show's MP3 excerpts as the S.W.A.T. team gives advice and field questions from the listening audience...
Sound Advice - Speaking out on behalf of children and PGsurfer
ParetoLogic's Communications Director was a guest of The Computer Information Show featured on C-FAX 1070 radio station. Amanda and host Bill McCarter discussed Internet security and the safety benefits for families and children using the free PGsurfer software. Click to listen to the show's MP3 excerpts as our resident authority gives sound advice and fields question from the listening audience...
Does it all sound Greek to you?
Don't worry! Each month we will explain a word or phrase connected to computers. As well as giving you a better understanding of PCs, you will also be able to astound people with your newfound knowledge.
Cloud Computing
This has become a somewhat overused buzz word that means something different depending on who is defining it. In short, cloud computing is the practice of using scalable and often virtualized resources available as a service over the Internet. For example, a business might access additional virtual servers or software during a growth phase or a seasonal company might reduce its information technology (IT) capacities in the offseason. Cloud computing often includes infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS) and software as a service (SaaS).
In The Wild
In The Wild refers to a computer virus that is spreading outside of the computer or lab where it was created. In general, a virus is considered to be "in the wild" when it spreads due to normal operations of computers, and without the knowledge of users.
To learn about ParetoLogic DriverCure.
"Thank you for your extremely helpful, considerate email and instructions. I have now added (Anti-Virus PLUS) to my suite from you, and am very happy with the security I now enjoy and with your prompt and helpful advice."
Vivian A.
Click the link to learn about ParetoLogic Anti-Virus PLUS
"Again, thank you for your prompt response to my inquiry. The Virus cleanup is working fine. I did not realize how many viruses and adware this caught compared to Norton and PC doctor. I will use y'all from now on"
Ray G.
Click the link to learn about ParetoLogic XoftSpySE Anti-Spyware
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I was able to recover all my baby pictures and videos!! Thank you for your great service and thank you for not dismissing me and saying 'too bad, so sad, nothing we can do about it.' You have no idea how precious those pictures are to me, especially because it's my first baby. So thank you again!"
Kristy
Click the link to learn about ParetoLogic Data Recovery Pro
Here is your opportunity to get to know a member of Team Pareto!
Each month we give you a little insight into a member of Team Pareto. You get a chance to learn about the work and life of an important link in the ParetoLogic chain.
This month we introduce you to Marlee Wilson. Marlee is ParetoLogic's office manager, but that does not accurately describe her many and varied roles and duties. The longtime Vancouver Canucks fan is proud to act as "mom" to everyone in the office.
"I take care of the health and well being of the people that work at ParetoLogic and ensure that their needs and requirements are met so that they can have a great work experience at ParetoLogic."
Marlee enjoys working with such a diverse group of people as ParetoLogic attracts team members from a wide variety of backgrounds and walks of life. She especially likes learning about different cultures.
Marlee plays the question game:
One word to describe Pareto: Family
Song you never tire of: "Photograph" by Nickelback
Last movie you watched: "Quantum of Solace"
Last thing you read (book, magazine, cereal box): "Don't Look Back" by Amanda Quick
Technology you can't live without: Anything technical - I have it all!
Where she plays
When online, Marlee likes to visit CNN.com. To protect herself online, she uses ParetoLogic Anti-Virus PLUS. As well, Marlee trusts RegCure Registry Cleaner and ParetoLogic DriverCure to keep her PC running at its best.
Be sure to check out Marlee's Internet Security Tip of the Month on the sidebar on the left.
