5 Simple Rules to avoid SCD (Slow Computer Disease)
I've written about this before, but it bears repeating on occasion with new visitors to our site and long time visitors who haven't learned yet. The advice is simple: DO NOT DOWNLOAD FREE SCREENSAVERS, EMAIL PROGRAMS (Incredimail, etc), GAMES from the Internet. Unless you are WELL versed in the origin of these items, they can easily destroy your computer's ability to compute.
The most common computer ailment (for Windows users) searched on the Internet is "slow computers". Sadly, "slow computer disease", SCD*, does not have to be the pandemic it is because it is 100% preventable. Here are my 5 simple rules to prevent SCD:
1. Install and keep Internet security software current. Recommendations: AVG Anti-virus, a software or hardware firewall and a good anti-spwyare program or two. Check our Links & Resources section for recommendations.
2. DO NOT DOWNLOAD FREE CRAP FROM THE INTERNET UNLESS YOU KNOW ITS ORIGIN AND SAFETY.
3. Use Mozilla Firefox or Opera as your primary Internet browser instead of Internet Explorer, MSN, or AOL. This tip alone can save your computer.
4. If you have teenagers or young adults who use your computer, forbid the downloading of free music through services like Limewire or any other shady site (refer to #2)
5. If you do suspect SCD, get it looked at immediately. Waiting for it to cure itself will only make SCD worse.
BONUS TIP: If your computer suffers from SCD, Defrag will NOT help it. No matter how many times you Defrag your computer, it will NOT help SCD.
© *SCD is a copyrighted term of Castellini on Computers, HelpMeRick.com and Rick Castellini. Use of the term SCD is strictly prohibited without the express written consent of Rick Castellini or administrators of HelpMeRick.com
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Incredimail just showed up on night
My husband & I came home last night, turned on our computer & I heard him say 'this' (Incredimail) keeps coming up as our home page. It took me a half hour or so to figure it out, but it was very annoying. I'd purchased Memokit the day before, after purchasing an updated verson of McAfee. I don't know if this is the reason Incredimail showed up, but it's certainly nothing we downloaded ourselves...I don't like things suddenly showing up on our computer. I do my utmost NOT to dabble with free stuff out there unless verified by somebody who is credible & recommends it. I finally had to go in and clean out our registry to get Incredimail to cease coming up as our homepage. Because of this hassle, it wouldn't matter what I'm told is great about Incredimail...the mere fact it refused to go away after uninstalling it in add/remove programs (the first attempt I made to rid our computer of it)...is reason enough for us to never see it again. Again, unless my husband isn't telling me something, WE did NOT install Incredimail...it simply showed up. That's invasive in my opinion. Sorry...I'll never give it a chance.
Incredimail malicious?
There are many malicious rumors being spread all over the internet about IncrediMail, these rumors are untrue. IncrediMail is not spyware and it does not put viruses on your computer. We have been using IncrediMail for over 7 years and have never had a single problem. Sometimes these rumors get started & take on a life of their own on the internet.
IncrediMail has a wonderful article on their website addressing this subject and pledging to it's users that these rumors are untrue. To find out the real truth about IncrediMail please read this article: http://www.incredimail.com/english/privacy.html.
The truth about incredimail
True, Incredimail is not full of viruses or spyware, but it is one of the most obnoxious programs you can install on your computer.
One type of obnoxious-ware is called Adware - this is software that pretends to be practical but instead is used to force you and others to see advertising. This is exactly what Incredimail does. At the bottom of every email is an ad for Incredimail.
Even that isn't that bad though. What is really irritating about Incredimail is how your messages come across to people who can't read HTML email. The message is full of garbage and often the happy faces and other symbols come through as attachments that can't be opened.
These recipients then call Rick and I and spend good money trying to figure out why they can't open .eml files that are sent by Incredimail.
Now, decide that you don't want to use Incredimail and try to switch to something else. You will quickly find that your messages and address book are held captive by the Incredimail software.
It is a high price to pay for cute happy faces in your messages.
Adware? Ad- Aware
Adam,
Is the above two different programs? Or a typo?
I ask, since I have the latter.
Thank you,
Anne
They are different
AdAware is the legitimate anti-spyware program from Lavasoft and can be safely downloaded from www.download.com or the Links and Resources section right here at HelpMeRick.com Adware is a maliciously made play on the popularity of AdAware and will slow down your computer and attempt to extort money for the problems IT causes.
Ad-aware vs adware + clipbk viewer shortcut
Thank you Rick for your ever sound advice!
Anne
I have no problems with incredimail.
I've been using incredimail now, for over 5 years now, and I haven't had any problems with it. However, I don't leave it on all the time, I only access it to check my email, and then I exit it.
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