How to Schedule a Scan in ESET Antivirus Version 5

Description: ESET software has the ability to be scheduled to perform a scan on a regularly basis on your computer. ESET has the ability to schedule a scan daily, weekly, monthly, or just once. This how-to guide will walk you through scheduling an ESET scan.

1. Open the ESET software by clicking Start, All Programs, ESET Folder, ESET NOD32 Antivirus folder, ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
   
   


2. Click on Tools on the menu, click on the Scheduler link.
   
   


3. Click on the add button.
   
   


4. Click on the down arrow and select Computer Scan, click on Next.
   
   


5. Give the task a name, for this example the name Nightly Scan is typed in.
6. Select the frequency you want the scan to run, for this example Daily was selected. Click on Next.
   
   


7. Select a time the scan will run, and click on Next.
   
   


8. Select Wait until the next scheduled time, click on Next.
   
   


9. The Add task window will confirm all the settings, click on Finish.
   
   

Now a scheduled task has been created and will run a scan at night on a daily basis.


For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

How to enable Gamer Mode in ESET Smart Security 5

ESET Smart Security 5 comes equipped with a new feature called "Gamer Mode." This feature within the software disables all pop-up windows from ESET. ESET will also postpone all scheduled tasks such as scans to deliver optimum performance during gaming. This guide will walk through how to enable Gamer Mode in ESET Smart Security 5.

1. Open the ESET software by clicking Start, All Programs, clicking the ESET Folder, opening the ESET Smart Security folder, and finally clicking on ESET Smart Security.
   
   


2. Click Setup on the left side of the ESET window
   
   


3. Below the Computer heading, click the word Disabled to the right of Gamer Mode
   
   


4. The word Disabled will then change to Enabled.
   
   


5. To confirm Gamer Mode is enabled, click Home on the left side of the ESET window to show the message confirming Gamer Mode is enabled.
   
   

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

How to disable the firewall in ESET Smart Security 5

ESET Smart Security 5 comes with a personal firewall enabled. This guide will walk through how to disable the firewall entirely or just disable components of the firewall.

1. Open the ESET software by clicking Start, All Programs, clicking the ESET Folder, opening the ESET Smart Security (or NOD32 Anti Virus) folder, and finally clicking on ESET Smart Security (or NOD32 Anti Virus).
   
   


2. Press the F5 key to open the Advanced options window
3. Click the + sign to the left of Network
   
   


4. Click the + sign to the left of Personal Firewall
   
   


5. Click the link for System Integration
   
   


6. Under the System Integration drop-down menu select Personal firewall is completely disabled to disable the firewall.
   
   


7. Click OK and Exit the ESET Smart Security window to complete the process.
   
   

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

How to set up the Fingerprint Reader on an HP notebook

Some HP® notebook computers include a fingerprint reader mounted near the keyboard or the Touchpad. A fingerprint reader provides greater security as well as the convenience of using the fingerprint scan in place of having to use several different logins and passwords to access various applications or secure websites. Software included with the system manages the association of the scanned fingerprint with the user´s login credentials.

To begin using the fingerprint scanner, take the following steps:

1. Set up a user account on the computer that includes a login password.
2. In Windows, click Start » All programs » Verisoft® » My Identity
3. Click on Log On. This will open the Logon Wizard. Click Next.
4. On the "Introduce Yourself" page, enter your Windows account name and password. Click Next.
5. Click the Finish button if the logon was successful.
6. On the My Identity window, click Register Fingerprints, and then click Next.
7. There will be a display showing a left and a right hand with the individual fingers on each hand. (see image below courtesy of HP® website) Clicking on one of the fingers will highlight it. With the finger highlighted, slowly swipe your finger perpendicularly across the fingerprint scanner. It may be necessary to repeat this for the scanner to get a good reading. When it has, one of the numbered squares below the hands display will change color, indicating the scan was accepted. Do this repeatedly with the same finger until all of the numbered boxes change color.
   
   


8. Click Next to register the fingerprint. If for some reason you wish to clear the scan, you can right click on the finger and select Start Over.
9. You can repeat the above steps with a different finger to provide an alternate finger for the same account.

Additional users can follow the above procedure by first logging into their Windows account with their login name and password, then going through each of the steps.


Note: It is important to remember the username and password used in setting up the fingerprint scanner. It will be required in order to login to Windows should the fingerprint reader become inoperable due to a hardware or software issue.

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

How to Password Protect ESET NOD32 Version 5

Description: ESET NOD32 has multiple options that can only be changed with administrative privileges. This guide will walk you through setting up a password within ESET NOD32.

1. Open the ESET software by clicking Start » All Programs » ESET Folder » ESET NOD32 Antivirus folder » ESET NOD32 Antivirus
   
   


2. Press the F5 key to open the Advanced options window.
3. Select Access Setup under User Interface on the left.
   
   


4. Check the box that says "Password Protection settings" and click the Set Password button.
   
   


5. Enter the new password and confirm the new password, then click OK.
   
   


6. Confirm the settings are now password protected.
   
   


7. Click OK and exit the ESET window.

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

How to Enable Document Protection in ESET NOD32 for Version 5

Description: ESET NOD32 contains the feature to protect document files such as personal files, email files, and archives. This guide will walk you through how to enable document protection in ESET NOD32.

1. Open the ESET software by clicking Start » All Programs » ESET Folder » ESET NOD32 Antivirus folder » ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
   
   


2. Press the F5 key to open the Advanced options window.
   
   


3. Click + for Antivirus and antispyware, click on Document protection.
   
   


4. Click on the check box for "Integrate into system and Enable document protection."
5. Click OK and close the ESET window.

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

Creating a Strong Password

This document provides some simple guidelines for creating a user account or network access password which combines a higher level of security with a better chance of remembering it.

Why Do I Need a Password?
A personal computer system is very fast, but also very literal. It has no real means (in the human sense of the word) of distinguishing good data from bad or authorized commands from unauthorized. It simply does what it is told, for good or for ill.

With this fact in mind, it is not surprising that there are malicious entities (this writer hesitates to apply the word 'people') who are all too eager to force other peoples' computers to do things their owners would not wish them to do.

The Hack Attack!
Some computer users set up accounts with no password at all, or use a very simple password (a proper name, a simple number sequence or a string of repeated letters. Or, worse still, use their very user account name as their password! One technique used by malicious entities against such users is the dictionary hack. A computer is set up to transmit codes over a network, running through a list of words, names and number sequences.

If a match can be found with some other computer's user name and password, the "entity's" computer may then be able to transmit commands to the "victim's" computer, just as if it were a local user with a keyboard and mouse.

Piece of String vs. Combination Lock
Security experts typically recommend that computer user accounts should each be associated with a distinctive, strong password. The typical rules for defining a strong password are as follows:

• 8 to 16 characters in length


• Not a proper name or a "dictionary word"


• A mixture of uppercase letter, lowercase letters and digits.


• Optionally, includes "special characters (understroke, dollar sign, brackets etc.)

While it is true that a password such as "qqKJ_932vHc" meets the definition of a strong password, most computer users would probably have a rough time remembering it, until they had entered it many times from a "cue card". However, there is a technique which has been tested with a wide variety of Customers in a Micro Center Technical Support office, which may offer you a way to generate a strong, memorable password.

1. Begin with a word of your choosing. Example – sailboat


2. Separate the syllables. sail boat


3. Misspell the word in a phonetic way – for example, use a "q" instead of a "k", or a "y" instead of an "i". sael bowt


4. Place one or more numerals between, and / or on either side of the modified syllables. sael2bowt5


5. Substitute or insert at least one uppercase letter, somewhere other than the first character. sael2bowT5

You now have generated a strong password ("sael2bowT5") and a starting word ("sailboat") to use as a password hint. The password hint is designed to appear in a user account login window, to jog the user's memory and point the user toward the actual password.

Finally, if your operating system includes this feature, create a password reset file and write it to an optical disk, flash-drive or a memory module. This file will help you reset your own user password, should it be forgotten, mislaid or compromised.

How to Disable Windows Firewall in Windows XP

Windows Firewall can sometimes prevent files from being downloaded or interfere with a third-party firewall. This guide will walk-through how to disable Windows Firewall in Windows XP.

1. Click the Start button in the lower left-hand corner of the screen and select Control Panel on the right half of the menu.
   
   
   
2. The Control Panel should open in Category view. If the Control Panel does not open in Category view, click the Switch to Category View button.
   
   
   
3. Click the Security Center category.
   
   
   
4. Select the Windows Firewall icon below the Manage security settings for: heading.
   
   
   
5. Switch the firewall to Off and click OK on the Windows Firewall window.
   
   
   
6. The Windows Firewall is now off. Close the Security Center and Control Panel windows.

What is NAS or Network Attached Storage?

Network Attached Storage/Server or as known as NAS is simply a storage device connected through a local network connection. For example, if a home office has several PCs connected to the same LAN, you can perform regular backups of each system to the same storage location. For both security and a disaster plan, it is critical that you have current copies of your operating system and personal files made on a weekly or at least a monthly basis. NAS is a great solution, because it offers larger storage capacity plus can be access from any PC within the local area network.

There are several options for network attached storage offered by Buffalo Technology, Seagate and Western Digital. Each NAS comes in a various size capacities ranging from 1Terabyte to 8Terabyte which provides 1000 – 8000 Gigabytes of storage capacity. In addition, each server has built-in file encryption and auto-backup features. These servers are also multi-compatible with most operating systems including Windows, Mac and Linux, and can connect up to 10 computers at once.

Here are some NAS product examples:

Seagate Black Armor
http://bit.ly/IyiSK

Buffalo LinkStation
http://bit.ly/OH7WO

Western Digital My Book
http://bit.ly/flMfP5












Shop NAS on Microcenter.com »
http://bit.ly/ffLh3X


Reference:
Seagate. Network Storage Troubleshooter.
http://bit.ly/dItoYc

Seagate Black Armor
http://bit.ly/IyiSK

Buffalo LinkStation
http://bit.ly/OH7WO

How to Setup a Home Network

A network can give you the ability to share files between computers, share hardware like printers, share a single Internet connection, or get your game console online without having to swap cables.

The most basic home network involves connecting two computers with an Ethernet cable. Using a router provides convenience, expansion, and easy maintenance should your network grow.

This guide will provide the basics to setting up a home network.

Depending on the type of network you are setting up, the connections the computers and devices make could be wired or wireless. Wireless routers are very convenient because you don't have to worry about running wires through walls or around rooms. Wired routers are usually faster and are not subject to interference from cordless phones or other items that create RF interference. No matter what type of router you have selected, it will require power and when it is powered on, various LEDs let you know devices are connected or the device is working.

Setting Up a Router:

1. Find a convenient location to start the process. It doesn't have to be the permanent location. You may need to move it around to accommodate cables or signal strength.

2. Connect the power and follow the instructions on powering the router.

3. Connect the router to your modem. This is usually a network cable that goes from a port labeled WAN, Internet, or Uplink on the router to a port on the modem.

4. Power cycle the modem (turn it off, then turn it on) to make sure the router recognizes the modem.

5. Connect one computer to the router. You only need to connect one at this point so you can configure the router settings.

6. Open Internet Explorer.

7. In the address bar located at the top of the screen, erase whatever address is in the bar and replace it with "192.168.1.1" without the quotes. Most routers use this address or "192.168.0.1". Consult your router documentation to determine the exact address for yours.

8. Using the username and password supplied in your router documentation, log in to the administration tool.

9. Make changes to the default configuration depending on your particular needs.


Here are some basic things to look for:

1. Connection type. Are you using DSL? Most DSL providers use PPPoE. It requires a Username and password supplied by your ISP. If you are on cable broadband there are generally no settings that need to be changed just leave it on Automatic, or DHCP.

2. If this is a wireless router, change the network name from the default setting. If it's a wired router, change the username and password to something unique to you.

3. Take advantage of any other security options the router may offer. Features like WPA or WiFi Protected Access on a wireless router, Port Filtering, and Firewalls, when enabled can help protect against unauthorized access to your router and your network.

Ok, so now the router is set up and you can get one computer on the Internet, what's next?
Well, one of the main advantages to using a router is it allows you to share resources with all the computers on your network. Getting those resources on the network just requires you to connect the devices to the router either by cable on a wired router or through the WiFi technology of a wireless router.

Some of the devices you can connect are:

• Notebook or Netbook computers
• Printers
• Game consoles

Just make sure the devices you want to connect work the same way as your router whether it's wired or not and consult the manufacturer's information for details specific to that device.

Virus ALERT: Palladium Pro and System Tool

The "Palladium Pro" and "System Tool" are the latest versions of more fake anti-virus programs similar to  "Security Tool". Both programs pretend to operate as a virus scan, but in effect, install a computer virus which takes over your system’s processes.

Palladium Pro Program

The Palladium Pro virus works by launching a bogus Microsoft Security Essentials alerts and stating that the system requires a virus scan. Once the virus scan is initiated, Palladium Pro installs the malware onto your system. To remove the Palladium virus, you will need to terminate the application’s process and install Malwarebytes to remove the program.

To Remove Palladium Pro:

1. Start the Windows Task Manager by clicking Ctrl, Alt, Delete together.
   
   
   
   
   
2. Click on the Processes tab.
3. Locate the Palladium program named “palladium.exe”.
4. Select the palladium.exe process and click End Process. This will suspend the Palladium Pro software.
5. In the Windows Task Manager, go to File » New Task.
6. Type in “explorer.exe” in the Open field, then click OK. This will open your Windows desktop.
7. Download a copy of Malwarebytes software here » http://www.malwarebytes.org
   
   
   
   
   
   
8. Follow the instructions to run a system scan and file removal.

System Tools Program

The System Tools program is associated with the same family of fake anti-virus programs as Security Tool. This software floods the system with false virus alerts and instructs the user to run the virus scan.

To Remove System Tools:

1. Start the Windows Task Manager by clicking Ctrl, Alt, Delete together.
2. Click on the Processes tab.
3. Locate the program file. It is usually represented by a set of random characters followed by the ".exe" extension.
4. Download a copy of Malwarebytes software here »http://www.malwarebytes.org
   If your computer prevents you from downloading the file, you can download Malwarebytes from another system and copy the file to your infected system to install. Or, you will need to update the Internet Options in Internet Explorer by modifying the default LAN settings to NOT use a proxy server for your LAN settings.
5. Follow the instructions given by Malwarebytes to run a system scan and file removal.

IMPORTANT: Never install any program or run a virus scan without verifying the source. If you suspect that your system is infected, use industry-approved programs such as ESET, McAfee, Symantec or Webroot. If you need further assistance, contact Micro Center Tech Support at www.mctsol.com.


Reference:
Bleepingcomputer.com. Palladium Pro Removal
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/remove-palladium-pro

Bleepingcomputer.com. System Tool Removal
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/remove-system-tool

Microsoft Support Forum. Palladium Removal.
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en/msescan/thread/6e837554-4374-4709-8e51-e878ac8817e1

Microsoft Support. Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/890830

How to Run the ESET Online Anti-Virus Scanner

If a working Anti Virus program is not available on a computer, the ESET Online Scanner can be used to detect and remove virus infections. To use the ESET Online Scanner, take the following steps:

1. Go to the page: http://www.eset.com/online-scanner.
2. Click on the ESET Online Scanner button.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Check the box by "Yes, I accept the Terms of Use" and Click the Start Button.
4. Allow the program to run if prompted by Windows User Account Control.
5. The default setting is to remove found threats. The following Advanced settings are available:
   
   
   • Select the type of applications scanned
   • Select the target drive(s) to be scanned
   • Use Customer Proxy Settings
   • Show a list of other installed Anti Virus software installed on system
   
   
   
   
   
6. Once the desired settings have been made, Click on the Start Button.
7. During the scan, threats that are found will be displayed.
   
   
   
   
   
8. Once the scan is complete, there is the option to "Uninstall application on close" by placing a check in the box. This will require the files to be downloaded again the next time ESET Online Scanner is run.
9. Click Finish.

Reference:
ESET. Online Anti-Virus Scan.
http://www.eset.com/online-scanner

UPDATE: ESET Renewal Setup

This guide will walk through the first step in renewing the ESET NOD32 or ESET Smart Security program. First determining whether you have ESET NOD32 or ESET Smart Security, and then proceeding to purchase the renewal.

Determine the ESET Program Version:

1. Close all open windows and programs on your computer. Be sure to save any work in open documents or files.
2. Click on the Start button in the bottom left corner of your screen.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Open All Programs, located just above the start button.
4. Select the ESET folder and open up the ESET Antivirus program. Write down whether it says ‘ESET NOD32’ or ‘ESET Smart Security’, you will need this later.
   
   
   

Locate ESET Username or Serial Number:
Note that only one of the two is necessary. If you already have your “EAV” username or your ESET Serial Number, proceed to Step 3.

1. The ESET Serial Number located inside the ESET CD case, opposite the CD. If this information is not available, proceed to the next sub-step to find the username.
2. On the new ESET window, click Protection Status in the top left. A message will display detailing the expiration date and the ESET Username. Write down the case-sensitive ESET Username and include the dash when writing; this will be used later on.
   
   
   
   
   
3. The ESET Username begins with “EAV-“, followed by eight numbers.
4. If the “Your license will run out shortly” message does not appear and the Protection Status is green and on Maximum Protection, you do not need to renew your ESET program yet. The program will notify you when you are within 10 to 14 days of renewal.
5. Click on the link that says Click Here to Open the Purchase Page.

Choose Renewal Option:

1. On the new web page that appears, enter the ESET username in to the ‘Username’ field and click Submit.
   
   
   
   
2. If the username is not available, enter the Serial number. Do not enter both the username and the serial number.
   
   
   
   
   Note that the username and serial number in these examples are fictitious and will not work for renewal.
3. The next page contains renewal options for ESET NOD32 and ESET Smart Security, separated by program. Whether it is ESET NOD32 or ESET Smart Security depends on what you wrote down earlier.
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Choose the license based on how many computers (listed as “Users”) the program will be used on and how many years the renewal will be good for. Example: If you want a one year license for three computers, get a 3 User, 1 Year item.
5. Once you pick the package, click Add to Cart for that item.

Buy Your Renewal:

1. On the Shopping Cart screen, click on Checkout on the right side.
2. Enter the information as with any online purchase.
3. Note that while it appears an item will be physically shipped, the digital download only copy of the ESET software does not ship a physical item.
4. Click the Accept button to finalize the order.

Once you’re finished here and you see the “Order Confirmation” page, keep that window open and go to the next part of the tutorial – ESET Renewal, Step 2.