Microsoft launch Fix-It Center to solve computer faults

Anyone with a Microsoft computer will know the huge frustration felt when faced with an error message or a frozen screen.

But those days could soon be over after the software giant released new 'Fix It' software, which is designed to be your own personal computer technician.

Microsoft said the new software is designed to fix early glitches before they develop into faults that crash your computer

A beta or test version of the software promises 'tools that help solve the issues you have now and prevent new ones.'

Once uploaded, the free program should automatically scan your computer and diagnose and common faults. It will then ask if you want it to be repaired.

It has fixes for around 300 of the most commonly encountered problems that stop Windows from working properly. The vast database of faults was created by automatic reports sent back by Windows computers that experienced crashes, bugs and so on.

It is primarily intended for Windows XP and Vista users.

The Fix It software works to resolve 300 common Microsoft computer problems

If the 'Fix It' program cannot solve the problem it provides detailed information that can be sent to Microsoft's support staff about what has gone wrong.

The free software can be downloaded from Microsoft fix-it center support pages. - www.dailymail.co.uk

Awesome Anti-Theft Inventions

10 Ways to Spot an E-Mail Scam

The increasing flood of e-mail hitting your inbox can lower the guard of even the most cautious person. In the rush to keep up with important notes, it's easier than ever to fall prey to the scam artists and identity thieves who lurk online.

E-mail scams and phishing attempts evolve constantly, hoping to take advantage of the latest trends and current events. Although the e-mails change, the people behind them inadvertently send up the same warning signs again and again. We dug through mountains of spam to find the most prevailing trends. We've collected some actual scam e-mails and highlighted the warning signs to help you spot a hustle the next time one lands in your inbox.

1. Requests for personal information

No legitimate organization will ask for your social security, bank account or PIN number via e-mail – and none will include a link, sending you to a form to enter it. No matter how authentic these emails may look, ignore 'em.

2. Watch for typos or spelling mistakes

Scam artists are street smart, but many flunked basic grammar (or barely speak English). Look for mistakes like inappropriate hyphens or confusing "your" and "you're." If the note has multiple typos or grammatical errors, odds are it's not legitimate.

3. Clickable Web links in e-mails

Don't trust links to Web sites in e-mails. What might look like a legitimate address is often linked to a third-party site that looks official, but is actually run by thieves and scammers. These are the fast track to identity and financial theft.

4. 'Market research' or surveys that ask you for personal information.

Disguising scam e-mails as marketing is a classic ploy. You'll be asked to fill out a survey or enter a contest – requiring you to give personal information or "log on" to your account. Once you've done so, the scammers can use it themselves.

5. Stock tips from random people or companies

Got a "hot stock tip" via e-mail? It's probably a "pump and dump" scheme. The sender already owns shares – and when you and others act on the "tip," the stock price soars and he sells fast – leaving you with virtually worthless shares.

6. Attachments in e-mails from anyone you don't know
It should be common sense, but just in case, we'll remind you again: Don't open an attachment from someone you don't know – even if it appears to be your bank or credit card company. It's almost always a virus or spyware meant to steal your personal information.

7. Wordless e-mails
Some legitimate looking "e-mails" are actually just images. The danger with these is that clicking anywhere in the body takes you to a suspect Web site – where you may be fooled into entering personal information, or the scammer may slip spyware onto your machine.

8. Outdated information

Some scammers like to pose as technical- or customer support from a company you associate with – but fail to keep up with current events. For example, in the example above, the senders forgot that Earthlink bought Mindspring in 2000.

9. Red-flag phrases
If you see the phrases "verify your account," "you have won the lottery" or "if you don't respond within XX hours, your account will be closed," it's a scam – every time. Hit the delete button and don't look back.

10. Generic greetings

While you can't trust every e-mail that knows your name, you can definitely ignore the ones that start "Dear member" or "Hello friend." If your bank or credit card company is writing you, it knows who you are. So do your friends.
- www.switched.com

Audi vs BMW billboards

click image for Hi Res

Nice and great billboards. The last Audi add should read : "Check this mate"

Utilities To Recover Lost Passwords.

Here are a few utilities which will help you recover your lost or forgotten passwords :

Messenger Password Retriever is a password recovery tool that reveals the passwords of the following instant messenger applications

Mail PassView will help you Recover POP3/IMAP/SMTP email passwords.

IE Password Viewer is a small utility that reveals the passwords stored by Internet Explorer browser. It supports the new version of Internet Explorer 7.0 & the Beta version of Internet Explorer 8.0 too.

Dial Up Password will Recover VPN/RAS/Dialup passwords

Asterisk Logger will Recover passwords stored behind asterisk * characters.

PasswordFox will Reveal the usernames & passwords stored in Firefox.

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