untangling_the_web

DID: 4046925
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Know What Your Computer is Loading (Check Your Start-Up
Applications>.
It seems that most programs today think they are important enough to start
automatically each time you reboot your computer. That is, the default installation on
most programs tends to add them to your Windows start-up list, so every time you
start your computer, these programs are running whether you want them to or not.
The problem with this is, at the very least, they are an unnecessary drain upon
memory and other system resources and, at worst, some of these unknown
programs may in fact be spyware or even viruses or Trojans that add any number of
different entries to start-up.
Fortunately, most Windows operating systems (95/98/Me/XP) come with a handy
System Configuration Utility called MSCONFIG that lets users identify start-up
applications. The exception is Windows 2000, which does not come with msconfig.
Before using this tool, I recommend you visit these excellent websites devoted to
helping users demystify applications that run at start-up and explain which can be
removed from start-up without danger. The sites also provide an exhaustive list of
programs potentially residing in a computer's start-up list.
Greatis Start Up Application Database
http://www.greatis.com/regrun3appdatabase.htm
Pacman's Start-Up Applications
or
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startupindex.htm
http://www.sysinfo.org/startupinfo.html
Know What Your Computer is Running
What exactly are those invisible programs running in the background on your
computer using up system resources? Can you remove them safely or are they
necessary? Are they spyware or Trojans undermining your privacy and security or
maybe just useless junk clogging up the works? Or are they programs vital to
keeping your operating system operating. It is very hard to tell because the names of
so many of these programs are unrevealing, but there are several websites that help
de-obfuscate these processes, tell you which ones you need, and recommend
removal procedures when appropriate. However, -it is very important to be careful
about removing or disabling programs because many illegitimate programs have
names that are almost-or in some cases are-identical to valid programs precisely
to confuse users.
In order to see the processes running on your computer, the traditional method in
Windows is to use Ctrl+Alt+Del to activate the Task Manager and view the Process
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