Category Archives: IT

ProTip: Remove malware with ComboFix

Malware, Security, Software, , , ,
ComboFix Icon
ComboFix Icon

ComboFix is a pretty nifty bit of of software provided by the guys over at BleepingComputer (we love the name!).

Described by them as ‘a program that scans your computer for known malware, and when found, attempts to clean these infections automatically. In addition to being able to remove a large amount of the most common and current malware‘.

Note: this is more an informative post than to guide the average user. It makes non-reversible changes to the computer by removing data from the foll0wing locations automatically:

  • Windows Recycle Bin
  • Temporary Internet Files
  • Temp Folder

Anyone in the IT field may like to take a look at the software and include it in their ‘toolkit’.

If you have any queries let me know.

Apple Software – Tiny Grab

IT, Software, , , , , , , ,
Tiny Grab
Tiny Grab

We landed upon this recently whilst looking for a piece of software that would conveniently allow us to take a screenshot and upload it online and enable us to share that link with others – instantly.

Enter Tiny Grab, developed by Company52, which allows you to do all the above seamlessly and effortlessly. What’s even better is the fact it doesn’t cost a penny which is something we really appreciate.

Some of the features include the following:

  • Automatic Image Uploading
  • Quick Image Sharing
  • Custom Server Uploading

Tiny Grab can be downloaded for Mac from http://tinygrab.com/download.php and for iPhone from the App Store

Software4Students – Microsoft and Adobe software discounts

Software, , , , ,

Software4Students

It has come to my attention that many people are not aware of this company or what they have to offer.

Essentially Software4Students are Microsoft Partners and for that reason are able to offer vastly discounted legitimate software to students and family.

Nothing more to it really – check it out. It’s 100% genuine and what you get is real. Customer support is there too!

There is one drawback as follows:

Each student is only entitled to purchase ONE software license of each product.

Let me know if you have any queries!

What you get when you buy a cheap Netbook

Netbook, Uncategorized, , ,

'Minibook' Netbook

Some of you may have seen these units kicking around on Amazon, so in true Frantik fashion, I thought I’d get one to test it.

Okay, so we bought the unit for around £55 delivered. On first impressions I didn’t hold my hopes up too high. Chinese looking box, manual and packaging. Most probably was just a cheap knock-off.

The unit has 3 USB 2.0 ports, an RJ45 network point 10/100, SD Card slot (extra storage), headphone socket and microphone socket. The unit has no built in webcam, but then what would you expect for the price?

As stated in the instructions the device I had takes a max 32GB memory card for extra storage.

The OS the device came with was Android 2.0. In my opinion completely useless on a netbook. I soon came to the conclusion that the whole thing was pointless with this version of Android running on it and have decided to try and get the thing running a distribution of Linux so will report back if I have succeeded with this.

Battery life is cited to be around 4hrs.

The Box

Some other specs:

  • CPU: WM8650 800Mhz
  • Display: 6.98″ TFT  800*480
  • Flash: 4GB
  • Input: 9V 1.5a adaptor

To conclude, stay clear from this if you want a device that is useable.

The demise of the beloved MSN Messenger

Instant Messanging, IT, , , ,

MSN Logo

MSN will, I am sure, bring back many memories for you. It has been the standard for instant messaging for over a decade, but then along came Skype… (see what I did there?).

Skype has become increasingly popular over the last few years and has indeed attracted many users of MSN, rebranded to Windows Live Messenger by Microsoft to try and freshen the image, and since Microsoft bought Skype has made WLM less and less attractive.

Skype had great apps for all Operating Systems and mobile devices, New Skype Logowhilst WLM did not. And, I guess, it would seem daft for M$ to fund development of two apps that did the same thing. We all know, that Skype did much better over WLM, so it was a done deal.

As of 2013 MSN, aka WLM, will be finished. The end of a legacy.

Luckily for you – Microsoft and the Skype team have helped along the way and new versions of the Skype software (download here) have a MSN/WLM account migration wizard integrated. The new Skype software requires that you log in with a Microsoft Online Services account and I believe if yours isn’t already, will be converted to such a thing.

RIP MSN Messenger.

More can be read here: http://blogs.skype.com/en/2012/11/skypewlm.html