ISSUE

A customer had an Acer laptop running Microsoft Windows Vista and when starting Internet Explorer, they would see a ‘System Tools’ application starting to analyse the PC.  This System Tools application looked very professional and appeared to scan the system very quickly so after only 10-15 seconds it showed that there were 30 critical viruses on the laptop.  In order to allow System Tools to remove these threats, the user would need to click on the option to purchase the full version of the System Tools software.

RESOLUTION

There are several malware applications around that load themselves onto computers, then appear to run and find dangerous viruses on the unsuspecting users computer.  In this case and many others, the only invading software on the computer is the malware itself and it’s only purpose is to try and trick the user to pay out for a removal tool that doesn’t do anything.

The first step in removing this malware was to start up the computer without the malware being loaded.  Often once the malware is loaded, it stays hidden so that the process cannot be seen from the Task Manager.  In the case of this System Tools malware code, it does appear in the Task Manager running as a process with an 8 digit name.  For this type of Trojan, the name of the executable file can differ and in this case the process could be seen as 21639728.exe.  Stopping this process prevented the program from causing us problems as we went onto the Internet.

There are a variety of tools that can remove viruses, spyware and malware such as this trojan and we first tried Spyware Doctor.  This program is supplied by PC Tools and can be easily found on the Internet.  The benefits of this tool is that it runs quickly (on this Acer laptop is only took 4 minutes to scan), and it found the malware causing our issue.  The malware was found as Trojan.Agent/Gen-FakeAlert(AV).  The downside is that once it detects the malware you then have to purchase the full program to remove it.  At the time of writing this article, the cost was £29.95 for 1 year and it could be installed onto 3 PC’s.

Note, if you want to use this application to just remove a current threat, go to uninstall the Spyware Doctor program and it will open up an IE window and bring you to a web page offering you a 60-day version for £5.99.

In order to keep costs down for the customer we ran another anti spyware application called Super AntiSpyware to see if it could also find our threat.  The benefits to this  software is that it is free to home users and in our case it found the malware program causing the problem.  It does take longer to scan however, and in this case took over 40 minutes.

It is interesting to note that the free edition of Super AntiSpyware found well over 100 tracking cookies as well as our malware code, compared to Spyware Doctor finding just over 50.

Once the Trojan/Malware application was removed, a quick test after a restart showed that we could now load Internet Explorer without any pop-up windows for System Tools appearing.

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Torian IT Solutions Ltd offer PC repair and virus, malware, spyware and trojan removal services to businesses and home users in West Yorkshire region (Leeds, Wakefield, Kirklees, Bradford, Castleford, Pontefract)

Generally, computers can run well and do everything you need, but after a while they can become sluggish as they have additional programs running.  If you find this to be the case, we can run a health check on your machine to see how well the registry is configured, identify any malicious software and scan for virus files on your disks.

Please call 01924 200325 or 0779 546 0557 for a call out.  We call out to customers in the Leeds area and review your computer repair requirements, then quote for any potential work you may require.

Generally, computers can run well and do everything you need, but after a while they can become sluggish as they have additional programs running.  If you find this to be the case, we can run a health check on your machine to see how well the registry is configured, identify any malicious software and scan for virus files on your disks.

Please call 01924 200325 or 0779 546 0557 for a call out.  We offer a free call out service to customers in the Wakefield area and will review your computer(s) and quote for any potential work you may require.

Being able to manage your time better is key for any busy individual whether they be running their own business, working for a busy employer or just trying to run a household and all the activities the day requires.

None of us can ‘make more time’, we just need to be able to manage the time that we have better.  Read on for a useful tip when you find that you need to achieve more.

Tip 1 – FOCUS

Focus yourself on what really needs to be done.  If you have a number of tasks that need to be completed, then put them on a list where they can be seen.  It can be a scrap of paper with pointers for each task, e.g.

- Discuss project ABC with Larry

- Print out XYZ report and review

- Meet with JohnB / discuss funding

- Respond to email from Sarah

- Review training material

You may have another 15 tasks that are not required yet so don’t worry about them as they will only draw your attention from the important tasks. 

Now add a number next to each showing what needs to be done as a priority.  So in this example, maybe the email response task to Sarah is really urgent as she needs information before a meeting she has scheduled later today.  Do NOT pick the jobs that you would like to do first.  Liking a task that is easy or more enjoyable has no place here!

When each task is numbered (prioritised), jot down an idea of the time you feel you will need to do it.  Normally you would then need to increase it by between 50-100%.  Most people will automatically estimate a time by what they think it will take (ALL GOING WELL).  More often it takes longer due to unforeseen issues.

If the task is something you have done before and relate to then your estimate may well be quite accurate so no need to change those.  Your list will now look something like,

- Respond to email from Sarah (1) 10 mins – 20 mins

- Discuss project ABC with Larry (2) 20 mins – 40 mins

- Meet with JohnB / discuss funding (3) 20 mins – 40 mins

 - Review training material (4) 60 mins

- Print out XYZ report and review (5) 60 mins

Now you know that you require the best part of 4 hours to do this work.  You may now think that you should have this all done by lunchtime then!  But wait, you need to expect interruptions that will draw away your time from the above list. 

You now have your list and you need to STICK TO IT as best you can. 

FOCUS – FOCUS – FOCUS

How do you stay focussed?  The biggest interruptions into our working day are usually from other people looking for something, email, incoming phone calls and new work tasks. 

Interruptions from work colleagues – Try to have a slot in your day that is flexible.  If you can say to someone that you need to have a task completed by 11am but are free just after lunch, then they won’t feel rejected.  If you haven’t set yourself the goal of having the task completed, you may feel that you just cannot say no.

Interruptions from email – Incoming email sounds and pop ups can break concentration.  If your job means that you do not have to have your email open all day long, then close it down and reopen after the task is completed.

Interruptions from incoming calls – If possible, can you redirect your phone to someone else?  Can you have all incoming calls go straight to voice mail?  If so, after each task is completed, check your messages then.  Often the phone cannot be ignored, but to limit the impact against what you need to do, try to keep calls brief and to the point.  If the caller needs your help, then schedule a time slot to handle that as a new task.

Interruptions from a new work request – When a new tasks is passed to you, in needs to be prioritised.  It would be great to be able to add to the bottom of the pile but that isn’t always the case.  If it needs attention then insert into your task list where suitable, then assign a time slot and continue with the task in hand.  Do NOT break off to start it (unless it is urgent), especially if it is a task that you like to do or know how to do well.  People are automatically drawn to the tasks they can do easily so beware and stay FOCUSSED.

 http://www.toriansolutions.com/training/

The process mapping exercise is carried out to walk through the overall process and detail each step and asks the questions, where does the flow of information, documents, manufacturing step etc. go from start to finish.   It also identifies the task required at each step and any decisions that need to be made.

The most common types of process mapping diagrams are Flowcharts and Deployment Charts (also known as Swimlanes).

• Flowchart (or Outline Process Map) is a diagram showing each step in a process from a birds eye view
• Deployment Charts show the overview as with the Flowchart, but also show where and by whom the activity is performed

The best way to approach process mapping is with a view to keeping it as simple as possible, (although this is often easier said than done!).  The end result is a chart that anyone can see and understand what is done, where and by whom.

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Torian IT Solutions Ltd offer Process Mapping services to businesses in the West Yorkshire region (Leeds, Wakefield, Kirklees, Bradford, Castleford, Pontefract)

If companies do not measure a process, how can it improve it?

Staff in organisations can waste a great deal of their time by repeating tasks and operations, wasting time by duplicating their efforts or redoing another staff member’s work.  They may be following poor instructions, doing activities slowly due to uncertainties in the way a job should be carried out and carrying out repetitive tasks that can be automated, delegated or simplified.

Process mapping enables companies to clearly define the current processes in some form of easily read flow chart or instruction list.  Once defined it is easier to identify the non value add activities,  capacity issues etc. and this brings us back to the question ‘Why should a business map its process?’

When the information around the process is reviewed and the waste elements identified, cost improvements can be identified, prioritised, costs calculated and then planned for implementation.

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Torian IT Solutions Ltd offer Process Mapping services to businesses in the West Yorkshire region (Leeds, Wakefield, Kirklees, Bradford, Castleford, Pontefract)

Log into the WordPress administrator panel by going to www.yoursite.com/wp-admin

Go to the Pages option and then create two WordPress Pages.

Title one as “Home” (or whatever name you want to use) – This will be your “static” front page.

Set the template for the “Home” to the default template or any custom template.

Add any content that you would like to have on your “Home” page.

Publish the Page.

Create the second page and name it “Blog”, “Articles” or “News” etc.  This page will be used to show alla place-holder for showing the Posts on your site.

Do not use a custom Page template for this page!

DO NOT add content to the Blog Page. Leave it blank. Any content here will be ignored — only the Title is used.

Publish the Page.

Next, you need to change the initial page to be the Home page.  Go to Settings > Reading.

In the ’Front Page Displays’ section select ’A static page’ and choose the ‘Front Page’ as the first page you have just created.

Select the Blog page as the ‘Posts Page’.

Save changes.

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Torian IT Solutions Ltd offer Webb development services businesses in the West Yorkshire region (Leeds, Wakefield, Kirklees, Bradford, Castleford, Pontefract)

Now that Windows 7 is available and you may like to know about some popular changes to the Microsoft Operating System.  Windows 7 is full of small and subtle improvements so this is just scratching the surface.

1. Search bar

Remember when the Start menu was everything? Sensibly Vista was the first to remove the actual word Start from there, which was always ironic when you clicked it to shut down. Vista also introduced the ability to use it to launch apps, just by typing in the box, but in Windows 7 it’s taken further, which much greater granularity. You can find, programs, documents and even particular control panel settings, enabling it to rival Mac OS X’s Spotlight.

2. Windows Search Federation

Windows 7 uses a new feature called Windows Search Federation, meaning it’s possible to link external websites directly into Windows 7, so you can search them right from the search bar.

3. Windows arrow keys

There is a new way of arranging windows on the desktop. Hitting the Windows arrow keys will snap a Windows to the left or right, or Windows Up or down will Maximise or Restore. You can even use it to move windows across multiple displays if you have them them.

4. Windows key + P

Previously all laptops tended to send the output to the external VGA port differently. Now press the Windows key + P and you can a pop up that lets you send the desktop to projector or extend across multiple displays

5. Burn ISO images

You can now burn ISOs to CD or DVD directly from within Windows and even verify the burn.

6. Screen resolution

Adjust your desktop resolution always used to be a bit of a pain, but now when you right click on the desktop the context menu has an option called ‘Screen resolution’. Windows 7 does a great job at setting things up for you, so you’ll have less need to use it than you might previously.

7. Problem Steps Recorder

This handy feature allows someone to review an issue with your computer. If a support staff member cannot Remote Desktop into your PC, they can ask you to launch the Problems Steps Recorder by typing ‘psr’ in the Start box. Hit record and it captures each step into an .mht file, which can easily be emailed. You can view each step as an image, and there’s text beneath it too for additional information.

8. Jump lists

You might be aware of Jump Lists, but if you’re new to Windows 7, then it will take a while for you to get used to using them. Right click on the new large taskbar icons and a list of useful recent documents or files will appear, depending on the application. If you prefer you can drag up holding the left mouse button instead, which brings up the jump list with a cool animation too.

9. UAC

This feature was in Windows Vista but it has been tweaked for Windows 7. You can do more than just put up with it or turn it off but choose from two intermediate settings that just alert you when other programs make changes and dims the screen, and one that omits the latter. With these present, it’s more likely to be left running and therefore protecting your PC.

Our course can make people aware of the drains on their time and give them the tools to make improvements in their work and home life.  The course can be run in classroom style and we are looking at delivering a webinar version to save travelling time!  (See, already making your time more efficient)

For more information on our training services, go to http://www.toriansolutions.com/training

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Torian IT Solutions Ltd offer Time Management training to businesses in the West Yorkshire region (Leeds, Wakefield, Kirklees, Bradford, Castleford, Pontefract)