I had a reader write in to ask: "Is it safe for me to remove shared files?" This post covers this for my reader, and anyone else who may be wondering the same thing. 
When you remove programs from your computer, using the Add/Remove Programs system, should you answer "Yes" or "No" to the question, "Do you want to remove a shared file?"
Shared files have the file extension ".DLL" on them. That means they're a Dynamic Linked Library file. All this means is, the file in question can be used by different programs. A word processor (like MS Word) and another program may share a DLL file. So removing that file COULD cause another program to malfunction.
You may have seen a message stating that a certain file cannot be found. That file is needed in order to open the program you're trying to use. Why is it missing? Could be that you removed it when you uninstalled another program and said YES to the question "Do you want to remove the shared file."
The bottom line: If you aren't familiar with a filename, and you're asked if you want to delete it, don't. Just answer "NO" to the question. It won't do any harm if it's not actually needed. But watch out if it *is* needed – and you've removed it!
Add/Remove Programs System?
Click on Start
Control Panel
Add/Remove Programs
Select the program you want to uninstall
Select Change/Remove
DLL files are tiny files, but it's like a having a tiny fuse blowing in your car. When that tiny bit of power blows, all that sophisticated technology grinds to a halt.
Sometimes a .dll file disappears or is damaged, or is removed accidentally. And suddenly you find that one of your programs no longer works. The answer?
Download another one from the Internet and install it.
Sounds easy enough, right?
Just go to Google and type in dll in the search box. You'll see a ton of links to sites that let you download the .dll file you're missing from their .dll library. If you don't find the file you're looking for at one site, just go to another one until you do.
Some sites may try to charge you, but don't pay for a .dll file… because there are other sites that will offer you the same file for free.
Be sure to write down the number of the .dll file you need, then type it into the search box of the download site. Also look for a site that gives you instructions on how to install it. Print out those instructions and follow them to a t… and everything should return to normal for you when you open that program that is missing a .dll file.
Until next time…
Don't forget to Follow me on Twitter.
Ed
By now, hopefully EVERYONE has heard of "Conficker". If not.. you have very little time to make sure you don't become "The Fool" this April 1st.
Computers infected with the infamous Conficker worm will start scanning the Internet for instructions this April Fools' Day, and the results might not leave you feeling like it was a funny joke.
CBS's "60 Minutes" ran a piece on Conficker last night, and my phone has been ringing off the hook today from clients concerned about whether they should be concerned.
To that question I would answer, "Relax, but be vigilant."
If you have a legitimate copy of Windows, and you have installed the patch Microsoft released back in October 2008, you "should be" fine. Just to make sure, double check that you've got the patch installed on your machine. (MS08-067)
The update in question was probably installed in late October or November of last year; look for Security Update for Microsoft Windows (KB958644). If this patch isn't installed, browse to Microsoft's Download Center to retrieve and install it.
If your PC is blocked from visiting this site, use a noninfected PC to download the patch to a removable medium and install the update on the wormed PC from that device.
Next, run Microsoft's Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT). The latest version of this Microsoft tool identifies and removes all of the Conficker variants I've heard about. The easiest way to get MSRT is through Windows Update, but if you can't get through to that service on the infected PC, borrow a computer and download the tool from Microsoft's site.
Another sure tipoff that your computer may already be infected is if you have trouble connecting to your Anti-Virus update site. One of the things Conflicker (and it's variants) was programmed to do was to block you from accessing updates to your Anti-Virus program site.
If your PC is already infected and you can't access your AV Update site, a technical trick might enable you to visit a site that Conficker is blocking. Instead of entering the site's domain name in your browser's address bar, enter the site's dotted-decimal IP address instead, which Conficker doesn't seem to interfere with.
One way to learn the IP address of a Web site: using an uninfected PC, open a Firefox window and install the Show IP browser extension. With this extension enabled, the IP address of whatever site you're visiting shows up in the browser's status bar.
Of course, if you navigate to a site using its IP address and then click a link, the site will probably use a spelled-out domain name in the link. Conficker would block the resulting page, which you'd have to replace manually with its dotted-decimal equivalent. A pain in the butt for sure, but a lot less painful than the alternatives if you are already infected.
Third-party applications, especially media players, are more likely to suffer from security holes than Windows itself is. The security firm Secunia.com offers a free scan, informing you when your PC is running an insecure version of an application that has a security patch available.
the Secunia Software Inspector offers three options: (a) a free online scan; (b) a free download for individual users; and (c) a LAN utility for IT adminstrators. (I use the free online scan).
I run Secunia Inspector every time they send me an email that something needs to be checked. They have an email sign up box after you do a scan the first time that will notify you automatically when updates need to be checked. I highly recommend everyone using this site.
http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/
It's best to strengthen your defenses before April 1st rather than waiting to see what bad things might happen.
Good luck on Wednesday!
Until Next Time…
Ed
I knew it would only be a matter of time before someone tried this.
Don't fall for sites that promote "Premium Twitter Accounts" !!
Here is one… http://www.bbspot.com/News/2009/03/twitter-unveils-premium-accounts.html
This was a pure hoax… and if you see anyone trying to charge for Twitter… consider it a hoax (for now).
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/03/19/twitterville-falls-for-premium-accounts-hoax/
That's it for now. Until next time…
Ed
On Monday March 16, a discussion group I'm a participant in on LinkedIn, started a discussion on "Reasons why twitter might be right for your business" and after receiving over 120 comments back, the group organizer distilled the strongest themes into 20 simple points on how companies are gaining an advantage by using twitter. It's true some companies are still getting familiar with this new tool and see it as a time consuming and useless, and there can be an overload of non-valuable information, but over 80% of comments received indicated the pro's far outweighing the con's.
Although twitter is strong in news and social interaction, it is playing a fundamental role in giving a number of companies a competitive edge during challenging economic times by:
- creating access to new customers
- receiving customer and public feedback that leads to more successful sales
- opening networking opportunities with contacts companies wouldn't have had access to.
20 of LinkedIn's Strongest Group Discussion Themes from over 120 Comments
Following are the strongest themes many companies said they're enjoying as they've learned how to grasp the culture, grow their followers, and when needed apply external technology tools that simplifies the vast amounts of information.
Here's how companies have benefited from twitter:
1. Build relationships with people they would have not met before
2. Exposure to lots of new business thoughts, technical ideas and leadership styles
3. Finding new clients by commenting back on others’ tweets
4. Access to thinkers and doer’s one wouldn’t normally interact with
5. Can follow businesses you want the latest updates from with less effort
6. Clients have asked for accounts to be opened so they can get regular updates
7. Can assist Google rankings, sometimes it gets first page results
8. Can assist in getting real questions answered real time during the day
9. Been a great way to gain interactive access with new clients by following their tweets
10. Received access to publicity: radio, TV, press, speaking engagements
11. Allows leaders to connect to followers on a personal level
12. Without being pushy, it can generate buzz/talk about your company
13. Great for bringing traffic to your site if you offer truly valuable information and links
14. Provides a premier marketing tool when used correctly
15. Can be a great resource for getting push information versus searching the web
16. Can act as a news wire for journalist who are looking for story content
17. Can save time by getting the latest news without having to go search for it
18. Enables expansion of your database by removing budget or geography barriers
19. It can increase your market reach if you actively promote your presence on twitter
20. A great way to showcase your expertise and differentiate from competition.
Until Next Time…
Ed
Feel free to comment below if you have any thoughts you would like to share with other readers on this blog.
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