pctoolbox.co.uk

People will have noticed that we haven’t posted on PcToolbox for over a year and that’s because we are posting on Brandstar now.  We will keep PCT open for a while as there is a useful history but there won’t be any new posts here, everything will be on Brandstar.  Thanks!

We recently downloaded the Beta Version of the New Internet Explorer 9 (IE9). Whilst it’s not the final version for release it gives us all a good idea of what to expect from the final release of the software. Here’s a our views on the program and a little bit about what’s new!

First Impressions (click image to enlarge)

Much more aesthetically pleasing than previous versions of the program. Rather than looking its usual dated and cluttered self, IE9 has taken a huge leap into the 21st century having previously drastically needing an injection of botox and a tummy tuck. This has lead to a cool, calm, simplistic finish which appears to be much more user friendly. The overall speed of the web browser also seems considerably improved.

Want to read the rest of this post? Head over to Brandstar.co.uk

Anti-Virus Software for 2 Years on 3 Computers only £44.99!

Save your money in this credit crunching time by purchasing your AVG Antivirus and Security software from Brandstar!

With Brandstar’s offers you can save up to £38.99 on AVG Anti-Virus Software!!

Want to find out more? Click on the image below!

Product	RRP	Brandstar Price	Saving
AVG Internet Security 2 Year 3 User	£83.98	£44.99	£38.99!!

Want AVG Internet Security for 2 years for 10 computers instead? RRP is £225.99! Why not purchase 4 copies of the ‘AVG Internet Security 2 Year 3 User’ package at £179.96 saving you £46.03 and leaving you with 2 copies of AVG Internet Security left over should you need them for other machines!

Want to find out more? Click on the product image!

Over the next few weeks we are going to run a series of comparisons between different Anti-Virus Software.  In these comparison post’s we’re going to show you the main features that the two products provide and then tell you which we think is better through our rating system. Our ratings are worked out by the amount of ticks the product has.  Further points are awarded for faster download, simpler/better installation and cheaper price.  This time it is Norton’s 360 v3.0 vs AVG’s Award Winning Internet Security v8.5.

Feature
Download Time	Average	Fast
Installation	Quick but slightly tedious (you have to register for a second time.)  Doesn’t help you set up the general running of the software.	Takes an average length of time.  Quite extensive and helps you set up the basic features of the software.
Antivirus Technology
Identity Protection (Including Phishing Protection, Checks Links, Keeps you details safe whilst shopping online, etc)
Antispyware
Backup Software
Automated Virus Updater
Protects against Viruses, Bots, Spyware, Rootkits, Worms, Trojan Horses, etc.
Online Storage Available?
Helps Secure and Monitor Networks
Download and Instant Messenger Screening
Firewall Protection
RRP	1 Year: £59.99 2 Years: £109.99	1 Year: £39.14 2 Years: £58.71
Available to Download from Brandstar?
Overall Rating	9 out of 14	12 out of 14

So to conclude, from our investigations and playing around with the two software’s, we can announce that we think AVG Internet Security is the better software of the two. It may not have any backup software within the package but it works out cheaper to get AVG and then buy yourself a decent back up tool and external hard drive.

Next time we’ll be comparing AVG Internet Security with McAfee Total Protection.

Last month’s Poll was ‘Do you own a Laptop or a Desktop?’  Results show that a majority of our voters, 44%, own both a Laptop and a Desktop, compared to 36% who own a single Desktop and 19% who own a Laptop.  Both Laptop’s and Desktop’s have their good sides and bad sides.  To find out more read our post on Brandstar titled ‘Laptop vs Desktop‘.

Don’t forget to vote on this month’s poll, ‘Do you have a Webcam?’!!

Here is a table comparing the latest AVG packages.  They are currently available from Brandstar with a 15% Discount!

Free Anti-Virus software doesn’t protect you, your files or your identity while:

• Shopping online
• Banking online
• Chatting to friends
• Downloading music, files and films

Feature	AVG Free	AVG Anti-Virus Pro 8.5	AVG Internet Security 8.5
RRP – 1 year	Free*	£29.35	£39.14
Brandstar Price		£25.52	£34.03
RRP – 2 year	Free*	£39.14	£57.81
BrandstarPrice		£34.03	£50.27
Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware protects against viruses, spyware, adware and identity-theft
Safe Search scans search results to ensure that pages are safe
Prevents Identity Theft helps prevent identity theft
Anti-Rootkit protection against hidden threats on your computer which can deliver malicious content onto your machine
Safe Downloads scans your downloads for any dangerous content
Safe Instant Messaging protection for your ICQ and MSN communication
Safe Surf real-time protection from poisoned web pages
Free Support free 24/7 Support from AVG
Anti-Spam catches e-mail threats including phishing, fraud and spam
Firewall stops hackers and viruses spread over the internet
System Tools assists the admin when finding problems
Download	Free	30 day trial	30 day trial
Buy at Brandstar		Buy at Brandstar	Buy at Brandstar

In the past we have written about recognising spoof emails trying to acquire some form of personal information on you, whether it be from a hoax bank email or website, the problem is becoming much more common and serious.  In September 2008 there were over 8,621 Phishing Sites/Emails found and verified.  Our previous posts on this topic are:

Phishing – general advice to help you stay safe online

Advice on Hoax Virus Warning Emails

Quick Tip: Stopping Spam

Today we came across PayPals 3 Part Phishing Guide.  We think that articles are well worth a look.  They are primarily based on helping identify PayPal spoof emails, however much of the information applies to general spoof emails.  The links below link to each Part of the Guide:

Part 1- Understanding Phishing

Part 2 – Recognizing Phishing

Part 3 – Fighting Phishing

With more and more phishing sites/emails being found each month we all need to be on our toes with what’s going on!

Safe Surfing!

Brandstar have recently released a brand new Software page!  The software page attempts to tackle the problem of not knowing which software is worth buying and downloading.  After all, there are so many options to choose from!  It covers a variety of both free and commercial products in the genres of Computer Security, Media, Office Applications and System Tools.

It’s worth checking out!

A couple of months back Brandstar designed and published a free Address Book tool. The Address Book is ran on Microsoft Access, however don’t stop reading now if you’re thinking ‘I don’t have Access’, you can download for free Access 2007:Access Runtime. The download allows those who don’t have Access to run Access files. It’s great!

The tool came about when Graham, from the Brandstar and pctoolbox team, noticed that many people want a simple tool that can be used for storing information such as; people’s contact details so they can print off labels at Christmas or email address’s for email newsletters.

The database has many features:

• Easily store Friends, Family, Customers, Subscribers or Supporters Contact Details: Name, Address, Phone, Email, Website etc.
• Sort users by first/last name
• Easily add/edit/delete records from a simple user friendly interface
• Print individual records
• Print labels of those registered to receive a newsletter
• Email direct from the system those who you have registered to receive an email newsletter
  • These emails are sent BBC (Blind Carbon Copy) so that you are not spreading everyone’s email address
• Search Contacts
• The latest version (1.2 standard) comes with a new style user interface, just as easy to use as before, but a bit more … interesting!
• And most importantly….it’s free!!

Now you know what it is, I better tell you how to use it……

Read the rest of this entry »

Hello and Welcome

PcToolbox is a site linked with Brandstar UK and managed by their Technical Director Graham Martin (Me!). The aim of the site is to offer some techie blogs that are hopefully aimed at non-techies. Written for all to understand, highlighting the key information about the subject without going into unnecessary detail but with links where appropriate/available for further reading around the subject.

The plan is to offer a range of blogs and tutorials around a variety of I.T. subjects including Windows, Office, Computer Systems, PHP, New Gadgets, Software Tutorials and anything else we think might be of interest!

Who are Brandstar? Brandstar UK Ltd is a company based in Thakeham (near Storrington) in West Sussex (England). Brandstar offer computer support to local home users and small businesses, maintaining their standalone systems and networks. For more information check out the Brandstar UK Website. With this blog up and running the current Brandstar Blog will be just the news for Brandstar and anything specifically related to Brandstar Clients.

Another member of the Brandstar team “Alex” will be writing various blog’s here based around his area of expertise as well as writing a wide range of tutorials. For some tutorials already written by Alex & Brandstar take a look at the Brandstar Resource Area.

If you have any requests for blogs or tutorials please leave us a comment and we will see what can be done.

Cheers,

graham.