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

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!

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?’!!

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

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!

It’s worth checking out!

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……

How to add a contact:

Adding a contact is extremely simple, firstly open your database. You will then see a similar screen to the one below, (To make the picture larger click on the image)

Then click the ‘Add New Contact’ button.

Then just add the contact details of the new contact. If you wish for the contact to be added to the newsletter and/or email newsletter just tick the box.

It’s so easy it’s scary!

Edit Contact Details:

If you thought adding a contact was easy you’ll be shocked how easy it is to edit a contact. All you do is click on one piece of the contacts information from the list of All Contacts, for example their first name, so that the information appears in the boxes above.

Then just change the information that you wish to change, done, it will automatically save those changes when you move away from the contacts details to do something else, or when you close the program.

Delete Contact Details:

Click on the contact like above so the details are shown in the main form.

Then simply click ‘Delete Contact’.

To confirm you wish to delete the record click yes on the small window that appears.

Print Record:

Click on the contact so that their details appear on the information boxes, e.g. First Name, Last Name, Address 1 etc. Then click ‘Print Record’.

Print Labels:

By clicking ‘Print Labels’ you will be able to print off all the name/addresses of all those that have had the newsletter box ticked. The program is set to use Avery Label layout L7160.

Email Newsletter:

If you click ‘Email Newsletter’ the application will open up a window with the addresses all added and ready to send to. All you’ll need to do is type the newsletter! (Unfortunately this will not work with web based email systems like Gmail, Yahoo or Hotmail)

Sort:

You can sort your contacts by first or last name by clicking on the drop down and selecting.

Close Program:

To close the program safely click ‘Close Program’.

Please let us know what you think of the Address Book and How we can make it even better!

The more observent reader will notice the “search” feature in some of the screenshots, this didn’t quite make it into the 1.2 release but is a sign of more to come

Download the latest Address Book Database v1.2standard here

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.