Resources

MSN Messenger

This is a pretty common problem with MSN Messenger users. Besides being annoying if it is unwanted, it can be dangerous if you access your MSN account from a public computer-that computer will also remember your login information. Because of this, it is important that your account not log you in automatically. It is easy to do, but you need to check a few things first.

I see that you’ve already checked that the “Allow Automatic sign in when connected to the Internet” option is disabled. You also need to go to Tools, then Options and then General tab when in MSN and make sure that the “Automatically run when I log into Windows” option is disabled.

Sign Out

If both of these are disabled, then the best way to get the computer to forget who you are is to simply sign out. Many MSN users just close the program without signing out, leaving all of their information live on the computer. When you are done using MSN, go to File and then Sign Out. This should erase the information and you should have to enter your password the next time you want to access Messenger.

Remove Passport.Net

Another way to disable an automatic login is to follow these steps:

1. Go to Start and then Control Panel.
2. Click on User Accounts.
3. In the Advanced tab, click on Manage Passwords.
4. Find “Store User Names and Passwords”.
5. Choose Passport.Net/*. Click Remove.
6. Click Close and then click Ok.

Following these directions should ensure that MSN will stop logging you in automatically. If you have used MSN Messenger on a public or a friend’s computer, log onto MSN and change your password. The other computers will have your old password on file and should no longer be able to access your account.

I’m clicking on a link on a web page and at the bottom left hand side of the screen it says “javascript.” When I click it nothing happens. Is there some software I need to install to enable me to open this link?

What is Javascript?

Javascript is often confused with Java, but is in fact its own thing. It is a programming language used most often on Web sites. It adds effects and interactivity to Web pages. However, in order for the Javascript to work on your computer, you must first enable your Web browser for displaying Javascript.

Enabling Javascript

Enabling Javascript is relatively easy. Simply launch Internet Explorer and then go to the Tools menu. Next, look for Internet Options. Click the Security tab and then on Custom Level. Look for the Scripting section and then find Active Scripting. From there, you can choose either Enable or Prompt.

Javascript Prompts

If you chose the Prompt option, every time you visit a Web site that contains Javascript, you will be prompted with a warning asking you whether or not you want to run scripts on this page. Many users find this both confusing and annoying. Some believe that something is wrong with their PC because of the Javascript message. Others, like me, don’t want another button to click. If you’re annoyed by these prompts, go back into Internet Options >Security> Custom and choose Enable instead of Prompt under Active Scripting.

In addition, many Javascript errors are errors on the programmer’s side, not your computer. You can adjust the “debugging” setting so that your computer does not show Javascript errors by going back into Internet Options and this time choosing Advanced. Scroll to Browsing and place a checkmark next to Disable Script Debugging (Internet Explorer).

The Javascript Link

Not knowing exactly what Javascript link you are clicking, I’m not sure if enabling Javascript is what you need. I am assuming that you are seeing a display in the Status bar area of the Web browser which is telling you that the link is a Javascript link. Hopefully, by enabling Javascript in your browser, the link will work. However, it is possible that the link itself may not be functional in which case you may need to contact the site’s webmaster.

Windows and Web Histories

Windows stores all kinds of information about Web site histories in various areas of your computer. Even if the cache has been cleared, it is still possible to find out various Web activities. However, if a privacy protection tool has been used, this information may be gone for good.

Retrieving Web Site Histories

Let’s say that you visited a Web site a few weeks ago that you’d like to visit again but can’t remember its URL and you had cleaned your Web history folder as part of your regular computer tune-up routine. How might you find it again? Here are a few things you can try. First, check the Internet Explore address bar. Depending on which temporary files were deleted, the address bar may still reveal old sites that you visited. Type in the letter ‘A’ into the bar and see if any URLs show up starting with ‘A’. If so, continue through the alphabet and scanning each URL that appears for the site in question.

The Index.dat File

The index.dat file is a Microsoft file that acts as a database that stores all URLs visited, search engine search terms, and files opened. Even when the temporary files have been deleted and Web history erased, the index.dat file contains this information. You will need an index.dat viewer in order to view the contents. Internet Explorer 7.0 and above is better at removing the contents of this file, so if you’re using IE 7 or above, the index.dat file may not reveal anything of use. AceSoft, the maker of Tracks Eraser Pro, offers a free index.dat viewer on their Web site.

Privacy Tools

Another thing you can try is to download the free Privacy Scanner for ParetoLogic Privacy Controls. This scanner will scan your computer for all privacy issues and is quite revealing. While you may or may not opt to purchase the product, the free scan may be able to reveal the Web site history that you are searching for in its results. It’s definitely worth a try.

In addition, this product is an excellent tool in general for protecting your own identity and activities. Once you see how much your computer is willing to reveal, you may want to protect yourself from prying eyes.  

MyWebSearch wants me to change my default program so they can mail me more crap. When I click on OK to keep it the way it is, there is a little pop-up stop to change the default. I’m getting a search change notification. I don’t want to change and when I try closing them, they keep popping up. I have Windows Vista.

What is MyWebSearch

MyWebSearch is the Internet Explorer part of the FunWeb product utilities. While they are not considered spyware by most programs (although Sypbot Search and Destroy and Ad-Aware will usually define them as spyware), they can slow the computer down and cause pop ups and other issues. It sounds like MyWebSearch is asking you to set your default search provider for your Internet settings. This is a valid request for the program, as it is trying to figure out how you want to search the Internet. Try changing your default search provider and see if the pop ups go away.

To change your default search provider, follow these steps:

1. Find the MyWebSearch button on the far left side of the tool bar and click on it.
2. Select Change Default Search Provider.
3. Check the box next to the search provider you want - you can choose from Google, Yahoo!, Ask Jeeves and LookSmart.
4. Click Finished. The one you choose will now be your default search engine.

Removing MyWebSearch

It sounds like you might not be using MyWebSearch, so the best solution for you would be to remove it from your system completely. Follow these steps if you want to uninstall MyWebSearch:

1. Go to Start and then click on Control Panel.
2. Choose Add/Remove Programs and find all references to MyWebSearch.
3. Click Change/Remove to uninstall them.
4. Make sure you uninstall all related programs including My Way Speedbar, Smiley Central and FWP Products.
5. Now open My Computer, then go to the C drive.
6. Click on Programs.
7. Find FunwebProducts and MyWebSearch entries and right click on them to delete.

Registry Cleanup

There may be some registry entries left over. You can either run a program like Hijack This, RegCure, or an antispyware program to remove the ones that were missed. Missed registry entries don’t generally affect your computer unless the registry is bloated with invalid entries.

The bottom line is that you can either choose a default Internet search program on MyWebSearch or delete it all together if it bothers you.

What are Firefox Plugins?

Plugins are additional programs that users can add to Firefox. Their purpose is to help the user to manage Internet content that Firefox was not designed to handle or process. Examples of Firefox plugins are Java, Flash, and QuickTime.

How Do I Enable or Disable Plugins?

In order to enable plugins, you need to access the Add-ons Window. Open your browser, navigate to the “Tools” menu at the top of the screen, and select “Add-ons.” This action will open the dialog box for “Add-ons.” Next, navigate to the top right-hand side of the Add-on box and select “Plugins.”

Within this box, a list of the available plugins will appear. Next to each plugin, you will see either “enable” or “disable.” Simply click on one of these words to perform the action that you are looking for.

This next step is important- you must restart Firefox in order for the disabling or enabling of the plugins to take place.

How Do I Install Plugins?

Visit the website for each particular plugin that you want to install. For example, you would visit Java.com to access the Java program.

Troubleshooting Help: Unable to Install Plugins

For a comprehensive review of a number of installation problems, please visit the following link: Plugin Installation Issues. It will take you through a number of issues including download errors, corrupt extension files, blocked installation, compatibility issues, disabled software, and more.

Troubleshooting Help: Plugins are Incompatible with Firefox 3

Firefox 3 is not yet updated to accept all plugins. In particular, Tab Mix Plus, RealPlayer Browser Record Plugin, and McAfeeSiteAdvisor are not yet compatible with Firefox 3. Two available updates for Roboform and Bookmark Backup are available. To access them, please visit the following link:IncompatiblewithFirefox3.

Troubleshooting Help: Themes and Extensions

To discover whether an extension or theme is creating an issue for you, visit this link:

Extensions and Themes. Please note that you can select material based on your operating system by selecting it on the right-hand side of the page. Information is included for Mac OS, Linux, and Windows. You can also select either Firefox 2 or Firefox 3.

Troubleshooting Help: Incompatible Browser Message

Some plugins are incompatible with Firefox and will create problems. Other applications might have been designed for older versions of Firefox or you might need to upgrade Firefox in order to enable them. Follow this link to read up on these issues and find solutions: Incompatible Browser. Please note that you can select material based on your operating system by selecting it on the right-hand side of the page. Information is included for Mac OS, Linux, and Windows.