Dennis Faas

Wed
09
Oct
Dennis Faas's picture

Can I track down a hacker?, Part 2

Yesterday's Visitor Feedback asked, " Can I track down a hacker ?" My answer to that question was a passive one -- mainly based on the fact it would take an inconceivable amount of time to prosecute each and every hacker who tries to wallow his way ... into your computer system. An algorithm for a typical Hacker might look something like this: Randomly select a computer to hack; Attempt to gain access to randomly selected computer; If access is granted, deliver a payload (send virus/trojan, delete files); If access is not granted, disconnect from this computer; Repeat process. With the ... (view more)

Tue
08
Oct
Dennis Faas's picture

Can I track down a hacker?

Infopackets Reader Merle A. writes: " Dear Dennis, I want to know if there is a way to find out who is trying to hack into your computer. I have the "remote address, local address, and remote computer address." Someone tried twice, but my Norton ... Antivirus stopped them (this time). " My Response: Trying to hunt down a hacker may prove to be fruitless, especially if: There is more than one 'hacker' attack The hacker spoofs his IP address Chances are that most hackers will do everything possible to cover his/her tracks in an effort to thwart "being caught". Even *if ... (view more)

Tue
08
Oct
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How to clean a mouse to ensure proper operation, Part 2

I received a few emails regarding last week's Visitor Feedback suggestion on " How to clean a mouse to ensure proper operation &quot ;. A few of you suggested not using a screwdriver / knife to chisel the dirt off the wheels of computer mouse. ... When I wrote the Visitor Feedback for that particular day, I envisioned my old "ball" mouse which came with steel wheels. I completely forgot about those old ball mice with plastic wheels -- in which case, my suggestion for using a knife or flathead screwdriver may potentially damage the wheel -- although, I think you would have to chisel ... (view more)

Thu
03
Oct
Dennis Faas's picture

How to clean a mouse to ensure proper operation

Infopackets Reader Pat O. write s: " Dear Dennis, Could please you explain why my mouse has become resistant to my direction, and maybe advise of a remedy? It is particularly hard to handle when required to click on specifics like buttons and tabs ... when it then feels strongly like it is being pushed aside. Any ideas? " Similarly, Rick D. asked: " My pointer/mouse, is locking and jumping all over the screen. I was told to lower the acceleration, so I did. It still kept doing it. I am out of ideas, so any suggestions that you can give would be more than appreciated. " My ... (view more)

Thu
03
Oct
Dennis Faas's picture

How to print page numbers

Since we've been on the topic of Printers lately , I thought I'd share with you another useful tip. It's another visitor feedback question from Arlene M. She writes: " Dear Dennis, My printer used to number the pages, but does not any longer. I miss ... that. Do you have a way to bring that function back? " My response: The option for Page Numbering is * usually * in the Printing Preferences. Printing preferences are available for a printer by clicking Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Printer. Printing preferences are also (usually) displayed at the time of printing a ... (view more)

Wed
02
Oct
Dennis Faas's picture

How do I retrieve files that have been deleted from the Recycle Bin, Part 2

Last week I received a question, "How do I retrieve files that have been deleted from the Recycle Bin ?" Since then, I received a few really good suggestions from a few Infopackets Readers. The first one comes from Rick K. His answer was very ... complete -- much more than mine was -- which is also why his suggestion * might * be a over the heads of some readers. I've edited Rick's response a bit and have also added a few comments of my own in an attempt to clear any technical jargon. Infopackets Reader Rick K. writes: " The Recycle Bin is an attempt to copy what Apple does, which ... (view more)

Wed
02
Oct
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How to print a large-sized web page on a single printed page

After emailing my suggestion on how to use Landscape / Portrait modes to get a large web page to fit properly using a printer, a few users emailed me with thoughts of their own. Infopackets Reader John D. writes: " You could also suggest a program ... such as Gadwin Printscreen , which will print exactly what is on the screen and fit it properly. " Infopackets Reader Theo T. also wrote in: " Another approach to this is to copy what you want to print by pasting in to either a text editor, or WordPad. The downside to using either method is that you will lose pictures and graphics ... (view more)

Tue
01
Oct
Dennis Faas's picture

A password protected area for the web site, with no password

I bet you're just dying to know "what's new in the land of infopackets.com?" Seek the answer to that question no further! Since I developed "How to Install / Reinstall Windows: downloadable Video and eBook Ultimate Guide", the response from users ... has been tremendous. What can I say? First, I'd like to personally thank Microsoft for introducing so many bugs in the Windows Operating System and for making everyone's lives miserable because of it. If it wasn't for their valiant effort, I would not have taken time out of my busy schedule to produce such a helpful guide. Hey, I ... (view more)

Tue
01
Oct
Dennis Faas's picture

Printing a page using Portrait or Landscape mode

Infopackets Reader Arlene M. writes: " Dear Dennis, When I get a web page that is wider than my screen and there are scrollbars on the bottom, my printer won't print the entire page. Repositioning the scrollbars at the bottom of the page and ... attempting to print what I see on the screen not seem to help. I also tried selecting the text I wanted on the screen and then using the "Print from Selection" option, but it didn't help either. Can you explain this and what I can do about it? " My Response: One way to get around this problem is to print the page in Landscape Mode. ... (view more)

Thu
26
Sep
Dennis Faas's picture

Process Throttling

Yesterday I wrote about a problem concerning the usage of the mail queue on the infopackets web server. To recap: whenever the Infopackets Gazette newsletter is sent out (to the list of readers), some emails are entered into a temporary holding area ... (called a "mail queue") if they are unable to reach the recipient. This is a potential problem for the infopackets web server because the mail queue can "overflow" and cause the server to run out of storage spac e. Recall: The Mail Queue Polling solution I was able to save the web server from potentially running out of space by ... (view more)

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