This week’s online newsletter includes:

*   IExplorer.EXE Application Error
When closing Internet Explorer results in an error message, the fix turned out to be easy…

*   The Lighter Side of Technology
This week’s computer technology cartoon at Terry’s Computer Tips…

*   Solving Runtime Errors and Debug Errors
Another reader writes about trying to solve program crash messages…

*   Why Uninstall Acronis True Image Home?
This caught my interest — there had to be more to the story…

*   Saving an Animated GIF File, part 2
A reader offers another way to save an animated GIF file…

*   My Security Software Recommendations
My recommendations for anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, and anti-spam software…

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*   free weekly Terry’s Computer Tips email newsletter
*   weekly on-line Terry’s Computer Tips newsletter

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subscriber Fred (who preferred to remain somewhat anonymous) wrote me to tell me that he’d been bitten by a malware problem — and it was one that I’d warned about in my July 13, 2008, online newsletter.

Fred wrote:

Cable/DSL Router
Just a quick note about this.

I have used a Linksys Router for some years with great satisfaction, however, through complacency or wahatever, I did not change the default password etc on it. One day I was surprised to find that my firewall (Zone Alarm Pro had stopped a high level attempt at access.

When I checked my modem I found that the password had been changed!

I immediately wiped my modem data and installed a new high level password. There have been no subsequent access attempts.

So I advise everyone now to change their modem passwords and not to leave it with just the default one

regards
Fred

I wrote back to Fred to say:

Continue reading The Router Password Was Changed

Reader Peter wrote me about his cable Internet access:

Well, I finally made the jump to cable broadband (after some very good help from all you people). Everything works great, and I’ll never go back to dial-up. I do have one question, though.

After I turn off the computer for the night, should I also turn off the power to the modem and to the router? I’ve had them for almost a week now and haven’t turned them off. On the same note, should they be turned off if I’m gone for an extended period of time, say a weekend or a whole week?

Thank you.

Peter

I wrote back to Peter to tell him that I don’t ever turn my router off — even if I go on vacation. However, I’ll usually turn my computers off then.

When you turn off your cable modem…

Continue reading Disconnecting Your Cable Internet Access