What are browser hijackers?

If you are one of the millions of people who have suffered a browser hijacking, you likely know it, and you clearly remember what you were doing when it happened. The best known form of browser hijacking is when a sudden flood of pop-ups, many of them obscene, explode over your screen and you are forced to use the CTRL-ATL-DEL sequence to close your browser and regain control of your computer. Here is a quick guide you can use to identify the different kinds of browser hijackings and how you can rid yourself of them once and for all.

What is a browser hijack?

A browser hijack is exactly as it sounds: an attempt from a third party to take control of your web browser and use it for their own nefarious purposes. Some browser hijacks can be done to spread awareness of a particular website, but aren't actually dangerous. In some cases, though, they can be malicious, and they can steal information like passwords you have saved into your browser automatically. Perhaps the most common type of browser hijack is done by a program that installs itself on your computer without you knowing. The program will add several favorites to your list without your knowledge, and it will change the start page of your browser and even some registry keys. When you attempt to reset your browser, you will be unable to do so.

With these types of hijacks, you are also falling victim to keyloggers that record passwords for sensitive sites like online banking and email. How can you tell if you have a browser hijacking program on your machine? Let's look.

What might you notice?

The most obvious sign of a browser hijack is that your start page has been changed and you can't change it back. You may notice a complete slowdown in the performance of your computer since many browser hijacks work as fully functional programs that run in the background of your computer from the time you turn it on to the time you turn it off. These programs are often resource hogs that cause everything else on your machine to run slower.

You may also notice that a whole new set of bookmarks have been added to your browser that you've never seen before. Some websites have been known to add one bookmark (usually one for that particular site), but if you see a whole new folder full of questionable bookmarks, you may have a browser hijacker installed on your machine.

How did it get there?

Just like most malware programs, browser hijackers find their ways onto your machine in a number of different ways. The most common way is via peer to peer software programs like BitTorrent and Kazaa. Often times, the person who you are getting a file from doesn't know that they are sending an infected file to you so your infection isn't intentional.




A second spot where many people receive browser hijacker programs from is bundled with freeware or shareware programs downloaded from sources that aren't trustworthy. That's why it is always a good idea to download your free software programs only from the manufacturers' site or from a site that promises that they are virus and spyware free.

Finally, some viruses come from websites that automatically install them on your computer. If you have been visiting some less than reputable websites, it is a good idea to avoid them at all costs in the future. These files simply install themselves without asking your permission or even notifying you that it is happening.

What should I do?

The first step you should take if you feel that you have a hijacker installed on your computer is head to the Microsoft Update site to ensure that you all the patches and updates you need. Microsoft does a great job of stopping many of these.

Once you've updated and restarted your computer, you need to install a reputable anti-spyware program on your computer to run in the background and monitor what bad programs you come into contact with. Two reputable programs are provided by Paretologic and PC Tools Software. Both not only remove browser hijackers they also provide the dynamic monitoring you need to protect you against future hijacks. You can download and install either of their programs in minutes. Run a full scan of your machine immediately. Once you've removed any initial problems, you should run a full scan of your machine at least once per week to ensure that you haven't come down with any browser hijackers or any other program that can affect your machine in a negative way.

Finally, make sure you keep your anti-virus and anti-spyware programs updated at all times. If you don't have them installed, you should purchase and install them right away. Even if you have the latest anti-virus program, you should still strongly consider an anti-spyware program since, even though there may be some overlap between them, they generally detect a different suite of programs.

Getting Crafty With Paper Office Stationery

You know how much damage the making of new paper costs our environment. However, there is hardly any substance that can replace the function of paper. Even high-tech computers are not able to eliminate the need for paper. But there is one thing we can do to lessen our use of paper in our own way. You can segregate white office paper from other office trash for recycling. But with a bit creativity and effort, you can turn recycled paper supplies to a profitable business.

Paper recycling is old news, but it seems to be an on-and-off venture for most people. Making recycled paper crafts into a business provides fuel to the recycling machine. If you look at bookstore displays, you'll find coarse looking stationery and specialty papers. Even if these look old and rough, they are more expensive than those smoother and printed papers. Those coarse specialty papers are handmade and use natural fibers and recycled paper. You don't need to buy a truckload of waste paper to get started. In fact, look around your house. Sort through your old files and see if there's anything in there that you don't need anymore. White office paper like bond papers are great for this recycling project.

After sorting the white papers from the rest of your office stationery supplies, shred them in a document shredder or just tear them to little pieces. Throw in colored paper if you like a bit of color and different textures. Place the shredded papers in a blender or food processor with hot water in batches. Blend for a couple of minutes until the mixture looks fine and in one color. Add food color or dye if desired. For a touch of ingenuity, a few drops of essential oils like lavender or rose water make for lightly scented papers.

The blended pulp will be the base for your homemade paper. But to form and harden it, you must have a screen and mold. These materials are available in paper supplies stores or made at home using wooden frames and fiberglass screen. Meanwhile, soak the pulp in batches in a soaking solution made of water and liquid starch. The starch will prevent the ink from softening the paper. The amount of pulp per batch depends on the desired paper thickness. More pulp means thicker paper. Stir amd make sure that the starch is well incorporated in the pulp. Scoop the paper out using the molds and tap it to drain excess water. Level the surface of the pulp until smooth. Do this repeatedly until the right thickness and texture is achieved. Cover the mold with a fabric and invert it, making the pulp slide onto the cloth. Squeeze the pulp to remove excess water and dry it out. Stack the prepared pulp together with fabric in between in each layer. Press excess water out and separate the individual sheets. The sheets can be air-dried or laid out in newspapers to dry by sunlight.

When dried, the handmade paper can be cut into desired sizes and bound by natural fibers like hemp rope to form a journal. When cut into tiny pieces, the sheets also make lovely note cards. To add a touch of elegance, dried flowers and leaves can be added during the molding process. The use of office paper is not limited to the office. With this project, you can start your own paper supplies business.