Malwarebytes is free

If you accidentally installed the Trial version of Malwarebytes instead of the free one, it’s easy to go back to the free one.

 

Malwarebytes is an excellent program that scans your computer for malicious software and removes much of it. The paid version of the program does that and also provides real-time protection against rogue websites.

I usually install the free version for my customers unless they know or think they might want the paid version, which offers more features and protection (Comparison here: https://www.malwarebytes.org/products/). But sometimes people accidentally end up activating the trial version. Once the trial period ends, Malwarebytes pops up reminders encouraging folks to pay for the program.

You don’t have to pay for the program unless you want the additional features. You can keep using the free version. When you open Malwarebytes and look at the Dashboard, you’ll see four sections. Look at the bottom section, called Real-Time Protection. In the right-hand corner, click on End Trial. That takes you back to the free version.

This page more fully explains the steps: https://support.malwarebytes.org/customer/portal/articles/1834853?b_id=6438.

Of course, if you want to purchase Malwarebytes, look at the top section, called License, and over on the right-hand side click on Buy Premium.

 

Adblock Plus (https://adblockplus.org/) is a browser extension that will block ads, disable tracking, disable malware domains and disable Social Media buttons. Customers, friends and family have been using Adblock Plus for years. I held out because some of the websites I visit are ad-supported, and it costs money to maintain a quality website. But over time, ads have become increasingly annoying and obtrusive (or maybe I’ve just gotten in touch with my inner curmudgeon) and Adblock Plus will now give me the option to unblock the “good” ads while blocking the flashing, annoying ads with sounds. I like that idea a lot, so I’m giving it a try. So far, I’m impressed.

The add-on works well installed with just the default configuration, and is highly configurable when you want to block more --- or less. The documentation is thorough and well-written. This page (https://adblockplus.org/en/features) explains all those features and links to instructions on enabling them. Adblock Plus is available for Firefox, Google Chrome, Opera (!), Internet Explorer, and Safari. There is a version you can use on you Android phone. (I have not tested that.) Adblock Plus is free, but the authors request a donation.

I installed Adblock Plus on Internet Explorer on a test machine here. Then I went to Facebook. The difference is dramatic. No more belly fat cures, no more Ellen’s hidden secret. Nice clean white space in the right-hand column.

Adblock Plus is free, but the authors request a donation. Because they can’t throw ads at you.

 

Last week’s column (http://rlis.com/columns/column506.htm) mentioned the WinKey. Several people emailed to say they wanted a fuller explanation of just what that is. It’s not “WINK-ey” it’s “WIN-Key” and it’s the key on your keyboard that has the Windows logo on it. The logo looks like a flag.

You can use the WinKey in combination with other keys to do things that would otherwise involve mouse clicks or, on a tablet, swipes. That key has been around since the days of Windows 95. Each new version of Windows relied more on the use of it for shortcuts. Here’s a list of common WinKey shortcuts in Windows 7: http://www.guidingtech.com/13062/best-windows-7-win-key-shortcuts/. And here’s a list of them for Windows 8: http://blog.laptopmag.com/15-essential-windows-8-keyboard-shortcuts. Interested in the history of the Windows Key? See the Wikipedia article here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_key.

Two shortcuts I use all the time are WinKey+R for “Run” and WinKey+E to open a new file explorer window. Do you have a favourite? Please send email to [email protected] and I’ll share in a future column.

 

Do you need help with your computer? I'm here to help you and your home or business computer get along!

Cate Eales runs Computer Care Kelowna (http://computercarekelowna.com/) a mobile service helping home users and businesses get along with their computers. To arrange an appointment phone her at 250-764-7043. Cate also welcomes your comments and suggestions. Send email to [email protected].

You can read previous columns here: http://rlis.com/column.htm . If you'd like to subscribe to this column by email, please visit this link: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Sub=20618 . It's easy, and free. If you'd prefer the RSS Feed, click here: http://rlis.com/rlis.xml.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.