Our recent morning QSO on 3740 kHz included some discussion of software maintenance on Windows-based PCs. The most important reason for this task is to avoid software vulnerabilities that can provide opportunities for criminals to take control of your PC, either for extracting your personal information or for using your PC in criminal activities, or both.
We all recognize the need to use and regularly update anti-virus programs. Since no anti-virus program detects every instance of malicious software, you may consider occasionally running supplemental scans with other programs. However, you should avoid installing multiple anti-virus programs as they may conflict with each other. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware has a free version that I've found to be very effective in removing malware on some friends' and relatives' PCs that had other well-known anti-virus programs installed. You may also consider running Spybot Search & Destroy. Note that serious malware infections may require much more aggressive software tools and techniques, up to and including clean installation of the operating system!
Anti-malware programs should not be relied upon for complete protection. Software updates are often issued to patch vulnerabilities that criminals are exploiting to gain access to computers. FileHippo has a very nice free update checker, a small program that you can download and run to check many of the commonly used programs installed on your PC to find out if updated versions are available. If you'd like a more thorough scan of many more programs installed on your PC, specifically for vulnerabilities, try one of the two free consumer products from Secunia.
Many web sites offer free or shareware programs that appeal to PC users' wants and needs. Purveyors of malware can also use their own (or compromised) web sites to push their programs. Here are a few trusted web sites where you can download free or shareware programs:
cnet download.com
FreewareFiles.com
FileHippo.com
One example of a popular utility program available on these sites is CCleaner. I like to use it periodically on my PCs. The publisher's web site encourages you to purchase the program or make a donation, but you can download a free copy from FileHippo or from a separate link on the Piriform web site.
When installing programs that you download, be sure to pay attention to various options presented during the installation. Some programs will have options pre-selected to install extra web browser tool bars or extra software that you probably don't need. Many programs will pre-select an option to run automatically every time Windows starts. You may want to de-select that option to avoid burdening your CPU with too many things starting and running all the time.
News about PC software and security can be found at many web sites. You may consider visiting some of the following to see which ones you might want to check on a regular basis:
Krebs on Security
cnet
Kim Komando
PC World
MakeUseOf
ZDNet
ars technica
There are MANY more to choose from.
Finally, be sure to use caution in your Internet usage to avoid the risks that exploit human carelessness and gullibility. See the following sites for well-written guidance:
OnGuard Online
GetNetWise
These two sites are well-suited for sharing with your family members and friends.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
More update sources about Japan's nuclear power plants
Here is an excellent summary provided by the New York Times. Thanks to Jorge for sharing this one!
Lots of detail is available at the web site of the Japan Atomic Industry Forum. New PDF documents are published frequently. Much of this is probably more than you want to know, but you may like the map shown on page 5 of update #43. The map shows the location and status of all nuclear power plants in Japan.
Also, NOVA on PBS will feature a special program, Japan's Killer Quake, on Wednesday, March 30 about the earthquake and tsunami.
NOVA will also investigate the future of alternative and renewable energy, including nuclear, in Power Surge, premiering Wednesday April 20.
Two articles of particular interest to me, from IEEE Spectrum's ongoing coverage:
Lots of detail is available at the web site of the Japan Atomic Industry Forum. New PDF documents are published frequently. Much of this is probably more than you want to know, but you may like the map shown on page 5 of update #43. The map shows the location and status of all nuclear power plants in Japan.
Also, NOVA on PBS will feature a special program, Japan's Killer Quake, on Wednesday, March 30 about the earthquake and tsunami.
NOVA will also investigate the future of alternative and renewable energy, including nuclear, in Power Surge, premiering Wednesday April 20.
Two articles of particular interest to me, from IEEE Spectrum's ongoing coverage:
- Fukushima's Impact on Nuclear Power
A summary (with many links) of how various countries plan to alter or sustain their nuclear power plans - Nuclear Reactor Renaissance
Seven contenders for new reactor designs
Friday, March 18, 2011
Japan's Nuclear Power Emergency
Some recent discussions among my friends have shown the need for more information about Japan's damaged nuclear power plants and the reasons for the escalating crisis. Some very good sources of more detail than what's presented by the mainstream media include the following:
After such a shutdown there is continued production of decay heat at a much lower level, but this heat must be removed to prevent core damage. For a reactor operated at steady power for an extended period, the decay heat production is initially as high as 6.5% of the reactor's initial operating power. After one hour the decay heat drops to about 1.5% of the initial operating power. Decay heat decreases with time, as described in the article linked above. After one year the decay heat from spent fuel generates about 10 kW of heat per metric ton (of fuel).
The crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi plant was intensified by the inability to reestablish full electrical power to operate the cooling systems for decay heat removal. A very concise likely timeline of events is presented in this article.
I suggest consulting the above referenced sources for further updates as the efforts continue to gain the upper hand in controlling the decay heat following unprecedented forces of nature.
Let us also focus on the much broader human suffering that is the direct result of the earthquake and tsunami.
- Fukushima Nuclear Accident – a simple and accurate explanation
Has a good explanation of the reactor design and operation, with multiple update links - Explainer: What Went Wrong in Japan's Nuclear Reactors
Thursday's update to an ongoing series by IEEE Spectrum - Japan Earthquake and Reactors in That Region
Ongoing information from the Nuclear Energy Institute
After such a shutdown there is continued production of decay heat at a much lower level, but this heat must be removed to prevent core damage. For a reactor operated at steady power for an extended period, the decay heat production is initially as high as 6.5% of the reactor's initial operating power. After one hour the decay heat drops to about 1.5% of the initial operating power. Decay heat decreases with time, as described in the article linked above. After one year the decay heat from spent fuel generates about 10 kW of heat per metric ton (of fuel).
The crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi plant was intensified by the inability to reestablish full electrical power to operate the cooling systems for decay heat removal. A very concise likely timeline of events is presented in this article.
I suggest consulting the above referenced sources for further updates as the efforts continue to gain the upper hand in controlling the decay heat following unprecedented forces of nature.
Let us also focus on the much broader human suffering that is the direct result of the earthquake and tsunami.
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