Internet and security
Reduce spam, improve your privacy and fix all kinds of network and Internet-related problems with these useful tips.
Let’s start by tightening Windows 10’s privacy controls. Even if you diligently went through the setup wizard when you installed the current October 2018 Update, it can be confusing knowing which settings to pick – and even then, you’ll find that there are other privacy tweaks you should consider applying.
Windows 10 thoughtfully scatters these settings far and wide throughout your PC, but by downloading the latest version of the free O&O Shutup10 tool from www.oo-software.com/en/ shutup10 you can view and manage them easily. Once downloaded, double-click OOSU10.exe and give it administrator access when required.
If you’ve previously run the tool, it’ll detect previous settings; otherwise, you’ll see a list of switches you can click on for an explanation. Either toggle switches manually, or go with O&O Shutup10’s recommendations via the Actions menu. All changes can be undone, and a System Restore point is taken, just in case.
Shutup10 can be used to stop Windows 10 from displaying app ‘suggestions’ (otherwise known as ads) appearing in the Start menu via its Miscellaneous section. Windows will also nag you to set up or install OneDrive if you don’t already use it in File Explorer – to switch this ‘nagging’ off open File Explorer and click Options under the ribbon’s View tab. Switch to the View tab of Folder Options and untick ‘Show sync provider notifications’ under ‘Advanced settings’.
FIX CONNECTION PROBLEMS
Are you struggling with your Internet connection? If you’ve tried the Network Connection Troubleshooter (access it from the network icon in the
Taskbar notification area) with no success, take a System Restore point. Now download and run the Complete Internet Repair tool from www. rizonesoft.com/downloads/complete
internet-repair/ – click the ‘i’ next to each repair to find out more about it. We recommend trying repairs one at a time, but verify the problem is with your PC and not your wider network before running it.
If your Internet connection works, but is periodically sluggish, check that your cloud storage provider isn’t hogging all the available bandwidth and, if it is, restrict its upload speeds. OneDrive users should right-click the OneDrive Taskbar notification area icon and choose Settings > Network. Make sure ‘Adjust automatically’ is selected; other cloud providers should offer a similar setting (you can choose 80 percent if no automatic setting is provided).
Problems with your Wi-Fi connection could be down to interference from another network – search for WiFi Analyzer in the Microsoft Store and use that to locate a channel (typically 1 or 11) where congestion is lowest. Change the channel setting itself through your router’s configuration utility in your web browser – see your router’s instruction manual for how to do this.
Having problem connecting to your Homegroup? That feature’s been deprecated now by Microsoft so consider dropping it entirely and use regular file sharing instead; otherwise, if the Homegroup troubleshooter fails to yield a solution, start from scratch. First, leave the current homegroup on all your PCs. Then switch them all off except for one. Create a new homegroup on this PC, then connect the others to the new homegroup one at a time.
TIGHTEN SECURITY
If you’re in the process of switching to a new security product, make sure all traces of the old tool are removed first. Most security providers offer a manual removal tool that should purge all traces of it from your system – visit http://support.eset.com/kb146/ for a list if you’re struggling to track one down. Try running the tool even if you’ve already removed the program and it’s interfering with your new software.
If you have not yet done so, switch on two-step verification to offer additional protection for accounts that use them (at the very least protect core services such as LastPass or your webmail provider). Not all programs support two-step verification, but any online service worth its salt will enable you to generate one-time app passwords that you use to connect the program to your service without compromising security. Look in its Security settings for the app password generator.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware ( www. malwarebytes.com) is an essential tool for any user – it can remove infections, like potentially unwanted software that other tools miss. But if those infections keep coming back, you need to identify the source. Check where the files originate – if they’re inside your web browser’s cache, you should check to see what add-ons are installed as one of these could be responsible. Use a tool like CCleaner ( www.piriform.com) to clear your browser cache and disable or even remove suspicious add-ons. Or consider buying the Professional version of Malwarebytes to provide real-time protection against these and other threats (such as malicious websites).