Several Commands for RUN

Type the following commands in your Run Box (Windows Key + R) or Start Run.


devmgmt.msc = Device Manager
msinfo32 = System Information
cleanmgr = Disk Cleanup
ntbackup = Backup or Restore Wizard (Windows Backup Utility)
mmc = Microsoft Management Console
excel = Microsoft Excel (If Installed)
msaccess = Microsoft Access (If Installed)
powerpnt = Microsoft PowerPoint (If Installed)
winword = Microsoft Word (If Installed)
frontpg = Microsoft FrontPage (If Installed)
notepad = Notepad
wordpad = WordPad
calc = Calculator
msmsgs = Windows Messenger
mspaint = Microsoft Paint
wmplayer = Windows Media Player
rstrui = System Restore
control = Opens the Control Panel
control printers = Opens the Printers Dialog.

How To Create A Huge File

You can create a file of any size using nothing more than what's supplied with Windows. 

Start by converting the desired file size into hexadecimal notation.

You can use the Windows Calculator in Scientific mode do to this.

Suppose you want a file of 1 million bytes. Enter 1000000 in the calculator and click on the Hex option to convert it (1 million in hex is F4240.) Pad the result with zeroes at the left until the file size reaches eight digits—000F4240.

Now open a command prompt window.


Enter the command DEBUG BIGFILE.DAT and ignore the File not found message.

Type RCX and press Enter. Debug will display a colon prompt.

Enter the last four digits of the hexadecimal number you calculated (4240, in our example).

Type RBX and press Enter, then enter the first four digits of the hexadecimal size (000F, in our example).

Enter W for Write and Q for Quit. You've just created a 1-million-byte file using Debug.

Of course you can create a file of any desired size using the same technique.

Fast Security Enhancements part - 2

let's continue with the fast security enhancements..

6.  If you're using Outlook or Outlook Express, use the current version or one with the Outlook Security Update installed. The update and current versions patch numerous vulnerabilities.

 
7.  Buy anti virus software and keep it up to date. If you're not willing to pay, try Grisoft AVG Free Edition (Grisoft Inc., www.grisoft.com). And double check your AV with the free, online-only scanners available at www.pandasoftware.com/activescan and  http://housecall.trendmicro.com.

 
8. If you have a wireless network, turn on the security features: Use MAC filtering, turn off SSID broadcast, and even use WEP with the biggest key you can get. For more, check out our wireless section or see the expanded coverage in Your Unwired World in our next issue.

9.  Join a respectable e-mail security list, such as the one found at our own Security Super site at http://security.ziffdavis.com, so that you learn about emerging threats quickly and can take proper precautions.

10.  Be skeptical of things on the Internet. Don't assume that e-mail "From:" a particular person is actually from that person until you have further reason to believe it's that person. Don't assume that an attachment is what it says it is. Don't give out your password to anyone, even if that person claims to be from "support."

Fast Security Enhancements part - 1

Before you spend a time on security, there are many precautions you can take that will protect you against the most common threats.

1. Check Windows Update and Office Update regularly (http://office.microsoft.com/productupdates); have your Office CD ready. Windows Me, 2000, and XP users can configure automatic updates. Click on the Automatic Updates tab in the System control panel and choose the appropriate options.

 
2. Install a personal firewall. Both SyGate (www.sygate.com) and ZoneAlarm (www.zonelabs.com) offer free versions. 

3. Install a free spyware blocker. Our Editors' Choice ("Spyware," April 22) was SpyBot Search & Destroy (http://security.kolla.de). SpyBot is also paranoid and ruthless in hunting out tracking cookies.


4. Block pop-up spam messages in Windows NT, 2000, or XP by disabling the Windows Messenger service (this is unrelated to the instant messaging program). Open Control Panel | Administrative Tools | Services and you'll see Messenger. Right-click and go to Properties. Set Start-up Type to Disabled and press the Stop button. Bye-bye, spam pop-ups! Any good firewall will also stop them.


5. Use strong passwords and change them periodically. Passwords should have at least seven characters; use letters and numbers and have at least one symbol. A decent example would be f8izKro@l. This will make it much harder for anyone to gain access to your accounts.