Why is My Computer Suddenly So Slow? Do I Have a Virus? (part 3 of 3)
by Andy Trask

If wild viruses and memory mayhem in earlier issues of AGTM left you with brain cramps, I have good news. This issue will be a little less scary than viruses and a little less technical than paging memory out to disk. Instead we're going to examine another common source of computer slowdowns that is present in many households. Of course, if you have kids, you've probably already noticed how they can wreak havoc on your computer.

First, let's look at toddler computing where the greatest risk is physical damage to the computer. Let's face it, your two-year-old isn't likely to be downloading viruses anytime soon. However, your imaginative little tike might just drop coins, paper clips or other small objects into any number of inviting slots in your PC including ventilation louvers. The resulting possible short-circuits in turn could cause any number of problems including slowdowns, lockups, and virus-like symptoms. Even something as simple as yanking the data cable from the back of your printer could leave your system crawling when you try to print as Windows struggles unsuccessfully to locate the printer.

Typical behavior for your five to eight year old is to open dozens of games and never close anything. Before long, the computer is swimming in open tasks and struggling to service them all. Look for the row of open programs across the task bar at the bottom of the windows screen and close all the ones that aren't being used. If you find yourself locked out with no response from the mouse, before resorting to the power switch, try using a combination of the "ALT" key and "F4" key pressed together to close the current window. You may have to repeat this sequence several times before Windows recovers enough resources to give you normal control of the system.

Now comes the fun part by the time your child reaches about 10 years, he or she is probably online "chatting" with friends in AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, MIRC, or all of the above. Suddenly a world of possibilities opens up as they learn from friends and start downloading popular free programs like the KaZaa Media Desktop, Comet Cursor, or Bonzi Buddy (does any of this sound familiar?). Before long, your computer starts to look like a cyber no-mans land as your desktop gets buried under freeware icons. But aside from the clutter, is there cause for concern?

Let's get away from the kids for a minute and talk about Internet Advertising (don't worry, I'll tie it all together in the end!). Like it or not, we've all pretty much gotten used to the barrage of ads that turn up as we surf the web. You don't have to surf long to notice ads ranging from discreet sponsorship messages to gaudy banner ads to in-your-face pop-up ads. Pop-up ads are different from more traditional embedded advertising because they are triggered as you enter or exit certain web pages and then literally "pop-up" in a new window while you surf. Those old (and I use the term loosely given the rapidity of change on the web) ways of advertising on the web rely on the demographic of the site's viewers to guide which products, services, or companies are advertised there. For example, at retirement.com you might see ads for Florida condominiums whereas at greatoutdoors.com you're more likely to see an ad for hiking boots.

Now bring on your download-obsessed teen and while he or she is blissfully downloading (yet another) free game or MP3 player, the next generation of Internet advertising is quietly arriving in your home. What I am talking about specifically are mini-applications coined "spyware" that are bundled with many of these freebies, downloaded, and quietly installed alongside the free program. Spyware (so named because it "spies" on your computer and particularly your browsing habits) allows advertisers to operate independent of website demographics, interacting directly with your computer, analyzing your web-surfing habits, and delivering ads that target your specific interests.

Pay attention here, because this is where we complete the circle: In order to work, spyware programs need to be installed on your computer. Unfortunately, along with many of those freebie games and demos, your kids are also unwittingly installing spyware on your machine. Of course, once installed, spyware quietly goes about its work in the background, monitoring your travels on the web, and oh, by-the-way, generally sucking up system resources and slowing down your computer's performance! With a little diligence on your part however, you may be able to prevent this by watching for and then uninstalling new programs in the startup list that neither you nor your kids remember installing, or by using spyware scanner tools that are now widely available on the Internet.

Andy Trask is the Head Geek at Geek Housecalls (on the web at www.geekhousecalls.com). Based in Lexington Mass, Geek Housecalls provides computer hardware and software troubleshooting, networking, installations, upgrades, and general assistance to residential and small business computer users in Boston and the surrounding North, South, and Western suburbs as well as Rhode Island and southern New Hampshire. If you have a question or topic you'd like to see addressed by The Geeks, please send email to: agtm@geekhousecalls.com

If you're interested in reprinting this or other articles from this series on a website or in a printed publication please contact Andy Trask at andy@geekhousecalls.com for information about our liberal sharing policy!

Click here to return to the index of articles. Click here to return to the top of this page.