How To

How to Upgrade Ubuntu

Published: December 30, 2022 Reading time: 1 min

Update Release Name in Sources To start upgrading you need to change the /etc/apt/sources.list file and replace the name of your previous release with new one. So, for example if you are 20.04, replace every instance of focal with kinetic. If you currently have 22.04, replace jammy with kinetic. This process can be automated by using the following sed command: 1 sudo sed -i 's/jammy/kinetic/g' /etc/apt/sources.list Then, look in /etc/apt/sources.list.d/. Change any files in there the same way. ...

Continue Reading

How to Upgrade Ubuntu Kernel

Published: December 30, 2022 Reading time: 2 min

Ubuntu by default uses LTS Kernels: Canonical provides long-term support (LTS) kernels for Ubuntu LTS releases. Canonical also provides interim operating system releases with updated kernels every 6 months. For customers and business partners that don’t have specialised bleeding-edge workloads or latest hardware needs, the latest LTS release ”-generic” kernel is the best option for them such as the 4.15 default kernel in Ubuntu 18.04 LTS. Customers who need the latest hardware support capability can install the latest HWE kernel such as the ones contained in interim releases, keeping in mind the shorter support lifespan associated with these kernels (9 months). HWE kernel customers are recommended to upgrade to a newer LTS release that supports their hardware and/or software needs as soon as it is available. Another option for customers is to use point releases. For example, there is an 18.04.4 point release as of February 2020, which includes an updated 5.3.x kernel but is also considered LTS, exactly like the original GA 4.15 kernel in 18.04. ...

Continue Reading

Set permanent custom resolution for Ubuntu and KDE Using Xrandr and Xsetup

Published: May 24, 2018 Reading time: 2 min

After switching from Gnome and Unity to KDE, I had a problem with SDDM and it was that it could not detect correct resolution for my UltraWide monitor and set it to Full HD instead of 2560×1080. I had a similar problem in Ubuntu with another old monitor. Anyway that solution is same in both cases. The solution for this problem is using Xrandr and Xsetup to set the correct resolution and make it permanent. ...

Continue Reading

Malware Prevention guide for Windows

Published: January 3, 2011 Reading time: 3 min

To help secure your computer against malware: If your computer is already infected or you are in doubt, first look at the Malware Removal Guide. Build up your malware defenses Install antivirus and antispyware programs from a trusted source Never download anything in response to a warning from a program you didn’t install or don’t recognize that claims to protect your PC or offers to remove viruses. It is highly likely to do the opposite. Get reputable anti-malware programs from a vendor you trust. I recommend Avira. It’s highly recommended that you create another layer of protection beyond Avira. This second layer could be composed with Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware, Hitman Pro or any other on-demand antimalware software. Use a safe browser with good extensions I recommend Google Chrome with uBlock and WOT. Update software regularly Cybercriminals are endlessly inventive in their efforts to exploit vulnerabilities in software, and many software companies work tirelessly to combat these threats. That is why you should: ...

Continue Reading

Malware Removal guide for Windows

Published: January 2, 2011 Reading time: 2 min

If after following this guide you failed disinfecting your computer, or you cannot follow this guide yourself, I will be available to help you. The most important thing in fighting malwares is: Do NOT Panic. Do NOT Hurry. Do NOT ignore any step in removal guide unless I tell you. This manual for removing malwares can be used for either minor or major malware infection. Download and Burn Avira Rescue System to a blank Disc, Boot your computer using that and let it scan and remove malwares detected. Restart your computer into safe-mode with networking. (How to use Safe Mode?) Clean temporary files using TFC. [Let it reboot your computer, come back to Safe Mode With Networking] Download HitmanPro to your desktop, run it in force breach mode and click next to scan your computer, let it remove the malwares it find, if it ask you for license active the 30 Days trial version. after removal, restart your computer. [Try it in Safe Mode With Networking] Download, install and update Malwarebytes Antimalware, let it scan your computer and remove everything it find [Try in Safe Mode With Networking]. Download and run avast! Browser Cleanup to cleanup and reset your browsers. Download and install HostsMan. after install run it, click on “update Hosts”, choose “MVPS Hosts” (and you may choose “Peter Lowe’s AdServers List” for blocking Ads) and in below options choose “Overwrite Current” hosts. this step would immunize your Hosts File and would prevent any internet traffic to malware sites/domains and also would fix Windows Hosts File if it has been HiJacked by malwares. Disable System Restore and then re-enable it again. If you have windows installation disc, insert it into drive, open Run command from start menu (In windows vista/7, open start menu and type ‘Run’ and then press enter) and type ‘sfc /scannow’. this will check windows for mission or corrupted files and will restore them from disc. sometimes during getting infection or malware removal some files might get corrupted or being deleted which this action will solve it. Make sure your windows and all installed programs are fully updated and there are no insecure program: Check for Update. also you may do some additional scans too, here is some of them: ...

Continue Reading

Install Adobe AIR on 64-bit Ubuntu 10.10

Published: October 17, 2010 Reading time: 1 min

Right now Adobe AIR is only officially available for 32-bit Linux. But it does work on 64-bit Linux with the 32-bit compatibility libraries. There are several ways to install Adobe AIR on Linux. My preferred way on Ubuntu is to use the .deb package. However the .deb package distributed by Adobe can only be installed on 32-bit systems. Good news is that this can be easily fixed! To install the Adobe AIR .deb package on a 64-bit system just follow these steps: ...

Continue Reading

Check for Windows Updates

Published: January 13, 2009 Reading time: 4 min

Three steps to keep Windows fast, stable, and secure. The original 2009 version of this guide recommended FileHippo Update Checker (later renamed AppManager) and the Secunia Online Scanner. Both are gone — FileHippo retired its updater, and Secunia’s consumer tools shut down years ago. Here is what still works. 1. Patch Windows and Microsoft products Turn on automatic updates and verify nothing is pending. Reboot when prompted — pending restarts leave patches half-applied. ...

Continue Reading

Cleanup Windows Hard Disk

Published: January 13, 2009 Reading time: 5 min

Freeing up disk space keeps Windows responsive and gives updates room to install. The original 2009 version of this guide recommended Auslogics BoostSpeed and CCleaner for the job. Today you rarely need either — Windows 10 and 11 ship with cleanup tools that are safer than third-party “boosters” and registry cleaners. Here is the modern workflow. Why cleanup Over time Windows accumulates files you can safely remove: Temporary files from apps and the system Browser caches and downloaded program files Windows Update leftovers, WinSxS component-store bloat, and orphaned installer patches The Recycle Bin Delivery Optimization cache and old restore points Apps and games you no longer use Tip: On modern browsers the cache is capped and self-managing, so the biggest wins are usually Windows Update leftovers (especially WinSxS and the Installer folder), the Downloads folder, and unused applications — not the browser cache. ...

Continue Reading

How to handle suspicious e-mail

Published: January 13, 2009 Reading time: 4 min

There are good reasons to be suspicious of e-mail. Some e-mail messages might be phishing scams, some might carry viruses. Images in spam e-mail might turn out to be pornographic, or to include Web beacons, which can be adapted to secretly send a message back to the sender. Follow these guidelines to help protect yourself when suspicious mail shows up in your Inbox. 1. Do not respond — and don’t open junk mail If an e-mail looks suspicious, don’t risk your personal information by responding to it. Delete junk e-mail messages without opening them. Sometimes even opening spam can alert spammers or put an unprotected computer at risk. Don’t reply to e-mail unless you’re certain that the message comes from a legitimate source. This includes not responding to messages that offer an option to “Remove me from your list.” Do not “unsubscribe” unless the mail is from a known or trusted sender. Use the junk mail tools in your e-mail program. Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and most providers let you mark messages as spam or phishing, which trains their filters and blocks the sender. 2. Approach links with caution Links in phishing e-mail messages often take you to phony sites that encourage you to transmit personal or financial information to con artists. Avoid clicking a link in an e-mail message unless you are sure of the real target address, or URL. ...

Continue Reading

How to recognize phishing e-mails or links

Published: January 13, 2009 Reading time: 3 min

A few clues can help you spot fraudulent e-mail messages or links within them. What does a phishing e-mail look like? Phishing e-mail messages are designed to steal your identity. They ask for personal data, or direct you to Web sites or phone numbers to call where they ask you to provide personal data. Phishing e-mail messages take a number of forms: They might appear to come from your bank or financial institution, a company you regularly do business with, such as Microsoft, or from your social networking site. They might appear to be from someone you know. Spear phishing is a targeted form of phishing in which an e-mail message might look like it comes from your employer, or from a colleague who might send an e-mail message to everyone in the company, such as the head of human resources or IT. They might ask you to make a phone call. Phone phishing (vishing) scams direct you to call a customer support phone number. A person or an audio response unit waits to take your account number, personal identification number, password, or other valuable personal data. They might include official-looking logos and other identifying information taken directly from legitimate Web sites, and they might include convincing details about your personal information that scammers found on your social networking pages. They might include links to spoofed Web sites where you are asked to enter personal information. To make these messages look even more legitimate, scam artists may place a link that appears to go to the legitimate Web site, but actually takes you to a phony scam site or a pop-up window that looks exactly like the official site. ...

Continue Reading