Use your pen drive as a temporary ram in vista

Till this date, Microsoft’s windows had Page File (A virtual memory file, stored on hard disk) options for the memory requirement of the computer, so that the computing can be done at cheaper rates and that too without installing the physical memory (RAM).

The page file is used by the Windows OS to cater the needs of various applications when the physical memory is fully used up. The reason for that is, that Virtual memory is slower as compared to the physical memory and thus Phyical memory takes the first priority.

However, with the release of Windows Vista, Microsoft has introduced a new technology called ReadyBoost. With the help of this technology one can use any Flash drive, SD Cards, CF Cards as the third memory option for the computer.

Now, the benefits of Flash Drive or Cards as a source of Memory :

1. It is faster than the virtual memory which is accessed through the hard disk drive.
2. It is cheaper as compared to the actually Physical Memory.

How can it be activated ?

In order to activate the ReadyBoost technology on your FlashDrive or Memory Cards, you have to follow these steps…

1. Open My Computer.
2. Right Click on the Removable Disk Drive and select Properties.
3. Click on ReadyBoost Tab.
4. Enable the feature by selecting the option and allocate the amount of space you want to use as memory.

Things to be noted….
1. Regardless of the fact that you use Readyboost or not, you need at least 512 Mb of memory to run Windows Vista decently.
2. If your device is not giving the option of ReadyBoost then it means that it doesn’t clear up the minimum data trasfer rate required by ReadBoost technology.

Hope this is useful..

credits:D@nGeR™

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Carrot + Ginger + Apple - Boost and cleanse our system.

Apple + Cucumber + Celery - Prevent cancer, reduce cholestrol, and improve stomach upset and headache.
Tomato + Carrot + Apple - Improve skin complexion and bad breath.
Bitter gourd + Apple + Milk - Avoid bad breath and reduce internal body heat.
Orange + Ginger + Cucumber - Improve Skin texture and moisture and reduce bodu heat.
Pineapple + Apple + Watermelon - To dispel excess salts, nourishes the bladder and kidney.
Apple + Cucumber + Kiwi - To improve skin complexion.
Pear & Banana - To regulates sugar content.
Carrot + Apple + Pear + Mango - Clear body heat, counteracts toxicity, decreased blood pressure and fight oxidization.
Honeydew + Grape + Watermelon + Milk - Rich in vitamin C + Vitamin B2 that increase cell activity and strengthen body immunity.
Papaya + Pineapple + Milk - Rich in vitamin C, E, Iron. Improve skin complexion and metabolism.
Banana + Pineapple + Milk - Rich in vitamin with nutritious and prevent constipation.

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WHAT IS BREAST CANCER?

Cancers are a group of diseases that cause cells in the body to change and grow out of control. Most types of cancer cells form a lump or mass called a tumor and are named after the part of the body where the tumor orignates. Therefore, breast cancer begins in the breast, which consists of glands for milk production called lobules, and the ducts that connect the lobules to the nipple. The remainder of the breast is made up of fatty, connective, and lymphatic tissue.

*Illustration from Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book

THE FACTS

• An estimated 212,920 new cases of invasive (cancer that has spread beyond the point of origination) breast cancer, as well as an additional 61,980 cases of in situ (cancer that has not yet spread) breast cancer were diagnosed in 2006.

• An estimated 41,430 women died from breast cancer in 2006.

• Incidence rates for breast cancer in the United States increased 4 percent each year during the 1980s, due to the greater use of mammography, which can detect tumors much earlier than manual exams. The number of new breast cancer cases leveled off in the 1990s.

• Mortality rates declined by 2.3 percent annually between 1990 and 2000 thanks to early detection and better treatment.

• The five-year survival rate for breast cancer diagnosed in early-localized stage is 98 percent.

WHAT IS YOUR RISK?

Eighty percent of women who develop breast cancer have no family history of the disease. Women in the 18 to 27 age group who are at a higher-than-average risk for developing breast cancer include those:

• who began menstruating before the age of 12;

• who are obese and/or physically inactive;

• who have a personal history of breast cancer or of biopsy-confirmed atypical hyperplasia;

• who drink moderate to high amounts of alcohol daily;

• who have a first-degree relative (mother, sister or daughter) diagnosed with breast cancer;

• who have a genetic predisposition (genes BRCA 1 and BRCA2).

HOW TO REDUCE YOUR RISK

According to the National Cancer Institute, doctors cannot always explain why one person develops breast cancer and another doesn't. However, scientists have studied general patterns of cancer in the population to learn what things around us and what things we do in our lives may increase our chance of developing cancer. Some of these so-called risk factors can be controlled (such as our eating and exercise habits), while others cannot (such as our family history and genetic makeup). So although there is no guaranteed way to prevent breast cancer there are some things you can do now that may help reduce your risk:

• Reduce fat in your diet. Fat should not exceed 30 percent of the total calories you eat daily. Transfatty acids found in some margarine, snack foods and bakery goods may be especially harmful.

• Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables.

• Eat plant-based oils such as those found in olive oils and soybean oils. Soybeans also contain isoflavones (weak estrogens) that may help block estrogen receptors and lower estrogen levels and cell growth that may lead to breast cancer.

• If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation. One glass of beer a day can increase your risk by 10 percent because estrogen levels increase in response to alcohol.

• Exercise at least four hours a week. Physical activity can also lower estrogen levels.

• Tamoxifen and rolaxifen are drugs that have been shown to reduce risk of breast cancer by blocking estrogen cell receptors and studies of both drugs are currently underway. These drugs may be appropriate for high-risk women with a personal history of lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) or atypical dysplasia or those with a strong family history of breast cancer.

EARLY DETECTION

Early detection of breast cancer saves lives. When breast cancer is found and treated early (while in stage 1 or 2 in which it has not spread beyond the breast), the five-year survival rate is approximately 98 percent. If you are between the ages of 18 and 27, a combination of monthly breast self exams and a clinical breast exam every three years is the best way to detect breast cancer in its earliest and most treatable stages.

Breast Self Exam (BSE):
You should examine your breasts once a month to check for physical changes. Make it a habit. Monthly exams will allow you to become familiar with your breasts and learn what feels normal. The best time to conduct a breast self-exam is right after your period. Here are simple instructions for performing a monthly breast self-exam.

Clinical Breast Exam (CBE):
Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam performed by a health care professional every three years. During the exam, your health care provider will check your breasts for any changes, lumps or other warning signs of breast cancer.

Mammography:
Mammography is generally not recommended until age 40. However, if you have a family history of breast cancer or a personal history of benign breast lumps, talk to your health care provider. It may be appropriate to begin mammography before age 40 in certain circumstances.

THE SYMPTOMS

Breast cancer is often detected in its earliest stage as an abnormality on a mammogram, well before it can be felt by the woman or by her health care provider. If a cancer has grown to the point where physical signs and symptoms are present, you may notice the following:

• Breast lump or thickening

• Swelling, redness or tenderness

• Skin or nipple changes in color or texture

• Dimpling or puckering of the skin

• Nipple pain, discharge, scaliness or retraction (nipple sinks inward)

• Lump in the armpit area

Breast pain is very commonly due to benign conditions and usually is not a symptom of breast cancer.

Regardless of your age, if you experience any of the above symptoms, see your health care provider immediately.

Information courtesy of the American Cancer Society, Breast Cancer Facts & Figures, 2005-2006

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This will prevent a badly written http crawler bot from accessing your website, thus saves you from wasting those precious bandwidth and your server's CPU resources.

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You may have noticed that beef and eggs have become four-letter words. It's all because of cholesterol, a substance that's gotten a reputation for breaking more hearts than a high school prom queen.

But cholesterol isn't entirely bad. The human body actually needs it--and produces it--to help protect nerves and build new cells and hormones. In fact, our bodies get all the cholesterol they need by making it on their own. The trouble starts when we add to the cholesterol our bodies produce, which can happen when we eat the all-American diet of cheeseburgers, steaks, pizza, ice cream or any food that is or includes an animal product.

Excess cholesterol settles along arterial walls, and that excess can clog arteries and restrict blood flow, leading to angina pain, heart attack or stroke. (Cholesterol is also a leading cause of gallstones.)

If your doctor has determined that you have high levels of cholesterol in your blood, you probably have been told the importance of limiting or eliminating it--which means reducing or avoiding its only dietary sources: meat, eggs, dairy products and the foods that contain them. But here are some other ways to control your cholesterol with diet.

Stock up on vitamin E. Scientists have discovered that we have both good (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL) and bad (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) cholesterol running through our bloodstream. Consuming 400 international units of vitamin E each day may help keep the bad cholesterol from oxidizing-an internal "rusting" process that causes the cholesterol to harden into arterial plaque, which in turn causes heart disease. Vitamin E also raises the level of good cholesterol.

"Taking vitamin E supplements helps prevent the cholesterol in your body from plaquing, so it does less damage," says Karen E. Burke, M.D., Ph.D., a dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon in New York City who has studied the various effects of vitamin E. Vitamin E is found in vegetable oils, nuts and grains, but it would be very difficult to obtain 400 international units daily from diet alone. Be sure to check with your doctor, though, before beginning a supplement program.

Eat breakfast every morning. Breakfast skippers tend to have higher cholesterol levels than those who start off their mornings with a bellyful, according to studies. One reason may be that breakfast skippers make up for missing the morning feast by munching on unhealthy snacks later on, suggests John L. Stanton, Ph.D., professor of food marketing at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia.

Research also shows that those who eat ready-to-eat cereal for breakfast have lower cholesterol levels than those choosing other morning entrées.

Nibble throughout the day. One way to lower your cholesterol is simply to change how often you eat. Research has shown that large meals trigger the release of large amounts of insulin, according to David Jenkins, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Center at St. Michael's Hospital at the University of Toronto. Insulin release in turn stimulates the production of an enzyme that increases cholesterol production by the liver.

Having smaller, more frequent meals (but not increasing overall calories) may limit insulin release and play a role in cholesterol control and heart disease prevention, speculates Dr. Jenkins.

Add vitamin C to your menu. Other vitamins and minerals also have a beneficial effect on cholesterol. Research by Paul Jacques, Sc.D., an epidemiologist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston, shows that people with diets high in vitamin C tend to have higher HDL levels. Vitamin C is especially beneficial when you get it from fruits and vegetables that also have a cholesterol-lowering fiber called pectin. Pectin surrounds cholesterol and helps transport it out of your digestive system before it gets into your blood. Vitamin C-rich, pectin-rich foods include citrus fruits, tomatoes, potatoes, strawberries, apples and spinach.

Go heavy on garlic. Vampires aren't the only thing garlic keeps away. In large doses--at least seven cloves daily--this food can significantly reduce cholesterol. Of course, that's probably more garlic than most people eat in a month. To get a similar benefit, try odorless garlic pills. When people with moderately high cholesterol took four capsules a day of an odorless liquid garlic extract called Kyolic, their cholesterol levels initially rose but then fell an average of 44 points after six months, according to a research study headed by Benjamin Lau, M.D., Ph.D., at Loma Linda University School of Medicine in Loma Linda, California. You can find garlic pills at most health food stores.

Don't depend on decaf. Decaffeinated coffee actually raises LDL levels more than regular brew, so its the worst beverage selection if you have high cholesterol, according to Dr. Jenkins. It may be because the beans used for decaf are stronger than "regular" beans. Frequent coffee drinkers (those who drink it daily) typically have a 7 percent cholesterol increase, as shown in a study at Stanford University in Stanford, California.

Gravitate toward grapes. There's a cholesterol-lowering compound in virtually all products containing grape skin, including wine, according to pomologist Leroy Creasy, Ph.D., of Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in Ithaca, New York. You can take advantage of these cholesterol-clobbering qualities by drinking grape juice or simply eating grapes.

Reach for grapefruit. In a study conducted by James Cerda, M.D., a gastroenterologist and professor of medicine at the University of Florida Health Science Center in Gainesville, people who ate at least 1 1/2 cups of grapefruit sections every day lowered their cholesterol over 7 percent in two months. Grapefruit is among the fruits that contain cholesterol-lowering pectin.

Cook up some beans. Lima beans, kidney beans, navy beans, soybeans and other legumes can all help lower your cholesterol, according to James W. Anderson, M.D., an expert in cholesterol research who is professor of medicine and clinical nutrition at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine in Lexington. The reason these high-fiber legumes are so effective is because they, too, contain pectin. The more of these beans you can eat, the greater the benefits.

In one study, Dr. Anderson asked men to eat 1 1/2 cups of cooked beans a day. The result? Their cholesterol plummeted 20 percent in just three weeks. You probably won't go for much, but the more beans, the better--and high-fiber diets have many other benefits besides. Look for a cookbook or two that have great recipes with beans, and try to get more in your diet.

Munch a couple of carrots. Bugs Bunny's favorite entrée is a boon to arteries, because carrots have plenty of cholesterol-lowering pectin. "It may be possible for people with high cholesterol to lower it 10 to 20 percent just by eating two carrots a day," says Peter D. Hoagland, Ph.D., a researcher at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Eastern Regional Research Center in Philadelphia.

Understanding Cholesterol Lingo
If all this talk about good and bad cholesterol is confusing, take heart. Here's how to understand it.

Serum cholesterol is the amount of this fatty substance in your bloodstream. Your serum cholesterol is what your doctor measures in a cholesterol test. A reading under 200 is desirable; a reading over 240 may be dangerous and is cause for concern.

Dietary cholesterol is what you eat. For instance, an egg has 213 milligrams; an apple has none. The American Heart Association recommends that you eat no more than 300 milligrams a day.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the bad cholesterol that clogs arteries. The lower your LDL, the better.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is the good cholesterol that scours artery walls and helps remove harmful LDL. The higher your HDL, the better.

Home remedies for cholesterol #1: Mix 1 tsp. of roasted chicory root.
1 tsp. of lime flowers.
½ tsp. of fenugreek seeds.
½ tsp. of ginger rhizome.
1 quart of water.
Boil all ingredients, let it cool, strain. Drink 2 cups a day.

Home remedies for cholesterol #2: Eat Garlic or take 1 capsule twice a day. It lowers LDL cholesterol level in 12% and increases HDLs.

Home remedies for cholesterol #3: Niacin is particularly helpful in lowering cholesterol. However, inositol hexaniacinate is an even better and safer form of niacin. Inositol hexaniacinate is composed of one molecule of inositol and six molecules of niacin. Inositol hexaniacinate has been used in Europe for over thirty years to lower cholesterol levels. Inositol hexaniacinate yields slightly better results than standard niacin and is better tolerated because it is flush free and doesn't have any long-term side effects on the liver or blood sugar control.

Home remedies for cholesterol #4:Chromium is vital in the synthesis of cholesterol, fats and protein. Chromium maintains stable blood sugar levels through proper insulin utilization and can be helpful for people with diabetes and/or hypoglycemia. Studies have shown that low plasma chromium levels can be an indication of coronary artery disease. Take 400 mcg. a day of chromium picolinate to improve HDL to LDL ratio.

Home remedies for cholesterol #5:Taking Vitamin C with bioflavonoids 4000 mg. a day lowers cholesterol.

Home remedies for cholesterol #6:Ginger reduces cholesterol and thins the blood improving circulation

Home remedies for cholesterol #7:Guggul reduces LDL by 35% increases HDL by 20 % in 12 weeks, prevents arteriosclerosis. It performs better then many drugs in several studies.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

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If you've been diagnosed with breast cancer, you likely will face a number of physical and emotional challenges. Though everyone has different coping strategies, knowing and accessing the resources available to you and changing your perspective may allow you to better handle the everyday difficulties you'll encounter when living with breast cancer.

1. Educate yourself about all aspects of the disease

   It is important for you to learn as much about breast cancer as possible. If you have a solid knowledge base, you will have a better understanding of information about your diagnosis, treatment and related factors. Don't be afraid to ask your physicians to explain information that is not clear. There are many books, journals and Internet sites devoted to breast cancer. By increasing your knowledge, you and your family can make decisions with confidence.

2. Use your available resources

   Dealing with breast cancer can be overwhelming for both you and your family. Your cancer care team plays a vital role before, during and after treatment. These health-care professionals are specially trained in cancer and can provide support for all aspects of your disease. Be sure to consult with your team if you have questions or concerns. In many instances, a member of the team can help you. If not, they will be able to refer you to someone who can provide the support you need.

   In addition to the healthcare professionals involved in your treatment, don't be afraid to accept help from your family, friends and peers. Many of these people sincerely want to help you through this difficult time. Accept their offers, especially when you are not feeling strong or may be experiencing side effects of your treatment. You should never feel that accepting someone's help is giving in to the disease.

3. Stay focused on your own well-being

   After you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you will begin to feel that you are part of an exclusive group. This has its good points and bad points. On the good side, you will meet an amazing group of women who can offer you words of wisdom and unending support. The bad side, however, is that you will begin to hear stories of women who have not survived. You may begin to think, That could be me. She had the same treatment I did, and she's no longer living.

   You need to remember that every breast cancer is different and every woman is different. You must stay focused on your own well-being and believe that you are a survivor.

   Maintaining this mindset may be even harder while you are in treatment. You will see other cancer patients receiving chemotherapy or radiation who may not look well. Again, when you are receiving therapy, focus on yourself. If you are bothered by the sights and sounds surrounding you during treatment, listen to music through headphones or bring a good book to occupy your mind. Many women choose to bring a friend who can keep them positive and can serve as a distraction to the therapy.

4. Keep the lines of communication open with those in your life

   Most people in your life will not be able to relate to your situation. They also cannot read your mind. For these reasons, it is important for you to share your feelings with those who love and support you. Share your concerns, whether they are about the current treatment or your future. Let your family and friends know your hopes and fears so they can help you deal with them.

   It is very easy to become isolated, which can lead to depression. If you feel you are separating yourself from those who love you, find ways to keep them a part of your life. Pick those members who understand you the best and use them to keep you involved in life. It is natural to feel low at times, but you don't want negative feelings to overtake your life.

5. Be patient and learn to take one day at a time

   When you are diagnosed with breast cancer, it's common to want everything to be "fixed" immediately. It is frustrating to have to wait for test results, schedule doctors' appointments and delay your therapy. But you want as much accurate information as possible before you decide on your treatment plan. In many cases, women are able to seek a second opinion about their breast cancer. Once you have the opinions, you can discuss your options with your doctors and choose the treatment that is best for you.

   It can be frustrating when you receive differing opinions from the doctors you consult. One may suggest a mastectomy, while another may recommend a lumpectomy followed by radiation. You must weigh all of the information and make a decision with your physicians about your treatment plan. As the patient, your preferences are an important factor in the treatment of your breast cancer.

6. Learn to live for the future

   After your treatments are finished, you will begin to think more about your future. Every day you may think about if and when your breast cancer will return or if the cancer will appear somewhere else in your body. As time passes, you will become less fearful about a cancer recurrence and start thinking of yourself as a breast cancer survivor. You'll be surrounded by millions of other women who have the same label. They can become your family and, in many instances, your support.

   When you talk to a woman who tells you that she's a 5-year or 10-year survivor, it may help to remind yourself that you can be like that woman. Breast cancer survival has improved every year, and with ongoing research, it is hoped that this trend will continue. Breast cancer is no longer a death sentence. A woman who has been diagnosed with this cancer in its earliest stage has a 98 percent survival rate. Don't forget that you can be a part of that high percentage.

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1. Type about:config in the address bar and then press Enter.

2. In the filter search bar type network.http.pipelining. Be sure the value field is set true,if not double-click to set true.

3. Go back to the filter search bar and type network.http.pipelining.maxrequests. Double-click this option and set its value to 8.

4. In the filter search bar and type network.http.proxy.pipelining. Once opened double-click on it and set it to true.

5. In IPv6-capable DNS servers

, an IPv4 address may be returned when an IPv6 address is requested. It is possible for Mozilla to recover from this misinformation, but a significant delay is introduced.
Type network.dns.disableIPv6 in the filter search bar and set this option to true by double clicking on it.

6. CONTENT INTERRUPT PARSING
This preference controls if the application will interrupt parsing a page to respond to UI events. It does not exist by default.
Right-click (Apple users ctrl-click) anywhere in the about:config window, select New and then Boolean from the pop-up menu. Then:

A. Enter content.interrupt.parsing in the New boolean value pop-up window and click OK

B. When prompted to choose the value for the new boolean, select true and click OK.

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1. Avoid High Speeds

As your speed increases, your aerodynamic drag increases in an exponential fashion. Driving 62 mph (100 km/h) vs 75 mph (120 km/h) will reduce fuel consumption by about 15%.

2. Do Not Accelerate or Brake Hard

By anticipating the traffic and applying slow steady acceleration and braking, fuel economy may increase by as much as 20%.

3. Keep Tires Properly Inflated

Keep tire air pressure at the level recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. A single tire under inflated by 2 PSI, increases fuel consumption by 1%.

4. Use Air-Conditioner Sparingly

When the air conditioner is turned on, it puts extra load on the engine forcing more fuel to be used (by about 20%).

5. Keep Windows Closed

Windows open, especially at highway speeds, increase drag and result in decreased fuel economy of up to 10%.

6. Service Vehicle Regularly

Works for both. Proper maintenance avoids poor fuel economy related to dirty air filters, old spark plugs or low fluid levels.

7. Maintaining a constant speed

Maintaining a constant speed over long distances often saves gas.

8. Avoid Heavy Loads

Remove the sand bags from your trunk in the spring and pack lightly for long trips.

9. Avoid Long Idles

If you anticipate being stopped for more than 1 minute, shut off the car. Restarting the car uses less fuel than letting it idle for this time.

10. Do not Warm Up your Engine

Drive off immediately at a low speed after starting your car. This way, the engine will warm up faster and lubricate better.

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1) Identifying phishing/fraudulent attempts:

1. Legitimate online businesses will never ask you for sensitive personal information such as passwords, bank account or credit card numbers, PIN numbers, or Social Security numbers via e-mail. So, if you were asked to reveal this information online, this may be a fraudulent attempt.

2. Phishers normally use convincing messages to ask users to go to their websites and enter personal/sensitive information on the phishing website. It would be advisable to scan the types of messages contained in the email prior to visiting the websites.

   Among messages to be cautious of are as follows:

   • Security or server updates, maintenance upgrades, online banking problems

   • Billing information requests or billing issues

   • Official or urgent notices

   • Account updates, e-mail or account verification requests

   • Consumer alerts, customer warnings

   • Your account has been, or may be, suspended or needs to be reactivated

   • Problems with your account, errors found

   • Suspicious transactions, fraud investigation, unusual activity

   • Someone sent you money, payment acknowledgments, order confirmations, lottery wins, jackpot wins, competition wins

   • Requests for assistance with fund transfers (the infamous 'Nigerian' scam)

   • Offers of advice on how to protect yourself from fraudulent transactions, identity theft solutions

3. The phishing email does not address a user by his/her name.

4. No confirmation of the company that does business with you, such as referencing a partial account number.

5. The email warns that your account will be shut down unless you reconfirm your financial information.

6. Spelling or grammatical errors in the phishing emails.

2) Avoiding phishing attempts

1. Do not respond to e-mails requesting for your personal information. Legitimate companies do not ask their customers for confidential information, such as passwords and account numbers, though e -mail.

2. Do not open attachments or download files. Phishers can use these files to infect your computer with a virus or spyware.

3. Do not click on links provided in e-mails. If you are uncertain about a website address that appears in an e-mail, go to your browser and enter the legitimate address manually. Phishers can use links to point recipients to a "spoofed" site, using an address similar to a real bank's URL. If in doubt, phone the business in question. Use a phone number that you have obtained from a reliable source, and not from the suspected e -mail.

4. Do secure your computer. Use updated anti-virus software, personal firewalls and apply latest security patches for your operating system and browser to secure your system from unwanted incidents. Anti-spam software can also help stop phishing e-mails from getting into your inbox. Some phishing e-mail may try to release a virus onto your computer.

   Internet Explorer (IE) users can download a special patch to protect against certain phishing schemes.

   The download is available at:
   http://www.microsoft.com/security/

5. Do report suspicious e-mails to the legitimate company, to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or to your Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT).

6. Do review your credit card and bank statements regularly to check for errors or unauthorized transactions. If anything looks suspicious, do contact your bank and all card issuers.

7. Do install a Web browser tool bar to help protect you from known phishing fraud websites.

   EarthLink ScamBlocker is part of a free browser toolbar that alerts you before you visit a page that's on Earthlink's list of known fraudulent phisher Web sites.

   Free download is available at:
   http://www.earthlink.net/earthlinktoolbar

8. Do consider protecting yourself from dangerous scripts and spammers and phishers. Software such as the latest version of Outlook Express does make it much easier to do this.

3) Reporting a phishing case

Upon receipt of a report from user, Malaysian Computer Emergency Response Team (MyCERT) will perform below:

1. Verify the existence of the reported phishing site and check if the phishing site is still online or offline.

2. Find out the administrator/location of the Internet Protocol (IP) address where the phishing site is hosted by using 'whois' search tools. 'Whois' is an Internet database that provides information on a person or an organization.

3. Communicate with the administrator of the IP to shutdown the phishing site immediately, within 3 hours if the phishing site is hosted locally and within 24 hours if the phishing site is hosted overseas. For phishing sites hosted overseas, a copy of the notification will be carbon copied to the respective CERT of the country.

4. Monitor the phising sites from time to time if it is still online after notifying the relevant parties, locally and overseas. If it is still online, we shall send reminders to the respective parties.

5. Phishing sites that are not shutdown within 24 hours of notification, particularly the ones hosted on foreign servers, will be referred to the Law Enforcement Agency, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commissions (MCMC), for further action.

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It's not always wise to upgrade your hardware every time you feel your computer is getting slow. In fact, Microsoft's operating systems slow down a PC when you have lots of programs installed. In this tutorial I will tell you some easy tricks to get most out of your hardware.

1. Disable extra startup programs

Several items add up to the start up list when you install different software. Such programs are loaded when your system boots and remain in memory (RAM), they also continuously use processor. Here are is what you have to do to make them go away:

• Goto Start>Run
• Type "msconfig", without quotations
• Hit enter key or click the OK button
• A window will show up, you have to click the startup tab, as shown in the figure
• In the Startup tab you will see several boxes and some of them will selected (checked). All you have to do is to uncheck extra items that are of no use. If you run an antivirus program it is not recommended to uncheck it.
• After making you choices press the OK button, you will be prompted to restart computer to apply changes.
• After restarting your computer a dialogue will be displayed. You can check the option for not showing this dialogue every time your PC reboots.

2. Disable Extra Services

On menu opened by msconfig command, there is also another tab for Services. Click it and check "Hide All Microsoft Services" option. This option will display you list of third party services. Uncheck the services that are undesirable. As usual you have to reboot to apply the changes.

3. Adjust Display Settings

XP has a very cool looking user interface, but it consumes a certain amount of memory. To make it a little lightweight you have to:

• Right click My Computer and select Properties
• Click the Advanced tab
• Go to Performance>Settings (have to click settings button in the performance section)
• Uncheck all except:
  Use visual styles on windows and buttons
  Use drop shadows for icons labels on the desktop
  Show translucent selection rectangle
  Show shadows under mouse pointer
  Show shadows under menus
• Finally click Apply and OK

4. Remove Widgets and Background

Different third party widgets and visual styles like for Vista like look and feel make your system slow. If you remove such packages you system will perform better on CPU and memory intensive tasks. Selecting default and no wallpaper as background also gives better performance than that of "high quality" wallpapers.

5. Folder Browsing

When you try to browse folder, Windows automatically searches for printer and network files. This is a performance overhead. To fix this you have to follow following steps:

• Open My Computer
• Click Tools>Folder Options
• Select the View tab and unselect the check box for Automatically search for network folders and printers
• Click Apply then OK and finally reboot to apply the change.

6. Indexing Service

Windows XP comes with a very heavy and not so good "Indexing Service". The service "claims" to makes indexes of different files on your computer so that they can be retrieved easily. The service consumes a large amount of memory, and it has no major advantage either. To disable it you have to:

• Go to Start>Control Panel
• Double click Add or Remove programs.
• Select Add/Remove Windows Components, a new dialogue, as shown in the figure, will appear.
• Uncheck the Indexing Service, if not already unchecked
• Click Next to finalize

7. Size of Page File

Page file size is not constant by default. Due to this operating system has to resize the file each time when more space is required, this is a performance overhead. All you have to do is to set the file size to a reasonable limit. Follow the steps:

• Right click My Computer, Select Properties then Advanced tab
• Click the settings button under the performance section
• Click the Advanced tab
• Click Change button under the Virtual memory section
• "Virtual Memory" dialogue will appear (also shown in the figure below)
• Highlight the drive containing page file, which is C: by default
• Select the Custom size radio button and give same values in Initial size and Maximum size fields.
• Click Set and OK buttons to apply the changes

If your system has a sufficiently large memory (1 or 2 GB) then you can even disable paging.

8. Enable Direct Memory Access (DMA)

Go to:

• Right Click My Computer, select properties
• Select the Hardware tab
• Click the Device Manager button
• Double click IDE/ATAPI controllers
• Keep on checking if DMA is enabled for each, you have to double click each option click Advanced Settings tab (as shown in figure) The tab may or may not be available for each option. It is only available in Primary and Secondary Channels.
• Set the transfer mode to "DMA if Available" both for Device 1 and 0
• Perform the same operation for other items in the list, if applicable.

Note: All of these techniques may not be available to you depending on you access rights on the system. Contact your system administrator in this regard.

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In this tip I will tell you a quick way to open a built-in Windows XP Applications by using “Run box”. The run option of Start menu is used to run a program or to open a document directly. If you do not know the exact location of the program or document then click on Start button to open Run and type the programs shortcut name to open it directly, For Example when you will open “Notepad” application and type “notepad” at the “Run box” then press “Enter” to run it. In this way you can run a lot of Windows XP Applications and Utilities.

Executable Filename Function

Access.cpl Used to run Add/Remove wizard

Accwiz.exe Runs the Accessibility Wizard

appwiz.cpl Runs the new add or remove programs wizard

wab.exe Runs the Windows Address Book

ntbackup.exe Runs the Windows backup program

charmap.exe Runs the Windows Character Map

Control.exe Runs the Control Panel

Timedate.cpl Launches the computer’s date and time panel

Devmgmt.msc Runs the Device Manager settings

Cleanmgr.exe Lets you play the Disk Cleanup utility

netstat.exe View information about network settings

hdwwiz.cpl Run the new hardware search wizard

Chkdsk.exe Runs the utility that checks your hard disk problems

cmd.exe or command.exe Both use to run MSDOS commands

Defrag.exe Run the Disk Defragmenter, which organizing files on your hard disk

Desk.cpl Launches the Display properties dialog box

fxsclnt.exe Use to Runs the Fax Console panel

control.exe folders Display the Folder option dialog box

control.exe fonts Display the Fonts Folder option dialog box

freecell.exe Runs the FreeCell game

joy.cpl Runs the Game Controllers dialog box

mshearts.exe Launches the Hearts game

helpctr.exe Display the windows Help and Support Center

hypertrm.exe Runs the HyperTerminal application

bckgzm.exe Run the Internet Backgammon game

chkrzm.exe Run the Internet Checkers game

iexplore.exe Run the Internet Explorer

inetcpl.cpl Run the Internet Properties dialog box

main.cpl Help you to manage the Keyboard Properties

logoff.exe Shortcut to Logoff Windows XP

magnify.exe Launches a program to magnify windows applications

conf.exe Runs the Microsoft NetMeeting conferencing program.

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Stopping smoking is not easy. Below are some tips which may help you to quit smoking. At the end of the leaflet there are details of some further resources that may help.

Write a list of the reasons why you want to stop, and keep them with you. Refer to them when tempted to light up. You may wish to read a separate leaflet in this series called 'Smoking - The Facts'. This gives the reasons why smoking is so harmful and lists the benefits of stopping.

Set a date for stopping, and stop completely. (Some people prefer the idea of cutting down gradually. However, research has shown that if you smoke less cigarettes than usual, you are likely to smoke more of each cigarette, and nicotine levels remain nearly the same. Therefore, it is usually best to stop once and for all from a set date.)

Tell everyone that you are giving up smoking. Friends and family often give support and may help you. Smoking by others in the household makes giving up harder. If appropriate, try to get other household members who smoke, or friends who smoke, to stop smoking at the same time. A 'team' effort may be easier than going it alone.

Get rid of ashtrays, lighters, and all cigarettes.

Be prepared for some withdrawal symptoms. When you stop smoking, you are likely to get symptoms which may include: nausea (feeling sick), headaches, anxiety, irritability, craving, and just feeling awful. These symptoms are caused by the lack of nicotine that your body has been used to. They tend to peak after 12-24 hours, and then gradually ease over 2-4 weeks.

Anticipate a cough. It is normal for a 'smokers cough' to get worse when you stop smoking (as the airways 'come back to life'). Many people say that this makes them feel worse for a while after stopping smoking and makes them tempted to restart smoking. Resist this temptation! The cough usually gradually eases.

Be aware of situations in which you are most likely to want to smoke. In particular, drinking alcohol is often associated with failing in an attempt to stop smoking. You should consider not drinking much alcohol in the first few weeks after stopping smoking. Try changing your routine for the first few weeks. For example, don't go to the pub for a while if that is a tempting place to smoke and drink alcohol. Also, if drinking tea and coffee are difficult times, try drinking mainly fruit juice and plenty of water instead.

Take one day at a time. Mark off each successful day on a calendar. Look at it when you feel tempted to smoke, and tell yourself that you don't want to start all over again.

Be positive. You can tell people that you don't smoke. You will smell better. After a few weeks you should feel better, taste your food more, and cough less. You will have more money. Perhaps put away the money you would have spent on cigarettes for treats.

Food. Some people worry about gaining weight when they give up smoking as the appetite may improve. Anticipate an increase in appetite, and try not to increase fatty or sugary foods as snacks. Try sugar-free gum and fruit instead.

Don't despair if you fail. Examine the reasons why you felt it was more difficult at that particular time. It will make you stronger next time. On average, people who eventually stop smoking have made 3 or 4 previous attempts.

Stop Smoking Clinics are available on the NHS. They have a good success in helping people to stop smoking. Your doctor may refer you to one if you are keen to stop smoking but are finding it difficult to do so.

Various medicines can increase your chance of quitting. These include Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) which comes as gums, sprays, patches, tablets, lozenges, and inhalers. You can buy NRT without a prescription. Also, medicines called bupropion (trade name 'Zyban') and varenicline (trade name 'Champix) can help. These are available on prescription. See separate leaflets called 'Smoking - Nicotine Replacement Therapy', 'Smoking - Helping to Stop with Bupropion' and 'Smoking - Helping to Stop with Varenicline'.

Further help and information

Quit - a charity that helps people to stop smoking.
Quitline: 0800 00 22 00 Web: www.quit.org.uk

NHS 'Go Smokefree' Services
NHS smoking helpline 0800 169 0 169 Web: www.gosmokefree.nhs.uk
For help and advice on stopping smoking, and for details of your local NHS Stop Smoking Service.

References

• Smoking cessation, Clinical Knowledge Summaries (April 2008)
• Smoking cessation, NICE (2006)
• Various factsheets and guidelines on smoking and smoking cessation, Action on Smoking and Health (various dates)

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Stress is a fact of life, but being stressed out is not. We don't always have control over what happens to us, says Allen Elkin, Ph.D., director of the Stress Management Counseling Center in New York City, and yet, that doesn't mean we have to react to a difficult, challenging situation by becoming frazzled or feeling overwhelmed or distraught. Being overly anxious is not just a mental hazard; it's a physical one too. The more stressed out we are the more vulnerable we are to colds, flu, and a host of chronic or life-threatening illnesses. And the less open we are to the beauty and pleasure of life. For your emotional and bodily benefit, we've consulted experts and come up with 37 easy, natural alternatives to anxiety. Enjoy!

1. Breathe Easily
"Breathing from your diaphragm oxygenates your blood, which helps you relax almost instantly," says Robert Cooper, Ph.D., the San Francisco coauthor of The Power of 5 (Rodale Press, 1996), a book of five-second and five-minute health tips. Shallow chest breathing, by contrast, can cause your heart to beat faster and your muscles to tense up, exacerbating feelings of stress. To breathe deeply, begin by putting your hand on your abdomen just below the navel. Inhale slowly through your nose and watch your hand move out as your belly expands. Hold the breath for a few seconds, then exhale slowly. Repeat several times.

2. Visualize Calm
It sounds New Age-y, but at least one study, done at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, has found that it's highly effective in reducing stress. Dr. Cooper recommends imagining you're in a hot shower and a wave of relaxation is washing your stress down the drain. Gerald Epstein, M.D., the New York City author of Healing Visualizations (Bantam Doubleday Dell Press, 1989), suggests the following routine: Close your eyes, take three long, slow breaths, and spend a few seconds picturing a relaxing scene, such as walking in a meadow, kneeling by a brook, or lying on the beach. Focus on the details -- the sights, the sounds, the smells.

3. Make Time for a Mini Self-Massage
Maria Hernandez-Reif, Ph.D., of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine, recommends simply massaging the palm of one hand by making a circular motion with the thumb of the other. Or use a massage gadget. The SelfCare catalog offers several, such as the S-shaped Tamm unit, that allow you to massage hard-to-reach spots on your back. For a free catalog, call 800-345-3371 or go to www.selfcare.com.

4. Try a Tonic
A study at Duke University in Durham, NC, found homeopathy effective in quelling anxiety disorders. Look for stress formulas such as Nerve Tonic (from Hyland) or Sedalia (from Boiron) in your health food store, or consult a licensed homeopath. To find one near you, contact the National Center for Homeopathy, 801 North Fairfax St., Suite 306, Alexandria, VA 22314; 703-548-7790 or go to www.healthy.net/nch/.

5. Say Cheese
Smiling is a two-way mechanism. We do it when we're relaxed and happy, but doing it can also make us feel relaxed and happy. "Smiling transmits nerve impulses from the facial muscles to the limbic system, a key emotional center in the brain, tilting the neurochemical balance toward calm," Dr. Cooper explains. Go ahead and grin. Don't you feel better already?

6. Do Some Math
Using a scale of one to 10, with one being the equivalent of a minor hassle and 10 being a true catastrophe, assign a number to whatever it is that's making you feel anxious. "You'll find that most problems we encounter rate somewhere in the two to five range -- in other words, they're really not such a big deal," says Dr. Elkin.

7. Stop Gritting Your Teeth
Stress tends to settle in certain parts of our bodies, the jaw being one of them. When things get hectic, try this tip from Dr. Cooper: Place your index fingertips on your jaw joints, just in front of your ears; clench your teeth and inhale deeply. Hold the breath for a moment, and as you exhale say, "Ah-h-h-h," then unclench your teeth. Repeat a few times.

8. Compose a Mantra
Devise an affirmation -- a short, clear, positive statement that focuses on your coping abilities. "Affirmations are a good way to silence the self-critical voice we all carry with us that only adds to our stress," Dr. Elkin says. The next time you feel as if your life is one disaster after another, repeat 10 times, "I feel calm. I can handle this."

9. Check Your Chi
Qigong (pronounced chee-gong) is a 5,000-year-old Chinese practice designed to promote the flow of chi, the vital life force that flows throughout the body, regulating its functions. Qigong master Ching-Tse Lee, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at Brooklyn College in New York, recommends this calming exercise: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and parallel. Bend your knees to a quarter-squat position (about 45 degrees) while keeping your upper body straight. Observe your breathing for a couple of breaths. Inhale and bring your arms slowly up in front of you to shoulder height with your elbows slightly bent. Exhale, stretching your arms straight out. Inhale again, bend your elbows slightly and drop your arms down slowly until your thumbs touch the sides of your legs. Exhale one more time, then stand up straight.

10. Be a Fighter
"At the first sign of stress, you often hear people complain, 'What did I do to deserve this?'" says Dr. Cooper. The trouble is, feeling like a victim only increases feelings of stress and helplessness. Instead, focus on being proactive. If your flight gets canceled, don't wallow in self-pity. Find another one. If your office is too hot or too cold, don't suffer in silence. Call the building manager and ask what can be done to make things more comfortable.

11. Put It on Paper
Writing provides perspective, says Paul J. Rosch, M.D., president of the American Institute of Stress in Yonkers, NY. Divide a piece of paper into two parts. On the left side, list the stressors you may be able to change, and on the right, list the ones you can't. "Change what you can," Dr. Rosch suggests, "and stop fretting over what you can't."

12. Count to 10
Before you say or do something you'll regret, step away from the stressor and collect yourself, advises Dr. Cooper. You can also look away for a moment or put the caller on hold. Use your time-out to take a few deep breaths, stretch, or recite an affirmation.

13. Switch to Decaf
Wean yourself slowly, or you might get a caffeine-withdrawal headache that could last for several days, cautions James Duke, Ph.D., the Fulton, MD, author of The Green Pharmacy (Rodale Press, 1997). Subtract a little regular coffee and add some decaf to your morning cup. Over the next couple of weeks, gradually increase the proportion of decaf to regular until you're drinking all decaf. You should also consider switching from regular soft drinks to caffeine-free ones or sparkling mineral water.

14. Just Say No
Trying to do everything is a one-way ticket to serious stress. Be clear about your limits, and stop trying to please everyone all the time.

15. Take a Whiff
Oils of anise, basil, bay, chamomile, eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, rose, and thyme are all soothing, say Kathy Keville and Mindy Green, coauthors of Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art (Crossing Press, 1995). Place a few pieces of rock salt in a small vial, then add a couple of drops of the oil of your choice (the rock salt absorbs the oil and is much less risky to carry around in your purse than a bottle of oil). Open the vial and breathe in the scent whenever you need a quick stress release. Look for the oils in your local health food store, or try one of the following mail-order companies: Aroma-Vera, 5901 Rodeo Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90016, 800-669-9514; or Leydet Aromatics, P.O. Box 2354, Fair Oaks, CA 95628, 916-965-7546.

16. Warm Up
Try this tip from David Sobel, M.D., in San Jose, CA, author of The Healthy Mind, Healthy Body Handbook (I S H K Book Service, 1997) : Rub your hands together vigorously until they feel warm. Then cup them over your closed eyes for five seconds while you breathe deeply. The warmth and darkness are comforting.

17. Say Yes to Pressure
Acupressure stimulates the same points as acupuncture, but with fingers instead of needles. Michael Reed Gach, Ph.D., director of the Acupressure Institute in Berkeley, CA, recommends pressing on the following three points:

The Third Eye, located between the eyebrows, in the indentation where the bridge of the nose meets the forehead.

The Heavenly Pillar, on the back of the neck slightly below the base of the skull, about half an inch to the left or right of the spine.

The Heavenly Rejuvenation, half an inch below the top of each shoulder, midway between the base of the neck and the outside of the shoulder blade.

Breathe deeply and apply firm, steady pressure on each point for two to three minutes. The pressure should cause a mild aching sensation, but not pain.

18. Schedule Worry Time
Some stressors demand immediate attention -- a smoke alarm siren or a police car's whirling red light. But many low-grade stressors can be dealt with at a later time, when it's more convenient. "File them away in a little mental compartment, or make a note," Dr. Elkin says, "then deal with them when the time is right. Don't let them control you."

19. Shake It Up
This quick exercise helps loosen the muscles in your neck and upper back, says Dr. Sobel: Stand or sit, stretch your arms out from your sides and shake your hands vigorously for about 10 seconds. Combine this with a little deep breathing, Dr. Sobel says, and you'll do yourself twice as much good.

20. Munch Some Snacks
Foods that are high in carbohydrates stimulate the release of serotonin, feel-good brain chemicals that help induce calm, says Dr. Cooper. Crackers, pretzels, or a bagel should do the trick.

21. Boost Your Vitamin Intake
Elizabeth Somer, R.D., author of Food and Mood (Owl Books, 1999), in Salem, OR, recommends that women take a daily multivitamin and mineral formula that contains between 100% and 300% of the recommended dietary allowances of vitamin B, as well as the minerals calcium, magnesium, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and zinc. Avoid stress formulas, which often contain large amounts of randomly formulated nutrients, such as the B vitamins, but little or nothing else, Somer says.

22. Get Horizontal
If sex has been on the bottom of your to-do list for too long, move it to the top. Sex increases levels of endorphins, those mood-boosting chemicals in the brain, and it's one of the best total-body relaxers around, says Louanne Cole Weston, Ph.D., a sex therapist in Sacramento, CA. Make a date with your mate, and don't let anything get in the way.

23. Admit It
Each of us has uniquely individual stress signals -- neck or shoulder pain, shallow breathing, stammering, teeth gritting, queasiness, loss of temper. Learn to identify yours, then say out loud, "I'm feeling stressed," when they crop up, recommends Dr. Rosch. Recognizing your personal stress signals helps slow the buildup of negativity and anxiety.

24. Space Out
Look out the window and find something natural that captures your imagination, advises Dr. Sobel. Notice the clouds rolling by or the wind in the trees.

25. Try Tea
By now most of us know about the calming properties of chamomile tea. But a steaming cup of catnip, passionflower, skullcap or kava kava also work, according to Dr. Duke. Whether you use tea bags or loose tea (one teaspoon of tea per cup of boiling water), steep for about 10 minutes to get the full benefits of the herbs.

26. Take a Walk
It forces you to breathe more deeply and improves circulation, says Dr. Cooper. Step outside if you can; if that's not possible, you can gain many of the same benefits simply by walking to the bathroom or water cooler, or by pacing back and forth. "The key is to get up and move," Dr. Cooper says.

27. Soak it Up
"When I have the time, nothing is more stress relieving for me than a hot bath," Dr. Weston says. "But when I don't have time, I do the next-best thing: I wash my face or even just my hands and arms with hot water. The key is to imagine that I'm taking a hot bath. It's basically a visualization exercise, but the hot water makes it feel real."

28. Play a Few Bars
A number of recent studies have shown that music can do everything from slow heart rate to increase endorphins. Good bets: Bach's "Air on the G-String," Beethoven's Pastorale symphony, Chopin's Nocturne in G, Handel's Water Music, or pianist George Winston's CDs Autumn or December..

29. Fall for Puppy Love
In a study of 100 women conducted last year at the State University of New York at Buffalo, researchers found that those who owned a dog had lower blood pressure than those who didn't. If you don't have a pooch, visit a friend's: Petting an animal for just a couple of minutes helps relieve stress, researchers have found.

30. Practice Mindfulness
Heighten your awareness of the moment by focusing intently on an object. Notice a pencil's shape, color, weight and feel. Or slowly savor a raisin or a piece of chocolate. Mindfulness leads to relaxation.

31. Dial a Friend
Sharing your troubles can give you perspective, help you feel cared for and relieve your burden.

32. Stretch
Muscles tighten during the course of the day, and when we feel stressed out, the process accelerates. Stretching loosens muscles and encourages deep breathing. Molly Fox, creative fitness director at the Equinox Fitness Center in New York City, says one of the greatest stress-relieving stretches is a yoga position called the child pose, which stretches the back muscles. On a rug or mat, kneel, sit back on your heels, then lean forward and put your forehead on the floor and your arms alongside your legs, palms up. Hold for one to three minutes.

33. Say a Little Prayer
Studies show that compared with those who profess no faith, religious and spiritual people are calmer and healthier.

34. Make Plans
"Looking forward to something provides calming perspective," Dr. Elkin says. Buy concert tickets, schedule a weekend getaway, or make an appointment for a massage.

35. Goof Off
It temporarily removes you from a potentially stressful situations. Esther Orioli, president of Essi Systems, a San Francisco consultant company that organizes stress-management programs, keeps a harmonica in the drawer for when she's feeling stressed out. Bonus: Playing it promotes deep breathing.

36. Straighten Up
When people are under stress, they slump over as if they have the weight of the world on their shoulders. "Slumping restricts breathing and reduces blood and oxygen flow to the brain, adding to muscle tension and magnifying feelings of panic and helplessness," Dr. Cooper explains. Straightening your spine has just the opposite effect. It promotes circulation, increases oxygen levels in your blood and helps lessen muscle tension, all of which promote relaxation.

37. Tiptoe Through the Tulips
Tending your garden helps get you out of your head and lets you commune with nature, a known stress reliever. If you're not a gardener, tend to a houseplant. Plants = growth = cycle of life, a nice reminder that stress, too, will pass.

Health writer Michael Castleman of San Francisco wrote a home medical guide that combines mainstream and alternative therapies for 100 common complaints, including stress.

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