Free DVD Backup Software Guide

Why do I need to backup a DVD?
The major problem with CDs and DVDs is that they can easily get damaged. Unless good care is taken of the disc, then it is easy to scratch the bottom of the disc or even worse the top of the disc. The bottom of the disc is designed to have a little bit of wear and tear to it and for the laser from the player still to be see through and read the data. However if this light scratching becomes progressively worse, then the DVD can become severely scratched causing playing difficulties and effectively making the DVD useless. Backing up the original DVD allows you to use a less valuable copy to use on a regular basis, and protecting your original disc. Making one copy of a DVD you own for this purpose is perfectly legal. Please note that by sharing this copy with your friends etc would nullify this backup legitimacy.

Problems with Backing up DVDs
With DVD movies the majority of these are what called DVD9 format. This means they are double layered discs, containing 8.4GB of data. DVD-R and DVD+R writers are mostly using single layered DVD5 discs. These hold 4.7GB of data. The problem is making the data nearly 4GB less to make it fit on a DVD-R or DVD+R. On top of this the original DVD movie disc will have copy encryption and region coding to prevent copies being made.
There are double layered DVD-R and DVD+R but these are expansive and almost 10 times the price of a single layered DVD. However for best quality then double layered are best.

How do I backup a DVD?
Firstly you need to get past the region coding and copy encryption. DVD43 is an excellent program to get past this problem. Firstly DVD43 will allow you to play any region DVD in your PC, in any DVD drive. Secondly DVD43 will decrypt the movie stream as you access it from the DVD. This software sits in the tray of your desktop and gives you multi region access to DVDs the way it should have been in the first place.
The next problem is making the data smaller. The solution many others and I use is DVD Shrink. This program ‘shrinks’ the bit rate of the video so that less detail is shown on screen. Also DVD Shrink allows you to chop the menu, foreign languages and extras out of the DVD so that more space is available. This can all help to achieve the desired size. DVD Shrink is also very fast with full DVD shrinking and writing possible in about 20-30 minutes depending on your computer speed.

What are the advantages and disadvantages?
The advantages of this are that it is very quick to copy a DVD, and also you can take out unwanted features like movie trailers and copy warnings. It is also possible to have a complete copy of your movie including all menus and languages if you require. The only major disadvantage is that if you shrink the DVD you are going to lose quality in the video. On the majority of televisions you will not notice the difference, as the quality will be very good. Larger plasma style televisions may show up the shortcomings a lot more as some pixelization and artefacts. It is best to only shrink by a maximum of about 70%, and lose features from the disc to make it fit.

Free Spyware Remover & Blocker Software Guide

What is Spyware?
Spyware is a general term used for software that performs certain behaviours such as advertising, collecting personal information, or changing the configuration of your computer, generally without appropriately obtaining your consent. Signs and symptoms of spyware or other unwanted software on your computer are:
- You see pop-up advertisements even when you're not on the Web
- Your home page or your browser search settings have changed without your knowledge.
- You notice a new toolbar in your browser that you didn't want, and find it difficult to get rid of.
- Your computer takes longer than usual to complete certain tasks
- You experience a sudden rise in computer crashes

Why is Spyware bad?
The changes to your computer from most spyware are annoying and cause your computer to slow down, become unstable, and generally affect your freedom to choose your homepage and search options. Also there is malicious spyware that will record the details you type in when on the Internet. This could be login details or credit card information

How do I get spyware?
Spyware usually is downloaded from the Internet in 2 ways. One is through downloading a software program, which has a hidden or misleading advertising program attached to it. You download the software you require, however a second program is attached, which contains the spyware that you did not wish to have installed.
The second way is by visiting a malicious website which may have a popup box or similar which will mislead you into clicking on the button, which will install spyware.

What can I do to Prevent Spyware?
You need a 4-way security approach to your PC. You need good Firewall, Anti-virus software, download regular windows updates, and a good Spyware Remover software and Spyware Blocker software. The blocker software prevents the infection in the first place and the remover acts as a cleaner and cleans the spyware from your system.
There are other ways, like using Fire fox Internet browser which can help prevent spyware when browsing the Internet.

What premium Spyware software is there?
There are a few good paid for spyware blocker and spyware remover software programs.
There is McAfee Anti-Spyware, which is a spyware blocker and spyware cleaner. This includes regular updates from McAfee web server of the latest spyware, to prevent and cure the spyware. This costs $29.99.
Symantec’s Norton also has a spyware solution in Norton Anti-Spyware. This costs $29.99 for 12 months, which includes regular updates and full support

What free software is there?
I recommend Microsoft’s Windows Defender. Although it is currently in beta mode, it is still by far the best anti-spyware available. Beta mode means you get no support, however it is an advanced Blocker and cleaner software, which I have found out performs both McAfee and Norton. Windows XP is required for this.
Alternatives to Windows Defender is Ad-Aware. This software in its free version is a good spyware remover. It does not have a blocking function to it.
The other worthwhile mention is a Spybot Search and Destroy, which is an excellent blocker and remover software, and will work on any Windows 98 software or above.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of free spyware software?
The only disadvantage with Windows Defender is that there is less support, as it is only a beta. However it provides better protection and integrates well with windows. Spybot does not provide as a complete solution as Windows Defender, however has a good standard of protection against the majority of attacks you will receive.

Free Firewall Software Guide

What does a Firewall do?
Firewall software, is a protective boundary that monitors and restricts information that travels between your computer and a network or the Internet. This provides a line of defence against someone who might try to access your computer from outside the Firewall without your permission.

How does a Firewall work? and why do I need one?
When someone on the Internet or on a network tries to connect to your computer, we call that attempt an "unsolicited request." When your computer gets an unsolicited request, the Firewall software blocks the connection. If you run a program such as an instant messaging program or a multiplayer network game that needs to receive information from the Internet or a network, the firewall asks if you want to block or unblock (allow) the connection.
Because of the massive explosion in computer viruses and spy ware, the firewall works in tandem with your anti-virus software. This help prevents any virus that may have infected your computer from connecting to the Internet and sending personal information about you and your computer. Every computer that connects to the Internet or a network should have firewall software installed

What is the most well known Firewall Software? And how much are they?
On a home computer the two major player in the Firewall market. The first is Symantec with their Norton Personal Firewall, which costs $49.99 per year. The second is McAfee Personal Firewall Plus, which costs $39.99. Both of these are excellent products and offer the ultimate protection. They both have regular Internet updates downloaded direct from their web servers.

What free Firewall Software is there?
Any one with Windows XP SP1 or later will have built in Windows Firewall. I highly recommend this as through the security centre on Windows XP you can control the firewall. It also means that it is pretty much ‘set it and forget it’ once it is installed, unless you get a threat to your PC. I recommend you update windows through the windows update, feature that will help keep out any known exploits to windows. You can also set the security centre to automatically download updates, which also helps.
If you do not have Windows XP, I recommend Zone Labs’ Zone Alarm software. Their free version is more than adequate to protect the majority of non Windows XP machines. Again it can download updates from Zone Labs.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the free Firewall software?
The advantages are that these Firewall programs are free and can save you up to $50 per year. Also the protection is almost identical. One major difference between the free and paid for Firewalls is the level of support. With the paid for software you get free web or phone line support. The free software generally have very little support.If you need just a good standard of Firewall software then I recommend the free options. If you need the best level of protection or a lot of support, then either the McAfee or the Norton Firewalls are highly recommended.

First Post. Any Requests?

As you can see from my description this blog is going to give you a guide to using free software instead of having to pay out hundreds and sometimes thousands in software fees. All the software that is featured will either be free full versions of software as an alternative to the major software companies software which is sometimes inferior. The aim is for you to get good software and the results you require without having to pay out money for the most well known software.

Please reply to this post any prefered free software guide you want and I will try to get to these first.