Let’s face it: The default Windows user interface is boring. It has no pizzazz! Most folks want to add their personal touches to a new computer, but don’t realize that free screensavers and desktop wallpapers can be filled with malware.
Free screensavers offered for download online are notorious for being spyware bombs. Many of the gunked-up PCs we see in the shop have free screensavers installed, as well as the browser toolbars and other junk programs that come packaged with them. We looked around to try to find free screensavers we could recommend, but weren’t able to find anything that didn’t appear risky. You’re better off using the screensavers that come with Windows, or purchasing one outright. Sometimes free stuff isn’t a bargain.
On the other hand, there are a lot of free desktop wallpaper images out there that you can download and use without worrying about malware sneaking onto your computer. Keep in mind that wallpapers are images, so they should have image file extensions, like: .jpg, .bmp, .png. The wallpaper you want to download should have a name like “areallynicepicture.jpg,” NOT “areallynicepicture.exe.”
Why?
Files that end with .exe are executable. They’re programs. What do programs do? They install and run. Files that end with .scr are scripts. What do scripts do? They run. Why do desktop photos need to install and run? Answer: They don’t. Anything passing itself off as a desktop wallpaper that really isn’t a photo is bad news.
You can avoid this by using sites that you know are safe. Microsoft has a nice collection of desktop wallpaper available for free download. You can also use your own photos as wallpapers for your desktop, and as a screensaver.
How?
To download a new wallpaper, find the picture you want to download. Click on it to make it bigger. Most sites will expand an image file when you click on it. Right click, and select “save image as.” A window will pop up, and you can select where you want to save the photo. You can save them anywhere you like, as long as you know where to find them afterwards.
After saving your image, go to the folder where you saved it, right click on the image’s icon, and select “Set as desktop wallpaper.” It’s all set. If you want to change it, go find another image in your system, and follow the same steps.
Windows has a screensaver option that allows you to show a photo slideshow as a screensaver. You can enable this by right-clicking on your desktop, selecting “personalize,” then “screen saver.” You can set the speed of the slide show, as well as what photo folder you want to include in the slide show. It’s a far better option than catching an infection from a free screensaver you found online, don’t you think?
If you do fall victim to the malware-laden screensaver ploy, don’t despair. Our computer security experts can get your computer cleaned out and working like new. Our full maintenance service is just $97.30. Call us at 671-6772 for more details.
Well, that’s it for this week’s Digital 411. Have a wonderful weekend, and happy computing!
