Comments for Internet Safety: How do I keep my computer safe on the internet?

Comment from iain deuchar on 2009-10-18

2009-10-18T13:34:47Z

My daughter installed Firefox on my laptop and was then unble to access certain facebook applications. How useful is Firefox if the pc is already protected by AVG free version and Spybot? How many javascript settings would have to be changed and is it wise to have more than one anti-virus system running at the same time. I have been using AVG for some years and would be sorry to let it go. Thankyou.

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Comment from patricia dorey or shellbone on 2009-09-24

2009-09-24T18:53:14Z

how do you do that when your using the college libraies computer or it don't even let you get to your e-mail account

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Comment from ajay on 2009-09-10

2009-09-11T05:45:54Z

hi sir
i am suffering from virus that change jpeg and mp3 file into yan chit tal file and all files with above extensions are infected,.
after using antivirus it is not removed and all imager are converted into a girl image with love writtn when i see them in thumbnail view and my computer icon has been changd into two keys icon.
please advice me

thanks.

I'd send you here: How do I remove a virus?

12-Sep-2009

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Comment from Isaac on 2009-09-05

2009-09-05T12:37:16Z

i recently installed symantec antivirus on my computer but it is refusing update and even run a scan.I tried to repair it but it tells me there is interruption before the completion of the installation.

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Comment from James on 2009-08-07

2009-08-07T11:15:23Z

I know you're not the only person to spell the plural of virus as virii, but do you know of any authority for it.
I'm afraid I find it mildly irritating.

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Comment from Dusty on 2009-04-16

2009-04-16T14:30:30Z

hi everyone i am new to leo's site i just wanted to recommend a site that yall try if you ever need complete internet security go to www.kaspersky.com i use kaspersky myself and it's the best i have never once had a virus or anything so give it a try :)

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Comment from Henrik Nielsen on 2009-03-31

2009-03-31T22:16:31Z

To shameem (January 3, 2009):
The software you link to is not free, it's a limited trial. KeePass does the same thing, but is really free and open source.

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Comment from alik on 2009-03-27

2009-03-28T04:52:57Z

its been sometimes porn sites are being sent from my email address to others while im not signed in..what should i do?

Read this article: Someone's sending from my email address! How do I stop them?!

- Leo
28-Mar-2009

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Comment from BEVERLY on 2009-02-23

2009-02-23T18:51:30Z

Dear Leo
I have the warning dangerous spyware image on my
desktop and it won't go away I'v got norton and spybot and neither has helped to delete this warning from my desktop. I've gone to my control panel and tried to change the settings and I can't the arrows that allow you to change the settings are all frozen. Can you please tell me
what I can do to get my beautiful desktop of the beach back. I got it from trying to download a movie toolbar and ended up with inbox.com which I cannot uninstall. Please help me.
thank you
Beverly Kemp

Sounds like you are still infected with spyware of some sort. Sounds very similar to: How did you clean up your friend's infected machine?

- Leo
24-Feb-2009

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Comment from shameem on 2009-01-03

2009-01-03T16:21:49Z

It's simple. Just keep all your important information, secret notes, Ids and passwords safely using softwares like Exquipass Password Manager which can be downloaded FREELY at http://www.exquisysltd.com/productinfo.php?p=DA01EX

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Comment from D. W. Whitlock on 2008-12-16

2008-12-16T13:30:23Z

I am new to Leo's site. Very cool. Extremely helpful. Just wanted to recommend using download.com when downloading freeware programs. Their site is totally clean of spyware, malware etc. I am currectly using Super Anti Spyware and Avira AntiVir. Both are free and perform outstandingly. They scan quickly too. Check them out. Best regards, D.W.

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Comment from rowal5555 (rob) on 2008-04-11

2008-04-12T02:11:17Z

To Judy Kirkham et al.
In addition to the great tips here at ASK LEO, I would strongly recommend you visit www.bleepingcomputer.com which is a site of 1000s of experts and newbies dedicated to helping one another with the day to day problems we all face. I am 66, and have learned almost all I now know from this friendly site. Cheers

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Comment from Leo A. Notenboom on 2007-09-17

2007-09-17T16:09:49Z

Yes

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Comment from Nit on 2007-09-15

2007-09-16T01:21:27Z

i am going to change my residence soon...so i will get a new internet connection...so will my ip address change??

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Comment from vincent on 2007-09-03

2007-09-03T15:51:41Z

I'm afraid ccleaner does not let you choose which items within a selection to delete...
You either delete the index.dat files or you don't.
You either delete the temporary Internet files or you don't.
etc.
Sorry...

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Comment from Roz Weir on 2007-08-10

2007-08-11T05:52:42Z

I downloaded CCleaner just now and ran it but it wants to delete things I use...I don't understand how to keep from deleting the whole list...there are things that need deleting but not the whole list..HELP..how do I keep from deleting everything it wants to delete?

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Comment from Leo A. Notenboom on 2007-08-06

2007-08-06T15:30:37Z

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

"Most" compatible I couldn't tell you. I'm sure that many run well on Windows
Vista. I happen to use the latest version of CA's eTrust AntiVirus on my Vista
machine and it works well: http://ask-leo.com/d-etrust

Leo

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Version: GnuPG v1.4.7 (MingW32)

iD8DBQFGtz6kCMEe9B/8oqERAofDAJoChFUj9zrSoxvGbFxkVCuDVmIN0gCeJxCs
HKC5r3sOKjDRyBXbDHH7bWQ=
=Wncz
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

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Comment from Kim on 2007-08-04

2007-08-04T20:36:47Z

Which antivirus product is most compatible with
Vista-loaded new computers? I have used Norton Antivirus on my previous computers, but have heard terrible things about NAV 2007 making Vista computers run very slowly. The computer is an EMachine, with Vista Home Premium version.

Anyone have advice? I am still on dial-up internet, using AOL and wonder how much protection AOL provides for incoming viruses. Also, how good is the Firewall and Windows Defender stuff built into Vista Home Premium operating system?

Thanks!

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Comment from omarfathel on 2007-05-06

2007-05-06T21:17:53Z

it's very important to be educated to know where is the trusted sites to view and where is the suspecious sites is located, so my advice is to give a good education to internet users about the sites that they should trusted, and may be in the future to make an web site that recommend the good sites to the users. thank you

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Comment from Benjamin Wilson on 2007-03-28

2007-03-29T03:24:54Z

I have McAfee Internet Security Suite 2007 on my computer and results, cookies are spyware: clean, no viruses, spam (Outlook Express 6 has a feature from the program that I use to mark mail as spam and has its own SpamKiller under the Inbox when it starts up with a +/- button to show/hide SpamKiller (Ex: [SPAM]=AdventureQuest= New User Confirmation; normal e-mail ex: =AdventureQuest= New User Confirmation.)

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Comment from kuldeep Dashora on 2007-02-03

2007-02-03T15:51:05Z

There are "Trojan horse" type programs, such as Back Orifice and Netbus, that could cause the behavior you are describing. Both BO and Netbus are Windows 95/98 applications designed to allow other people to access your machine (generally for malicious purposes) over the Internet.

In order for anyone to use BO on your machine, you have to install the server side of the application. This is normally done by getting you to download an application or by sending the server EXE to you in an e-mail message and hoping you execute it. This is why it is called a Trojan horse -- you have to consciously or unconsciously run the EXE to install the server -- it does not propagate itself like a virus (see How Computer Viruses Work for a description of Trojans and viruses). Once you execute the server EXE, the server is installed and will start running automatically every time you turn on your computer.

With the server installed, an evil-doer can run the BO client program and control your computer remotely, running programs, erasing files... Obviously, this is not a good thing. It is easy to detect Back Orifice either manually or with software.

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Comment from Leo on 2006-07-08

2006-07-09T01:52:54Z

I recommend continuing to use Windows Update.

However I know that not everyone agrees. In the related links on this article: http://ask-leo.com/wga_is_it_spyware.html - check the alternate view link - it includes some alternatives.

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Comment from JoyLeaf on 2006-07-08

2006-07-09T01:46:20Z

I have stopped using Windows update since I learned that it's verification process is spyware and lets the mothership, Microsoft know what software I choose to use and if I have a registered copy. I have read about this on several sites with a good reputation and am looking for a way to get updates without using their verification program. Any help you can offer with this problem?

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Comment from Leo on 2006-06-30

2006-06-30T15:50:22Z

You can't block it, but it's not a problem. More here: http://ask-leo.com/what_can_people_tell_from_my_ip_address.html

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Comment from latanya on 2006-06-29

2006-06-29T17:52:07Z

Hi leo, just recently gave someone my ip address..can they find out where i live..they said they could help me fix a problem i was having...i also have computer phone service..can they get my phone number..How do i block it? Hellppppppp.

Scared!!!

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Comment from Walt on 2006-03-06

2006-03-06T21:03:41Z

I would do what it takes to get Automatic Updates to work, or start visiting Windows Update on a very regular basis.

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Comment from Leo on 2006-03-01

2006-03-02T05:22:22Z

This article: http://ask-leo.com/how_do_i_change_my_from_user_name_in_msn_hotmail.html

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Comment from ellen collicutt on 2006-03-01

2006-03-02T00:41:11Z

how do you change your msn messenger hotmail name with out having to make a new account?

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Comment from Leo on 2006-01-05

2006-01-06T05:04:32Z

You cannot legally download it. You'll have to get one from wherever you got your laptop, or you'll have to purchase one.

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Comment from James on 2005-12-31

2006-01-01T06:24:17Z

I don't have an installation CD for Windows XP -
and I can't boot up my notebook..where can I download it?

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Comment from Leo A. Notenboom on 2005-12-04

2005-12-04T17:52:45Z

Don't do it. See my response with http://ask-leo.com/can_i_delete_lsassexe_svchostexe.html

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Comment from Ali on 2005-12-04

2005-12-04T17:48:11Z

I have 6 procsses in windows task manager how do i delete them without damgeing my system? isass.exe, svchost.exe, csrss.exe, taskmgi.exe, spools.exe, msmgs.exe,.....can anyone help? (running win xp pro)

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Comment from Leo on 2005-09-22

2005-09-23T05:07:46Z

If you reboot from your Windows install CD, one of the options along the setup process will be to formnat the hard drive.

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Comment from Zac Paullan on 2005-09-22

2005-09-22T21:10:00Z

Hi Leo,

Great site.

I have a new 200gig hard disc and i want to format it and then install windows xp. I have never formatted my pc and do not know the commands or what to do?. I have been told to format my new hard disc UNCONDITIONALLY. How do i do this?

Thanks!

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Comment from Henry M on 2005-06-26

2005-06-26T14:32:25Z

Also remember you can block known spyware sites. Or other sites that have been known to install applications without your approval *cough* viewpoint *cough*. (Long story short - a process was installed and running that I never approved of. Leo's site has excellent information viewpoint)

My hosts file now has these following entries in order to hopefully prevent future unapproved installations:

127.0.0.1 creativeby.viewpoint.com
127.0.0.1 www.viewpoint.com
127.0.0.1 www.one.org
127.0.0.1 one.viewpoint.com
127.0.0.1 track.vwpt.com

Thanks Leo!

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Comment from Leo on 2005-06-19

2005-06-20T05:55:58Z

Why is hard to answer. But it definitely sounds like you need to run an up-to-date anti-virus and anti-spyware scan.

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Comment from kiran on 2005-06-19

2005-06-20T05:48:52Z

Hi ,
i have a pc at home without internet connection. I use to browse internet from a nearby browsing center. It seems my system has been attacked by virus as i had copied a file(not exe but pdf file) in the browsing center in a floppy and store d in my system. now i am not able to see folder options in my tools menu of windows explorre . Also my system has become slow. Any idea y dthis happende

Thanks
Kiran

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Comment from Leo on 2005-04-04

2005-04-05T02:43:46Z

http://www.legalmp3downloads.com/

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Comment from Moise peck on 2005-04-04

2005-04-04T22:34:53Z

HI, I was just wondering if can help me find a few music download sites that do not carry viruses (trustworthy) when downloading music

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Comment from Leo on 2005-02-04

2005-02-04T17:58:16Z

I'm not sure about software firewalls. I'd check the WIndows XP built-in firewall ... I'd be surprized if that didn't work. And certainly an external firewall such as a router will work.

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Comment from poorak on 2005-02-04

2005-02-04T10:41:18Z

Is there any firewall which works under safe mode with networking in win XP.

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Comment from auctionhugh on 2004-11-18

2004-11-18T14:41:05Z

This is only my opinion. If you have fast internet (DSL or Cable Internet), you should/must have a router between your DSL/Cable modem and your computer. The router can be wired or wireless.

A wired router is a small, inexpensive (Under $40) piece of hardware that provides a huge help protecting your computer - because they all have a built in firewall that requires no attention from you to maintain.

As an added bonus, they also allow you to hook more than one PC/Laptop to your fast internet connection at the same time! And if you want to set it up, you can use it to create a home network that allows all your computers to share one printer easily.

This is just one wired router that will work fine for you, there are many others: http://tomshardware.bizrate.com/nc/marketplace/search/search__prod_id--6646705,rf--tng011,sort--6.html

One other note, Windows XP Service Pack 2 turns on the updated "Windows Firewall". If you've installed "SP2" you probably have a firewall running. However I still strongly recommend a router with built in firewall.

Hope this helps,
Hugh

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Comment from Benjamin Lindelof on 2004-11-10

2004-11-10T09:52:31Z

Best setup:
Router + Software Firewall + Antivirus + AdAware SE

None of this is provided by Microsoft. Even the Software Firewall works, but try Norton or Zone Alarm.

I recommend Norton across the board. They have saved me a few times; a virus comes out in the morning and they have an update specifically for it that afternoon!

Router: Make sure it's a router and not just a 'switch'.

Ad-Aware SE: Available at www.lavasoftusa.com

I hate spyware!

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Comment from Leo on 2004-11-09

2004-11-10T02:59:55Z

It depends on the program. The file sharing programs like Kazaa seem to be the most problematic.

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Comment from maria cooper on 2004-11-09

2004-11-09T21:09:51Z

Are music downloading prgrammes a really bd idea? WE seem to always have viruses on our computer after we've used it (MP3 downloading). Also Our firewall (ZoneAlarm) under prgramme control it has Access and Server columns, I don't know which programmes to make trused and which to allow?

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Comment from Cheryl on 2004-11-07

2004-11-07T22:52:49Z

I currently have Symantic & Norton for computer security. The files have grown so large they are causing "glitching" problems. I want to replace all the internet security's I would need and also having control overy the updates required. IE: I do not use the parental control programs, yet Nortons automatically downloads large files for this function, so I do not need these updates.
I need to know what programs I should be looking at.

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Comment from Leo on 2004-11-01

2004-11-01T22:41:50Z

If you can, I'd start by trying to run the system file checker (http://ask-leo.com/what_is_the_system_file_checker_and_how_do_i_run_it.html), booting in safe mode, if needed, to run it.

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Comment from Collin on 2004-11-01

2004-11-01T21:52:45Z

Hi Leo, My boss' computer has a HUGE problem. Whenever we attempt to open explorer, my computer, or basically anything that was pre-installed we get the message "Explorer.exe has generated errors and will be closed by windows." We have no idea and other forums are pretty stumped. Maybe it's spyware, we don't know. Any help would be appreciated!

Collin

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Comment from Leo on 2004-08-26

2004-08-27T05:46:15Z

Anti virus or Anti Spyware? In either case I'd let (or get) the tool that actually cleans things up for you after they report what they've found. Most do.

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Comment from pat on 2004-08-26

2004-08-27T00:19:53Z

hi leo hope you can help me i had a free scan it showed 415 infections 2malignant proscess it totaled items scaned where 43506 signature 10684 this is my first computer i dont know what to do? it runs great please help do i have to order it i cant right now thank you pat

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Comment from Leo on 2004-06-23

2004-06-24T03:53:42Z

This is a situation where I immediately visit other virus manufacturer's websites and look for other tools or manual removal instructions. In this case I found a set up on Trend Micro's site that seems promising: http://ask-leo.com/d-korgol

Let me know of that helps.

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Comment from Kerra on 2004-06-23

2004-06-24T01:56:09Z

Here's one that's leaving me scratching my head. I have a winxp system that Norton 2004 says is infected with the Korgo.L virus, so I hop out and get the specific removal tool for it. I run it, but it says the system is not infected with the virus. So I run Norton again...yep, you have the virus it says. Can't fix, can't quaranteen, can't delete. I see the file that is indicated, I have deleted it in safe mode with restore off but it keeps coming back. How do I get rid of the durn thing??

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Comment from James on 2004-06-02

2004-06-02T09:42:28Z

Don't forget about trying to stop the problems in the first place.
i.e. security settings in internet options should be set up so only sites in your "trusted sites" list can download files and run script.
I set the "Active Scripting" setting to prompt for all other "internet" sites so I can decide whether to allow the site to run potentially dodgy script. It has to be said that this is a bit irritating though as sometimes you get lots of messages.
However, if you turn the scripting off completely a lot of sites don't work.

PS- I recommend Ad-Aware and Spybot.

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Comment from Leo on 2004-04-10

2004-04-10T16:00:41Z

Yes, sometimes you need a special removal tool. I would visit the symantec site and search to see if there is a tool for the infections you have: http://ask-leo.com/d-symantecavc

Good luck!

Leo

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Comment from Eliza on 2004-04-10

2004-04-10T13:42:08Z

Dear Leo,

I used two spy scanner & trojan remover. But both can't remove some of the trojans e.g. win32:Trojan-gen.{VC}. They even could not be quarantined!
Eliza

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Comment from michael horowitz on 2004-04-08

2004-04-08T22:58:24Z

In addition, you also need to install bug fixes for the software on your computer. Doing it for all the software is most likely not practical, but certainly it should be done for Windows and MS Office.
At the moment the procedure for applying bug fixes (aka patches) differs for just about every software program. :-(

Another suggestion is to avoid Internet Explorer, Outlook and Outlook Express. If you are very familiar with computers, these programs can be configured for reasonable safety in their latest versions. However, if you are not familiar with computers or are using older versions, they are each an accident waiting to happen.

Mozilla is a free replacement for IE and has the advantage of not supporting ActiveX (a potentially dangerous technology). Mozilla also comes with an email program that is a free replacement for Outlook Express.

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Comment from Leo on 2004-03-25

2004-03-25T21:17:05Z

Hi Steve,

You didn't mention which tool you were running - if it happens to be spybot (the one I run), it does a very nice job of providing additional information about each item it's flagged. I assume some of the other tools may have something similar, but I can't say for certain. Your question is definitely a common concern ... sort of a "now what?" after you get those 101 flags :-).

Most of what typically gets reported are tracking cookies. An *over* simplification (and my opinion) is that most tracking cookies are a) safe, and b) also quite safe to delete. Afterwards you may need to log into a site that normally remembers you, but that's typically about as inconvenient as it gets. Ditto for things like media player, real player and so on. I regularly run spybot, scan the results, and if there's nothing obvious to me, I go ahead and have the tool cleanup / delete everything it finds. Again, this is with the caveat that I'm using spybot search & destroy, and am comfortable with what it's found.

Leo

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Comment from steve on 2004-03-25

2004-03-25T15:39:50Z

Hi Leo, Steve here from the acres, and I have a question conserning spy ware and such. I found with a spy ware scanner about 101 spy ware things most were update things and such from microsoft and other software that seems to be important. It ( the spy catcher ) gave no other info on weather it would hurt or hinder the proformance of my machine or such. How do I find out other than the obivious of finding out weather to take them out or not? thanks for the help if possible, Steve @ Kens corgi acres

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