Every day the “bad guys” come up with more ways to prey on our computers.

They develop new viruses and new programs that at worst, steal our personal information, and, at best, slow our computers down.

Both PCs and Macs are victims to malware; it’s a myth that Macs are immune.

Here are some tools you need to keep your computer safe while you use the Internet.

The first step is to make sure we are all speaking the same language, so here are some definitions of all the bad stuff that’s out there in the cyberworld.

– Malware: This is a general term which includes any type of virus or malicious software. Any program whose purpose is harmful in any way is a malware program.
– Virus: A virus is malicious code that can spread to new disks or programs.
– Spyware: Spyware can monitor your computer tasks and steal your passwords and other information.
– Adware: Adware pops up unwanted advertisements. Sometimes these ads target your interests by using information stolen by a spyware program.
– Dropper: Some malicious programs can be tiny programs specifically designed to funnel a stream of other malware into your computer.
– Bots: A bot doesn’t usually harm your computer, but it makes your computer a robot to harm others by sending malicious programs or spam to your email address list.
– Ransomware: Holds your computer or data ransom and demands payment before it will release it. Of course, there is no guarantee that paying the money will get your data back since the program is designed by unscrupulous people.
– Rootkit: This technology attaches to the operating system to hide the malicious program. Sometimes your anti-virus program may remove parts of it, but as you reboot your computer the virus comes back.
– Scareware: Some free “anti-virus programs” you may download from the Internet may actually be rogue viruses that will look and act like real Anti-Virus programs. They may diagnose a myriad of “problems” on your computer. These programs will then try to scare you into buying their “full version” so you can “clean up” your computer and “remove viruses.”  Sometimes Scareware will run when your computer starts and it doesn’t offer a way for you to stop them.
– Junkware: Last, but not least, we have what we call “Junkware.” These are programs that we see over and over again in the shop. They may not actually be malicious, but they are programed to start every time you turn on your computer and usually are not anything you want running. A lot of anti-virus programs will not catch these because they are not considered viruses. The majority of these programs come packaged with other useful free programs from the Internet.

In an upcoming article I will explore anti-virus programs and tell you how you can protect your computer for free.

Mark Rudiger has been troubleshooting computers for over 20 years. He owns Lake County Websites & Computer Repair which is located in Middletown. You may contact him by calling 707-987-1923 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . 

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Twelve community leaders were recently graduated from the fifth year of the AgVenture program.

AgVenture is a concept in agricultural education designed for nonfarming community leaders and others who wish to understand more fully the workings of the agricultural industry.

Graduating class members completed a one-day-a-month program during August, September, October and November which included speakers, presentations and tours focused on Lake County crops of pears, winegrapes, walnuts and olives.

“Never have I been given such a thorough education through presentations, handouts, site visits and field trips than in this unbelievable program,” said participant Kenny Parlet.

Jim Brown concurred. “I was stunned by the amount of information AgVenture could pack into just four days. I give the organizers and presenters an A+ for their expertise and the exceptional job they did to provide a very comprehensive view of agriculture in Lake County.”

Class members included recently elected Assemblymember Bill Dodd and Karlene Rebich, ag liaison to newly elected Sen. Mike McGuire. Scott Alonso, field representative for Assemblymember Mark Levine, was the second member of  Mark Levine’s staff to have participated in AgVenture.

Graduates also included Kenny Parlet, Lakeview Market owner and mayor of Lakeport; Nanette Dutcher, owner, State Farm Insurance Agency; Jim Brown, Health Services director, county of Lake; Melissa Kinsel, development officer, St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake; Michalyn DelValle, senior planner, County of Lake.

Additional class graduates were Rev. Oscar Diaz, pastor, St. Mary’s Catholic Church; Jill Ruzicka, senior administrative analyst, county of Lake; Susan Mesick, manager, Tallman Hotel; Natasha Ibrahim, produce department manager, Nylanders/Oaks Red & White Food Store.

Sponsors supporting AgVenture this year include Lake County Winegrape Commission, International Paper, Adobe Creek Packing, Umpqua Bank, Sutter Health, Broc Zoller The Pear Doctor, Six Sigma Winery, Beckstoffer Vineyards, Scully Packing, Bob Bartley Pump, Judy Cortesi, American AgCredit, Hillside Honda, Polestar Computers, Lucerne Roofing, Garton Tractor, Stokes Ladders, Westamerica Bank and Kelseyville Lumber.

Additional sponsorship was provided by RB Pest Control, Bengard Marketing, Bernie Butcher, Tibor and Petra Major, Alan Flora, Lakeport Tire, Lincoln-Leavitt Insurance, Barra of Mendocino, Olof Cellars, Peggy Campbell, Claudia Street, Gregory Graham Winery, Lake County Winery Association, Tallman Hotel & Blue Wing Saloon Restaurant, Chacewater Wine & Olive Oil Company, Vigilance Winery & Vineyards, Lake County Farm Bureau and the Lake County Marketing and Economic Development Program.

AgVenture is sponsored by Lake County California Women For Agriculture.

For information about California Women For Agriculture, visit www.lakecountycwa.org or visit Lake County California Women For Agriculture on Facebook.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Social Capital Fund of the Time Bank of Thrive Lake County will offer up to 20 hours for any Lake County resident serving as a tax preparation volunteer in the Volunteer Income Tax Preparation (VITA) program.

VITA helps low-wage, working families by preparing their taxes at no cost.

Tax preparation volunteers don’t need any experience with tax preparation. There are three days of training – Jan. 10, 17 and 24, 2015.

Tax preparation volunteers must become certified by Jan. 31, 2015.

The trainings are at the Mendocino College Ukiah campus, and VITA tax preparation volunteers from Lake County will be reimbursed for their mileage. All volunteers are provided with a free lunch.

VITA tax preparation volunteers will need to be members of the Time Bank of Thrive Lake County if they wish to participate in this offer.

Time bank members exchange time instead of cash for services. Time bank membership is open to any Lake County resident, business or organization.

For more information about the VITA program, visit http://unitedwaywinecountry.org or call 707-462-1959.

For more information about Time Bank of Thrive Lake County, visit http://timebanklakeco.org , email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone 707-413-0220.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Do you have family visiting for Christmas and want to treat them to a “return to times gone by”?

Visit the Gibson Museum and Cultural Center in Middletown at 21267 Calistoga St., Friday, Dec. 26, and Saturday, Dec. 27, from 1 to 5 p.m.

There is a wonderful holiday exhibit of dolls, nativities, quilts and toys.

The exhibits will continue through Jan. 3

The museum will be closed on Dec. 31.

The Gibson Museum is a program of the Lake County Historical Society.

For more information, call 707-295-7174.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The annual Christmas in Middletown event put on by the Middletown Area Merchants Association was enjoyed by well over 1,000 guests on Saturday evening, Dec. 13.

Under clearing skies, nonprofits set up booths selling all manner of edibles and trinkets and merchants stayed open late. 

Santa came to town riding one of several fire engines that drove down Highway 29 with lights on and sirens howling.

Storefronts were decorated and free cookies, cider, and hot chocolate awaited guests inside.

Highway 29 was lined with Christmas trees donated by area businesses that were decorated by different elementary school classes and were collected at the conclusion of the evening for distribution to families in need.

Christmas in Middletown guests were invited to fill out a “passport” with stamps from each of 29 participating Middletown Area Merchants Association (MAMA) members. 

Prizes donated by local merchants were awarded in three age divisions by a drawing among passport holders who had achieved 25 or more stamps. 

The winners in the 0-12 years of age category were Brandon and Shelby N., 12-18 year-old winners were Autumn P. and Lindsey N., adult winners were Veronica McGee, Stephanie Simon and Laurie DeFiore.

Passport holders also were asked what they liked most about Christmas in Middletown. The most popular response was the sense of community, peace, and joy that permeated the event. 

Other “favorite” aspects included the food, the Christmas decorations, and getting to know the local businesses and their owners.

The businesses that received the most votes for “best decorated” were, in descending order, 2 Women Traders, Middletown Florist and Gifts, and Fringe and J Myers’ hair salons (tie).

Christmas in Middletown is an annual MAMA event occurring on the second Saturday of December.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Lake County Wine Studio is hosting a sparkling wine tasting event on Sunday, Dec. 28, to provide an opportunity for adults to sample the sparkling wines of Lake County in advance of New Year's Eve celebrations.

The tasting will take place from 2 to 5 p.m.

The $5 per person (no charge for wine studio club members) wine sampler and appetizers will feature Bodkin Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc, Lady of the Lake Sparkling Pear, Thorn Hill Cuvée de Prestige, Olof Cellars Fira Nebbiolo and Steele Wines Black Bubbles.

Appetizers will include smoked oyster cream cheese rolls, candied bacon, marscapone and Dijon Spread on Crostini and aged white cheddar truffles.

Art on display is by textile artist, Sheila O'Hara. The O'Hara show will be on display until Jan. 31. 

The Wine Studio is located at 9505 Main St. in Upper Lake. It is open Mondays, 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, 1 to 7 p.m.; and Fridays from 1 to 8 p.m.

Holiday closures will be Dec. 24 to 25, 31 and Jan. 1 to 15.

For more information call Lake County Wine Studio at 707-275-8030 or 707-293-8752.