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Computer Technology For Everyday People
by Trey Aldrich
http://www.fcbpeople.com
Most of us use computers everyday but don~t turn into
information technologists. On the other hand, we should all
be concerned with security issues and learn all we can
about them.
With the advent of the information superhighway, ~smart~
cards, and digital identification, privacy and
security in the online (and offline) worlds is becoming
a critical priority. Your name, and much of your personal
information is floating around somewhere if you have ever
filled out a form online, given someone your email
address (or your phone number, or your home address
for that matter), or entered a contest put on by a local
business. Chances are you don~t know who OWNS the
database, and you probably don~t even have the legal right
to research who owns it (or even ask who they have sold it
to). For these reasons alone, it~s crucial that you
understand, at least at on a basic level how to protect
security and privacy of your online experience.
At the very least we all need to install anti-virus and
anti-spy ware software on our personal computers. These are
two ways that identity thieves get inside our systems to
steal information. Viruses and spy ware can locate
sensitive information about us and our financial details
inside our personal files. Using our credit cards
indiscriminately online can also be compromised as the
account numbers may also be stored on our hard drives. We
all must be more aware of viruses and malware (malicious
software) and protect our computers.
Another item that is commonly overlooked is the
humble firewall. Firewalls come in the form of
hardware and software and should be used on any
broadband internet connection. Some folks in the
security industry even suggest running firewall software
no matter what type of internet connection you have,
even dial up.
Finally, the best antidote to viruses and spy ware is an
informed end user behavior. Don~t download software from
sources on the internet that you don~t recognize. Also,
NEVER open an email attachment from a stranger. Always
check attachments with a virus scanner, even those from
your friends, before you open them. Just because you use
security options, doesn~t mean that the people on your
email list do.
Most people can be comfortable with their online experience
as long as they are willing to exercise a little caution,
and a bit of patience, no matter what their skill level
with computers is.
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