Are You Well Protected?Written by Roxie Hickman
Continued from page 1
An internet search will reveal many choices available for spyware elimination software. The important thing is to get one and use it consistently. Spybot and PestPatrol are popular choices. I really like Spybot Search and Destroy. Besides fact that it is free, once spyware is identified, software will provide a detailed description of just what it is. This is helpful just in case it identifies something that you don't want to get rid of. Backup, Backup, Backup How often do you backup? What files/programs do you backup? What media do you backup to? We all know importance of backing up our information yet so many of us don’t do it. There may be a ton of reasons why it's not done but one reason it should be done on a regular basis is that it can be a timesaver, possibly a business saver if your computer system is corrupted for any reason. If you happen to be using Windows XP Professional, backup procedure is quite simple. For users of XP Home Edition, it is a bit more involved. Complete instructions, however, are on Microsoft website. Typically, data files are what most people need to back up and having well organized files will certainly simplify process. Whether you backup to disk, zip disk, DVD, writeable CDs, external file drive or utilize one of online services, it is important to get into habit of backing up on a regular basis. Weekly Updates of Windows Windows users are automatically notified of current updates for Windows operating system when your computer is turned on. With just a few clicks your operating system is updated. However, when certain patches become available for your particular applications software (XP, 2000, NT, etc), as was/is case with recent worm viruses, a visit to Microsoft's website is necessary. Once there, Microsoft will scan your computer, tell you what updates are available, and you then have option of installing them on your system. In some cases, you will need your installation CDs to complete download. With recent run of viruses and with more expected, it is imperative to check for these updates weekly on Microsoft website as well as do automatic updates. Be Careful of Email Attachments Email is such a widely accepted method of communication, and this has not gone unnoticed by hackers who use email as a means of mass virus spread. For this final checkpoint, your due diligence is only software required. Always delete any email from unknown senders and be very careful of any attachments you are not expecting from any known senders. As we have seen, hackers can quite easily access Outlook address books to spread viruses.By way, including a fake email address in your address book will not prevent your PC from spreading viruses. This is an urban legend. If you’re interested in full story, check out this link: www.snopes.com/computer/virus/quickfix.htm When it comes to health of our computers, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Effective prevention software along with plain old common sense, used consistently, can keep you protected.
Roxie Hickman, Virtual Assistant (VA), is the owner of The Virtual Connection. The Virtual Connection (www.thevirtualconnection.net) specializes in working with the ‘sucstressed’ (successful professionals who are stressed because they’ve been doing it alone). The Virtual Connection provides offsite administrative, executive, and personal assistance.
| | Cache in your chips and get a bus!Written by Seamus Dolly
Continued from page 1
CACHE is not legal tender in most countries, but a type of memory that your CPU (central processing unit ) first looks for. It does this, not to be awkward, but more because it is fastest route, from a users point of view. In internet marketing, you have words like ROI (return of investment ), matrix, forced matrix, residual income ( money for years to come, for work done now ), multiple streams of income (residual income being one of them) and network marketing (affiliation, for example ). Residual income and multiple streams of income, combined, are mechanisms essential to growth over time. Its like having index-linked rental income, without maintenance. Online success is pretty much guaranteed whereby a combination of approaches are used and long term is considered as much as short term. The prosperity is in plan.
Seamus Dolly is a webmaster with a background in analogue electronics and mechanical engineering.
|
