So be careful with what you download. Read product reviews and find out if other people got headaches from using it.

• Visiting ad-heavy sites

If you visit a site and you’re immediately bombarded with pop-up ads, leave immediately. You might click on an ad that activates an automatic download of malicious software to your computer.

Here is a list of activities which you should be doing instead:

• Invest in good antivirus software. Going online without protection of antivirus software is like going out naked in snow. That’s just how vulnerable an unprotected computer is.

• Most antivirus software packages include an internet security program (also known as firewall). A firewall acts as a barricade between you and unwanted content from internet. When buying antivirus software, it’s better to shell out for internet security as well.

• Once antivirus software is installed in your computer, keep it updated always so it can recognize and remove newly released viruses.

• Whatever browser you are using, check that its security settings are all in default unless you really know what you are doing.

• Periodically delete files that you no longer use.

• Download spyware- and adware-removal tools and run them at least once a week. Be warned that many of these removal programs are a scam, so make sure that what you download is reliable. You can easily search for product reviews to check if program is legitimate or otherwise.

• Back up all your important files all time.

• If possible, have two computers at home. One will be used to connect to internet, and other should not be connected at all.

The second computer will act as storage of all your important files so that even if first one crashes, your life won’t be in ruins.

Don’t be dependent on removal tools and antivirus software packages, though.

If everything reads well and there are no errors, submit your press release for distribution.

How Often Should You Submit Your Press Release? We receive this question many times and now have decided to finally include this bit of information within our Press Release Writing Tips section.

How often should you submit your press release? Rule of thumb is once to twice a month if you have news to tell. This being said, if you do not have any news worth mentioning, then once a month is a good rule of thumb again IF you have news to write about. If you do not have anything to write about, wait until you do. Many Companies go through changes. Management changes, product changes, service changes or other changes. To not have something to write about, in most companies would be rare. Do you have a hot new service you are now providing? Do you have a great new service you plan to offer coming up in future that you would like to inform public of? Do you have some new widget that you are importing that no one else has? Are you hiring some new executive from a Fortune 500 Company that will add an asset to your Company? These are just a few ideas to keep in mind.

As long as you have a good story to tell that will be interesting to general public and of course editors and journalists, a press release may also be viewed, indirectly, as a way of brand marketing. People will begin to recognize your Company in news. This being said, we do stress that you should have a story to tell. Do not flood media or public with garbage in an attempt to spread your name. All to often we come across those who send out weekly press releases with no story to tell. These types of Companies will eventually become tuned out by editors and journalists.

Are images important? You bet! If you are in position to be able to include an image within your press release, you will definitely increase readability of your release.

Images are worth a thousand words. This is why magazines are so popular. They have images, they tell a story. Try to imagine your local newspaper with no image on front page, but rather straight text. Try to imagine People magazine with no images of your favorite celebrities. Need we say more?

Some press release distribution companies such as 24-7PressRelease.com allow you to attach images to your press release.

Images tell a story. Images get attention. Images within your press release are a great way to extend your Companies logo. This works especially well when you are sending out multiple press releases. Permission When writing your press release, you may run into common instance of attribution or writing a quote from an individual.

Having permission from this individual, to use their quote within a press release is extremely important. Failing to do so may result in a lawsuit, something that no Company would like.

If you are close to an individual, a verbal ok may be all that is required but we always recommend written permission.

Start Strong Not only should your press release have a catchy title and sub headline, your first paragraph will also be very important.

This is perfect location for giving information about what you are trying to portray to reader. Perhaps use of some statistics may be used, as long as you do not go overboard.

If you have already written a strong headline and sub headline, chances are you are well underway to writing a good press release.

Target The Media > Press Release Distribution Writing Tips At 24-7PressRelease.com – Targeting The Media

What not to write about There are certain don’ts that are fairly simple to follow.

Do not write a press release that reads like an advertisement. Do not submit your press release if it is riddled with grammatical errors and typos. Do not submit your press release if it is geared toward illegal activity, stock promotion (unless you are a registered member of NASD with a registration number), hatred towards others, or terrorism. Nobody will publish this type of release.

Do not continually submit same press release over and over, or even one that is slightly modified from original. If your press release was not picked up or you did not receive any enquiries, this should be a clue.

Conclusion A well written press release with a catchy title will bring attention to your Company. This type of media attention is invaluable and could move a Company from launch pad, to moon. Keep it simple, interesting, informative and to point. Keep your facts and figures accurate with sources where available and you are well on your way to success!

Resources: Press release distribution and further press writing tips may be found at: http://www.24-7pressrelease.com