Protect Yourself From Spyware Snoops!Written by Larry Denton
Just when you thought you were Web savvy, one more privacy, security, and usability issue springs up--spyware. Spyware is techno-version of a Peeping Tom. Installed on your computer without your consent, spyware software monitors or controls your computer use. It may be used to send you pop-up ads, redirect your computer to specific websites, monitor your Internet surfing, or record your key strokes, which, in turn could lead to identity theft and misuse of your private information--such as credit card numbers. Why do so many computer users allow spyware snoops to monitor them online? The answer is very simple. They may not even know they are being watched. Your best protection against this particular privacy invasion is to learn about this hideous misuse of Internet and act accordingly, using software that is readily available and very inexpensive--even free in many cases. "Spyware is a technological disease that is proliferating each day. It threatens efficiency of our computers and Internet services as well as security of our personal information and private transactions, " said Congresswoman Mary Bono (R-CA) when explaining her introduction of H.R. 2929 in April, 2004. "The Safeguard Against Privacy Invasion Act" (SPI Act) works to protect individuals and companies from unknowingly downloading spyware by requiring that "consumers receive a clear and conspicuous notice prior to downloading spyware." Many experienced Web users have already learned how to recognize spyware, avoid it, and delete it. According to officials at Federal Trade Commission (FTC), all computer users should "get wise to signs that spyware has been installed on their machines, and then take appropriate steps to delete it." Clues that spyware is on a computer include: a barrage of pop-up ads, being redirected to unwanted websites, a sudden or repeated change in your computer's Internet home page, new and unexpected tool bars, new and unexpected icons at bottom of your computer screen, keys that do not work (for example, "Tab" key that does not work when you try to move to next field), random error messages, and sluggish or exceedingly slow performance when opening programs or saving files.
| | Tips for Finding the Proper Printer For Your Home or OfficeWritten by Larry Denton
The written word has existed for at least 5,000 years. The creation of writing had enormous implications, because it allowed humans to communicate across both distance and time. The earliest known printed book, entitled "Diamond Sutra," was produced in China in 9th century using a hand-carved wooden block system. By 1050, movable clay type was being used in China. In 1452, Johann Gutenberg invented metal, movable type in Germany and race for sharper, less expensive and faster printing was on. The first office duplicator was probably typewriter patented in 1867, and first practical mechanized type casting machine, called "Linotype," was created in 1884.The early 1960's brought next major printing improvement with use of cathode ray tubes (CRT) being used for photocomposition. Today, most functions in advanced composition systems--justification of lines, hyphenation of words, and calculations of page depths--are handled by computer. With computer age came dot-matrix printers, first for office and then becoming affordable for home use. Now, affordable, high-quality digital printers have become available, at reasonable prices, for use in home or office. We have certainly come a long way with printing devices over centuries. Today, a printer is one of essential peripherals you will need for your computer. The difficulty in buying right one is complicated by fact that are so many types, models and features from which to choose. The best approach when buying any major item is to educate yourself. Start slowly, you don't need to become a Canon or an HP expert. You simply need to know some of terminology so you do not feel overwhelmed by meaningless technical jargon used by some salesmen who are more concerned about a commission than your personal needs as a customer. Some important terms to know include: inkjet, laser, dpi, cpi (characters per inch), impact printers, optical density, nozzle, cartridge, cpp (cost per page), cps (characters per second), and toner. Three different technologies dominate in field of personal printers: inkjet, laser, and to a lesser extent, LED (light-emitting diode). Using replaceable cartridges that spray fine droplets of ink, personal inkjet are least expensive, but print slowly. Laser printers use a process similar to that of a photocopier: a light-sensitive drum rolls charged black toner onto paper. This produces crisp, fast printouts, but machines are more expensive to purchase.
|
