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Antivirus Software - A Must-have Protection For Computers

With the advent of computer viruses of all kinds, antivirus software installation in PCs has become a necessity. The antivirus software comprise of computer programs which strive to identify viruses and 'malware' (other malicious software), thwart their endeavors and eliminate them altogether.

About Antivirus Software

The antivirus software program may come installed on your computer or may be purchased and installed by you. There are quite a few 'invaders' against which the computer needs to be protected against. There are the viruses, worms, Trojan horses and so on. The best antivirus software available is geared to offer protection against the whole range of such known viruses and malware. The potential damage that viruses can inflict such as deletion of files, unauthorized access to personal data, and usage of the computer as a platform to carry out attack on other computers, can all be thwarted by installing at least one of the top ten antivirus software products.

Techniques Used By Antivirus Software

The antivirus software usually uses two alternative techniques. It scans files for viruses that match the definitions given in virus dictionaries, or it identifies infection indicated by suspicious behavior from some computer program.

Some of the best antivirus software come for free. Usuaslly the best free antivirus software adopts both the techniques. However, the best antivirus software packages put special emphasis on the virus dictionary matching approach.

Features To Look For In The Best Antivirus Software Packages

Look for the following features when purchasing an antivirus software product of choice:

Simplicity and ease of use of the software so that even a person with little knowledge of computers or viruses can use and install it.

Effectiveness in identifying viruses, worms and the like is a desirable feature of the best antivirus software products.

Efficacy in cleaning out or isolating of files already infected so as to prevent further infection is another important feature that should be included in any good antivirus software.

Each of the best antivirus software products assure high level of security for Windows based PCs. Depending on the uniqueness of the system in use you can choose from among the top 10 antivirus software products available from online sources.

An Anti-virus And How It Saved My Computer.

Not too long ago I experienced a major melt down on my computer, I am afraid to say it was due to a virus. It seems the Anti-virus I had at the time was having a conflict with my laptop; as a result, a nasty virus snuck in my system and started playing around. At first, I did not realize what it was, web pages did not load correctly, and programs either would not load or would freeze when they did. I even got the dreaded Blue Screen.

I like many others out there whose computers now have viruses even though they have an anti-virus program. My anti-virus and my computer had conflicts, and I did not realize what it was until it was almost too late. A friend of mine mentioned that I might have a virus; I stated to her that I had a program and it was running. It was then that I learned that not all anti-viruses catch all viruses. She recommended I do a scan on my computer. I did using my old anti-virus and it showed up clean. I was then told to run another virus remover tool, I did and low and behold, there were quite a few of the little rotten things hiding in my PC. It seems that my anti-virus had not done its job. Thankfully, though I found one that did, AVG Free Edition.

Once I got rid of the viruses, my programs started working again, my Internet did not hang up, and my life on my computer returned back to normal. So why am I telling you my misfortune with Computer Viruses, simple really. I was fortunate enough to have a friend help me in my time of need and I want to be able to help you before yours gets as bad as mine did.

All-Computer-Brands

There are many choices of all-computer-brands that are widely available. Dell, Toshiba, and Sony are amongs the many, but which one do I choose from? Which is the one for me? All-computer-brands come in many ranges from types and models to prices and sizes and can be a daunting task in picking and choosing them, especially if your a first time buyer. To ease through the selections, it is highly recommended to first determine what your daily activites, needs and wants are when considering a computer. Do you need the computer only for school and work? Do you only want the computer for entertainment such as playing music and games and watching movies? Do you want a desktop computer to keep at home or a laptop computer to suit your lifestyle and daily travels? By already determining the major aspects of your computing, all-computer-brands hardware and specifications selections should be the next consideration.

All-computer-brands hardware and specifications components varies upon the one that fits and suites you. As a guideline, there are three vital hardware components to all-computer-brands. The CPU, the RAM, and the hard drive. The CPU will determine the speed of your computer. Avid computer gamers will need the highest CPU available as possible in all-computer-brands where as basic computer user using the computer only for surfing the internet and checking email can rely on basic CPU selections in all-computer-brands. The RAM is your computers memory. The higher the RAM the more applications and programs that could be installed and performed stimultaneously. A high amount of Ram are most commonly utilized by multi taskers which like to run various applications such as surfing the internet and playing movies and music at the same time.

The hard drive is the storage of the computer. If planning on storing a lot of files such as media files do not hesitate to opt for a vast hard drive. Knowing your computing needs and wants and determining which hardware component specifications will best suit and ease your selections of all-computer-brands. There are also specific computer models suited just for gaming, entertainment, working, travel, or all purpose computing uses by all-computer-brands that encourages in picking the right one when considering a computer. To view a list and read more about all-computer-brands, please visit http://www.ALLCOMPUTERBRANDS.COM

Affordable Computer Printer Ink

The computer – once considered a luxury item – has easily become a staple in today’s modern homes; augmenting our businesses, making modern commerce a previously unheard of convenience, and putting informational and entertainment resources at our fingertips.

And along with the home computer comes its myriad of accompaniments – the modem, the speakers, the scanner, and the printer, to name a few. The printer, used virtually every time a school project, work assignment, or shopping receipt warrants it, is far and away one of the more utilized pieces of equipment. But when the ink runs dry, consumers are left with the promise of a high priced-replacement.

Computer printer ink can be one of the most expensive accoutrements for the modern computer. And, because of the regular need for replacement, it can be an expense that crops up more often than we’d like.

Replacing computer printer ink with a new cartridge available in most retail chains can be the most expensive option. Fortunately, there are a number of alternatives that can help keep the cost of your computer printer ink to a minimum.

First and foremost, look for generic ink cartridges in smaller supply stores. In many cases, the exorbitant prices you pay can be largely based on brand names. Just like anything else, it pays to shop around.

Additionally, rather than replacing the entire computer printer ink cartridge, consumers can instead just replace the ink. There are a variety of smaller, local stores that will replace the ink in your existing cartridge for a nominal fee. In this way, not only are you saving money, but you’re cutting down on waste in the environment.

Computer printer ink refilling kits are also available for those who feel comfortable enough refilling ink cartridges on their own. Ink cartridge refill kits are generally commercial in nature and can be found in large computer supply stores and even online.

Finally, conservation is your best way to increasing the economy of your computer printer ink. Use the minimal amount of ink to print each of your projects; print in draft form or in black and white for everything but your most important projects.

Your computer printer ink doesn’t have to be cost-prohibitive. Look for alternative solutions to ensure an efficient and cost-effective means for successful printing.

Adware tale of the computer hijackers

When we think of adware, what comes to mind are those annoying and pesky ads that pop up out of nowhere whenever we are surfing the net. Anybody who has surfed through the net has encountered those irritating pop-up adwares advertising everything from computer software down to Viagra. Adwares are some of the most derided objects in the web alongside viruses, spyware and other malicious softwares and programs. Although adwares are alleged to be the most benign form of spyware, most web users hate the blatant and bothersome way of advertising. Most are often tricked into clicking on such adwares and end up unintentionally downloading something far more serious.

What are adwares, anyway? Adware or advertising-supported software is defined as any computer program or software package in which advertising and other marketing material are included with or automatically loaded by the software. Adwares are usually played back after installation. Some malicious adwares upload information about the computer or its user's activities even without the consent of its user. Adwares most often take the form of banner ads that appear on pop up windows or anywhere on the computer screen.

Software applications display these advertising banners whenever a program is opened or through some other triggering mechanism. Most adwares are integrated into a free application. This is a way for the developers to recover the costs of creating such software. A prominent example of this is the Opera browser software, which is a free application but comes with a banner ad. The adware can only be removed once the user purchases and registers his copy of the software. It is also a revenue-generating mechanism. A company can sponsor adwares to capture more visitors and potential customers. Adware as a marketing strategy is just one of the many techniques used by websites to attract more traffic.

However, some adwares are more than just pesky and garish ads. In many cases, adwares accompany a more malicious program, which uploads information about the user collected without permission. The users surfing habits are then tracked; in some cases, the browser home page is altered or redirected to the adware company's sponsoring site. These types of adwares are dangerous since they may jeopardize the computer system's health. Aside from installing malicious software, they may also become an avenue for viruses to invade the system.

Adwares have come under fire not only because of their annoying presence in the form of pop ups and banners but also in the way they invade the privacy of the user. Trackware and Spyware are just two of the "evil" forms that adware can take. That is why most computer users make an effort to get rid of these adwares. Because of the annoying nature of pop-up adware, most browsers now employ an adware blocking system through the form of a pop-up blocker or adware blocker. Browsers such as Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Mozilla's Firefox all use pop-up blockers, which instantly block or close any window that is triggered by adware in the sites that the user visits. These steps have significantly reduced the number of irritating adware that pop up every time a site is opened.

Most antivirus programs and utilities now feature an adware search and removal system. These programs indexes known adwares and spywares in the internet universe and searches for it in the user's computers system then subsequently quarantines or deletes the malicious files. Nevertheless, despite the numerous efforts against adwares, they continue to plague web surfers with their showy ads and banners as well as the nasty programs they introduce into the computer system. As the sage of the annoying adware continues, web surfers are also equipped with the best tools and utilities to combat them.

Adware: Are Your Business's Computers Secure?

Adware, software dedicated to displaying advertising, can really slow down any business that depends on computers. Adware promoters use some cunning tricks to get you to install their software on your machine. Here's what to look out for.

Adware is, by definition, something reasonable people don't want on their computers. That's why adware can't just come out and ask people to install it. Often, the computer owner is completely unaware of it being installed. But not always.

When adware doesn't want to sneak in through an open window, it will try to trick you into letting it in through the front door. Don't think you could be tricked? Don't be so sure until you've checked out these most common ways people have been tricked into allowing malware to be installed on their machines.

Adware Installation Trick 1: Piggybacking

How it works: malware may come bundled with a legitimate piece of software the user actually wants, such as a game or emoticon. The malware is merely labeled "companion software," without any indication of what it will do.

How to fight it: the fact that adware so often comes bundled with "entertainment" software, most notably the file-swapping program Kazaa, is a very good reason to separate business from personal when it comes to computing. But adware can sometimes comes bundled with non-entertainment software, such as search tools or cracks of legitimate business software. Be very suspicious of any software that comes bundled with other software. Don't installed software that comes bundled with other software unless you know everything that the bundled software does. After all, if the bundled program has anything to do with the program you actually want, why couldn't the software developer just get both programs' functionalities into a single piece of software? Software developers are now very sensitive to malware concerns and will provide a lengthy explanation of just why the bundled software is necessary, in the cases when they actually do need to use bundled software.

Adware Installation Trick 2: Bait and Switch

How it works: since people are getting more and more suspicious of bundled software, the program's developers may simply label it as valuable software, for instance, a browser plugin that supposedly accelerates web browsing (but in reality only shows ads).

How to fight it: again, a suspicious mind is useful in avoiding malware. Ask yourself some questions:

* What will this software actually do? Adware and adware-bundled software often come with very fuzzy claims attached. Sure, it says it will improve your browsing experience, but how? Often, this improved browsing experience just means a browsing experience with more advertising.

* If the software is so great, why is it being given away free? Most commonly, software is only given out free in two cases: if it's OpenSource (designed by a community of developers and not proprietary–OpenSource software is always clearly labeled as such); or simply a come-on for a fuller-featured version of the software. If neither case is true, there's a real chance the software is financed by adware.

Adware Installation Trick 3: Outright Lying

How it works: adware may even be labeled as something else entirely, such as a well-known piece of software or a crucial component of the computer operating system.

How to fight it: this is the trickiest adware of all, and requires extreme caution. You don't want to start deleting any of your program files, much less your system registry entries, unless you're absolutely sure it's malware. Plenty of overzealous parasite hunters have shot their own machines to bits this way. This is one case where you want to be using an anti-spyware program, and preferably a second anti-spyware program to provide a second opinion.

Getting Rid of Adware

Adware is so tricky that trying to uninstall it by yourself could be like a trip into the Matrix. Luckily, there are good anti-spyware programs that tackle adware as well–after all many adware programs are also spyware since they monitor your internet usage.

True, it may feel like adding insult to injury to have to install more software to get rid of software you never meant to install in the first place. But keeping your computer free of adware is just one new cost of doing business.

Advancements In Computer Technology

With technology progressing as fast as it is at the present, it is a wonder we do not have a new mass-marketed gadget appearing every few minutes. Personal computers, once predicted to be owned by a mere handful of individuals, are everywhere nowadays. If you are a student a personal computer is virtually a necessity. Accompanying the ever-increasing popularity of the personal computer is a plethora of gadgets and technological advancements. Though it may not be every few minutes, it seems as though every couple of months we hear about a computer with more storage space or a new device that one can connect to their computer.

Some devices that appear on the market are either completely superfluous or not so accessible to the entirety of the population, whether it is because of their cost or their limited supply. The costly devices are reserved to those who can afford them, until some new gadget replaces them and the price of these machines decreases, much like any new technology that appears on the market. Those gadgets, which are unnecessary, are not overly practical and the market for these creations is comprised mainly of those with an affinity for such devices. Inventions like webcams, while they are certainly fun to play with, are essentially unnecessary as they have no bearing on the actual operation of the computer and are used largely for leisure computer activities.

The more purposeful advancements in computer technology revolve around those, which increase the computers ability to manage certain tasks and those, which increase the storage space of the computer. Many personal computer owners find themselves craving more space to store songs or various other files and often wishing that their computer were faster. Though many computers produced today have a excessive storage space, that is, it is nearly impossible to fill a personal computer to capacity, these types of advancements permit a much speedier and more efficient functioning computer.

Antivirus Software - Protecting Your Computer's Data

When you buy a new computer you must protect your investment from malicious software programs such as viruses, worms, spyware, and trojans. These programs can cause serious damage to your computer system by erasing data or providing your sensitive data to criminals. You can help protect your personal computer by installing antivirus software to remove and prevent nasty viruses and spyware.

There are various antivirus programs available on the market and while they all do the same job, there are several things to keep in mind when choosing a program.

First you will want to consider the ease of use of the software. The average computer user is not tech savvy so you will want your antivirus software to be very user friendly. Look for features such as easy configuration as well as scanning your system on demand. The software should also automatically check for updates.

A good antivirus program will also be able to remove dangerous viruses, trojans, and worms and prevent new ones from infecting your computer. If the program cannot completely remove these viruses, it should at the minimum be able to keep the virus from spreading.

It is also important to ask if the software is a system hog. Many antivirus programs can use up a lot of your computer's resources slowing down your system. This can cause problems if you plan on running your antivirus software in the background while you continue to work. There are many good programs available that use resources more effectively. They run unnoticed in the background while you continue to work normally.

Some antivirus programs do include spyware prevention but in order to be fully protected, you may opt for purchasing separate spyware software as well. A separate spyware program can help ensure that your computer is safe from spyware issues that a combo program may not be equipped to catch.

Anti-Virus Software Fighting Back Against Computer Infections

Many computer users adopt the ‘it will never happen to me’ policy, but there are a number of computer viruses out there just waiting to infect and destroy the information contained on their hard-drive. This is why companies invented anti-virus software, which is a program that automatically helps to detect the presence of viruses on a computer or in a file before it is opened.

Anyone who spends a considerable amount of time surfing the internet, visiting unfamiliar websites or downloading photographs is at a higher risk for computer viruses than those who do not. Computer viruses are typically attached to word processing documents, computer programs and images which, if downloaded, may instantly affect the computer’s performance.

If a computer virus infects a computer, the owner may immediately lose everything in their computer and may be forced to use the factory restore disk. This CD, which is accompanied by most new computers, will restore the computer to it’s original factory settings.

Anti-virus software is quite affordable considering it’s wealth of use. Without it, computer users are at constant risk for computer viruses. Anti-virus software can generally be found at any computer manufacturer’s website, retail store’s electronic department or online at many retailers selling computers.

Anyone who suspects that their computer may be infected with a virus should refrain from sending any e-mail messages or uploading photos to family or friends. Otherwise, the virus may spread to infect their computers as well.

Anti-virus software is available most commonly on a CD-Rom, but may also be downloaded from some manufacturers. By double clicking on the software, the anti-virus program will begin to perform a scan of your entire computer. As it progresses, it will give you an update on any potential located viruses or files that may be of concern. In addition, some anti-virus software will allow users to scan a single file before opening it. For example, if a computer user were to download an image but wanted to run a virus scan on it prior to opening the file, he/she could click on the anti-virus software and direct it toward the file in question. The anti-virus program would scan the file for potential viruses and will post the results immediately on the computer screen. This will allow the computer user to know which files are safe and which are not.

In today’s world, anti-virus software is to computers as Tylenol is to headaches. It’s both a preventative approach and a cure for certain ailments affecting a computer. If a user does not have anti-virus software pre-installed into their computer, it is recommended that they purchase a program immediately before logging on to the internet.

Any Computer Can Be A Movie Machine With Dvd Burner Hardware

At this time, DVD Burner hardware holds a place of great popularity in the technology industry. Now standard fare on nearly every kind of computer and laptop, DVD Burner hardware was once considered something of a marvel. Users now have newer functions available to them that expand the enjoyment of their machine that has been made possible by this hardware. This has resulted in greater commercial success of the machine.

In order to copy information from one DVD disc to another, DVD burner hardware is necessary. The manufacture and selling of disks brought this ability into existence and has now developed an interface that is user-friendly. Producing movies and TV shows in mass quantities has been made possible by DVD burning equipment. It is fairly easy to make copies of your DVD's with the help of the right burning hardware. The quality of copy shows virtually no image loss from the original, depending on the hardware and software used, and a longer life span than VHS copies.

Families now have another venue for staying in touch besides the usual cards and newsletters due to the capabilities provided by DVD burner hardware. The ease of shipment makes home movies easy to enjoy. Adding quality boosting features and cleaning up home movies are also possible with DVD burner hardware that comes with editing functions. Converting home videos from VSH to DVD pretty much requires the special equipment. VCRs are getting harder to come by and harder to fix due to the fact that they are being phased out. But family videos can still be preserved and enjoyed by family and friends because of the ability to easily transfer them to DVD with the right hardware. Because DVD hardware makes recopying and sharing DVDs so easy, the closeness of families is enhanced. Another important advantage is that important videos can avoid being lost forever because they can be copied and stored in multiple secure locations very easily.

DVD burners can be internal or external. In the case of new computers or very recently refurbished computers, the hardware is most likely to be internal, located near the motherboard. To give an older computer the same functions as a newer one, an external DVD writer can be wired to the hard drive. Software and a specific driver for the particular hardware will be needed. Although many computers have driver libraries programmed into them, if necessary, the needed driver can usually be downloaded from the manufacturer's website for the writer. Usually, the hardware is packaged with the software included. The ability to burn DVDs is the primary but not the only function that DVD writer owners are able to enjoy.

Apple an Intel make Computers

The Apple Mac is now synonymous with beauty, elegance and a synergy with anybogy's home or office environment. It's been a long road for it's CEO, Steve Jobs, who's had to transform the Company over a short space of 10 years.

It's begun with the release of the iMac and the Blue and White G3, both of which featured new processors and radical design changes that took them away from the norm of computing in a beige box. Funky colors, novel case designs and cutting edge add-ons gave the mac a leading edge when it came to computers. Pricing structures changed as much as connectivity features, all of which lead to a stupendous rise in sales. Coupled with the iPod, Apple Computer Inc looked set to revolutionize the computer industry, just like it did back in 1984.

In it's continued rise to power, Apple has changed a number of things in their design, supply and ability to please the consumer. The latest change is just as amazing and has, for some made Apple Macs a household name. The use of Intel Core Duo chips in their latest line of iMacs and high end desktops has boosted sales by allowing many people to run Windows in native mode on their computers, just as easily as they run OS X. The sleek, modern designs, serial ata drives, DDR memory and fast optical drives coupled together with high end video cards gives the mac an edge against the fastest of PC computers. Coupled with this is a case that can't be matched by any PC manufacturer. In effect, particularly in the US, the Mac is king.

Ease of connectivity still surpasses that of Windows based PC computers. With OS X, Apple Mac machines can be connected direct to the internet straight out of the box. The hardest part is keying in your ISP's details, which you're guided through by Apple's novel approach to human interaction. Unlike windows, we've alwasy liked the fact that Apple Engineers think about how users will interact with their computers and then design the software around this.

Apple G4 Ibook - What Computers Are All About

Who likes computers? Okay, come on, we all do. If you don't need them for school or work, you surely enjoy surfing the web. Whether it be a PC or a Mac, you most likely have some modern-day computer for your daily needs.

The Apple G4 Ibook is a prime example of what computers are all about. I purchased my fourteen-inch notebook about a year ago, and now I can't live without it. The Apple G4 Ibook offers a standard 60 gigs, combo or super drive, and a compact size to tote around everywhere.

This magnificent machine has changed my view of computers.

Coming from a background of PCs, I wasn't familiar with the Apple G4 Ibook, or the Macs at all for that matter. After a long discussion with my brother, a computer technician previously obsessed with IBM, I came to the conclusion that I would get an Apple G4 Ibook.

If this professional PC lover recommended a Mac to me, what else was I to do. He now also enjoys an Ibook, and prefers it to his IBM notebook.

Furthermore, I was convinced once again by a computer geek at my University, who had recently made the transition from PC to Mac, and said he wouldn't go back. This is basically due to Mac's simplicity.

While PCs have the standard right and left click option with their mouse, Apple G4 Ibooks have only one button. There is no right click.

You want to make a command. Try open apple and a letter which refers to the command.

This is easy. Open apple N will pull up a new search engine window if you're browsing the web and do not wish to close your current one. Icons can be dragged to the folders and locations of your choice. Very simple. You can hide your icons with the Apple G4 Ibook. Just scroll your mouse to the bottom of the screen and they'll magnify for your convenience.

When it comes to choosing a notebook computer, there are choices galore. You have to keep in mind what you're purchasing it for.

While Macs have a reputation for video and edit capabilities, PCs are known for having better game options. All in all, both types of computers can do virtually anything you need and want them to. It all comes down to personal preference.

After years of PC use, I chose the Apple G4 Ibook for its simplicity.

Not to mention the wonderful virus control. One thing you will notice after buying a Mac, viruses seem to be a PC thing.

Are computer viruses spread by the media?

If you believe what you hear in the media, there are an awful lot of viruses going around. No, I'm not talking about the make-you-sick kind of virus, though they get plenty of airtime, too. I'm talking about the kind of virus that enters via your internet connection rather than your nasal passages.

What the mainstream media often don't tell you--at least, in most radio and television newscasts and in the crucial headlines and opening paragraphs of newspaper articles-- is that many of these "viruses" are not viruses at all.

What Computer Viruses Really Are

The main reason the mainstream media always are in alarm over viruses is that they tend to call any malicious computer program a virus. In reality, there are at least eleven distinct types of malicious software, or malware, commonly affecting computers today. The most common of these are worms, Trojans, and spyware.

So, what's the difference between computer viruses and the other types of malware? The difference is that computer viruses are just about the only ones that regularly shut down computers and cause other obvious damage. The most common of the other kinds of malware--worms, Trojans, and spyware--are usually only detectable with a special scan.

The Real Danger of Computer Viruses

If the other types of malware are so unobtrusive that they can only be detected with a special scan, then what's to worry about? For starters, these programs are called malicious for a reason: they are designed to cause some kind of damage, if not to your computer, then to someone else's.

Worms are most famously used to damage, destroy, or disrupt other computer networks than the one on which the host computer is located. For instance, worms have been used by website owners to shut down rival websites by sending overwhelming numbers of requests to the computer that hosts that website. Worms have also been used to send out viruses to other computers, often without infecting the host machine--after all, what would it benefit the worm to shut down its host computer?

Trojans, in turn, are often used to insert worms and other malware on your computer, even if the Trojan itself does no damage.

But even if you don't care what happens to anyone else, you should still be concerned about one kind of malware: spyware, a kind of malware that, true to its name, collects data from your computer and sends it back to a remote host.

Most spyware is only interested in monitoring your internet usage so it can tell other programs, called adware, what advertising to popup on your computer. However, there are criminal spyware programs that steal financial data, or perform a thorough identity theft. Don't think you have personal or financial data on your computer? Some spyware programs contain a keylogger, which is a program that copies whatever you type, usually in order to snatch passwords. Even if you keep no financial information on your computer, if you ever buy anything over the web, the keylogger would allow its owner to buy stuff using the same information you typed in to buy stuff yourself.

Why Blame the Media?

Given the danger of all these different types of malware, isn't it a good thing that the mass media are becoming hysterical about it? And can't they be forgiven the sloppy reporting of calling Trojans, worms, spyware, and other malware "viruses"?

No, no, no.

This is a classic case of bad reporting doing more damage than no reporting at all. In this case, the damage bad reporting has done is to promote a common myth that goes something like this: "The only malicious software is a virus. Viruses damage your computer. Therefore, if my computer is working OK, my computer has no malicious software. I only need to scan my computer for problems when there is a sign of problems."

Thanks to this myth, many people complacently let their antivirus software go months out of date, not wanting to be bothered with scheduling an automatic update. Just as bad, many people don't have any extra software to combat the other types of malware that may not be covered by antivirus software.

In fact, it's not uncommon for people who have found malware on their computers after a scan to say, "but I never had malware on my computer before!" But how would they have known if they had never scanned!

Until the biggest mainstream media--and especially television--start educating the public about the need to have their computers automatically scanned at least daily, the world will continue to have major, drawn-out problems with malware that could have been wiped out as soon as soon as the anti-malware software makers discovered it.

And until that day, the mainstream media will have many more opportunities to run hysterical stories about "viruses," thereby forcing them to sell more newspapers and broadcast to even larger audiences of people who suck at the information trough yet somehow never become full.

Are You A Computer Potato?

Working at the computer for hours a day leads to just as big a rear-end spread as sitting on the couch all day watching television. But you’ve got work to do! How can you avoid the poor fitness that comes with a sit down job?

First, the wisest thing you can do is to schedule breaks every fifteen to twenty minutes. Walk around and do something different for a few minutes. People tend to think that the interruption of thought will hinder their work. On the contrary, folks who actually take these breaks insist that they have twice as much energy and get nearly quadruple the amount of work done each day.

Why? The brain refreshes, sort of like your webpage does. When you come back to a task after a break, you’re more refreshed and ready to tackle your current project. If you have a laptop, that’s even better. Take it to a different room every hour and a half. Watch how your overall energy increases as you change scenery once in a while!

During the wait time on your computer – there’s so much of this – you can do a few stretches. While your page is loading, try these neck exercises to reduce strain and stress in this area.

Slowly, turn your head to the right as far as you can. Hold this position for fifteen seconds. Then repeat for the left side. When you get up for a break, stop at the door frame of your office. Hold your arms in the “hold up” position – as if Jesse James were robbing you and you had your hands in the air (bent at the elbows). Then place the inside of your arms and your palms on each side of the door frame and lean in slowly. Hold the stretch for twenty seconds.

These little stretches can literally save you much stress. Many computer workers end up with a stiff neck or arm and hand pain. Taking frequent breaks and getting in the habit of stretching when you have downtime can lessen the possibility for problems in the future.

Are Your Computers And Technology Covered?

More people in America are experiencing the joys, and conveniences, of today’s computers and technology than ever before. You’d be hard-pressed to find a household that doesn’t have one computer, or at least has a family member who owns a computer.

The technology that computers offer us is so useful, and many people use their computers for work, recordkeeping, and other such important tasks and information storage. So, if the homes the computers in which the computers are located catch fire, are severely damaged due to weather elements, or are robbed, how safe are the owners’ computers going to be?

Most homeowners’ insurance policies cover computers; however, coverage may be limited, and computer owners may want to consider purchasing additional insurance to cover their computers and technology losses in the event of an accident or emergency.

If you are a computer owner, and rely a good deal on the technology your computer offers, you might want to take a look at your homeowner’s insurance policy to find out exactly how much coverage is offered for your computer. If it’s not enough, think about purchasing additional coverage.

If your computer is used primarily for business-related purposes, you should look into additional coverage for the expenses necessary for data recovery; compensation for lost income while you computer is being repaired or replaced; and data recovery. Sometimes it’s essential to look into insurance policies made specifically for business-related issues when it comes to your computers and technology.

When choosing additional insurance coverage for your computers and technology, find out how much your deductible will be. If it’s less than what you’re willing to pay, you might want to increase it a bit; this will help keep your insurance premiums low.

Remember to always safeguard yourself by keeping all receipts for any repairs, replacements, data recovery, and upgrades you purchase in order to help the transaction between you and your insurance company go smoothly.

Avoid Computer Disaster: A review of Spyzooka

In recent times, our modern society has become completely dependent on computers to survive. Unfortunately, computer hackers have taken advantage of this fact and are using spyware to slow down and render useless many home computers. Luckily, there is anti-spyware software available to regain use of the computer. SpyZooka, a popular anti-spyware program, is easy to use, does not detect false positives, and increases computer speed. This article will review SpyZooka’s effectiveness in dealing with spyware.

Unlike many of the other brands of anti-spyware programs, SpyZooka’s ease of use makes the user more comfortable in dealing with spyware. The interface is clean-lined and modern, not distracting the eye from the most important elements. Simple buttons on the left side of the screen describe the main options. To keep the interface uncluttered, the more specific options are revealed by clicking on the main option tabs. After the initial installation, SpyZooka continues to scan the computer for any spyware threats and displays scan results in a in a results tab. While the ease of use may make consumers leap for joy, SpyZooka also avoids time wasting false positives that occur with other types of spyware protection.

One of the biggest hassles of protecting your computer from spyware is the amount of time required to tackle the issue. SpyZooka avoids this pitfall by only reporting actual spyware issues. This is done by using a complex algorithm that detects and removes only spyware, not the programs that user wants to keep on the computer. It also counts the spyware issues only one time, not confusing or frightening the consumer with deceptive results and complex rating scales. With such time-saving features, Spyzooka gets the computer working faster.

Not only does SpyZooka help the consumer to use the product more efficiently, but it actually makes the computer to run faster. Spyware on the computer has many irritating effects, most commonly things like excessive popups, snail-paced internet connections, home page changes, and unbearably slow computer speed. SpyZooka removes spyware, adware, keyloggers, trojan horses, worms, malware, hijackers, dialers, unwanted toolbars, rootkits, rogue antispyware, botnets, unwanted browser plugins and any other related issues that might affect computer speed. Being protected from so many of the causes of a slow computer almost guarantees faster computer use for the consumer.

As is easily seen, SpyZooka is an effective anti-spyware program that does the job of keeping the consumer protected from computer disaster. Not only does it have a user-friendly interface, but it also avoids false positives and makes the computer run faster.

Avoiding Purchase of Stolen Computers

Most of us purchase used computers for the main reason that they can be purchased for a very lesser amount. When doing so, there is a high risk of purchasing a stolen computer, which can be passed off as a used computer. The incidence of purchasing a stolen computer is more when they are got in the name of used computers from third party computer dealers like the computer dealers online or from a theft store or from a pawnbroker who has no idea about the history of the computer he is selling.

Following measures can be taken to avoid buying a stolen computer: 

One of the safe measures while buying used computer is to buy through a credit card or check payment rather than making cash purchase. If the seller insists on cash payment, the purchaser can be very sure that the computer may be a stolen one. Also stolen computers are sold at very low prices. If the buyer has good knowledge about the price trends of computers in the market, he can for sure find out if the computer sold as a used computer is of a genuine kind or not.

The place of buying used computer is of outmost importance as a reputed dealer or seller will have a well-established location. They do not sell on the streets. Hence, it is better to avoid buying used computers from the street side shops, which may be fly by night shops. Such sellers attract the buyers with the pricing or heavy discounts or even freebies along with the computers. If the buyer is not sure about the computer, he can very well ask for the documents pertaining to the computer or can find out if receipts are issued for the purchase. The best method of finding out is to check the serial number of the used computer that can be done with the help of the local law enforcement personnel.

The buyer has all the rights to ask the seller about the reason for the sale of the used computer, where it was purchased and nature of payment made initially. If the buyer is satisfied, he can go ahead with the purchase, else should move on to the next seller. Normally, one can find out if the seller is genuine or not through his body language.
A person selling illegal things will show frenzied movements, will agree even for a rock bottom price with even a small amount of profit for him, mostly will not have a decent language, will try to sell in haste, will always be looking around to find out if someone is watching him and will not have an eye contact while selling and so on.

Such kind of illegal sales of used computers happen as the illegal seller has the facility to advertise free of cost. Also posing as a private seller there is no need to provide a VAT receipt, which makes him free of any legal action being taken against him. Hence it is not advised to buy a used computer without a cash receipt provided by the seller.

Add Value to your Business with Computer Courseware

Training employees and educating consumers to be able to use particular computer software is a tough job. It takes time and skill to write training manuals and design illustrations to go along with them. That's why many business owners are choosing computer courseware instead of creating training manuals of their own. Computer courseware is pre-designed and customizable so you can arrange the lessons and customize them to fit your training needs. It saves time and money, and can be done easily in-house once you have a copy of the training materials.

What is Computer Courseware?

Computer courseware is software and/or training materials used for educational purposes. Educational institutions may use courseware to teach students how to operate a particular computer software program. Companies may use it to educate employees on using a new software program that has been installed for business operations. Also, companies that sell computers, software, or other related products and services might offer computer courseware to their customers as a free "how-to" guide.

The training courseware can be used for almost any type of computer software. There are Macintosh manuals, Microsoft courseware, Adobe Photoshop courseware, Excel courseware, and many others.

Tips for Maximizing your Computer Courseware Benefits

To get the most benefit out of your computer courseware, use it in creative ways. For example, package it nicely and offer it as a free bonus with a purchase to your clients. If you sell Microsoft Word software, then advertise up-front that each customer will receive a free beginner's course on how to use Microsoft Word. Then, include your Microsoft courseware with each purchase. If shipping products, package it neatly with the product. If selling in-store, make sure your employees know to give the bonus courseware with each purchase.

If you sell Macintosh computers, provide free Macintosh manuals with the computer. Those customers who are brand new to Macintosh computers will appreciate this tremendously!

Package your Computer Courseware for Long-Term Use

When you print the courseware manual, put the pages in a nice binder with your company logo, store location, phone number, and website address. Also include a "welcome" letter explaining briefly what the customer will learn in the course. Customers are more likely to keep the manual if it is packaged this way. If you hand them a lot of papers that have been stapled or bound together, these are likely to end up in the trash!

Another idea is to include a sales presentation at the beginning or conclusion of the courseware manual to try and up-sale customers on a new product or service. You're already providing something free that's of value, so why not make an offer while the customer is reading your materials?

If you operate an online business with an e-zine or newsletter, offer free computer courseware with every subscription. It may seem like a lot to give someone who's signing up for a free newsletter, but the rewards can be great. The long-term value of a newsletter subscriber base can be monumental!

As you can see, computer courseware can add great value to your products and services, and it's usually very easy and affordable to get started. All you have to do is order rights to the courseware, print your training manuals, and package them for distribution. Then, let the computer courseware materials do the rest!

Be Competitive With A Computer Programming Degree

There is more to computers that what meets the eye. Most people use their computers to surf the Internet, type up documents or create presentations. But in order for individuals to use these applications when the need arises, someone has to create and maintain the program. With new software coming out everyday and constant updates being made to existing programs, individuals with a computer programming degree are competitively sought after in the job market. This makes receiving a degree in this particular career field even more appealing to college students.

There are many different elements associated with a software engineer position, which is how the career is commonly referred. One of the aspects a student can explore once they receive a computer programming degree is program writing. The process of writing codes to create software programs requires knowledge in a wide range of subjects. These skills include math, problem solving and logic. It is very important to be well versed in subjects such as mathematics because a lot of programs and codes require algorithms to work. The more a computer programmer knows about math, the easier their job will be.

Once a software engineer writes and creates a program, the next phase that takes place is testing. Individuals who receive a computer programming degree are not only versed in how to create and write programs, but they are also taught how to test them as well. Testing is one of the most important steps in creating a new video game, computer game or computer application. Companies can lose thousands, if not millions of dollars if they put products on the market that do not work. That is why this step is so crucial. Computer programmers are required to check every aspect of the application in order to assure that everything is in working order.

Another process in computer programming is maintenance. It is important that an individual is given the task to maintain certain applications and programs. Even though a product is created and put on the market does not mean that it can be left alone. A product is never truly finished because updates are constantly required. A lot of times programs and applications have glitches or bugs in their system that need to be worked out. Of course products are tested, but a lot of times these glitches do not come out until the product is already on the market. An individual with a computer programming degree is taught how to maintain these programs and how to implement updates to improve them.

Individuals who graduate with a computer programming degree also have the opportunity to gain numerous certificates in their line of work. Certifications, such as becoming a Microsoft Certified Applications Developer are important to students entering the job market because employers are going to look for graduates who have experience in the field. There are many different types of certifications, from computer repair to system engineering. Individuals can also become Certified Ethical Hackers. This type of certification allows programmers to hack into the system they are working on in order to find flaws in the network in order to correct them.

The market for an individual with a computer programming degree has increased over the past few decades, mainly because of the high demand for computers and electronics. From computers and DVD players to cell phones and MP3 players, technology is one of the fastest growing industries, in the United States and around the World. New products and programs are constantly entering the market, so the need for computer programmers is larger than ever.

Be Informed When You Purchase A Computer

When you go online or look at ads for electronics stores, you will probably be able to find a computer that will be just right for you. There are many types and styles available on the market. You can find a computer that will take up a whole room in your house, while you can also find a computer that will fit into the palm of your hand! At a business, you will probably find a mainframe computer. In your workplace or at home you will normally find a desktop computer. In the airport, the person sitting next to you could be working on a laptop computer or handheld computer. So, when you find yourself looking for a computer for your own personal use, you know you will have a lot to choose from.

When looking for a home computer, nowadays called a personal computer, you will find it is made up of several parts. There will be a box sitting on your desk, black, gray or beige in color. This is your actual computer, containing everything from the microprocessor to the memory, the storage to the input/output devices. You can’t work with just the “computer” alone, though. There are accessories that go along with your computer like the monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers. Other attachments you might find are printers and digital video cameras.

If you want to buy a computer, it is good to know that there are two separate categories of computers: PCs and Macs.

- A PC is a computer modeled after components and standards created by the IBM Company. A rather high percentage of all personal computers, shown at somewhere over 90%, are PCs. Some companies that sell PC computers are IBM, Dell, Compac, and Gateway.

- A Mac computer is a personal computer made by the Apple Company. MacIntosh was its most popular style of computer several years ago. The new IMacs are popular with die-hard Mac fans, although not as many people today use Mac computers as used to.

A personal computer in your home can be used for many things, including word processing chores, personal and business letter writing, financial records and planning, internet searching, photography, and many other types of functions like graphic design and publishing. For the younger crowd, a personal computer can also be used to listen to music, watch movies or play detailed video games.

The basic elements of your personal computer that you choose, like the processor, amount of RAM, floppy or CD-Rom disk drives, hard disk drive, sound card, speakers, monitor, modem and graphics card will be determined by what kind of computer user you plan to be. Heavy users of complex programs will need much more “stuff” on their computer than the average computer user. Once you’ve determined how much of everything you need, you will be able to calculate an average cost for the computer you want.

Be Picky About Computer Keyboards

If there is anything I have learned in the past ten years of being an editor that is using my computer all day, it is that it is good and right to be absolutely picky when it comes to choosing computer keyboards. If this seems like an insignificant choice to you, then it is clear that you, unlike me, do not spend the majority of your days typing on a computer.

If you did, you would quickly realize what a difference computer keyboards can make to a typing experience. It took me a couple of years to realize that there were actuallly a lot of options when it comes to computer keyboards and that I didn't have to be satisfied with a computer keyboard that didn't fit my hands.

I have probably made my way through at least eight or nine computer keyboards in the past ten years. I have learned what suites my body and my needs better and that has often caused me to go on the hunt for a newer and better computer keyboard. I have learned that there are a huge variety ofAs computer keyboards and that if you search for them, they do not have to be too expensive or hard to find.

If you are about to purchase a computer for the first time, or if you are simply looking for a computer keyboard that fits your body and your needs better, then don't rush into a purchase until you have done some research to learn about your options. A great place to begin the search for computer keyboards or any other part of computers is by visiting a computer store where the employees are knowledgable about all things computer. Stop into a local store or two and see what you can learn about choosing computer keyboards that are right for you.

Another great way to do research on computer keyboards is online. That is, if you can manage to use your current keyboard for a few hours to do the research! Look through many websites until you find the deals that are in your budget and that match your needs. Finding a computer keyboard can be a tedious process, or it can be easy if you look in the right places. The bottom line is that if you are going to be using your computer a lot, then it pays to have the best possible computer keyboard.

Become a Computer Software Engineer

According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, computer engineers will be one of the fastest growing occupations over next 7 years. To help meet this demand, students seeking Computer Careers will need at least a bachelor's degree in computer engineering or computer science. If you're interested in taking advantage of this projected boom, you will need to pursue a Career in IT. You can either earn your degree from Online Computer Schools, or campus based Computer Training.

Computers and information technology is a part of our daily lives, and new technology is being developed at a fast pace. Computer Training is needed to help expand new computer software systems and to include new technologies and applications. The skills needed for Careers in IT change all of the time reflecting changes in technology and the growing needs of companies. Computer software engineers research, design, develop, and test operating systems-level software, compilers and network distribution software. They work with medical, industrial, military, communications, aerospace, business, and scientific and general computing applications. Software engineers set operational specifications and formulate and analyze software requirements

Computer engineers need the skills to create functional and technical design qualifications for software development. They must also have solid programming skills, and be familiar with data types, syntax and control structures. Along with the ability to correctly analyze information, software engineers also need to be able to fix multifaceted application glitches and be able to produce quality requirement specifications, design documents and test plans. Problem solving and working as a team are also necessary parts of working as a software engineer.

Now is the time to earn a Computer Degree in a computer-related discipline, as it is required for most software engineering positions. Growth in the technology field will be driven by the rapid growth in the technology sector. Demand for careers as a computer software engineer is expected to grow as computer applications continue to expand.

Benefits Of Proper Computer Recycling & Disposal

Computer recycling nowadays is easy to do and very commonplace as computers can be easily refurbished in order to provide 3rd world countries with older yet functioning models of computers. Disposing of computers properly is extremely important because if you sell your computer or give it away then the person who receives it has unlimited access to all of your personal information that was stored on it. If you leave your computer in the street for anyone to take away, then they would be able to access this private information as well.

In a day and age where it is easy to steal someone’s identity with such a small amount of information, and companies are reaping the benefits of “ID Theft Prevention” plans, it is sad to think that a smart adult would forget how much personal information they’ve got stored on their computer. Every time you enter and save a small piece of personal information into a computer, it remains in the hard drive and usually takes a computer expert to wipe your computer clean of all of the tiny bits of your personal information. Any time you save a password or send an e-mail, that information remains no matter how many times you clean the “cookies” and free up some memory.

Any time you order something over the internet using a credit card number, that number gets sent to the company and is usually stored in their memory so that the next time you visit their website, shopping and paying is quicker and easier. As many as 9 million Americans have their identity stolen every year, but sadly, most of these victims are cautious consumers who happen to be targeted because of one little mistake. Disposing of your computer the wrong way could be the one little mistake that your creepy neighbor is waiting on in order for them to gain access to an abundance of your personal information.

With your personal information at the tip of their fingers, identity thieves can easily commit fraud by opening up new credit cards under your name and billing address, using your social security number to obtain illegal employment, get a loan or mortgage under your name, or even just an ID card with your name and their picture. There are no limits to what an identity thief can do with your personal information, and their reach stretches further if they have access to your e-mail accounts and internet pay systems.

The best way to protect yourself against identity theft is obviously to be a conscious consumer when it comes to using your credit cards, watch your credit history and make sure that details such as billing statements coincide with your personal records. It’s important to watch what and where you spend your money, and to make sure it’s only you doing the spending with your accounts.

It’s okay to save personal information on your computer, as long as your computer remains in your hands. Once you are done with a computer either because it’s old or broken or you’re ready for an upgrade, there is only one safe way to dispose or recycle your old computer. In order to insure safety of your personal data and comply with environmental standards for computer disposal, your computer must be sent to a computer disposal or recycling company. Businesses such as those will properly dismantle a non-useable computer or will remove all of your personal information so that the computer is ready to be refurbished. Either way, years worth of your personal information that you entered into your computer will be properly wiped away and the theft of your identity via your trashed computer will no longer be a concern.

Best Buy for Laptop: How to Buy a Laptop Computer

There is a wide range of laptop models available on the market today and buying the right machine can turn into a confusing mission.

There are laptop computers intended for home users, multimedia, business and gaming. You can spend from $500 to $5,000.

The very first step you need to do is to determine your needs.

If you spend a lot of time traveling, your best option is a light laptop with a long battery life.

If you are an average home user, you can easily select a low-range laptop that will cost you about $500.

If you use the Internet a lot or store photographs and videos, you choice should be a mid-range laptop that will cost you from $1,000 to $1,500.

But if plan to purchase a gaming laptop, be ready to pay at least $3,000.

Look at the following categories:

- Processor is the most important thing to take into consideration. Intel Pentium M, Mobile AMD Athlon 64 and AMD Turion 64 Mobile are high-powered processors. Intel's Celeron M and AMD's Duron and Sempron are processors found in low-end laptops.

Avoid desktop processors in laptops because they need a lot of power and will quickly exhaust your battery.

- Screen sizes range from 12 to 19 inches. A laptop computer with smaller screen is great option if you do not plan to use laptop too much. A larger screen is perfect for extensive use.

- Your new laptop should have at least 1 gigabyte of memory. Also, your machine should come with a dedicated video card with 128 megabytes of memory.

- Choose a faster hard drive with at least 60GB of space. This is sufficient for the majority of users. Gamers should get at least 100 GB hard drive.

Better Computer Performance - 9 Free Or Inexpensive Fixes

Poor computer performance by your Windows-based machine can sneak up on you gradually. You may find its performance deteriorating increasingly until one day you realize you must fix it or buy a new one. Signs of poor performance can include applications running very slowly, programs closing or freezing up suddenly, and a generally slower response time to OS (operating system)-related commands. I have compiled 9 fixes for you here that you can leverage right now to greatly improve your computer's performance.

Fix #1: Download and run MS Service Pack 2:

Every operating system requires patches and upgrades by its maker from time-to-time, with Microsoft XP being no exception. While Service Pack 2 was released in 2002, some people with older systems are still not running it: make sure your computer is. You can download it FREE from Microsoft's Web site.

Fix #2: Run the Disk Cleanup utility:

Your computer likely has a number of unused and unneeded files that take up valuable space on your hard drive and slow performance. Run your FREE, built-in Disk Cleanup utility to automatically remove these files. Find it by going to: Start | Programs | Accessories | System Tools | Disk Cleanup and following the prompts.

Fix #3: Defragment your hard drive:

Over time, your computer will store files in an increasingly inefficient manner on your hard drive, affecting file retrieval times and other performance factors. To fix this, you need to defragment your hard disk drive. To do this for FREE, just go to: Start | Programs | Accessories | System Tools | Disk Defragmenter. First, highlight the drive you want to clean up (e.g., C drive) and choose Analyze. Once complete, choose Defragment. Note that the defragmentation process could take up to an hour or more, so do this during a time when you can step away from your computer.

Fix #4: Run an anti-virus tool:

Computer viruses are malicious programs that drastically affect your computer's performance, either all at once or insidiously over time. You can stop a virus attack by installing and running anti-virus software which performs regular scans, locates the offending viruses and quarantines them.

Fix #5: Clean your registry:

Your computer's registry is a tool that most non-computer specialists never see but which is vitally important to computer operations. Your registry stores settings and options for your hardware, operating system, and other software. Unfortunately, given its fundamental role in the performance of your system, your registry is often the target of attack or infection. To thoroughly and automatically clean your registry, run a regular registry scan using a registry cleaning tool. I recommend RegCure, which recently found 1,626 problems with my registry (ugh!), is cheap and easy to use.

Fix #6: Run anti-spyware software:

Spyware is computer software that installs itself in your computer and performs a number of unwanted functions, including monitoring your computer usage and interfere with your control.

It represents a real threat and has become a significant problem in recent years. Fortunately, fixes are easy to find and include a number of free and inexpensive anti-spyware programs. Try SpyBot Search & Destroy. Get it FREE online.

Fix #7: Increase your computer's memory:

Today's applications require more and more memory (RAM) to run. If your computer is more than two years old or if you selected the minimal memory option upon purchase, you might benefit from adding another 1 GB or more to your computer. Check online or at your local computer dealer for pricing.

Fix #8: Clean your hard drive:

More comprehensive than the Disk Utility tool introduced above, cleaning your hard drive with professional cleaning software is a great way to improve performance. Try CCleaner for FREE by doing an online search.

Fix #9: As a last resort, re-format your hard drive:

If after trying all of the above items and your computer still performs poorly, a last resort is to completely reformat your hard drive. Warning: proceed with caution since this action will erase your entire hard drive, including your operating system (OS)! If you decide to take this route, consult an online tutorial for how-to steps. At minimum, remember two things: be sure to back up all of your files and applications and retain a copy of your OS on CD so that you can re-install it later.

Beware Of Spyware -- Steps To Take To Protect Your Computer

Spyware refers to malicious software that takes partial control of a computer's operation through unauthorized access without the computers owners' knowledge or consent, and has become one of the biggest security threats to computer users today.

Spyware exploits infected computers for commercial gain, usually by including unsolicited pop-up advertisements; by monitoring the users' online activities; by routing http requests to advertising sites; or by stealing personal information such as financial information. In fact, it is estimated that identity-thieves have stolen over US$ 24 billion worth of account information in the United States alone.

Spyware most often infects a computer by piggybacking on a desirable software and the user unknowingly downloading and installing it. Spyware also often lurks in rogue anti-spyware programs that pretend to be security software. Spyware also comes bundled with shareware or other downloadable software and music CDs.

Yet another method of distributing spyware involves tricking computer users by manipulating security features designed to prevent unwanted installations. For example, surfers using the Internet Explorer web browser may unwittingly click on a command prompt that appears to be a Windows dialog box, when in actual fact it initiates the spyware download.

With the spyware threat worsening, several anti-spyware programs have emerged that are designed to counteract or remove spyware. Programs such as Ad-Aware SE and Spybot - Search & Destroy are some of the more popular and effective tools to remove and intercept spyware programs. Microsoft has also released Windows AntiSpyware to combat the spyware problem. Other popular anti-spyware programs include Spy Sweeper, Spyware Doctor, XoftSpy, and CounterSpy.

Anti-virus firms Symantec, McAfee and Sophos, while reluctant initially to add anti-spyware features to their anti-virus products, have finally added anti-spyware features to the recent versions of their anti-virus products.

Computer users have also become savvier in detecting spyware. Many users now install a web browser other than Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE), such as Opera or Mozilla Firefox which are not as vulnerable as IE is to spyware - though that is not to say that Opera and Firefox have not suffered from similar security vulnerabilities. No one single browser is 100% safe, as "security" all depends on the person using the browser.

Some internet service providers, especially colleges and universities, block spyware by using their network firewalls and web proxies to block access to Web sites known to install spyware.

Spyware sometimes hide in shareware programs offered for download, so downloading programs only from reputable sources provides some protection from this source of attack.

Block websites on your computer

Broadband Internet connectivity is so common these days that almost no one has a second thought about connecting to the Internet. Connecting is easy, but what if you need to control or restrict the ways in which the Internet connection is to be used? Sure enough, widespread availability of unlimited, unmetered Internet connections has its pros. But what about the contras?

Everybody is talking about nowadays how fast their connection is. Fast and unlimited maybe fine for the most home users, but this is not necessarily the same for work or study environments, public places, or specific age groups. The Internet contains enough threats such as spyware and viruses to make you wish to restrict access to certain resources. A virus can corrupt or destroy information on your PC, causing you spending days to recover data. Spyware steals your personal information and slows down your computer’s performance, making it a pain to work on. While it is usually possible to fix a PC contaminated with spyware and viruses, it is much safer and easier to prevent the infection in the first place – by restricting the browsing to the list of known, safe Web sites.

Restrict Internet browsing in Internet Explorer to the defined list of safe Web sites with Ashkon Software WebAllow http://www.weballow.com! WebAllow prevents electronic infections by block access to all but selected preapproved Web sites in Internet Explorer, effectively protecting your computer from spyware and viruses. If a user on your computer tries to access a website that is not on the list of allowed sites, she is redirected to a Web page of your choice to inform her about your access restriction policy.

While viruses and spyware sound familiar enough, Internet threats are not limited to those. The Internet offers a great variety of resources that are not always appropriate for your audience. Online computer games may be fine for the kids, but they can occupy the employees’ attention in an office. Online chats, forums and blogs are popular among students and office employees, occupying their time and taking away from their study or work – wasting valuable time. Finally, while certain Web sites may be appropriate for adults, these same sites are not likely to make you smile when accessed by your children due to coarse language or adult content.

Use WebAllow at home to block all but kid-safe Web sites on your home PC. Use it in the office to prevent your employees wasting their time playing computer games, chatting on the forums or reading breakdown news. Use the same product in the school, college or university to concentrate students' attention on their study by only allowing access to their online class materials. Install WebAllow in a store or in a library and allow your customers to access your book or product catalog and nothing else. Do not let your computer users misuse Internet connection with WebAllow!

When installed, WebAllow is easy to configure by the administrator, and impossible to disable or uninstall by the regular users. It embeds into Internet Explorer and makes it impossible to visit Web sites other than defined. WebAllow is light on memory and disk space, and is perfect to be used on any computer type from powerful workstations to public computers with small memory and hard drives.

Once configured, WebAllow requires absolutely zero administration and runs completely unattended. WebAllow will improve your personal privacy and computer security, protect your kids, increase employee performance and motivate students. Download evaluation copy for free at http://www.weballow.com/

Bring Your Career To Life With A Computer Animation Degree

With technology pushing the limits of what video games can do, a computer animation degree is one of the most sought after career certifications around. The video game industry is one that is definitely booming with no end in sight. This type of degree can lead to a fulfilling career that goes as far as the imagination leads.

For the majority of video games, animation is the heart of the product. While many never think past the shiny finished package that ends up on store shelves, there's a whole world of preparation that must occur before a game can be allowed into the market. From concept to finished product, a video game relies on a capable animator to keep up with the slew of changes that occur before it is finished.

A vast number of elements must work together if a game is to be considered successful out on the market. With a computer animation degree, one will learn how to work with these various elements to create a viable product. Animators must also work with editors, programmers and even marketers to get the product out in a feasible amount of time.

Those who choose this line of work often do so because they love video games, technology and the plethora of gadgets that make gaming even more fun. They are able to see workable concepts and solutions in nearly every aspect of problem solving and have an aptitude for detail. With video game production being a largely collaborative effort, they are also one who enjoys working in teams.

The amount and different types of technology used in the world of video games means a computer animation degree will definitely be required to break into the industry. It is not likely one will be able to walk in off the streets and obtain a career with little or no training. One must spend time in an accredited program learning about animation from the ground up to even land an entry-level position.

Many who opt for this type of degree find learning the curriculum to be quite enjoyable. At times it can seem like there is much to learn; however, those who choose this career have such passion for what they do, it becomes more than easy to take in. With a career as a computer animator, one will literally be able to display all that they have learned.

Although many choose video game production, the world of computer animation can lead to a vast number of other options also. This means that one will not be destined to remain in only one aspect of a career path. Over the years one can shift their career in just the direction they need to coincide with life's changes.

Making the choice to pursue this career path requires enrolling in an accredited program. A good program not only teaches up to date skills with state of the art technology, their curriculum is approved to meet all state requirements and standards. Upon completing the required set of courses one receives their degree, allowing them to legitimately pursue the career of their dreams.

To help students ease their financial burden, many accredited programs offer financial aid to students that qualify. A financial aid specialist can help determine what options are available and help map out a plan of action using any grants or scholarships that may be available. In some cases, previous college credits may even count towards getting one's degree.

When all is said and done, a computer animation degree can help bring a wonderful career to life. It allows one to work in a most professional but laid back environment with others who also love gaming and technology. The most satisfying career is one that combines passion with a paycheck.

Building A Computer - Picking Components

Picking the parts for your computer is one of the most important things in building a computer, because you cant assemble a computer without the parts! Picking parts for computers has become much easier than before, because things have been standardized, however, you need to make sure everything will fit. The first thing to think about when choosing the components for your computer is what you are going to be using it for. If you are creating a computer for just checking your eMail and using word, you are going to need much diffrent parts than a computer that you are going to be using for gaming.

CPU
The first thing you should pick out about your computer is what CPU you are going to use, because it determines what motherboard you are going to get, which determines what other components you get. There are two main CPU manufactruers, Intel and AMD. Both have their Pros and Cons, but they are pretty similar. I would suggest using AMD, because they give you a little more bang for the buck.

Here is a brief overview of the diffrent Intel and AMD CPUs:
Budget: AMD: Sempron
Intel: Celeron D

Midrange: AMD: Athlon 64
Intel: Pentium 4

High End: AMD: Athlon64 X2
Intel: Pentium D

If you are spending below $500, I would suggest a budget proccesor, Between $500 and $1000, midrange and $1000 and above I would suggest a high end proccessor.

Motherboard
Choosing the right motherboard is vital to building your computer. First, make sure you find a motherboard that has the right socket type for your CPU. Then, check the diffrent features of the motherboards you are looking at. If you arent going to buy a video or sound card, make sure your motherboard has onboard video and/or sound. Other things to check for on your motherboard are the hard drive interface, graphics card interface, expansion slots, the memory size and speed. Also, check for the chipset. There are too many to talk about, but generally Intel and nVidia chipsets are better than the other ones. Now that you picked out your motherboard, you know what to look for in your other components.

RAM
Getting the right speed and amount of RAM is vital to the speed and stability of your system. If you are running XP, you will probably need at least 256 or 512Mb of RAM. If you are going to be doing anything memory intensive, gaming, rendering or just want a faster computer, you should get 1Gb. Make sure your motherboard has enough DIMMs and the right type of DIMMs for your RAM. Also, be sure to check the speed and CAS Latency.

Hard Drive
Now its time to pick your hard drive. There are few variables in picking a hard drive. The first, and most important is size, 120Gb is usually enough for most people unless, you are going to be storing alot of pictures and video. Also, make sure you get an HD with the right interace that fits your motherboard. Almost all motherboards have IDE, but some have SATA (Serial ATA) Which is a much faster hard drive interface and uses a thinner cable which helps with airflow in your case. There is even SATAII now, which is twice as fast. Also look at speed, almost all desktop HDs are 7200RPM and Cache, most are 8Mb, dont buy a HD below those standards. If you want to spend some money, you can get 2 HDs and run them in RAID which increases performance.

Video Cards
If you are going to be doing any gaming, be sure to buy a video card, if youre not, onboard video is fine. The first thing to check for is the interface, most are AGP or PCI-E. I personally like nVidia cards better. If you are going to be doing graphic intensive games, I would suggest at least a 6600. If you have alot to spend, go with a 7800.

Optical/Floppy drives
Another thing you are going to is a CD drive, most are IDE. Get a DVD Burner if you are going to use it. Also, you should get a floppy drive, they are only $10ish and you might need it to install drivers when building your computer.

Case and Power Supply
Make sure you have a sufficient power supply!! If you have a high end computer, you should get a 450W PSU. Otherwise, 350W should be fine for most people. Most cases are ATX, but make sure it is the same type as your motherboard (ATX, MicroATX, BTX, etc...).

Be sure to make sure all your components are compatible!

Building a Computer From the Bottom Up

Before you even think about building your own computer make sure that you go for the best technology possible. This is an important task and you want it to turn out as close to perfect as possible. When your PC is complete you want it to have the best hardware available.

One of the biggest benefits of building your own computer is that you can customize it. You know what is most important to you. Maybe you are a graphics user. MP3’s might be the closest thing you have to a best friend. Perhaps you are writing the great American novel and you are mainly interested in text. If you are building your own machine, you can concentrate on what you want but if you're building it for a third party, you obviously need to consult them first.

Collecting the hardware for your new computer is the most time consuming part of the process. You want to make sure that you get high standard equipment that works well with your needs. Take your time and don’t try to skimp on your hardware. If you don’t heed both of these suggestions, your computer could bite back later.

If you are building your own PC, you probably know that the Motherboard is the most important part of your computer. Everything that you plug into your computer will meet here. Be especially choosy when buying a motherboard. And make sure that there is an instruction manual. Some cheapies will not have one.

Be aware that the Motherboard will control the future of your computer. All upgrades will have to be compatible with your Motherboard. The chipset in the Motherboard deserves careful investigation. What will it support? Find out before you buy. Take your time. There are a ton of chipsets out there.

Pay close attention to how many PCL slots the Mother board has. The more, PLC slots the better because they fill up quickly. How is the board laid out? Check for any problems such as something blocking your long PCI slots.

When selecting a case, be aware of the form factor. You want an ATX form factor because that is what almost all new systems are operating on. Try to go with a screw free form factor because it will be easier to work with. One equipped with fans would be optimal.

Three are three groups of processors; low end, average and high end. The low end processor is okay for simple tasks. Letters, invoices and other noncomplex applications can be performed on a low end processor. If you do choose to go with a low end processor, realize that these are fast becoming outdated.

Average processors are faster and they are just a bit more expensive. For a few extra dollars you will be able to access higher level applications without hassle. This will provide more speed as well satisfying the average computer user.

High end processors are the cream of the crop. They are expensive and usually reserved for those on the high end of the pay scale. You will have high memory and no problem accessing complex CPU programs.

Memory is a vital element of your computer. Spend the money and purchase the best you can afford. If you don’t, more than likely you will need to go out and repurchase a better processor later. Also you will want to make sure you get memory that works with your system.

Get a video card that suits your purposes. If you are a small business owner, go with a cheaper, jack of all trades card. If you are building this computer for home use you might as well reward yourself with some perks. Now don’t go and spend five hundred dollars on a video card that a top financial institution might buy. Purchase a card that provides just slightly more than you need, but not so high end that it cost as much as the rest of your hardware.

You have your mouse and keyboard, right? Get a good hard drive. Buy a new one, opposed to used, to make sure you are getting the best quality.

CD-ROM drivers are cheap. Spend a little extra cash and get a really good one. If you want a more advanced unit, buy a DVD player. A DVD player will play CD-ROM’s and DVD’s. It will serve multiple purposes.

Building A Computer Introduction

If you are reading this article, you are probably wondernig, why and how do you build a computer. Building your own computer is more simple than you think and has many benefits.

Why Build A Computer?
Building a computer has many benefits over buying a premade. First of all, it is generally cheaper if you build your own than buying one. If you shop your components, your DIY(Do it yourself) computer will be cheaper than its premade equivalent. If you build your own computer, it will be faster than one that is premade, because most computer manufacturers use cheap components and try to cut corners to cut down costs. Additionally, your self built computer has more room to upgrade if you so decide to in the future. Prebuilt computers usually only have enough expansion slots for the components that are going to be in the computer. Because of this, your prebuilt computer will become obsolete sooner. Also, building a computer is a satisfying experience and you will learn more about how your computer works.

How do I go About Building a Computer?
Building a computer is probably much simpler than you think. Especially now, things have been simplified and standardized. First, you pick out components and make sure they are all compatible. Once you get the parts, you put them together! This guide was made to show you how to do everything and contains pictures and good information to make building a computer a fun and rewarding experience. For more information about building a computer, be sure to check out the next article in this guide!

Business Computer Home Solution - What To Look For In A Home Biz Opportunity

When looking for a business computer home solution, there are certainly some crucial and very important things to look for to find the best one. First of all, many people, when they first start internet marketing and a stay at home business, forget about the action they have to take to start making money. Many people get so caught up in wanting an internet lifestyle business that they forget that they have to take some action as well.

Unfortunately, most business gurus portray making money from home as simply sitting on your own private island and checking your email once a week to see how much money that’s come in. They don’t mention the amount of action you have to take to make your business computer home solution make you some serious money.

Yes, you certainly can get to the point of making huge money without doing a lot of work from it, but there is a series of action steps you have to take to make that happen. While not necessarily difficult, they are simply things you need to do to make a lot of money from home with your business computer home solution. Getting rich from home doesn’t have to be hard and slow, and in fact can happen very quickly; however, you will need some certain knowledge to make it happen.

Fist of all, keep in mind that there are many ideas for marketing on the internet, and many of them are effective at making you some serious cash. While everybody claims that there ways is the only and best way to do it, there really are a lot of ways, and finding the top ones really isn’t all that difficult.

Whether you want to make money via network marketing, affiliate marketing (slightly different), direct mail, franchising, etc, there are all kinds of ways to make money from home. The key is to simply pick one, focus on that one, and really become an expert at that.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of people pick about 5 or 6 opportunities and try to learn them all, and end up becoming a jack of all trades and master of none. The reality is, to become rich in anything you do, you don’t need to know everything about everything; all you need is some specialized knowledge about the business you are in.

This goes against most of the information you’ve probably heard, such as being informed so that you can be a well rounded person. If you want to make money from home with your business computer solution, you need to focus on one thing and only one thing; there simply isn’t any other way to make serious money from home.

Also, don’t forget that there is an offline world as well; most internet marketers become so enamored with that one media that they totally forget about the opportunity to drive traffic to their websites via offline media as well. Whether you use direct mail, newspaper ads, magazine ads, etc, there is a ton of opportunity in driving people to your website from off the net as well.

Yes, while it certainly is more expensive than internet marketing, and probably should only be done once you are making some money online, it is an area that you definitely should not overlook. Actually, since so many internet marketers are just too lazy to take advantage of these opportunities, there is a ton of opportunity offline that you can benefit from simply because other people aren’t willing to do the extra work to capitalize from it.

While the how to’s of making money with offline media are certainly out of the scope of this article, there are certainly many great courses you can purchase on the topic. Hopefully this information will help you to cut through the clutter and get focused on which business computer home solution you want to focus on, and help you to start profiting from home quickly and easily.

Business Computer Rentals Guide

In any endeavor, businesses must watch the bottom line. The acquisition of new technology is no exception. Computer rentals are an ideal solution for businesses wanting to use current technology while staying on budget.

When can you make use of computer rentals? Anytime and anywhere. Consider:

• Conferences and tradeshows. In a busy exhibition hall, you need to stand out, but it hardly makes sense to purchase an LCD projector or plasma screen and a brand new, super-fast laptop. With computer rentals, and rentals of other equipment, you can get new equipment to create a dazzling audio-visual display without putting a huge dent in your hardware budget.

• Travel – Whether you are headed to the aforementioned tradeshow or going to a client meeting, computer rentals can save you the hassles of traveling with equipment. National vendors will deliver anywhere you need to go, so you can travel light. Or, if you have only a desktop in your office, take advantage of computer rentals to get a laptop for your next business trip. You can stay in touch and be productive while you travel.

• Training – If your company provides training to customers or is planning some internal training, computer rentals can give you all the hardware you need to set up a complete classroom. With the right vendor, you can even rent servers and printers to set up a mini-network dedicated to training.

When planning your computer rentals, be sure to consider the following points:

• If your project ends early, will you be penalized for returning equipment early? What about project overruns? Can you keep your equipment beyond the original end date of your rental agreement? Flexibility is incredibly important in computer rentals. Research vendors to find one with flexible rental options.

• What kind of inventory does the vendor have? Will you be getting new equipment from top manufacturers? Does the vendor have sufficient inventory to meet your needs?

• Can you change your equipment when new models come on the market? This option pertains mainly to long-term rentals, but you should ask your vendor before signing your rental agreement. After all, one of the benefits of computer rentals is access to the newest technology.

• The data on your rented computers also needs to be dealt with. Does the vendor wipe the machines clean after you return them? Also consider whether you need to rent a CD or DVD burner or hard drive to copy your data from your rented machine.

• Technical support is critical. Find out what’s involved in tech support for your computer rentals - phone, e-mail, on-site? What is the vendor’s response time? Does the vendor offer testimonials or references about their service?

Computer rentals from a reputable vendor are a cost-effective solution for any size of business. Do your research and you’re sure to find the equipment you need at a price you can afford. Take a quick run through with your computer rental expert to make sure you get the most out of the time you are spending with your audience.

Business Directory Moves From Paper to Computer Screen

A business directory helps buyers to find businesses that sell what they want. The directories used to come printed, often on yellow pages. A buyer went to the relevant category, looked through the listings, and phoned promising suppliers.

These days, the directories are more likely to come in an online form. Online business directories have several advantages. Businesses can keep their information up to date so that a prospective buyer won't find a wrong person at the other end of the phone, for example.

Business directories not only serve consumers but also businesses. They can get their businesses listed in the directories and attract the attention of buyers who browse the directories. Much business can come in this way, particularly if the directories are online directories.

Advantages of Online Business Directories

Online business directories have several advantages compared to paper-based print directories. These include:

DIRECTORY USERS:
<ul>
<li>Users can find what they want much more easily and quickly using search and other facilities. Instead of thumbing through pages of an unwieldy volume, they just click the mouse a few times.</li>
<li>Much more information can be accommodated in the online directories. This includes not only information about the listed businesses but also other relevant and helpful information. Direction maps and informative topical notes are examples of such add-ons.</li>
<li>Information in online directories are likely to be more up to date, as listed businesses can edit their details.</li>
<li>Users can quickly click through to the business website and get more details. They can also contact the businesses if the details meet their expectations, or look promising.</li>
</ul>

LISTED BUSINESSES:
<ul>
<li>In addition to providing more information about themselves in the directories, businesses can provide full details at their websites to which directory users typically click through. This is much better than conveying information over the phone when a print directory user phones in.</li>
<li>Users are much more likely to check out websites anonymously than phone in. This means that more users are likely to become aware of your offers.</li>
<li>A listing in an online directory has the incidental advantage of providing in-pointing links to the websites of listed businesses. Many businesses list their businesses in many directories to gain link popularity that boosts the search engine visibility of their web sites.</li>
</ul>

Organizing Business Directories

Making it easy to find information in different ways is one of the prime objectives while deciding on how to arrange the content, layout and navigation of the business directory.

A search facility with advanced features is a standard feature now. You can typically search by business name, category, location or product. The use of clearly visible tabs to direct visitor to major sections, and links in each section to sub-sections, etc are also standard.

The look and feel of a directory can determine whether it would become popular, provided it has an adequate number of listings to become known as a good resource.

Many directories seek a niche approach, focusing on a particular business category, such as agriculture or plastics.

Conclusion

A business directory helps both buyers and sellers. Online business directories offer several advantages over print directories, which tend to become unwieldy and even obsolete quickly.

Online business directories offer speedier finding and more information. For listed businesses, they also provide some link popularity.

To be successful, a business directory has to attract both businesses and directory users. They try to do this using different techniques and approaches.

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