#bc that router will work with the cable but not wireless...

[every-sanji]

[freedommortgagecor-blog]

House Phone Service Providers

But a domestic VoIP phone service costs around simply $10.00 a month and includes all the basic features a domestic consumer might need. It is the perfect option if you are trying to find affordability, personalization, versatility, and quality.

E911 differs with a home VoIP service when compared to a conventional landline. Due to the fact that you are not bound to a physical location with VoIP, you must utilize a various emergency situation system understood as E911. VoIP service providers are required to have an E911 service, however consumers need to keep in mind to set this up themselves. home phone service canada

VoIP phones and ATA's receive information differently than their circuit-switched equivalents. For this reason, VoIP customers get lots of complimentary calling functions as a requirement. Here are simply a few of the numerous free calling functions you can get out of even the least expensive of property VoIP calling strategies:

You can get a regional telephone number from your house nation and your family and friends can call you as a regional call - as if you were just throughout the street. By doing this they don't have to pay long distance charges to reach you throughout the world. All incoming calls are FREE.

VoIP phones also need a power source in order to work. This is because VoIP phones utilize the Internet as a means of connectivity. Most Internet connections tend to use external power sources; therefore when the power heads out, the Internet does too.

Home Phone Service Reviews

With VoIPVoIP, you have the freedom to purchase your own voip device and configure yourself. You can use virtually any softphone, VoIP adapter, entrance, IP phone, or IP PBX system you pick, as long as it supports the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP).

The significant advantage to picking landline services in Tacoma, WA is the stable connection. Since they're hardwired into a physical network of wires, landlines likewise provide extraordinary call clarity. Customers need to likewise be mindful of the downsides, and a big drawback of a landline service is the absence of freedom. A landline service can just be used inside of the home where it's set up, and it's most likely to be more expensive than wireless alternatives.

Quick DSL is the hallmark of phone service in Tacoma, WA. Like standard phone service lines, DSL uses copper wire. A lot of customers use a telephone service that packages Internet service with it. Know How To Hook Up Multiple Phones-- Most homes are wired in such a method that you can link POTS phones throughout your house. You'll also want to consider different alternatives. You might have IP phones connected to Ethernet jacks in various rooms; you might want to use a cordless phone with many handsets; you might even choose utilizing mobile apps over your house's Wi-Fi.

House Phone Service Toronto

Prices differ for DSL services. A base price of $19.95 each month is not uncommon. Rates can increase for more feature loaded DSL strategies. One way of capping expenses is for consumers to sign a contract with DSL service providers ensuring a set month-to-month price. There are great deals of different DSL strategies that can fit most spending plans, but more functions may extend the budget.

House Phone Service Bc

Furthermore, long range and international calls are more affordable with VoIP. Why? Due to the fact that VoIP does not utilize the same exchanges and systems that the public switch telephone network utilizes. Rather, the call can be connected through the Internet. A landline call must be passed between stations and stay open at each stop to keep the connection. This procedure uses a lot of bandwidth, which is why far away and international calls are expensive.

Compare services and read supplier reviews-- Compare the provider and examine prior to signing up for services. Check out existing user's evaluations of the service possible supplier. Check out into the provider's old twitter feed, and see how frequently they report technical problems.

Home Phone Service Providers

When it comes to equipment, an IP phone or VoIP Adapter (ATA)-- You'll see a large range of prices between the various companies. Some service providers have expensive devices and "freemium" service; others will rent you devices for free and charge more per month. In between those 2, you have a great deal of between. An IP phone plugs directly into your modem or router, and an ATA lets you utilize a legacy phone over the VoIP network. You need an IP phone to really take pleasure in all the advantages of VoIP calling, which is why VoIP phones are ending up being more popular.

Broadband (Cable or Fiber) Internet-- You require a minimum quantity of bandwidth in order to have the functions and sound quality needed. The optimum speed for VoIP home service is at least 3Mbps submit speed. Keep in mind, upload speed is slower than download speed, but VoIP information needs to be sent out and gotten at a high rate.

Modification is another benefit of using VoIP service in Tacoma, WA. With standard service and some cordless strategies, clients are not able to choose their location code. With conventional providers, the area code is selected by the supplier and is based on where the client lives. Alternatively, VoIP service enables the client to pick an area code that does not have to be tied to the place where they live. For some individuals, this supplies the added versatility of having the ability to make company calls from home.

Voice over Internet Protocol (more typically described as "VoIP") is a technology that transforms your voice into data packets, sends it online, and reassembles the packages into audio on the getting end. In essence, home VoIP innovation replaces your out-of-date copper wire phone system with dependable, versatile, and budget friendly digital innovation.

Home Phone Service Las Vegas

The apparent advantage of wireless service is that it allows the customer to take their phone with them and utilize it in nearly any populated location of the country. Nevertheless, it can be costly depending upon the chosen plan and service provider. Prices usually fall in the $30 to $50 variety. Smart phone users who take a trip to backwoods outside Tacoma, WA, have actually in some cases complained about bad reception and service schedule, however the leading providers have put in a lot of effort to expand and upgrade their networks to make it more dependable exterior of significant cities.

A high-speed Internet connection (also known as broadband) is the connection to your house that offers fast Internet gain access to. These Internet connections can be either DSL or Cable from as Internet Service Providers such as AT&T DSL, Comcast Cable or any other high-speed Internet service suppliers in your location.

House Phone Service Okc

A standard residential consumer's phone bill varies from $20.00 to $40.00 a month (not including the expense of any additional features or worldwide calling). Select landline services may charge for a function like voicemail. However with VoIP, a bulk of functions are consisted of with your service totally free. Common features like voicemail, caller ID, call waiting, and more are all readily available through a house VoIP service.

Home Phone Service

Tacoma, WA DSL service offers the duality of utilizing the Internet at the same time as utilizing the telephone. This is noticeably different from standard services which tie up the property phone. When they need to utilize the telephone only to discover the computer system utilizing it, customers with dial-up services might discover themselves irritated. DSL service frees the telephone line permitting the consumer to utilize both at the very same time. The should quicker speed provided by DSL also makes it a better choice over standard phone services.

VoIP calling as your home phone service is the best way to consolidate calling and networking in one practical location, while saving a great deal of money. Landlines are restricted, and serve no more function than calling out and receiving calls. Setting up your VoIP phone to forward contacts us to your mobile number is just among the many methods you can remain connected, even when you're not home. A common concern in making the transition to VoIP is that quiting your landline service will eventually imply providing up your number in exchange for a new one. With number mobility, property VoIP companies permit you to keep your old landline number and assimilate it into your new phone service. Talk to your VoIP service provider to see if your specific number is eligible for porting, as they are portable in many cases.

The advantages of making the modification completely from a conventional landline phone to VoIP phone services can have an enduring result-- lessening expense and taking full advantage of personalization. Turning your home into a totally integrated network, VoIP is the most smart and affordable approach of making telephone call. Eliminating your landlines means getting rid of fees and long range charges in favor of one low regular monthly rate. The quicker you eliminate landline service, the quicker you'll be taking pleasure in more functions for considerably less, saving numerous dollars a year. Make the switch, and leave those switchboards in the dust ... you will not regret it-- Get VoIP!

VoIP service suppliers are needed to have an E911 service, but customers should remember to set this up themselves. The majority of consumers utilize a telephone service that bundles Internet service with it. Compare services and read service provider reviews-- Compare the company and analyze before signing up for services. VoIP calling as your home phone service is the best method to consolidate calling and networking in one convenient place, while saving a lot of loan. The benefits of making the modification permanently from a traditional landline phone to VoIP phone services can have a long lasting result-- decreasing expense and maximizing customization.

[myupdatesystems-blog]

Computer Safety for Kids

New Post has been published on https://myupdatesystems.com/2017/04/09/computer-safety-for-kids/

Computer Safety for Kids

Start With the Basics – Protect Your PC

Guarding Access to Your PC – Get a Firewall

Beginning in the Zhou Dynasty, which was in the 11th century BC, construction was begun on what was to become the Great Wall of China. For 2,700 years, culminating in the mid-1600s, construction continued on the wall until it stretched 4,163 miles from east to west China. The wall was constructed to prevent invasion by other states of China and outer tribes.

When you connect your PC to the Internet either through cable, dial-up, or DSL, it is like China prior to the Great Wall. Anyone can invade your PC, and plunder, pillage, and destroy content on your PC. A firewall acts just like the Great Wall of China. When installed, it acts as a barrier between your PC and the outside world. It prevents unwanted and unauthorized access to your PC over your Internet connection.

Firewalls come in two basic forms:

Hardware firewalls – hardware firewalls are a piece of hardware, like a PC, that gets installed on your PC and your Internet connection. Literally, a cable from your cable or DSL modem gets connected to the hardware firewall. Another cable is connected from the hardware firewall to your PC. When done, the hardware firewall acts as a barrier between your PC and the Internet. It lets you get out to the Internet, but it does not allow unauthorized access from the Internet to your PC. Many cables, DSL, and wireless routers/switches have firewalls built into them.

Software firewalls – A software firewall serves the same purpose as a hardware firewall. It, however, is software that gets installed directly onto your PC. The software monitors all inbound and outbound Internet traffic and creates a software barrier between the Internet port on your PC and everything else on your PC. Once installed, it lets you get out to the Internet, but it does not allow unauthorized access from the Internet to your PC. Software firewalls have an advantage in that they can implement rigid controls over what software installed on your PC will be allowed to access the Internet.

Many people use both a hardware firewall and a software firewall. It is similar to having a fence to protect access to your yard, and then a front door to protect access to your house. Everyone should use at least one firewall, hardware or software. If you have a laptop, you should use a software firewall. That way the firewall goes with you, wherever you go, protecting your PC.

Find more information on software firewalls here.

Find more information on free software firewalls here.

Plug the Holes – Make Sure to Download Operating System Updates and Patches

By now, the security holes and flaws in Windows have become legendary. To their credit, Microsoft publishes a steady stream of fixes, patches, and update releases to plug all known security holes, flaws, and problems. In order for your PC to benefit from these patches and updates, you must, at a minimum, download and install the critical security updates that Microsoft makes available. You can do this one of two ways:

You may download and install them manually by visiting the “Microsoft Update” link on the Microsoft website.

For newer versions of Windows, such as Windows XP, you can turn on the “Automatic Updates” feature of the operating system and allow the updates to be downloaded and installed automatically.

Either method works well. The “Automatic Updates” route takes the thought and works out of the process. Regardless of which method you choose, the important thing is to keep Windows up to date. Out of date versions of Windows can leave your PC open to hackers and viruses.

If you are using Mac OS or LINUX, then none of this applies. You are already using inherently more secure operating systems. It is still, however, important to install updates and patches to these operating systems as well to be up to date and to provide the best protection against unwanted intrusion.

Take Your Medicine – Install Antivirus Software

A computer virus is an unwanted software program that:

Gets loaded onto your PC

Replicates itself, meaning that it copies itself and distributes itself to other computers

A virus can get onto your computer from any of several sources, including:

From a removable disk

From an attachment to an e-mail message

From a download while surfing the web

From a worm through a known hole or flaw in your operating system

Once on your PC, the impact of a virus can range from relatively benign to rendering your PC unusable.

Antivirus software is software that you use to protect yourself from computer viruses. It can detect and remove known computer viruses. There are many excellent antivirus packages available that are relatively inexpensive. There are also several excellent antivirus packages available for free for home, non-commercial use.

Find more information on antivirus packages here

Find more information on free antivirus packages here

To prevent viruses from being able to harm your PC, you need to select one of the antivirus packages and install it on your PC.

TIPS: Make sure that your antivirus software is setup to:

Automatically check for updates so that its’ virus definitions database is up to date and you are protected from the latest threats. Most updates are provided on an annual subscription basis. Make sure that you renew your subscription when it expires. Free products, such as AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition, provide the updates at no cost.

Automatically perform a virus scan at least once a week. If the PC is used to surf the web extensively then you may wish to perform virus scans more frequently, even once a day.

Stop the Spies – Install Anti-Spyware Software

Adware is any software that displays advertisements on your computer screen, either through banner advertisements within an application or through pop-up windows. Spyware, which may also be known as a Spybot, or tracking software, is computer technology installed on an individual’s PC that gathers information about them and their computer use. Adware and spyware removal software, or anti-spyware software, is software that is installed on your computer to combat the threats of adware and spyware. It will search your computer’s memory, file system, system registry, and browser caches for the existence of adware and spyware. It will then remove or quarantine any items that it finds. Adware and spyware removal software may also monitor for, and actively block, the downloading of spyware applications.

There are two excellent anti-spyware programs available for free, Ad-Aware SE Personal from Lavasoft, and Spybot Search & Destroy from Safer Networking Ltd. There are also many excellent anti-spyware packages that range in price from $19.95 to $39.95. Select and install one of these packages and run it on a regular basis.

Find more information on anti-spyware packages here

Find more information on free anti-spyware packages here

To prevent adware and spyware from being able to gather information about you, you need to select one of the anti-spyware packages and install it on your PC.

TIPS: Similar to antivirus software, make sure that your anti-spyware software is setup to:

Automatically check for updates so that its’ adware/spyware definitions database is up to date and you are protected from the latest threats. The two free packages, Ad-Aware and Spybot do not have automatic update features, so you will need to perform this task manually. Ad-Aware at least tells you that your definitions database is getting old and asks you if you want to update it.

Automatically perform an adware/spyware scan at least once a week. If the PC is used to surf the web extensively then you may wish to perform scans more frequently, even once a day. Ad-Aware SE Personal will only run automatically at system startup time. If you leave your computer on all of the time then you will have to remember to manually run the scans. Spybot can be scheduled to run automatically as one of its “Advanced Mode” features.

Spring Cleaning – Think About Privacy Software

As you use your computer, and surf the web, traces of your activity get left behind, stored on your computer in lists, temporary files, and caches. The best case is that these “leftovers” can clutter up your PC, and, with time, degrade its performance. The worst case is that someone who gains unauthorized access to your PC can read these files and learn a fair amount about you, potentially helping them to steal your identity.

Privacy software removes all traces of your PC and Internet activity, helping to protect your privacy.

As with antivirus software and anti-spyware software, privacy software should be run on a regular basis. It, too, can be setup to run automatically on a regular basis so that an end-user does not have to do anything to protect their privacy. The first time the privacy software is run it is not at all uncommon for it to recover in excess of 500MB of disk space by deleting the “leftover stuff” on your PC.

To prevent unauthorized intruders from being able to gather information about you, select one of the privacy packages and install it on your PC.

Think Before You Click – Use Some Common Sense

A little common sense can go a long way when trying to protect your PC. Most of what can compromise your security will come through e-mail, or when you are surfing the web. Because of this, you definitely need to think before you click. If you have not realized it already, most unsolicited e-mail is garbage. No matter how good the offer may sound, the common sense rule of “if it sounds too good to be true, it is…” applies. Most of what you receive unsolicited is designed to scam you out of money, to trick you into divulging private information, to install spyware and adware on your computer, or to install viruses on your computer.

Identifying Suspect E-Mails

So how do you identify the bad “stuff”? It actually is fairly easy to identify “suspect” e-mails. Common bad or suspect e-mails include:

E-mails from people or companies with whom you have never corresponded or conducted business. You may receive e-mails that you need to verify your account information from a company that you do not do business with. You may receive a message that looks like it is from eBay that says they are going to shut off your account and you have never done business with eBay. Individuals and groups trying to perpetrate fraud will go to great lengths to try to look like a legitimate business. You need to use common sense. If it does not “feel” right, it probably is not.

E-mails with gibberish in the title or in the body of the message.

E-mails from friends, relatives, or business associates that do not make any sense.

E-mails from yourself that you never sent or e-mails that are “returned” to you from someone that you have never corresponded with.

This list can go on forever with the many subtle variations. The bottom line is that if it does not feel right then consider it to be a bad e-mail.

Suspect e-mails should be deleted. Never click on links in suspect emails. Never open file attachments to suspect e-mails. Never reply or forward suspect emails. Simply delete them and move on.

Safe Surfing

Installing firewall software and antivirus software, and running anti-spyware software and privacy software should go a long way to protecting you when your are surfing. Here, again, some common sense applies. Avoid sites that do not “feel” right. Sites that are constantly trying to get you to fill out forms before you have much of a chance to learn anything about the site and the organization who owns the site are highly suspect. Pornography sites are famous for downloading spyware and viruses onto people’s computers. Stick to sites you know, the sites of reputable companies, and sites that come recommended by people you trust and you should be okay.

Protecting Your Kids

Now that you have taken care of the basics and protected you PC, it is time to specifically worry about keeping your kids safe. When trying to protect your children, it is important to:

Set expectations

Monitor and control what your children do online

Use some common sense

Setting Online Expectations

It is important for you as a parent to be clear with your children what you expect of them when they are using the PC. You need to be clear about what you consider to be appropriate online behavior, as well as what is and is not appropriate to be accessing online. Children should be taught:

That they should never give out personal information such as their name, address, e-mail address, phone number, or age to anyone over the Internet without your express permission.

That they should never fill out forms without your permission.

That they should tell you if they come across anything or anyone online that they feel is not appropriate or that makes them uncomfortable.

That they should ask before downloading or installing software on a PC.

That they should never, under any circumstances, arrange to meet alone with someone who they have met online. This can be especially important for your teenage children who may feel that they have met the boy or girl of their dreams online. If they feel that they absolutely must meet this individual, then they should arrange to do it with a responsible adult present. You should remind them that it is very easy for someone to masquerade as someone else online.

Monitor and Control What Your Children Do Online

The PC that your children use should be set up in a public location where it is easy for you to monitor what your children are doing. It is very difficult for a child to engage in questionable online activities when everyone in the family can easily look over their shoulder. If you have children who participate in chat rooms or use the instant-messaging software you should regularly ask them who they are communicating with. If they are evasive or do not tell you, take away their computer privileges. Having a safe mad child is better than having an unsafe happy one.

There is also software that can help parents protect their children. Software to help keep children safe comes in two forms: monitoring software, and parental control software.

Monitoring software allows parents to monitor activity on the family PC. Many packages will allow you to monitor computer activity including web surfing activity, e-mail messages, chat, and instant messaging. Some software will even allow screenshots to be taken at predetermined increments of time. Many of these packages will operate in stealth mode, meaning that no one will know that the software is even installed and running. Of course telling your children that you have software that is monitoring their activity may also act a deterrent. Monitoring software typically does not filter out any bad content. It simply lets you know if someone is accessing things that are inappropriate.

Parental control software, or Internet filtering software, allows parents to control the content that is displayed and block specific websites. Some filtering software will filter e-mails and chat rooms, block pop-ups, and even monitor chat rooms. This software is, by its very nature, more intrusive than monitoring software. It will filter out a lot of bad stuff. It may also miss some bad stuff. It may also filter out some good things.

The choice of which software to use will come down to personal preference. Some parents use both. If you choose to use no software than having the family PC in a public place and asking questions about what your children are doing online becomes much more important.

Use Some Common Sense

You should be aware if your child becomes secretive about what they are doing online. Averting a computer monitor, or quickly turning it off whenever someone walks into the room is not normal computer behavior. It is, however, the behavior of an individual who is trying to hide something. If your child is exhibiting “odd” computer behavior question them. If you get no answers or you do not like the answers, take away their computer privileges and/or get software that monitors their activity. As has already been stated, a mad safe child is better than a happy unsafe one.

[baburaja97-blog]

New Post has been published on Vin Zite

New Post has been published on https://vinzite.com/computer-safety-for-kids/

Computer Safety for Kids

Start With the Basics – Protect Your PC

Guarding Access to Your PC – Get a Firewall

Beginning in the Zhou Dynasty, which was in the 11th century BC, construction was begun on what was to become the Great Wall of China. For 2,700 years, culminating in the mid-1600s, construction continued on the wall until it stretched 4,163 miles from east to west China. The wall was constructed to prevent invasion by other states of China and outer tribes.

When you connect your PC to the Internet either through cable, dial-up, or DSL, it is like China prior to the Great Wall. Anyone can invade your PC, and plunder, pillage, and destroy content on your PC. A firewall acts just like the Great Wall of China. When installed, it acts as a barrier between your PC and the outside world. It prevents unwanted and unauthorized access to your PC over your Internet connection.

Firewalls come in two basic forms:

Hardware firewalls – hardware firewalls are a piece of hardware, like a PC, that gets installed on your PC and your Internet connection. Literally, a cable from your cable or DSL modem gets connected to the hardware firewall. Another cable is connected from the hardware firewall to your PC. When done, the hardware firewall acts as a barrier between your PC and the Internet. It lets you get out to the Internet, but it does not allow unauthorized access from the Internet to your PC. Many cables, DSL, and wireless routers/switches have firewalls built into them.

Software firewalls – A software firewall serves the same purpose as a hardware firewall. It, however, is software that gets installed directly onto your PC. The software monitors all inbound and outbound Internet traffic and creates a software barrier between the Internet port on your PC and everything else on your PC. Once installed, it lets you get out to the Internet, but it does not allow unauthorized access from the Internet to your PC. Software firewalls have an advantage in that they can implement rigid controls over what software installed on your PC will be allowed to access the Internet.

Many people use both a hardware firewall and a software firewall. It is similar to having a fence to protect access to your yard, and then a front door to protect access to your house. Everyone should use at least one firewall, hardware or software. If you have a laptop, you should use a software firewall. That way the firewall goes with you, wherever you go, protecting your PC.

Find more information on software firewalls here.

Find more information on free software firewalls here.

Plug the Holes – Make Sure to Download Operating System Updates and Patches

By now, the security holes and flaws in Windows have become legendary. To their credit, Microsoft publishes a steady stream of fixes, patches, and update releases to plug all known security holes, flaws, and problems. In order for your PC to benefit from these patches and updates, you must, at a minimum, download and install the critical security updates that Microsoft makes available. You can do this one of two ways:

You may download and install them manually by visiting the “Microsoft Update” link on the Microsoft website.

For newer versions of Windows, such as Windows XP, you can turn on the “Automatic Updates” feature of the operating system and allow the updates to be downloaded and installed automatically.

Either method works well. The “Automatic Updates” route takes the thought and works out of the process. Regardless of which method you choose, the important thing is to keep Windows up to date. Out of date versions of Windows can leave your PC open to hackers and viruses.

If you are using Mac OS or LINUX, then none of this applies. You are already using inherently more secure operating systems. It is still, however, important to install updates and patches to these operating systems as well to be up to date and to provide the best protection against unwanted intrusion.

Take Your Medicine – Install Antivirus Software

A computer virus is an unwanted software program that:

Gets loaded onto your PC

Replicates itself, meaning that it copies itself and distributes itself to other computers

A virus can get onto your computer from any of several sources, including:

From a removable disk

From an attachment to an e-mail message

From a download while surfing the web

From a worm through a known hole or flaw in your operating system

Once on your PC, the impact of a virus can range from relatively benign to rendering your PC unusable.

Antivirus software is software that you use to protect yourself from computer viruses. It can detect and remove known computer viruses. There are many excellent antivirus packages available that are relatively inexpensive. There are also several excellent antivirus packages available for free for home, non-commercial use.

Find more information on antivirus packages here

Find more information on free antivirus packages here

To prevent viruses from being able to harm your PC, you need to select one of the antivirus packages and install it on your PC.

TIPS: Make sure that your antivirus software is setup to:

Automatically check for updates so that its’ virus definitions database is up to date and you are protected from the latest threats. Most updates are provided on an annual subscription basis. Make sure that you renew your subscription when it expires. Free products, such as AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition, provide the updates at no cost.

Automatically perform a virus scan at least once a week. If the PC is used to surf the web extensively then you may wish to perform virus scans more frequently, even once a day.

Adware is any software that displays advertisements on your computer screen, either through banner advertisements within an application or through pop-up windows. Spyware, which may also be known as a Spybot, or tracking software, is computer technology installed on an individual’s PC that gathers information about them and their computer use. Adware and spyware removal software, or anti-spyware software, is software that is installed on your computer to combat the threats of adware and spyware. It will search your computer’s memory, file system, system registry, and browser caches for the existence of adware and spyware. It will then remove or quarantine any items that it finds. Adware and spyware removal software may also monitor for, and actively block, the downloading of spyware applications.

There are two excellent anti-spyware programs available for free, Ad-Aware SE Personal from Lavasoft, and Spybot Search & Destroy from Safer Networking Ltd. There are also many excellent anti-spyware packages that range in price from $19.95 to $39.95. Select and install one of these packages and run it on a regular basis.

Find more information on anti-spyware packages here

Find more information on free anti-spyware packages here

To prevent adware and spyware from being able to gather information about you, you need to select one of the anti-spyware packages and install it on your PC.

TIPS: Similar to antivirus software, make sure that your anti-spyware software is setup to:

Automatically check for updates so that its’ adware/spyware definitions database is up to date and you are protected from the latest threats. The two free packages, Ad-Aware and Spybot do not have automatic update features, so you will need to perform this task manually. Ad-Aware at least tells you that your definitions database is getting old and asks you if you want to update it.

Automatically perform an adware/spyware scan at least once a week. If the PC is used to surf the web extensively then you may wish to perform scans more frequently, even once a day. Ad-Aware SE Personal will only run automatically at system startup time. If you leave your computer on all of the time then you will have to remember to manually run the scans. Spybot can be scheduled to run automatically as one of its “Advanced Mode” features.

Spring Cleaning – Think About Privacy Software

As you use your computer, and surf the web, traces of your activity get left behind, stored on your computer in lists, temporary files, and caches. The best case is that these “leftovers” can clutter up your PC, and, with time, degrade its performance. The worst case is that someone who gains unauthorized access to your PC can read these files and learn a fair amount about you, potentially helping them to steal your identity.

Privacy software removes all traces of your PC and Internet activity, helping to protect your privacy.

As with antivirus software and anti-spyware software, privacy software should be run on a regular basis. It, too, can be setup to run automatically on a regular basis so that an end-user does not have to do anything to protect their privacy. The first time the privacy software is run it is not at all uncommon for it to recover in excess of 500MB of disk space by deleting the “leftover stuff” on your PC.

To prevent unauthorized intruders from being able to gather information about you, select one of the privacy packages and install it on your PC.

Think Before You Click – Use Some Common Sense

A little common sense can go a long way when trying to protect your PC. Most of what can compromise your security will come through e-mail, or when you are surfing the web. Because of this, you definitely need to think before you click. If you have not realized it already, most unsolicited e-mail is garbage. No matter how good the offer may sound, the common sense rule of “if it sounds too good to be true, it is…” applies. Most of what you receive unsolicited is designed to scam you out of money, to trick you into divulging private information, to install spyware and adware on your computer, or to install viruses on your computer.

Identifying Suspect E-Mails

So how do you identify the bad “stuff”? It actually is fairly easy to identify “suspect” e-mails. Common bad or suspect e-mails include:

E-mails from people or companies with whom you have never corresponded or conducted business. You may receive e-mails that you need to verify your account information from a company that you do not do business with. You may receive a message that looks like it is from eBay that says they are going to shut off your account and you have never done business with eBay. Individuals and groups trying to perpetrate fraud will go to great lengths to try to look like a legitimate business. You need to use common sense. If it does not “feel” right, it probably is not.

E-mails with gibberish in the title or in the body of the message.

E-mails from friends, relatives, or business associates that do not make any sense.

E-mails from yourself that you never sent or e-mails that are “returned” to you from someone that you have never corresponded with.

This list can go on forever with the many subtle variations. The bottom line is that if it does not feel right then consider it to be a bad e-mail.

Suspect e-mails should be deleted. Never click on links in suspect emails. Never open file attachments to suspect e-mails. Never reply or forward suspect emails. Simply delete them and move on.

Safe Surfing

Installing firewall software and antivirus software, and running anti-spyware software and privacy software should go a long way to protecting you when your are surfing. Here, again, some common sense applies. Avoid sites that do not “feel” right. Sites that are constantly trying to get you to fill out forms before you have much of a chance to learn anything about the site and the organization who owns the site are highly suspect. Pornography sites are famous for downloading spyware and viruses onto people’s computers. Stick to sites you know, the sites of reputable companies, and sites that come recommended by people you trust and you should be okay.

Protecting Your Kids

Now that you have taken care of the basics and protected you PC, it is time to specifically worry about keeping your kids safe. When trying to protect your children, it is important to:

Set expectations

Monitor and control what your children do online

Use some common sense

Setting Online Expectations

It is important for you as a parent to be clear with your children what you expect of them when they are using the PC. You need to be clear about what you consider to be appropriate online behavior, as well as what is and is not appropriate to be accessing online. Children should be taught:

That they should never give out personal information such as their name, address, e-mail address, phone number, or age to anyone over the Internet without your express permission.

That they should never fill out forms without your permission.

That they should tell you if they come across anything or anyone online that they feel is not appropriate or that makes them uncomfortable.

That they should ask before downloading or installing software on a PC.

That they should never, under any circumstances, arrange to meet alone with someone who they have met online. This can be especially important for your teenage children who may feel that they have met the boy or girl of their dreams online. If they feel that they absolutely must meet this individual, then they should arrange to do it with a responsible adult present. You should remind them that it is very easy for someone to masquerade as someone else online.

Monitor and Control What Your Children Do Online

The PC that your children use should be set up in a public location where it is easy for you to monitor what your children are doing. It is very difficult for a child to engage in questionable online activities when everyone in the family can easily look over their shoulder. If you have children who participate in chat rooms or use the instant-messaging software you should regularly ask them who they are communicating with. If they are evasive or do not tell you, take away their computer privileges. Having a safe mad child is better than having an unsafe happy one.

There is also software that can help parents protect their children. Software to help keep children safe comes in two forms: monitoring software, and parental control software.

Monitoring software allows parents to monitor activity on the family PC. Many packages will allow you to monitor computer activity including web surfing activity, e-mail messages, chat, and instant messaging. Some software will even allow screenshots to be taken at predetermined increments of time. Many of these packages will operate in stealth mode, meaning that no one will know that the software is even installed and running. Of course telling your children that you have software that is monitoring their activity may also act a deterrent. Monitoring software typically does not filter out any bad content. It simply lets you know if someone is accessing things that are inappropriate.

Parental control software, or Internet filtering software, allows parents to control the content that is displayed and block specific websites. Some filtering software will filter e-mails and chat rooms, block pop-ups, and even monitor chat rooms. This software is, by its very nature, more intrusive than monitoring software. It will filter out a lot of bad stuff. It may also miss some bad stuff. It may also filter out some good things.

The choice of which software to use will come down to personal preference. Some parents use both. If you choose to use no software than having the family PC in a public place and asking questions about what your children are doing online becomes much more important.

Use Some Common Sense

You should be aware if your child becomes secretive about what they are doing online. Averting a computer monitor, or quickly turning it off whenever someone walks into the room is not normal computer behavior. It is, however, the behavior of an individual who is trying to hide something. If your child is exhibiting “odd” computer behavior question them. If you get no answers or you do not like the answers, take away their computer privileges and/or get software that monitors their activity. As has already been stated, a mad safe child is better than a happy unsafe one.

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Computer Safety for Kids

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Computer Safety for Kids

Beginning in the Zhou Dynasty, which was in the 11th century BC, construction was begun on what was to become the Great Wall of China. For 2,700 years, culminating in the mid-1600s, construction continued on the wall until it stretched 4,163 miles from east to west China. The wall was constructed to prevent invasion by other states of China and outer tribes.

When you connect your PC to the Internet either through cable, dial-up, or DSL, it is like China prior to the Great Wall. Anyone can invade your PC, and plunder, pillage, and destroy content on your PC. A firewall acts just like the Great Wall of China. When installed, it acts as a barrier between your PC and the outside world. It prevents unwanted and unauthorized access to your PC over your Internet connection.

Firewalls come in two basic forms:

Hardware firewalls – hardware firewalls are a piece of hardware, like a PC, that gets installed between your PC and your Internet connection. Literally, a cable from your cable or DSL modem gets connected to the hardware firewall. Another cable is connected from the hardware firewall to your PC. When done, the hardware firewall acts as a barrier between your PC and the Internet. It lets you get out to the Internet, but it does not allow unauthorized access from the Internet to your PC. Many cable, DSL, and wireless routers/switches have firewalls built into them. Software firewalls – A software firewall serves the same purpose as a hardware firewall. It, however, is software that gets installed directly onto your PC. The software monitors all inbound and outbound Internet traffic, and creates a software barrier between the Internet port into your PC and everything else on your PC. Once installed, it lets you get out to the Internet, but it does not allow unauthorized access from the Internet to your PC. Software firewalls have an advantage in that they can implement rigid controls over what software installed on your PC will be allowed to access the Internet. Many people use both a hardware firewall and a software firewall. It is similar to having a fence to protect access to your yard, and then a front door to protect access to your house. Everyone should use at least one firewall, hardware or software. If you have a laptop, you should use a software firewall. That way the firewall goes with you, wherever you go, protecting your PC.

Find more information on software firewalls here. Find more information on free software firewalls here. Plug the Holes – Make Sure to Download Operating System Updates and Patches By now, the security holes and flaws in Windows have become legendary. To their credit, Microsoft publishes a steady stream of fixes, patches, and update releases to plug all known security holes, flaws, and problems. In order for your PC to benefit from these patches and updates, you must, at a minimum, download and install the critical security updates that Microsoft makes available. You can do this one of two ways:

You may download and install them manually by visiting the “Microsoft Update” link on the Microsoft web site. For newer versions of Windows, such as Windows XP, you can turn on the “Automatic Updates” feature of the operating system and allow the updates to be downloaded and installed automatically. Either method works well. The “Automatic Updates” route takes the thought and work out of the process. Regardless of which method you choose, the important thing is to keep Windows up to date. Out of date versions of Windows can leave your PC open to hackers and viruses.

If you are using Mac OS or LINUX, then none of this applies. You are already using inherently more secure operating systems. It is still, however, important to install updates and patches to these operating systems as well to be up to date and to provide the best protection against unwanted intrusion.

Take Your Medicine – Install Antivirus Software

A computer virus is an unwanted software program that:

Gets loaded onto your PC Replicates itself, meaning that it copies itself and distributes itself to other computers A virus can get onto your computer from any of several sources, including:

From a removable disk From an attachment to an e-mail message From a download while surfing the web From a worm through a known hole or flaw in your operating system Once on your PC, the impact of a virus can range from relatively benign to rendering your PC unusable.

Antivirus software is software that you use to protect yourself from computer viruses. It can detect and remove known computer viruses. There are many excellent antivirus packages available that are relatively inexpensive. There are also several excellent antivirus packages available for free for home, non-commercial use.

Find more information on antivirus packages here Find more information on free antivirus packages here To prevent viruses form being able to harm your PC, you need to select one of the antivirus packages and install it on your PC.

TIPS: Make sure that your antivirus software is setup to:

Automatically check for updates so that its’ virus definitions database is up to date and you are protected from the latest threats. Most updates are provided on an annual subscription basis. Make sure that you renew your subscription when it expires. Free products, such as AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition, provide the updates at no cost. Automatically perform a virus scan at least once a week. If the PC is used to surf the web extensively then you may wish to perform virus scans more frequently, even once a day. Stop the Spies – Install Anti-Spyware Software Adware is any software that displays advertisements on your computer screen, either through banner advertisements within an application, or through pop-up windows. Spyware, which may also be known as a spybot, or tracking software, is computer technology installed on an individual’s PC that gathers information about them and their computer use. Adware and spyware removal software, or anti-spyware software, is software that is installed on your computer to combat the threats of adware and spyware. It will search your computer’s memory, file system, system registry, and browser caches for the existence of adware and spyware. It will then remove or quarantine any items that it finds. Adware and spyware removal software may also monitor for, and actively block, the downloading of spyware applications.

There are two excellent anti-spyware programs available for free, Ad-Aware SE Personal from Lavasoft, and Spybot Search & Destroy from Safer Networking Ltd. There are also many excellent anti-spyware packages that range in price from $19.95 to $39.95. Select and install one of these packages and run it on a regular basis.

Find more information on anti-spyware packages here Find more information on free anti-spyware packages here To prevent adware and spyware from being able to gather information about you, you need to select one of the anti-spyware packages and install it on your PC.

TIPS: Similar to antivirus software, make sure that your anti-spyware software is setup to:

Automatically check for updates so that its’ adware/spyware definitions database is up to date and you are protected from the latest threats. The two free packages, Ad-Aware and Spybot do not have automatic update features, so you will need to perform this task manually. Ad-Aware at least tells you that your definitions database is getting old and asks you if you want to update it. Automatically perform an adware/spyware scan at least once a week. If the PC is used to surf the web extensively then you may wish to perform scans more frequently, even once a day. Ad-Aware SE Personal will only run automatically at system startup time. If you leave your computer on all of the time then you will have to remember to manually run the scans. Spybot can be scheduled to run automatically as one of its “Advanced Mode” features. Spring Cleaning – Think About Privacy Software As you use your computer, and surf the web, traces of your activity get left behind, stored on your computer in lists, temporary files, and caches. The best case is that these “leftovers” can clutter up your PC, and, with time, degrade its performance. The worst case is that someone who gains unauthorized access to your PC can read these files and learn a fair amount about you, potentially helping them to steal your identity.

Privacy software removes all traces of your PC and Internet activity, helping to protect your privacy.

As with antivirus software and anti-spyware software, privacy software should be run on a regular basis. It, too, can be setup to run automatically on a regular basis so that an end-user does not have to do anything to protect their privacy. The first time the privacy software is run it is not at all uncommon for it to recover in excess of 500MB of disk space by deleting the “leftover stuff” on your PC.

To prevent unauthorized intruders from being able to gather information about you, select one of the privacy packages and install it on your PC.

Think Before You Click – Use Some Common Sense

A little common sense can go a long way when trying to protect your PC. Most of what can compromise your security will come through e-mail, or when you are surfing the web. Because of this, you definitely need to think before you click. If you have not realized it already, most unsolicited e-mail is garbage. No matter how good the offer may sound, the common sense rule of “if it sounds too good to be true, it is…” applies. Most of what you receive unsolicited is designed to scam you out of money, to trick you into divulging private information, to install spyware and adware on your computer, or to install viruses on your computer.

Identifying Suspect E-Mails

So how do you identify the bad “stuff”? It actually is fairly easy to identify “suspect” e-mails. Common bad or suspect e-mails include:

E-mails from people or companies with whom you have never corresponded or conducted business. You may receive e-mails that you need to verify your account information from a company that you do not do business with. You may receive a message that looks like it is from eBay that says they are going to shut off your account and you have never done business with eBay. Individuals and groups trying to perpetrate fraud will go to great lengths to try to look like a legitimate business. You need to use common sense. If it does not “feel” right, it probably is not. E-mails with gibberish in the title or in the body of the message. E-mails from friends, relatives, or business associates that do not make any sense. E-mails from yourself that you never sent or e-mails that are “returned” to you from someone that you have never corresponded with. This list can go on forever with the many subtle variations. The bottom line is that if it does not feel right then consider it to be a bad e-mail.

Suspect e-mails should be deleted. Never click on links in suspect e-mails. Never open file attachments to suspect e-mails. Never reply or forward suspect e-mails. Simply delete them and move on.

Safe Surfing

Installing firewall software and antivirus software, and running anti-spyware software and privacy software should go a long way to protecting you when your are surfing. Here, again, some common sense applies. Avoid sites that do not “feel” right. Sites that are constantly trying to get you to fill out forms before you have much of a chance to learn anything about the site and the organization who owns the site are highly suspect. Pornography sites are famous for downloading spyware and viruses onto people’s computers. Stick to sites you know, the sites of reputable companies, and sites that come recommended by people you trust and you should be okay.

Protecting Your Kids

Now that you have taken care of the basics and protected you PC, it is time to specifically worry about keeping your kids safe. When trying to protect your children, it is important to:

Set expectations Monitor and control what your children do online Use some common sense Setting Online Expectations It is important for you as a parent to be clear with your children what you expect of them when they are using the PC. You need to be clear about what you consider to be appropriate online behavior, as well as what is and is not appropriate to be accessing online. Children should be taught:

That they should never give out personal information such as their name, address, e-mail address, phone number, or age to anyone over the Internet without your express permission. That they should never fill out forms without your permission. That they should tell you if they come across anything or anyone online that they feel is not appropriate or that makes them uncomfortable. That they should ask before downloading or installing software on a PC. That they should never, under any circumstances, arrange to meet alone with someone who they have met online. This can be especially important for your teenage children who may feel that they have met the boy or girl of their dreams online. If they feel that they absolutely must meet this individual, then they should arrange to do it with a responsible adult present. You should remind them that it is very easy for someone to masquerade as someone else online. Monitor and Control What Your Children Do Online The PC that your children use should be setup in a public location where it is easy for you to monitor what your children are doing. It is very difficult for a child to engage in questionable online activities when everyone in the family can easily look over their shoulder. If you have children who participate in chat rooms or use instant messaging software you should regularly ask them who they are communicating with. If they are evasive or do not tell you, take away their computer privileges. Having a safe mad child is better than having an unsafe happy one.

There is also software that can help parents protect their children. Software to help keep children safe comes in two forms: monitoring software, and parental control software.

Monitoring software allows parents to monitor activity on the family PC. Many packages will allow you to monitor computer activity including web surfing activity, e-mail messages, chat, and instant messaging. Some software will even allow screen shots to be taken at predetermined increments of time. Many of these packages will operate in stealth mode, meaning that no one will know that the software is even installed and running. Of course telling your children that you have software that is monitoring their activity may also act a a deterrent. Monitoring software typically does not filter out any bad content. It simply lets you know if someone is accessing things that are inappropriate.

Parental control software, or Internet filtering software, allows parents to control content that is displayed and block specific web sites. Some filtering software will filter e-mails and chat rooms, block pop ups, and even monitor chat rooms. This software is, by its very nature, more intrusive than monitoring software. It will filter out a lot of bad stuff. It may also miss some bad stuff. It may also filter out some good things.

The choice of which software to use will come down to personal preference. Some parents use both. If you choose to use no software than having the family PC in a public place and asking questions about what your children are doing online becomes much more important.

Use Some Common Sense

You should be aware if your child becomes secretive about what they are doing online. Averting a computer monitor, or quickly turning it off whenever someone walks into the room is not normal computer behavior. It is, however, the behavior of an individual who is trying to hide something. If your child is exhibiting “odd” computer behavior question them. If you get no answers or you do not like the answers, take away their computer privileges and/or get software that monitors their activity. As has already been stated, a mad safe child is better than a happy unsafe one.