December 27, 2004

Security. Security. Security. Do not ignore. Take action

I know most of you have heard this so many times:

1. Get a firewall
2. Get an UPDATED anti-virus program
3. Be VERY careful about opening attachments and on and on.

For some reason MANY people still ignore steps 1 - 3 and especially point 3.

USA Today reminds PC users, especially those with new PCs to be so very careful in dealing with their PC investments.

USA Today writes Tony Ross, analyst at British security firm Sophos, advised consumers to get a CD-ROM with the newest updates from their electronics vendor, next-door neighbor or the computer at their office before connecting to the Internet. They should prohibit children ó who tend to be liberal in distributing their personal data ó from using the machine until it's patched.

Consumers should vigilantly buy and update security software, which can add hundreds of dollars over the course of a computer's lifetime. Popular anti-spyware and anti-adware programs include Webroot Software's Spy Sweeper ($29.95 for a one-year subscription), LavaSoft's Ad-Aware SE Professional ($39.95), Tenebril's SpyCatcher ($29.95), the free Spybot Search & Destroy and Computer Associate's eTrust PestPatrol ($39.95).

Some experts wonder whether the computer has become the digital age equivalent of a puppy ó an enthralling treasure on Christmas morning, but a sinkhole for time and energy for years after. At very least, computers are far more demanding than the typical holiday toy, which merely requires batteries.

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