Working on the Internet provides Internet marketers with the opportunity to make a living in the comfort of their own home. However, as your business is completely reliant upon your computer, you must take the necessary steps to ensure your computer is safe.

Over the years, I have received many questions in regard to computer security. Below, are some of the most frequently asked questions:

Question: I’m new to the Internet and have been hearing a lot about viruses. I’m not exactly sure what they are. Can you help?

Answer: A virus is a small piece of software that attaches itself to ‘real’ software programs (executable code). Each time you launch the real program, the virus is also launched. The virus may then spread and attach itself to other programs and wreak havoc on your system.

The most widespread virus is an email virus. An email virus spreads through email attachments. It usually spreads by mailing itself to everyone within the email program’s address book. It tricks the email recipient into believing the message was sent from someone they know.

Although this type of virus rapidly spreads, you can’t get it simply by reading a plain text email. However, you can execute the virus by clicking on an encoded message that contains embedded executable code such as JavaScript within an HTML email message, or an executable file attachment.

Another type of program that is often thought of as a virus is a ‘Trojan horse’ program. However, it is not a virus. It is simply a computer program that acts like it’s something it’s not. For example, you may download a program that you think is a computer game. However, when you run the program, it may delete files on your hard drive. Trojan horses cannot automatically replicate themselves.

Another widespread program is known as a worm. A worm is actually a small piece of software that travels through vulnerable computer networks with security holes. The worm scans the network in search of other computers with security holes. It copies itself to each system it finds.

Although viruses can infect any type of executable code such as EXE files or DOC files, most media files such as GIF, JPG, BMP, MP3, WAV, AVI, MOV and TXT files are generally safe.

Although viruses can wreak havoc, computer virus hoaxes can also be damaging. Virus hoaxes may cause Internet users to begin to ignore all virus warnings. This can be harmful, as they are then left vulnerable to ‘real’ virus warnings.

In addition, many virus hoaxes also include a ‘fix’ that instructs the user to delete a certain file from their system. However, the file the hoax says is a virus is actually an important file needed by your computer.

Never follow the advice within an email ‘virus alert’ instructing you to remove a virus from your system without first verifying its validity.

Visit Symantec to search their virus encyclopedia:
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/vinfodb.html/

You can also search McAfee’s virus database here:
http://www.mcafee.com/anti-virus/default.asp

You can protect your computer by taking a few precautionary steps:

1) Purchase a quality virus protection software and keep it updated.

McAfee http://www.mcafee.com

Norton http://www.symantec.com

Please note, the above programs (especially Norton) have been known to cause problems with some operating systems. Although there isn’t any particular pattern, caution should be exercised. I use McAfee online virus scan and haven’t had any problems.

2) If you’re using Microsoft programs, make sure that the “Macro Virus Protection” is enabled. Never run a macro within a document unless you know exactly what it does.

3) Never open an email attachment unless you’re absolutely sure where it came from and what it is.

4) Avoid downloading software programs from sources you’re not familiar with. If you do download a program, make sure you scan the file with your anti-virus software prior to installing.

Question: I’ve been hearing a lot about firewalls, but I’m not sure what it is or if I need it. Can you help?

Answer: A firewall is basically a software program that allows you full access to the Internet and/or your network, while restricting access to your computer system from outside intrusions.

Internet users are extremely vulnerable to hackers, especially if you have cable or ADSL access to the Internet. You definitely need to protect your computer system. I recommend using a great program called Zone Alarm Pro http://www.zonealarm.com

Once you install a firewall, you’ll be amazed at how many attempts to access your computer are blocked by your firewall.

Hackers can directly access your computer system by installing programs such as a key logger that can read every keystroke you make. This information is recorded and sent back to the hacker. Private information such as passwords and credit card numbers can easily be stolen.

A key logger is a small software program that quietly runs in the background. As these programs quite often run in DOS, you will most-likely never realize it’s running. However, you can see if a key logger is running by pressing ‘control’ - ‘alt’ - ‘delete’ on your keyboard. This will launch a window that contains a list of all the programs currently running on your system. Review the list and watch for programs you don’t recognize.

As there are many small programs such as adware (pop-windows) and spyware cookies that can bypass your anti-virus and firewall software, I recommend using a program called Pest Patrol http://www.pestpatrol.com/ This program will detect and remove non-viral malicious software.

Although you can purchase Pest Patrol at the above site, you can receive a discount if you purchase it with Zone Alarm Pro http://www.zonealarm.com . I can’t guarantee how long this special offer will be available, so if you want it, now is a good time to get it.

If you really want to keep your computer safe, I recommend the following:

1) Purchase a good virus program and keep it updated
2) Purchase a good firewall program and keep it updated
3) Purchase a program like Pest Patrol and keep it updated

Taking the time to protect your computer is one of the best business decisions you’ll ever make. If you don’t protect it now, you’ll definitely regret it later. It’s just a matter of time.

Copyright © Shelley Lowery

About the Author:

Shelley Lowery is the author of the acclaimed web design course, “Web Design Mastery” (www.webdesignmastery.com) and “eBook Starter - Give Your eBooks the look and feel of a REAL book” (www.ebookstarter.com)

Visit www.Web-Source.net to sign up for a complimentary subscription to eTips and receive a copy of Shelley’s acclaimed ebook, “Killer Internet Marketing Strategies.”

You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your ebook, or on your web site, free of charge, as long as the author bylines are included.

Recently wireless networks have become easier and easier to set up.

Many people who have purchased broadband routers have gone for the option of adding wireless connectivity and the appeal of browsing the Internet from the garden or listening to your mp3 collection in the bath has prompted many others to add wireless connectivity to their existing systems.

Unfortunately, in an effort to make their products easy to set up and therefore sell, many of the manufacturers of these wireless units have bypassed the security aspects of wireless networking and have enabled insecure wireless by default.

This may not seem a serious problem for the average home user, who may even be unaware that their network is being browsed, but in a time where identity theft is becoming more common it provides a way for unscrupulous people to obtain personal information about their target.

Even more concerning is the fact that many businesses use cheap, domestic grade equipment on their company networks. Combine this with the poor security commonly found on small business networks and anyone with a basic knowledge of wireless can browse sensitive company data.

A walk around any small town with a wireless enabled PDA will reveal tens or even hundreds of unsecured networks and this has led to a whole new pastime known as War Chalking where chalk marks are placed in public spaces to advise fellow War Chalkers of available networks.

I strongly advise anyone with a wireless network to thoroughly check the security settings on their system and, if you are unsure, to get an independent audit performed.

Steve Blampied is an ITexpert and webmaster in Jersey in the Channel Islands.

Technology.je

Free Software Advice

http://www.newandoriginal.com

You suspect your employee is ripping off the company. It may be something a small as stealing petty cash or office supplies. It may be something much larger like pilfering office equipment, spare parts or important documents. Using one of the cleverly disguised body worn cameras may be just the ticket to finding out who is doing what, when you aren’t around to see it.

One particularly clever device is the new day planner that comes with a camera hidden in the side. It provides a perfect way to keep an eye on light-fingered employees. It is also a great way to provide video surveillance during meetings and drug busts.

And who would suspect that slender, card type calculator you carry around of being a high quality digital camera? It is capable of storing thirty-two images, which are easily transferred to your computer and is also capable of being used as a camera for your PC.

But there are body worn cameras that can top even that special device. Nearly everybody wears a wristwatch, and there are state-of-the-art digital watch cameras available that even have built-in LCD displays. These great watches are not only great for covert work, but lots of fun, too.

They can take up to 320 quality digital photos, feature a PC camera function and have a great rechargeable lithium ion battery, so you don’t have to worry about having to go out a buy a new battery all of the time. Can you think of an easier way to cart around a digital camera?

To purchase Gps Products and Surveillance Products Read other related articles on our Spy products blog

I have made it my business to watch out for subtle security alarm industry changes over the years. Each and every year I can see these changes slowly take shape and take hold on the Alarm Companies that provide systems for consumers like you and me.

The majority of these changes in the past went unnoticed by the average Alarm System protected household and business. They were slight adjustments made by the Alarm Dealers, Manufactures and Service Providers and unless you were looking, you missed most of them

The changes that I have seen take place in late 2005 and early 2006 will definitely effect you, and if you don’t know about them could cause you great hardship.

The first big change is the fact that more and more consumers are switching from regular phone lines to VoIP (voice over Internet protocol) phone lines. These phone lines are tied to your PC and cost a fraction of what the Bells are getting for local and long distance phone services.

As the majority of security alarm systems report over the phone lines, any changes in your phone service after install could effect the reliability of your monitoring service. You could and should send a test signal often, but the problem is that your signal may transfer perfectly over VoIP this time, and not work when you need it most.

The larger Alarm Companies are refusing to monitor these VoIP signals at all, until the phone companies can prove reliability in signals transferred over these types of lines. Many of the smaller companies are taking a chance that it will work, in a way gambling with your life safety.

There are alternatives available for you if you have VoIP as I do, and you can read more about VoIP and alarm systems at the following link: expertsknow.com

The next change that you need to know about is ECV (Enhanced Call Verification).

ECV has been a topic of discussion for years between the alarm dealers, their governing agencies and the local authorities such as Police, Fire and Ambulance. Did you know that the majority of alarms are false alarms? Burglars have plenty of victims without security alarm systems to choose from, so dispatches during actual burglaries are a small portion of them.

The largest numbers of alarm dispatches from the monitoring companies are due to user error. Home and business owners might set their security system off on accident and if the phone lines were tied up because they are trying to call in, the monitoring companies would dispatch the authorities. Or maybe they took too much time leaving and the system went off as they drove away.

In defense of the people who had actual emergencies, many police departments around the world STOPPED RESPONDING to alarm systems. After many legal battles between the alarm industry and local governments, they agreed to test ECV for a few years in certain markets and make a decision in the last quarter of 2005

The reduction in false alarms across the board was astounding!

Here’s how ECV works

When your alarm goes off your alarm company will have to:

Call the premise first and get a pass-code.

If there is no contact with a pass-code holder they must call each person on your call list, until a live person says “Please send the police” or “this is not a false alarm”. Very often they will reach the alarm owner on a cell and they will say “I just left there and must have set it off” preventing a false dispatch.

If there is no contact, there is a good possibility that no dispatch will be made.

If a dispatch is made without this ECV, the authorities will probably not respond! if they do, it will most likely be a response with low priority.

Heres what you can do to help insure a dispatch is made when you need it

Many alarm companies will be switching to 2-way voice systems as the only type alarm system they will install. This means that as an alarm is triggered, a microphone opens up allowing the monitoring station to talk to you without a phone call. If they hear any activity in the house or business, this will be considered a verified response and a dispatch will be authorized.

2-way voice can be added to many existing systems. I would be wary of the Alarm Dealer that does not notify you of these changes, or at the very least be willing to have a knowledgeable discussion with you when you call to talk to them about it.

Another way to ensure verified response is to have perimeter and interior devices on seperate zones. If your alarm system reports in “Extended Reporting” it will show the motions of a burglar with multiple signals, and justify a high priority dispatch.

It is important for you to know that ECV will not effect your panic buttons and distress code. These signals will be handled as they always were.

I would also advise that you take a few moments to call your local authorities and discuss their alarm response policies with them. This way you are hearing it from the person’s that will make the decision that may safe a life.

There is no doubt that your Alarm System is a very important part of your security plan. However it is only as good as the consumer that depends on it, being educated on its use and limitations.

Matthew Francis Alarms@expertsknow.com

Matthew is a 22 year veteran of the alarm industry. He has served as an installer, salesman, licensed alarm company owner, monitoring station designer, promotions and marketing director with one of the worlds largest security dealers. He now works as a consumer advocate, teaching consumers how to buy or get systems for free (without being taken). He is committed to being unbiased.
His web site is http://www.expertsknow.com