Sunday, October 14, 2007

Anti-Virus "Precaution is Better than Cure"

In today's world, everyone needs to protect their computers from viruses. There are a number of things you can do for free to keep your computer safe from viruses. Below are the few tips on safe computing that you should follow even with good automated anti-virus protection.

Update Your Self: This not only applies to your anti-virus software, but also your operating system, browser and email client. Most viruses take advantage of known security problems in your computer's software. There is almost always a patch available for the software before viruses appear on the scene that take advantage of the vulnerabilities. If you use Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office, Windows Update and Office Update respectively provide an easy way to keep up-to-date with security patches.

Common Sense Need To Be Used: Most virus infections wouldn't happen if the computer user would think about what they are doing and use a little common sense. If you get a strange looking email message delete it instead of opening it to satisfy your curiosity. If a message, even a normal looking one, has an attachment you were not expecting to receive, don't click on it to see what it is. Much of the secret to safe computing is smart computing.

Don't visit Questionable Sites: Don't visit questionable sites like those with pirated software (warez sites), hacker sites, or sites that promise you software keys and other ways to break the law.

Be Little Different From Others: Almost all viruses use flaws or features of Microsoft products. Using alternative software, especially Web browsers and email programs will thwart most viruses. Mozilla is good choice for both Web browser and email client. Using a non-Microsoft operating system such as Linux can also be a good choice for some. These measures won't prevent all viruses but they will greatly improve your chances of not becoming infected with the most prevalent viruses. You should use software that you install that can prevent infections instead of finding them after the fact.

Xerox Printers - Ultimate Expierience

Xerox Corp. is trying to snag new small-business customers for its color printers with a focus on a particular hue — the green of money. The region’s fourth-largest employer on Monday unveiled two new color printers for small and mid-sized businesses that it said make full-color printing no more expensive than black-and-white.The Xerox Phaser 8860 and 8860MFP both use ink sticks — walnut-sized, waxy blocks resembling lumps of melted crayon — to provide the color.

New developments in ink stick technology have driven down the per-page cost of color printing substantially, said Jim Rise, vice president and general manager of Xerox’s solid ink products business unit. “When we survey our own customers … or we look at third-party market research, consistently we see that the cost of color printing is the No. 1 barrier to adoption for everyday use in the office,” Rise said.

The Phasers were designed and engineered in Xerox’s Webster and Henrietta facilities. They are being produced by Singapore-based Flextronics Ltd., which took over much of Xerox’s manufacturing in 2001. Xerox produces solid ink at its Wilsonville, Ore., plant. “We improved these inks right down to the molecular level,” Rise said. “It’s a brand-new ink formulation.”

The company also invented a new manufacturing process that lets it put more ink in each stick, he said. The two new Phasers are the first to use the new solid ink. The 8860, with a base price of $2,499, is available now, while the 8860MFP, at $3,999, will be available in November. They are aimed at businesses that print 1,000 to 10,000 pages a month. In announcing the new machines, Xerox took a shot at Hewlett-Packard Co., which dominates the color printer business. According to Xerox, the ink sticks to do 14,000 pages would cost $432, while the toner cartridges to do roughly the same amount of color printing on an HP 4700dn would cost $941. The 4700dn machine costs $1,499.

"Hewlett-Packard was largely dismissive of Xerox’s announcement."

Tom Codd, director of marketing for HP’s LaserJet business, said that while the company has looked at solid ink technology, “there are so many drawbacks in the office to it, we chose not to pursue it.” “It does very nice glossy images, but the challenge with the technology is the image is not very durable on the page and it requires a tremendous amount of power to keep that wax in a liquid state,” Codd said.

Along with cost, Xerox also was trumpeting the supposed environmental friendliness of its solid ink technology, saying it generates one-tenth the waste that laser printers do. Xerox introduced its solid ink technology in 1991. With Monday’s announcement, it now has four solid ink printers on the market.

Monday, October 8, 2007

Top 5 Protection Tips for DSL(Internet) Users

The World Wide Web is useful and dangerous too! What most people may not know is that by connecting their computers to the internet they are setting themselves up as targets for thieves and unscrupulous people. The US government is taking steps towards inculcating an understanding of the importance of cyber security among citizens especially home computer users. Similarly DSL connection providers like Verizon are also making great efforts to provide secure connections.

DLS users like others need to protect their computer systems and private information stored on computers from cyber thieves and malicious hackers. Recent exercises such as the “Honeymoon Project” found that most computer systems can be hacked into between 3-5 days.
While DSL providers will have security systems in place it is best you take steps to protect yourself and your family and business. It is simple:
1. Install a firewall. It is software that recognizes unauthorized access and blocks it. What is more it prevents unauthorized movement of files from your computer too! This is important as a DSL connection means your computer is always connected to the internet and is susceptible to attack. A firewall must always be the latest version and configured properly to scan your system continuously.
2. Ensure that your anti virus software is functional and updated regularly. Never leave your computer system open to virus attacks. Not only are you putting your files and private information in jeopardy but also that of others who are in your address book and system. Cyber criminals steal credit card and bank information for personal financial gain. Ensure that your computer has the latest virus protection system in place. Be sure to renew the antivirus software license.
3. Configure your computer properly. If you don’t know how to do this seek the help of a trustworthy family member or friend. Use secure and original passwords. Its important to regularly change your password and create unique passwords that are a mix of words and numbers.
4. Always used authentic operating systems and software. Pay the licensing fees and update your computer regularly with the latest vendor security patches. This will protect your computer system to the highest possible extent.
5. Always use safe e-mail practices. Most “bugs” attack your system through attachments. So never open emails with attachments from unknown sources. All attachments must be scanned before opening. Avoid opening attachments with file extensions like “.vbs.” P2P networks are dangerous as also downloading executable programs. Learn all you can about dangers termed as “Trojan horses.”
In order to protect yourself you need to learn as much as possible on computer security for home users. Protecting your system will make things difficult for hackers, attackers, and crackers. When shutting down your computer after use please make sure you have disconnected your system from the internet completely. This will ensure that attacks don’t happen while you are asleep.
Simple steps could save your life and money.

Internet through Wireless and Concept VOIP!

For those interested in internet access while on the go, WiFi hotspots provide a partial solution, but coverage is spotty at best. Using a cellular phone as a modem solves the coverage issue, but unfortunately the increased coverage comes at the expense of bandwidth which is only comparable to dial-up speed. Fortunately deciding on which trade-off to take is no longer an issue as Verizon has recently introduced their wireless broadband service which provides high speed internet access to users on the go. Adding only a simple PC card provides that computer with data access speeds comparable to DSL service anywhere on Verizon's Broadband Access network. Equally impressive is the fact that access is charged at an extremely reasonable flat monthly rate and not on a per-minute or bandwidth basis.

VOIP Service
One additional benefit of high speed internet access that many consumers have recently discovered is the ability to use VoIP service for all of their telephone calls and reduce their monthly telephone bills by up to 50% or more. Voice over IP service makes traditional home phone service obsolete as the high speed internet connection is used to carry all phone calls rather than traditional phone lines. Transitioning to the new service is easy as you can use the same phone that you currently use, it just needs to be plugged into an small adapter which is provided.

High Speed Internet - Demand the Best

The content available on the internet today has evolved to be more than just simple text based webpages. Today's bandwidth intensive games, videos and Flash based websites push your internet connection harder than ever before. Without a reliable high speed internet connection at home you are missing out on the best the internet has to offer. Not at home and constantly on the go? If so, not to worry as high speed internet access is also now available in the form of wireless broadband to users on the go.

Three of the most popular high speed internet access providers in the United States are Comcast, Earthlink DSL and AT&T Yahoo and for good reason. All three companies not only provide reliable, high speed internet access, but they also bundle in such features as virus protection, photo sharing, disk space for a personal web page and much more. Prices for complete access packages such as these have dropped considerably in the past two years and each of these providers sweeten the pot even further by offering very attractive introductory rates. So, no matter whether you desire faster internet access to be able to work from home or for downloading music, watching videos and experiencing everything else the web has to offer, there has never been a better time to upgrade your service. Additionally, add a network card and a wireless router to your setup at home and you can enjoy the benefits of your high speed internet access anywhere you wish in your home or even share the connection on multiple computers if you wish.