Anti Icky Poo Article

PC Security - A Spamming We Shall Not Go

The only thing good about SPAM is that you can have it with anything. It’s really good with potatoes, grits (if you’re Southern) rice or on a piece of bread cooked real good. SPAM has been around for years.

So it baffles me that the computer gods would define something good as SPAM as unwanted, unsolicited email that can include viruses and that is malicious. I’m stumped at that one.

Unsolicited email is also a problem and they can hide viruses too. All of a sudden, you are retrieving your email and you get a subject line called “Cup Cake Brown”. Now who in the world would address themselves as “Cup Cake Brown?” Then all of a sudden, you see these weird characters that look like this:

&866*)*-

Or you’ll see a statement in the subject line that looks like this:

You Need to Do This

Fear not computer user…you are being SPAMMED!

What happens in this case is that software programs are built to emulate and randomize email addresses. If the software is in the ball park of what your email address is, then you automatically get send email that you do not want. This is annoying because some e-mail clients don’t really focus on defeating the problem.

All e-mail clients are installing SPAM controls into their software. Some are weak and some are okay. Usually, web-based SPAM programs included with Yahoo and Hotmail will send your SPAMMED email to a Bulk Mail folder so that you can inspect it before deleting it. E-mail clients, such as, MS Outlook and MS Outlook Express have routines that you can customize to keep unwanted email out of your system.

Opening these emails will cause a boat load of problems and actually sink your system. There is a federal law against SPAMMING that if you get caught, you can be fined or face heavy jail time if you a ruining someone’s data. SPAMMING is a serious offense.

You also have to watch out what you subscribe to on the Internet. Again if the company is not reputable, don’t sign up for newsletters or emails unless you know the company has a reputation and is viable. Don’t let SPAM email turn your stomach!

Physical Security of Your Computer System

You’ve paid a lot of money for your computer system and the majority of your business documents and information is kept on your computer. Wouldn’t it be wise to take physical security measures to protect your system and the data that is on it?

If you are a SOHO business owner that has a system in the home with critical information on it, care should be taken to make sure that the system is password protected. If the computer is used for other than business, then you may want to consider getting a separate system so that you’ll have a system for business and a system for the family so data won’t be destroyed.

However, if you cannot afford a new system at this time then make sure that files are password protected for certain documents so that information cannot be changed or compromised. It’s good to constantly back up your system weekly based on the volume of business that you conduct.

Laptops have become the rage of all computer users. They are small, portable and convenient to use. You can take laptops anywhere (coffee shop, library, and restaurant) and do business while accessing the local Wi-Fi spot to get on the Internet.

Extra care should be taken when you are carrying your laptop. Before you leave home, put your laptop in the trunk, away from the trunk latch so that it isn’t visible. That way, if you have your window down, no one can reach in and steal it when you make a stop.

When you are in a public place, you should always be in close proximity of your laptop. Not unless you really know people in the place that you are in, take your laptop to the restroom with you. It’s better to be safe than sorry and have all of your hard work and information disappear!

If you make a stop to the grocery store, DON’T leave your laptop on the front seat! People have been known to smash windows and steal laptops. Put your laptop in the trunk! Most cars come with alarm systems so if someone tries to break in, the alarm will alert the owner.

Use common sense in physically protecting your computer systems.

 

 

 

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Computer security and registry cleaning