Tech – for Everyone

Tech Tips and Tricks & Advice – written in plain English.

Monday | Top Internet Security Suites | Countdown

Well here we are. Monday again. Today, some “miscellany”.

* A reader wrote and suggested that I start a “countdown to the Holidays” feature.. further suggesting that it go something like, “time to get the tree”; “mail 15 cards today”; and such.

While I welcome reader comments and questions and, yes, even suggestions.. I feel in no way obligated to honor each and every request that may come my way. (Some are outright whacky, as you may be able to imagine.)(Seriously, I do “answer my mail”.) Since I am not a huge fan of “countdowns”, and because I did not think of it myself, I am not going to do a “countdown to the Holidays” feature.
But I thank the writer (you know who you are) for their suggestion.

christmas_decorations-tips * There are a mere 18 days until Christmas arrives. Have you hung any decorations yet? Of all the ideas that come to mind about Christmas decorations for your front door, I particularly recommend the Christmas wreath. See, How to Make an Evergreen Wreath

* Loyal readers will have seen me write that the man I turn to for reliable, trustworthy reviews is Neil J. Rubenking (at PC Magazine). This has been true for .. well, as long as I can remember, really. And, Loyal readers will know that I am constantly urging computing safety and security.
Those two things come together, as Neil has just published his The Best Security Suites for 2011

“The security suites for 2011 are almost all available now, though as always a few companies march to a different schedule. If you need a suite today, read our roundup of 16 of the best (and worst) options, from Ad-Aware to Webroot.”

So, if you want to know how the various vendors stack up against each other, there is the place to look. IMHO.

If you are not interested in a “suite”, but simply want to know the best antivirus, he also has written The Best Antivirus Software for 2011

“We’ve reviewed 20 of the best (and worst) premium and free antivirus applications so that you can pick the right one for your needs—because, make no mistake: you need AV.”

I hope you all noticed the last six words of that?

* There are a mere 18 days until Christmas arrives, and we are smack-dab in the middle of the cyber-criminal’s favorite, and most active, time of year. It is the time to redouble your “paranoid common sense” and triple your vigilance for scams, e-mails links, making sure the payment portal is https://, etc.. Let’s all be safe out there!

Copyright 2007-2010 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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December 6, 2010 Posted by | computers | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

A Parents Guide For Video Games

I came across a resource for parents that I think you should know about.. if your kids like to play video games, that is.

logo

Fellow tech blogger Jason, at 404techsupport.com, wrote an interesting review – which is how I came to learn of it (thanks, Jason!).

“If you’re a parent concerned about the video games that your kids are playing and would like some help making sure they’re playing appropriate games, be sure to check out the What They Play website.

What They Play is a site with the intent to make parents a little less clueless about the video games their kids are playing or are begging to play. Utilizing but going well beyond the ESRB ratings that you may already be familiar with, What They Play is a great resource for parents that explains without demeaning them.”

I not only agree with his statement, I think you will enjoy his whole article, so I am providing the direct link: What They Play – A Site Explaining Video Games to Parents.

I encourage parents to read it. And then click the link he provides and visit this website.I give them both two thumbs up!

Copyright 2007-2010 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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November 5, 2010 Posted by | computers | , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Quick Reco – Re: Online Virus Scans

infoniac.com

I have written many articles regarding the epidemic that is “cybercrime”, and done my best to keep my readers informed about current scams, hacker techniques (like “social engineering” and “phishing“), as well as malware (Spyware, Trojans, worms, viruses, keyloggers, etc.) and provided you with advice and How To’s for staying safer online.
(i.e., I have told you that malware has evolved into military-grade instruments.)

One item I have mentioned several times is the use of a free “online virus scanner” to help detect and remove malware that has managed to sneak past your current defenses (and don’t kid yourself, there are plenty of types that are capable of this trick). There are many such scanners out there, and some of them are fakes designed to trick you into thinking you’re infected — I suggest you avoid those!

Internet Security writer Bill Mullins recently published what I think is the perfect summary and analysis of the “good” online virus scanners, and their uses. I highly recommend you visit (and bookmark) Think You’re Infected? Find Out – Run An Online Scanner From Your Browser and learn about these very important (free) tools.

Related: To read my other articles on malware, and how to deal with it, click here.

Copyright 2007-2010 © Tech Paul. All Rights Reserved.  jaanix post to jaanix.

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February 17, 2010 Posted by | advice, anti-spyware, antivirus, computers, cyber crime, hackers, how to, security | , , , , , , , | Leave a comment