This high speed revolution has increased the swiftness of accessibility for unscrupulous hackers to upload private information quickly and easily, through your home internet connection.
With the threat of viruses, identity fraud, phishing, spyware and keyloggers, never has it been more important to protect the valuable contents of your home computer.
There are many types of internet security software out there, which offer varying ranges of performance when it comes to security. The most popular software requires the computer owner to purchase a license and download the software over the internet or buy the software from a reputable computer outlet for a set fee which includes 12 months of free updates, with a view to paying a further fee every 12 months to keep this update service going, this for some computer owners can be a slightly expensive encounter and can put owners off placing that all important security software on their home computer.
Is there a FREE and secure alternative? The answer I'm happy to say is yes.
Home internet security comes in four main categories of protection, Spyware Protection, Anti-Virus Protection, Firewall Protection and Windows Updates.
Spyware Protection
Spybot found at www.spybot.info is an excellent free spyware removal tool which helps clear your system of any threats from Adware, Keyloggers, Malware etc, the program is very easy to use and updates can be downloaded for free and are updated on a regular basis to help make sure you are protected.
Anti-virus Protection
Avast! Anti-virus found at www.avast.com is a more than adequate anti-virus protection, registration is absolutely free for home and small business users and just requires the user to register once every twelve months, which is a very small burden especially when you can download virus definitions and program updates totally free.
Firewall Protection
Sygate Personal Firewall found at www.sygate.com is again a totally free for home and small business users personal firewall, the setup of the program is very user friendly and can easily be setup by someone with little computer knowledge. The protection is highly suitable and very secure.
Windows Update
All computer users should make it their fortnightly chore to visit the Windows update service and download the latest security patches, these are most important to cover any floors which have been discovered in Microsoft applications. You can also switch the update to automatic, so when important downloads are available windows will download them using low bandwidth, so not to disturb your internet browsing.
CONCLUSION
Internet security is a high priority for all computer users, and whether this service is paid for or users wish to take advantage of the three excellent and secure software programs above for free, that is completely up to the individual. Some sort of internet security is better than none at all.
Showing posts with label Security. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Security. Show all posts
Labels:
Security
Why Dotcom-Monitor Service Is Crucial to e-Business
Operational Issues Confronting e-Business Today:
Business through the internet has expanded by leaps and bounds and continues to do so. With opening up of the world economies e-business has become truly global for buyers and sellers alike. Also keeping pace are the associated problems that are both technical and non-technical in nature. The prime concern for any e-business is secure and efficient handling of run away transaction volumes at acceptable response levels. Congested networks are causing delays, even outages. Slow downloading time is one of the main reasons potential on-line customers switch web sites. Long waiting times can prove disastrous. The web site load pattern varies from hour to hour. For example, lunch time and after hours load on an on-line super-store will be more than it is during working hours, as that is when people like to do their purchases. Unacceptable response times could result in on-line customers abandoning the cart midway and switching to competition. The varying internet networks' bandwidths and load patterns mean response times could vary widely from place to place even for the same traffic volumes. The web sites would like to know in real time where the bottlenecks are on a regular basis. Constant monitoring is therefore a must to enable web sites identify problems and initiate remedial steps without loss of time or on-line customers. There are other problems as well. These relate to web site's accessibility, availability, security, data integrity and dangers from the hackers. Invariably, even the best managed web sites do not know what the exact problem is and where! Until informed by a frustrated customer. Clearly, web site owners would prefer to concentrate on challenges posed by their business rather than spending time on these extraneous issues. For every web site in e-business, therefore, there is an urgent need for constant 24x7 monitoring that keeps constant vigil and reports response time delays and any availability or accessibility problem; also regularly monitoring consistency of content and protected areas for any violation.
The Dotcom-Monitor.com Solution:
The Dotcom-Monitor.com is a secure advanced 24x7 web site monitoring service that provides comprehensive web site monitoring and helps address the issues and concerns raised above. Dotcom-Monitor service keeps the web site performance informed about it's availability, accessibility, security and content and highlights any deviations from the supplied norms. The website monitoring management studies these exceptions and takes appropriate remedial steps. That means that the applications keep running within acceptable web server monitoring parameters and therefore are more profitable. Other available services in the Dotcom-Monitor portfolio include checking of password protected sites, online form work check, verification of web site's Digital SSL Certificate validity, providing client-side help (called Cookie support); providing detailed performance metrics; performing web load stress test by simulating upto1000 concurrent users; business transaction support; can suggests bottlenecks within applications; customer's network monitoring and related services etc. Dotcom-Monitor can also help a new e-business prospect assess impact of varying levels of simulated load; tune up their infrastructure before the web site launch. This results in arriving at an optimum start-up solution and costly mistakes are avoided
How Dotcom-Monitor Service Works:
It is important to know other components that makeup any website operational environment besides the site, the client and the browser that Dotcom-Monitor service interacts with. These include File Transfer Service (FTP); The Domain Name Service (DNS) that provides IP address for the site name; Telnet (Port availability); Trace Root Servers, Ping (Routers/Firewall), POP3 (email) Server etc.
Dotcom-Monitor has remote agents strategically positioned around the world each acting as an internet browser. After a customer creates an account with Dotcom he supplies URLs of his web sites to be monitored, the process starts immediately. Dotcom global agents start checking the web site(s) to ensure the web site is accessible, has proper content, and is maintaining acceptable levels of web server performance as per norms supplied. If any of these fall outside the specified parameters, the notification process starts. To take just two examples, web server performance monitoring checks the time it takes for the web server to respond to the monitor agent's request against acceptable response time (say 5 seconds). If page takes more time to load on the agent's browser web site is notified as a possible performance issue. For content check, customer provides a specific keyword or a phrase that network monitoring uses to ensure that the page was not altered and has proper content. This check is crucial for data base driven web sites. In case keyword is not found on the page the monitor notifies and also stores snapshot of the page for customer's review. Similarly, sites are checked for consistency of content and for accessibility (and availability) through its world wide agents and notifies if any problem is detected. Dotcom-Monitor, therefore, provides a much needed non-stop monitoring service for smoother running of e-businesses.
About Dotcom-Monitor Company:
Dotcom-Monitor is the leader and innovator in advanced website monitoring services that ensures reputation and up-time of the e-business. Since its inception in 1998, Dotcom-Monitor has significantly helped over 2000 companies get more out of their resources; earn more customer loyalty and goodwill; earn more profits through maximizing web site up-time. Dotcom service watches e-business from outside using its global multi-pronged approach by simulating the end user actions. Dot-com ensures that the web site is open for business for 24 hours a day for its global customers. Dotcom-Monitor continues to grow its client base through its superior support services while steadily providing more network monitoring features while maintaining competitive pricing. Dotcom-Monitor was one of the first monitoring services to develop 1-minute monitoring, and the first to develop recorders that automate and simplify complex monitoring tasks.
Conclusion:
It is clear that the increasing customer preference for doing business on-line, and the rapidly expanding global e-commerce not only mean greater opportunities for e-businesses worldwide; but also, that, unless a constant global monitoring service is integral to the overall business e-business strategy, the web sites can never realize their true worth. Dotcom-Monitor.com provides just the right solution to help web sites realize their full potential.
Business through the internet has expanded by leaps and bounds and continues to do so. With opening up of the world economies e-business has become truly global for buyers and sellers alike. Also keeping pace are the associated problems that are both technical and non-technical in nature. The prime concern for any e-business is secure and efficient handling of run away transaction volumes at acceptable response levels. Congested networks are causing delays, even outages. Slow downloading time is one of the main reasons potential on-line customers switch web sites. Long waiting times can prove disastrous. The web site load pattern varies from hour to hour. For example, lunch time and after hours load on an on-line super-store will be more than it is during working hours, as that is when people like to do their purchases. Unacceptable response times could result in on-line customers abandoning the cart midway and switching to competition. The varying internet networks' bandwidths and load patterns mean response times could vary widely from place to place even for the same traffic volumes. The web sites would like to know in real time where the bottlenecks are on a regular basis. Constant monitoring is therefore a must to enable web sites identify problems and initiate remedial steps without loss of time or on-line customers. There are other problems as well. These relate to web site's accessibility, availability, security, data integrity and dangers from the hackers. Invariably, even the best managed web sites do not know what the exact problem is and where! Until informed by a frustrated customer. Clearly, web site owners would prefer to concentrate on challenges posed by their business rather than spending time on these extraneous issues. For every web site in e-business, therefore, there is an urgent need for constant 24x7 monitoring that keeps constant vigil and reports response time delays and any availability or accessibility problem; also regularly monitoring consistency of content and protected areas for any violation.
The Dotcom-Monitor.com Solution:
The Dotcom-Monitor.com is a secure advanced 24x7 web site monitoring service that provides comprehensive web site monitoring and helps address the issues and concerns raised above. Dotcom-Monitor service keeps the web site performance informed about it's availability, accessibility, security and content and highlights any deviations from the supplied norms. The website monitoring management studies these exceptions and takes appropriate remedial steps. That means that the applications keep running within acceptable web server monitoring parameters and therefore are more profitable. Other available services in the Dotcom-Monitor portfolio include checking of password protected sites, online form work check, verification of web site's Digital SSL Certificate validity, providing client-side help (called Cookie support); providing detailed performance metrics; performing web load stress test by simulating upto1000 concurrent users; business transaction support; can suggests bottlenecks within applications; customer's network monitoring and related services etc. Dotcom-Monitor can also help a new e-business prospect assess impact of varying levels of simulated load; tune up their infrastructure before the web site launch. This results in arriving at an optimum start-up solution and costly mistakes are avoided
How Dotcom-Monitor Service Works:
It is important to know other components that makeup any website operational environment besides the site, the client and the browser that Dotcom-Monitor service interacts with. These include File Transfer Service (FTP); The Domain Name Service (DNS) that provides IP address for the site name; Telnet (Port availability); Trace Root Servers, Ping (Routers/Firewall), POP3 (email) Server etc.
Dotcom-Monitor has remote agents strategically positioned around the world each acting as an internet browser. After a customer creates an account with Dotcom he supplies URLs of his web sites to be monitored, the process starts immediately. Dotcom global agents start checking the web site(s) to ensure the web site is accessible, has proper content, and is maintaining acceptable levels of web server performance as per norms supplied. If any of these fall outside the specified parameters, the notification process starts. To take just two examples, web server performance monitoring checks the time it takes for the web server to respond to the monitor agent's request against acceptable response time (say 5 seconds). If page takes more time to load on the agent's browser web site is notified as a possible performance issue. For content check, customer provides a specific keyword or a phrase that network monitoring uses to ensure that the page was not altered and has proper content. This check is crucial for data base driven web sites. In case keyword is not found on the page the monitor notifies and also stores snapshot of the page for customer's review. Similarly, sites are checked for consistency of content and for accessibility (and availability) through its world wide agents and notifies if any problem is detected. Dotcom-Monitor, therefore, provides a much needed non-stop monitoring service for smoother running of e-businesses.
About Dotcom-Monitor Company:
Dotcom-Monitor is the leader and innovator in advanced website monitoring services that ensures reputation and up-time of the e-business. Since its inception in 1998, Dotcom-Monitor has significantly helped over 2000 companies get more out of their resources; earn more customer loyalty and goodwill; earn more profits through maximizing web site up-time. Dotcom service watches e-business from outside using its global multi-pronged approach by simulating the end user actions. Dot-com ensures that the web site is open for business for 24 hours a day for its global customers. Dotcom-Monitor continues to grow its client base through its superior support services while steadily providing more network monitoring features while maintaining competitive pricing. Dotcom-Monitor was one of the first monitoring services to develop 1-minute monitoring, and the first to develop recorders that automate and simplify complex monitoring tasks.
Conclusion:
It is clear that the increasing customer preference for doing business on-line, and the rapidly expanding global e-commerce not only mean greater opportunities for e-businesses worldwide; but also, that, unless a constant global monitoring service is integral to the overall business e-business strategy, the web sites can never realize their true worth. Dotcom-Monitor.com provides just the right solution to help web sites realize their full potential.
Labels:
Security
How To Shop Safely Online For Any Occasions
Here are several things to keep in mind when shopping online for any special occasions.
Pay with a Credit Card and Protect Your Passwords: Credit cards offer you the most protection as a consumer. Never send cash! If you pay by credit card, your transaction is protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act. This limits your liability for any unauthorized charges
to only $50.
Understand the Return Policy: Determine the company�s refund and return policies before you place any order. Generally, any item that has been engraved or personalized in any way, will not qualify for the store�s Return Policy. Some countries don't have the same return policies as we do here in North America, so know where you shop and always read their return policy if has any.
Shop with Security: When online, look for a symbol of an unbroken key or padlock of the bottom of your Web browser window to ensure that your transmission is protected. Always enter the url manually to your browser instead of clicking links thru emails messages to ensure maximum security.
Print all Transaction Records: Make sure to print or save electronically any records related to your online transactions. This will help you keep track of shipping dates, shipping and handling fees, and other details of your transaction. Take as much info as possible including names, their title and phone numbers in case of
disputes.
File a Complaint
If you suspect the business may have broken the law, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. You can call the FTC toll-free at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or file a complaint online at www.ftc.gov. or report it to your local Better Business Bureau.
Check the Site�s Privacy Policy: The company�s privacy policy should let you know what personal information the company is collecting, why, and how the information is going to be used. Be cautious if you're asked to supply personal information, such as your Social Security number or personal bank account information to conduct a transaction. When you shop online, you should never ever have to provide any sensitive information such as your Social Security Number, if they do, shop somewhere else.
Pay with a Credit Card and Protect Your Passwords: Credit cards offer you the most protection as a consumer. Never send cash! If you pay by credit card, your transaction is protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act. This limits your liability for any unauthorized charges
to only $50.
Understand the Return Policy: Determine the company�s refund and return policies before you place any order. Generally, any item that has been engraved or personalized in any way, will not qualify for the store�s Return Policy. Some countries don't have the same return policies as we do here in North America, so know where you shop and always read their return policy if has any.
Shop with Security: When online, look for a symbol of an unbroken key or padlock of the bottom of your Web browser window to ensure that your transmission is protected. Always enter the url manually to your browser instead of clicking links thru emails messages to ensure maximum security.
Print all Transaction Records: Make sure to print or save electronically any records related to your online transactions. This will help you keep track of shipping dates, shipping and handling fees, and other details of your transaction. Take as much info as possible including names, their title and phone numbers in case of
disputes.
File a Complaint
If you suspect the business may have broken the law, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. You can call the FTC toll-free at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or file a complaint online at www.ftc.gov. or report it to your local Better Business Bureau.
Check the Site�s Privacy Policy: The company�s privacy policy should let you know what personal information the company is collecting, why, and how the information is going to be used. Be cautious if you're asked to supply personal information, such as your Social Security number or personal bank account information to conduct a transaction. When you shop online, you should never ever have to provide any sensitive information such as your Social Security Number, if they do, shop somewhere else.
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