Internet Security: 8 Proven Tactics to Eliminate Threats from Spam, Viruses, and Hackers

Copyright (c) 2009 OnlineBizU.com

As an online business owner, you face treacherous Internet security risks every single time you’re online. Viruses, hackers, and spam await you at every turn. The reality is that these threats are always going to be a component of being online and doing business online. Unfortunately, they seem to be here to stay.

Given that, there are a number of precautions you can take to make yourself, your business and the visitors to your site as safe as possible. Here are 8 tactics proven to enhance your Internet security:

1. Virus Protection. Make sure you have the latest virus updates installed on your computer and let the software thoroughly scan your entire computer daily to ensure that no viruses successfully planted themselves on your hard drive. Set your virus checker to scan your email when it downloads, as well.

I use AVG Free to scan both my computer and my email. They also have a fee-based version that provides complete Internet protection. McAfee and Norton also offer similar products.

For spyware and malware protection, I use CounterSpy. The company that makes this software also has a new product to protect against viruses and spyware called VIPRE.

2. Spam Blocker. I have a spam blocker that I use with Outlook called Cloudmark Desktop that does a great job of helping me train my email program to recognize spam. What I like about this program is that the program users tell Cloudmark what spam arrives in their inboxes, and the programmers update Cloudmark accordingly to recognize those kinds of emails. Other spam blocker programs include IHateSpam and MailWasher.

3. Web hosting Spam Blocker. To block spam before it even hits my Outlook inbox, one of my hosting accounts offers Postini spam blocking on my server. I pay a few dollars extra each month to add this service, but it is well worth it, as it routinely blocks at least 100 emails per day that are spam. I always have the option to log into that account if I am missing an email that may have ended up there accidentally, and I can “whitelist” the sender so that it goes though without a problem the next time. Every night this service sends me a list of emails that are questionable (i.e. the service isn’t sure if it’s spam), and I quickly scan them to approve any that have been misidentified.

4. Email Address Spam. One of the easiest ways your email address gets added to massive lists of spammed email addresses is by including a clear link to your email address on your website. Spambots routinely patrol the Internet looking for readily available email addresses to harvest online. Even if you have the link “cloaked” by saying “click here to email”, which will bring up your email address in the visitor’s email program, the spambot is able to read the HTML sourcecode and harvest the email address.

Instead, remove your email address off of all of your websites. Use a contact form for people to email you that incorporates CAPTCHA technology (where the form filler has to read a graphic representation of a word or set or numbers to prove that s/he isn’t a spambot). I use the free version of Freedback for this task.

5. Discussion List Spam. If your email address must appear on any discussion lists, blog posts, or forum postings, use a free email address like the ones available at Gmail or Yahoo. In this way, you protect your “real” email address from being picked up by spambots.

6. Catch-All Email Address. If your web host company permits, create a catch-all email address that receives all email not specifically marked for a set POP email address or email forward you may have set up. When you sign up for someone’s free giveaway, for example, that will add you to their marketing list you can then enter an email address that reminds you of the site or giveaway where you used it.

For example, if I’m signing up for Jane Smith’s free dog training tips report, I might use dogtraining@mydomain.com, which will then end up in my catch-all domain email address. In this way, you don’t have to give away your “real” email address, and you can determine if the list holder sells or rents your email address to another. So, then, if you suddenly begin to get emails to your dogtraining@mydomain.com address from a dog food company you’ve never heard of, you’ll know that Jane sold or rented your email address to them.

7. Firewalls and Hackers. Make sure that you are using Windows firewall protection, at a minimum, to protect your computer from being hacked while you’re online. Or, use a free firewall like ZoneAlarm. You can also upgrade for a fee to get enhanced protection.

If you use a wireless router, be sure to set a password to secure it so that anyone passing by your home or office cannot hijack your signal and potentially hack your computer. I was resetting the wireless connection on my laptop just last week and discovered that there were 3 unsecured wireless connections in my neighborhood. I live in a residential section with no businesses, so I know that these were unsecure wireless routers in my neighbors’ homes.

8. Secure Server. If you’re selling something online, either your website hosting account or your shopping cart provider needs to have a security certificate so that any monetary transactions can be made over a secure server. You can check to see if your checkout process is secure by looking for https:// in the address window of your browser when browser when you are on the payment page of your site/shopping cart. Some browsers will also show a gold locked padlock icon when you are on a secure server.

I had to purchase a security certificate from my hosting company for my membership site, as the secure server wasn’t built into the shopping cart that is integrated into the membership site software. If you use Paypal or some version of 1ShoppingCart.com, you are safe, as your customers’ transactions are being carried over a secure server.

When you make sure that your computer and email are protected from spam, viruses, malware and the like, your customers are then safe when you email them or upload something to your site for them to access. Responsible online business owners need to take every precaution available to them to enhance internet security for all involved.

New Car As Compared To Best Used Car

There could be many reasons because of which some people might consider buying a best new cars as against a used one. Typically, once a vehicle ages, its fuel mileage could decrease which is what could be on the top of the agenda for potential car buyers. Instead of purchasing another old car, it is much better to go for a new one could be a consideration for many. Besides, many used vehicles could require urgent large scale repairs or even overhauls. On the contrary, new cars come standard with warranty. Another important reason for individuals to buy new car sale online is when their aged vehicle is to be sent for repairs. If the car owned is too much used, it could be worthless to repair it particularly in comparison to its resale value.

A majority of the new car models these days offer much advanced features, facilities and comforts. Right from provision of airbags both in the front and at the back to side stroke airbags to cozy interiors, such cars have attracted car buyers since they are very much comfortable for a family ride. Another crucial aspect of car buying is that while there could be used car price quotes option available in the market, what is important is the fuel economy. An increasing awareness about going green could influence an individual’s vehicle purchase. Saving fuel costs to be precise could be another motto for purchasing new cars. Some of the leading automobile makers like Ford, Fiat and Honda have even provided pick fuel facilities like LPG in their latest models this year. That could certainly be one of the causes for many people to simply desist from trying to find used car.

Some people could also opt for luxurious new cars to satisfy their prestige in the society while few others could need more room for their flourishing families. In such cases there could be a major shift in people’s thinking from sporty trend to going for a family vehicle and that could be in fact one of the main reasons for considering purchasing a new car. Alternatively, there could be some people who might prefer new car buying due the technology and geeky gadgets provided in the new generation of ultimate vehicles. In addition, there are plenty of new car discounts and rebates offered by manufacturers and new car dealerships that include zero percent auto financing schemes too.

Thus, there could be a variety of reasons because of which many car buyers prefer to buy a new vehicle as compared to a used one. Nowadays, there are many auto service companies that actively promote cheap new cars for sale online. By using such services you could be invariably helped to secure new cars which are affordable as well as favorable to satisfy your financial needs and requirements. However, it is recommended to utilize the expert guidance of reputed online service providers like AutoDriver.

Cutting Edge Gaming Technology – the Unreal Engine

Recent games are all about how intricate they are, how good the story is and how well the graphics performs with the things the player wants to do in such virtual environment, having these factors in mind the folks at Epic games developed a new gaming technology which is called the Unreal engine 3, this new technology is used to create highly responsive gaming environments which enhances the graphics and the way objects interact with the player.

This technology was used in the game Gears of War, some of the features found in the Unreal engine are:

Ambient Occlusion Technology:

This is a post processing filter which enables game programmers and designers to add much more realistic and dynamic shadows to scenes using a pixel technique which creates much more realistic shadow highlights, this pixel technique scans images and analyzes how light reflects around and adjusts shadows making objects stand out from the background. This technique has also been used in several characters which makes them more appealing to the eye and provides better definition, the contrast is better which increases the quality if the details.

Dynamic Fluid Surfaces:

This is yet another major improvement where liquids such as water are programmed to move and interact with the player in such a way that mimics how the real element would react under such conditions. Environment reflections have been added as well to simulate the properties of water.

Soft Body Physics:

This is a simulation tool which allows programmers to simulate soft bodies and objects which are realistically elastic and fluidly, this is also useful for materials which are fluid and have a certain degree of viscosity; this property can be applied to games where alien creatures are found.

Destructible Environments:

After a few years of beautiful and careful design, the first thing players want to do with a game’s environment is to blow it up, using such technology gamers will be able to do just that and see a more realistic reaction to the way things are destroyed, structural analysis was applied to games in order to simulate how objects would break apart under stress and conditions the player creates, with this feature gamers can blow holes in the walls or in the floor however the steel structure remains intact as it would on a real environment.

Overall this technology has a lot of potential and can literally change how games are made, in the mean time enjoy the beautiful worlds of games such as Build-a-lot, Machines at War, Gears of War, etc. because they will soon change.

5 Steps to Securing Your Windows XP Home Computer

Most people are aware that there are continuous security issues with Microsoft’s Windows operating system and other programs. However, what most people do not realize is how easy it is to significantly improve your computer’s security and reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim to ever increasingly sophisticated threats that lurk on the internet. These steps should take less than a couple of hours to complete and should not clean out your wallet.

1) Windows Update – the first crucial step you need to take to make sure that all your Microsoft applications have all the latest product updates installed. These updates or “patches” address security vulnerabilities and other issues. Microsoft usually issues these updates on a monthly cycle. Visit the Microsoft website or switch on automatic updates from the Windows Control panel. Even if your “new” computer is second hand this is still a critical first step. If you buy a used computer with Windows XP make sure Service Pack 2 or SP2 is installed.

2) Strong Passwords – people often overlook this but having well thought through passwords is an important element of your computer security. A strong password should include at least 8 characters with a mixture of text, symbols and numbers. As a minimum you need to make sure the services most at risk have a strong log-in password. These services include your bank, credit card, other financial services like PayPal, your email address and any other services like Ebay which hackers can use to generate profit.

3) Anti Virus Protection – while it is fair to say the threat of the computer virus has receded during the last couple of years they can still inflict serious damage on your computer. Part of the reason why the threat has reduced is because PC manufactures are now more frequently bundling anti virus packages with their new computers. For example last year my new Dell shipped with a 90-day trial of McAfee’s Internet Security Suite. The best bet here is to purchase a security package which includes firewall and anti virus software as a minimum. Top brands include McAfee and Symantec Norton products. However, Microsoft has recently entered the market with their “OneCare” offering which is very aggressively priced.

4) Firewall – if you are using a broadband connection then a firewall is definite requirement to manage the traffic flowing between your computer and the internet. A firewall monitors the inbound internet traffic passing through the ports of your computer. Better products also monitor outbound traffic from your computer to the internet. As per above the best bet here is buy a firewall application as part of a security package which most vendors offer as standard. If a hardware firewall is included as part of your router package then you do not need anything else. A company called Zone Labs offer a great free firewall product called Zone Alarm which should be used as a minimum. Windows XP does now ship with a free firewall but the product does not monitor outbound communication and therefore I believe does not offer adequate protection.

5) Anti Spyware Tool – this software is the last piece in your basic internet security set up. This tool helps combat spyware and adware. There is a good mixture of free and paid versions on offer. Good free software include Microsoft’s Windows Defender, Spybot S&D or Ewido Anti-Malware. Ewido Anti-Malware is frequently recommended in computer help forums. Be careful if you decide to purchase a solution. There are a number of rogue vendors out there which aggressively push products which offer you little value. Stick to trusted names like Webroot’s Spy Sweeper or PC Tool’s Spyware Doctor. These products always come out well on independent tests.

Never Miss A Beat With ipod Case Protection

Music is life. Many people can name a song or an artist that have gotten them through a rough patch in life or enhanced a celebration. It is one of those elements to life that makes the world go around. Having it readily available at the touch of a button is why many people are drawn to iPods. In the event that something happened to that beloved iPod, life would come to a screeching halt. For that reason alone all iPod users should have ipod case protection in place.

A lot can happen in the course of one day. Add to that day interaction with children, pets, cars, desk drawers and coat pockets and it is easy to see how vulnerable iPods become. One of the best ways to protect that iPod is with screen covers. These tiny, transparent pieces of material pack a big punch in terms of keeping that beloved iPod safe against life. It is scratch resistant making it easy to keep that iPod around the children and the family pet.

Interference with the functionality of the iPod is non-existent. The screen covering is a mere .2 Millimeters thick allowing the users to easily see the main screen and navigate the menu options. The concept design came from the military where screen protectors were put in place on valuable assets without function interference. It is possible to receive a lifetime product guarantee ensuring the screen protection will never scratch, tear or dent through normal wear and tear use.

An additional feature of iPod covers is the ease of use. With the protective covering in place, users will find an easier grip on the iPod. Now it is possible to juggle the car keys, that bag of groceries and the children all without dropping the beloved iPod. Exercising is a breeze with the iPod kept securely in place during a run or strenuous workout. In addition to its strength feature, the iPod protection covers do not add bulkiness to the slim design. Having a protective covering for an iPod is the only sensible solution to iPod ownership.