Nov
19
Learn These Easy Tricks To Prevent Any Password Hacker’s Attack On You
November 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Your computer safety and security is not limited to anti-virus software, anti-spyware software, and firewalls, because the passwords themselves can be targeted by unauthorized people. It would be better for your overall security if you take the necessary precautions and means when it comes to dealing with password protection.
Hacking to retrieve your password is one of the ways intruders can attack your computer. Once they get your passwords they can access your online accounts, access your email to send and retrieve messages from your address, enter secure networks etc.
The most important thing to do, is to secure your files and folders, especially highly important ones with a password protection software. If these files are left unprotected, it would be easier for these intruders to get a hold of them and do what they want, or other users of your computer example your kids can accidentally move them or even delete them.
For added security, you need to change your passwords regularly, especially for your more important data. If your passwords remain the same for a long period of time, hackers and intruders would have an easier time figuring them out. By doing so, the intruders would have to start over again since you have a new password, thus making the possibility of frustrating them greater.
Using a number of different characters, especially the combination of letters, numbers, and symbols, can make it difficult for hackers to figure out your password. However, be sure to memorize the combination particularly if you change passwords regularly.
Do not use relevant information to you, such as your birth date, spouse’s name, car registration number and others as passwords. Because it is easier and quicker for them to figure out such passwords.
It would be to your advantage if you acquire a password encryption software. This software disguises passwords written in cleartext into ciphertext format, which is a combination of different symbols. On the other side, intruders try to create decryption softwares, which change the ciphertext back into cleartext that they can see and understand.
Password encryption software comes with various levels of security, some contains a higher level of encryption than others. Higher encryption levels would make it more difficult for the intruder to break in. Password encryption software can be purchased online or in your computer software shop.
In conclusion, securing your important files and folders with passwords, changing passwords regularly, using a combination of characters for passwords, and encrypting them through password encryption software, would guarantee your safety from password hackers.
Computer intruders and viruses should not be taken lightly at all, It would therefore be important for you to know the types of computer viruses available, in order to better protect yourself from them.
Find Out These Dangerous Computer Viruses so you can Always Guard Yourself Against them.
Article Source: Learn These Easy Tricks To Prevent Any Password Hacker’s Attack On You
Nov
17
Your Home Computer Will Be Safe and Secured If You Follow These Steps
November 17, 2008 | Leave a Comment
As a home computer user, you need to make sure that your computer is safe from any form of malicious online attack, including hacking. You might have important data including any identification in your computer which intruders can have access to. It is therefore very important for you to find out just how safe your computer is from these potential attacks.
Primarily, intruders target home computer users because:
(1) Home computer users typically don’t have security measures installed on them, which makes them easy targets. and
(2) They often have valuable information, such as credit card information stored which is enough to entice these intruders.
In addition, you have to know what types of attack to expect. Opening an unknown, seemingly innocent email or clicking on an ad-banner will sometimes put you at unwanted risk and open the door for intruders. Once they are in, they’re sometimes hard to get rid of, so your home computer security should start with you being careful about the things you do while connected to the Internet.
Besides being careful about which emails to open or not, and which ad-banners to click to or not, you should also be careful about sending valuable information over the Internet. Such information can be interception by a third party. It would be better to transmit really important information the old-fashioned way, unless you are very much confident in your security measures.
Next would be putting security measures on your computer. If your operating system is Microsoft Windows, Apple OS or LINUX you can get a free security updates and malicious software removal tools every month, which would be extremely helpful to you. There are monthly updates because the intruders always try to find a way to get around these security measures on regular basis.
After getting the free security updates of your operating system, you would need to get an anti-virus program, preferably one that has the greatest number of virus definitions you might need to purchase this. Viruses, aside from causing chaos to your computer, can also be used to retrieve information from you and spread out to attack other computers. By obtaining a high-quality anti-virus program, viruses would not be as much of a problem.
Since intruders are aware of the capabilities of anti-virus programs, they sometimes choose to use spyware, which are little bits of data that can be either potentially dangerous or annoying. It slows down your computer processes, and can retrieve data from you. To combat this, there are anti-spyware programs available, both for free -freeware and through purchase.
The final security measure is a firewall. Normally, anti-virus programs offer firewalls, so acquiring one should not be much of a problem. A firewall acts like a security guard and disallows outright entry to anything trying to access your computer even if it is a program, without asking for your confirmation.
Computer intruders and viruses should not be taken lightly at all, It would therefore be important for you to know the types of computer viruses available, in order to better protect yourself from them. Yes, Find Out These Dangerous Computer Viruses, so can Always Guard Yourself Against them. Yes, Find Out These Dangerous Computer Viruses so can Always Guard Yourself Against them.
Article Source: Your Home Computer Will Be Safe and Secured If You Follow These Steps
Oct
19
New Zealand seeks skilled farm workers
October 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment
More and more Irish students and experienced farm workers are using their farming skills to get paid to work and travel in New Zealand.
The New Zealand farming industry has been booming for years and few would dispute that it is the backbone of the New Zealand economy. Fonterra - New Zealand’s largest company by a long way - is also in the top five largest dairy companies in the world.
Intern Options have a range of positions available for those with farming experience to work throughout New Zealand. They can place you on one farm for the entire time or you can move around New Zealand taking time off in between jobs and experiencing this beautiful country.
This opportunity is perfect for students wanting to gain paid experience for their studies and future career, working holiday makers who want to earn some money and see New Zealand, experienced farm workers wanting to move into management positions.
You will be paid a minimum of €245 per week which is all spending money as all accommodation, food and travel to jobs is included in the package. The more experience you have the more you will be paid and there is always overtime going.
Intern Options will organise everything needed to get you from the Ireland to New Zealand including; accommodation, induction, bank account, assistance with visa, flights and advice.
For more information visit their website www.internoptions.com/farm.htm or if you have any questions or for an application form give them a call on +44 207 353 7699 or email info@internoptions.com
Article Source: New Zealand seeks skilled farm workers
Oct
3
How to avoid viruses
October 3, 2008 | Leave a Comment
They say “Prevention is better than cure”. Most causes of virus infections today happen through simple techniques that bad people use to trick you.
Since anti-viruses can’t always give the best protection, it is good if you know how to avoid viruses. I know a few basic techniques you can use how to easily spot viruses. These techniques have worked very well for me. In fact it has worked so good, that I’ve never had the need to install anti-virus software on my machine. Please note that I would never recommend not having anti-virus software, I am just saying that these techniques are extremely practical.
Common stuff people don’t know:
- You can’t get a virus by browsing a website. You can however get a virus by installing software the website asks you to install.
- You can’t get a virus by receiving an infected email and most of the time you also can’t get it by reading the email the normal way it is presented to you. Important: you will very likely get a virus by opening the attachment(s) of an infected email.
The bottom line of avoiding viruses:
1. Don’t ever install anything from a website if you do not know the website
2. If you receive an email and don’t know who it came from, simply delete it
1. Don’t ever install anything from a website if you do not know the website
One of my best friends was browsing a bad website 3 months ago (on his birthday actually) when he received a pop-up telling him that he has been infected with a virus and must immediately click here to install anti-virus software. Not knowing the signs, he followed the instructions and installed the virus (that was impersonating an anti-virus) on his system.
Soon after the virus was installed it told him that the supposedly ‘virus’ he had, could not be removed and that he needed other supposedly ‘better’ anti-virus software. Working along he was just helping the virus installing even more viruses on his system. Shame, I don’t think it was his best birthday.
First sign he missed: the pop-up was not from his system, but from the website. This is easy to spot. If you use internet explorer to view websites, there will always be a ‘Windows Internet Explorer’ in the top of the pop-up window somewhere.
Second sign: The website he was browsing was bad. Websites that have questionable content, such as pirated software or adult content are bad.
Hint: If you are not sure if a website is safe, type the name of the website in Google. If it’s a trap, plenty other more trustworthy websites will have warnings on their websites and Google is the way to locate those warnings.
2. If you receive an email and don’t know who it came from, simply delete it
This is extremely important if the email has any form of attachment or a link to a website to download something! Don’t be fooled by any promises, guarantees or emotional heart breaking stories – they are all lies!
Other less common ways of getting viruses:
- From friends
If a friend brings you software on a flash disk, you must think twice before installing the software. Does the person have good anti-virus software? (Remember: good trustworthy friends can also accidentally give you viruses)
- Website impersonations
Watch out for fake websites. The easiest way to spot a fake website is to analyse the address of the website, which is always displayed at the top of your internet browser.
How an internet address (also known as URL) works:
It consists out of 3 parts: The “http://”, the “domains” and the path
It always starts with http://, so you can just ignore that part of the address
The domains are the part after that up until the first “/” character and the path are the rest.
Example: http://www.google.com/accounts
Domain = www.google.com
Path = /accounts
The path simply says where on the current server the page is, so the important part is the domain, because this actually says which server to use.
A domain is always divided by “.” characters, for example “mail.google.com”.
Start from the right. So “com” would be the first domain (known as the top level domain or TLD). The guy who controls this domain controls all the ones that are beneath it. The .com registry is currently controlled by ICANN.
The second level domain is “google.com” and is logically controlled by Google (but ICANN can bypass them if they want). And the third one is “mail.google.com” and is also controlled by Google.
The important lesson here is if a website address is http://mail.google.123web123.com or http://secure.bank.123web123.com it belongs to 123web123.com and not Google or your bank! Therefore the website can impersonate the real websites to get you to log in details or to ask you to install viruses! Also watch out for any strange characters like the “@” in the domain name. Most of the time, this is associated with fake websites.
- Fake links
People can send you an email with a link that looks like a legitimate link, but actually links to a completely different website. Here is a perfect example: http://www.google.com
It looks like Google’s website address, but if you click on it, it takes you to http://www.yahoo.com!
The easiest way to spot this is to move with your mouse over the link without clicking on it. On the bottom left corner of your screen it should show the correct link you are actually going to go to when you click on it!
Also remember the section above on how internet addresses work. An address could actually be the address you are visiting, but not the people you thought owned it.
Also Google a website or a website address if you are not sure. This is a safe way to find out which 3rd parties know about them.
About anti-virus software:
I would currently recommend AVG. Its free, doesn’t slow down your computer too much and relatively up to date.
Majority shareholder in Matogen Corporate Web Development (www.matogen.com). Studied electronic engineering, computer sciences & industrial engineering at the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Started first web development business in November 2003. Have a passion for business and adding value to other busnesses.
Article Source: How to avoid viruses
Sep
30
Essential Tips For Secure Online Trading
September 30, 2008 | Leave a Comment
The internet has caused a sensational boom in the business world by allowing individuals and businesses to conduct online trading with customers all over the world. The most exciting aspect of doing online trading is that it can be done from the comfort of your home. Unfortunately, just as in real life, unscrupulous minds have soured the fun for everyone by engaging in the criminal activities of internet fraud and theft of sensitive financial information of customers. Doing online business seems like a daunting prospect to the uninitiated who has little or no knowledge of the basics of secure trading. However, things are not as grim as they might seem. It is very easy to protect ourselves from internet fraud by taking care to follow certain precautions when doing business online. One of the first things to do before going ahead with a trade deal on the internet is to perform a background search on the business you will be dealing with. Such information can be gleaned from the various credit agencies and trade institutes. If still in doubt, you can also seek out information from the chambers of commerce.
It’s always an excellent idea to ask as many questions as possible. Legitimate traders will be quite eager to answer all your queries pertaining to their business and will even provide references on demand. Since appearances can be very deceptive, don’t be fooled by a really attractive website into believing that the company is honest. Be especially wary if the company provides only a fax number and an email with no further contact information. Although scammers are found everywhere, be especially suspicious of companies based in third world countries. Promises that seem too good to be true are usually a sign that the company is very interested in getting their hands on your money. Only go through with the deal after carefully verifying such a company’s authenticity from third parties. Scammers usually try to entice buyers by posting items in great demand at ridiculously low prices.
Buyers should request a sample to judge the quality of the product and ensure that it meets their needs. Sellers shouldn’t send samples to unknown buyers without asking for a small fee. If a buyer requests to complete the transaction using multiple credit card numbers, it’s usually a sure sign that the numbers are stolen. If you suspect that you have become a victim of fraud, try contacting your trading partner through telephone to resolve the situation. Most traders are honest and may inadvertently have given you the wrong information due to language and cultural differences. Beware of traders who want to rush the trade. Legitimate traders are usually very patient and can wait a long time before the deal is finalized. You can use this time to verify the true identity of the trader and ask around to see if anyone has had bad experiences in dealing with this particular trader. If you get defrauded even after following all the aforementioned tips of secure trading, it is best to notify the relevant law enforcement authorities and hope that justice is served.
Liam Derbyshire is the founder of http://www.miraclesformen.com.The site is dedicated to helping individuals to improve their health and fitness. This site is based on Secure Trading.
Article Source: Essential Tips For Secure Online Trading
Sep
20
Job Search Engines – What Are The Best Job Search Engines?
September 20, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Times are definitely tough economically and many of us have either lost our jobs or are in danger of losing them. Looking for new jobs can be a challenge. Local newspapers seem to have smaller and smaller ‘help wanted’ sections and rarely carry listings for opportunities that are beyond your local area. The solution could be job search engines.
What are Job Search Engines/Websites?
Job search websites are massive databases of available job listings which can be searched through by job seekers like you. The jobs can be searched in a wide variety of ways, including by location, job title, company name, experience required, field or industry, and more. You can even combine criteria to help you pin down your search more specifically.
These online search engines are even better because they are usually free to use. Many also provide additional services, such as job advice and resume posting for no additional charge.
The Pros and Cons of Job Search Engines
Job search engines have plenty of advantages. For example, you can search through new listings 24/7. You don’t have to wait for the morning paper to scour the ads. Plus, employers can post new jobs 24/7 so you’re more likely to see fresh opportunities daily instead of in local papers.
Another benefit is the searching capabilities. You don’t have to browse through all of the listings to find the ones that are best suited for you. Plus, most job search engines allow you to customize your search requirements and have daily or weekly job updates sent directly to your email so you’ll always know when an interesting position becomes available. You can also act faster.
Job search engines also make it easy to apply online which saves you time (your application is delivered instantly to the eager employer) and money (you don’t have to print your resume or use a stamp).
Unfortunately, there are some disadvantages. Most of the job search engine databases contain tons of legitimate jobs from well-respected companies but you’ll also find quite a few get-rich-quick scams, too.
Another disadvantage is that some job search engines do not keep their listings updated. You’re likely to find postings for many ads that were filled a long time ago. That can be frustrating. However, most of the engines do allow you to organize your search by most recently posted opportunities which improves your chances of finding available work.
Choosing the Best Job Search Websites
Currently, the best job search engines available are Monster.com and Yahoo’s Hotjobs.com. Both of these sites provide all of the advantages above, plus plenty of extra features such as the free resume posting which will increase your odds of landing a great job. Additionally, these are two of the biggest names in the industry so companies that are going to post their job openings online will most likely do so at either one or both of these sites before anywhere else.
Finally, you’re going to find the most search options at these sites and both will email you news about recent postings that meet your specifications. That makes it easier to find a new job even in a competitive market.
There’s more on job search engines here including information about the best job search websites, Monster and the Yahoo job search engine.
Article Source: Job Search Engines – What Are The Best Job Search Engines?
Sep
19
Hospitality: Best Sources For Hospitality Job Listings
September 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Hospitality careers are in demand everywhere. As globalization continues to develop, so does the industry of hospitality. This is why the demand for workers in this field also evolved and has grown tremendously.
If you would want to look for a position in this kind of expertise, then the best bet you have would be hospitality job listings. There are a number of sources in which you can find such kind of listings. As a guide, here are some of them.
The Internet
The Internet is one good source to find job listings. There are basically two kinds of job listings that you can choose from, if you’ll be searching via the World Wide Web. First there is the generalized job listing and second there is the specialized job listing
The good thing about going online and searching for jobs is that you get to access various sources. You also get to check out the companies first before you even go and apply. Additionally, it has been a trend already that you can apply via the Internet. All you have to do is send them your resume via email. They’ll contact you if your resume passes or not.
This is a real time saver and money saver! You save both time and money by not needing to go to the company’s office just to give your resume. At least, while you wait for their response, you can have the liberty to browse other job offerings from other companies.
Generalized Job Listing
The generalized ones are basically Web sites online that offer free classified ads for different categories. Thus, not only could you find hospitality positions but also other fields of work too like education, Internet based programs, health services and a lot more.
However, you don’t have to worry finding the position you like as if it were a needle in a haystack. Web sites like these are most of the time organized by categories. They also usually have search boxes, so all you have to do is type it in and you get the results.
Nevertheless, this kind of source does not guarantee you that they would have what need; unless if they are a popular Web site and a lot of employers have posted their ads in the site.
Specialized Listings
These one would be Web sites that are specially made just for hospitality job searching. Here you could be sure that all the employers posting their ads are really inclined in the hospitality industry and are really looking for people who can work with them in the industry. There is a bigger chance for you to find more offerings in this kind of listing, compared to the general one.
Your News Paper
Although it may seem low-tech, the news paper is still a pretty good and reliable choice. The classified ads section is also organized and all you have to do is look for the category of Tourism/Hospitality. However, news paper is only great if you’re looking for a local position around your area. If you want an international one, the Internet is still the best way to go.
Companies And Recruitment Agencies
Sometimes companies themselves and recruitment agencies post openings; try browsing through their Web site or visiting their office to see if they have something posted.
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Article Source: Hospitality: Best Sources For Hospitality Job Listings
Sep
18
What You Need To Know To Prevent Identity Theft
September 18, 2008 | Leave a Comment
So you’re on your computer browsing the internet, chatting away with your friends with instant messaging and then suddenly a new window pops up. Normally you would instantly close the window but the message that was on it intrigued you so you click on it and continue clicking until you arrive to a fill-out form. You mindlessly fill it out and then click the send button. Congratulations, your personal information has just been given out to the world for anyone to use.
Luckily for you they really can’t do much with such pointless information except send you a lot of spam email that will just annoy you. But this is nothing compared to when you get your identity stolen from you. From public information such as your name, address and phone numbers people will take more personal information such as bank account numbers, credit card numbers and social security numbers.
Scary, isn’t it? But it’s the truth. And these people are doing it without you even knowing that you are a victim of identity theft. But the main concern is the people who are getting their identity stolen are at fault as well. They fall victims of identity theft because of their gullibility and ignorance of how scary the dark side of the world can really be.
One way of becoming a victim of identity theft is to have your wallet or purse stolen. This wouldn’t be a problem if people knew about how people can steal your identity but there will always be people out there who are clueless of how people can steal your identity until it is too late. There are people out there who carry incredibly sensitive personal information that can compromise their security. One such item people are often known to carry is their social security card. With this an anonymous person can take the identity of another person and have access to many of their assets such as their savings and credit. Therefore it is wise to NOT carry such sensitive information with you.
Another way people can have their identity stolen is to buy items online from shady locations such as a store where things don’t seem right whether it is an actual walk-in type store or even an online store. Most likely it will be some shady online store where you can have crucial information stolen from you such as your credit card number and many other information that can ruin your life. Before you decide to buy a product over the internet you should make sure that the retailer you are buying your product from is a certified retailer or you might be just handing them a blank check to your credit or savings.
People are too trusting these days but that doesn’t meant that you need to be paranoid into thinking that everyone out in the world is your enemy. The best way to overcome this situation is to think for yourself rationally and choose the best decision available to you. Also keep in mind that not all the choices are laid about blatantly in front of you. Just because you don’t see it doesn’t mean that it’s not there. There are alternative choices you can make to make sure you don’t become a victim to identity theft.
Fred Jones
Identity Theft
Article Source: What You Need To Know To Prevent Identity Theft
Sep
18
How to Avoid Getting Caught in the “Phish” Net
September 18, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Phishing is a scam used by identity thieves to trick you into providing your sensitive personal or financial information. Thieves use official looking emails to impersonate trusted entities like banks, credit card companies, and online resources like ebay or PayPal. These emails are used to lure unsuspecting consumers to a particular website through a link where they will be asked to enter their information. According to a study done in 2006, approximately 109 million people received a phishing email of some sort in that year.
To protect yourself from falling victim to a phishing scam, it’s important to be very cautious with your personal information including your usernames and passwords. Some phishing scams divert you to a fraudulent website designed to look like your bank’s website or a similar trusted source. When you enter you username/password and other information, that information is transmitted to the con artist, who can abuse it later on.
Be very suspicious of any emails you receive from trusted entities like your bank. If the email contains a link, don’t click on it. Deceptive links that mimic legitimate URL addresses are a common tools con artist use in phishing scams. While these addresses may look official, they usually contain inconspicuous differences that redirect you to a fraudulent site. Instead of clicking on the link, type in the web address of the institution into the browser yourself to access the website.
Look out for common phishing language in emails like “Verify your account.” Legitimate businesses will not send you an email to ask for your login information or sensitive personal information. Also, look out for emails that try to convey a sense of urgency. Warnings that your account has been compromised, for example, are a common way to lure victims. Again, contact the company directly to inquire about such emails rather than using any link or other contact information provided in the email. Finally, be wary of any email that does not address you directly. While some phishing scams will use your name in the email, many are sent out as spam messages to thousands at a time. Most legitimate businesses will use your first and/or last name in all communication.
It’s good practice to look at all the email you receive from businesses with a suspicious eye. Getting sucked into a phishing scam can cost you thousands of dollars and a good amount of your valuable time to find a remedy if a remedy is even possible. Even the most vigilant consumers can be momentarily fooled by a cunning con artist, however. It’s always practical to have a safety measure in place just in case. ID TheftSmart from Comodo can be that safety measure. With ID TheftSmart, you can rest assured that your identity and your credit are constantly being monitored for fraudulent activity. You will be notified the moment something suspicious happens with one of your accounts. Additionally, if you do fall victim to a Phishing scam or some other type of Identity Theft, ID TheftSmart does most of the work to repair the damage
Vijayanand working as a online marketing co-ordinator in ID Theft team in Comodo, a leading internet security provider, offers a real time Identity Theft Prevention and Identity Fraud restoration services among others.
Article Source: How to Avoid Getting Caught in the “Phish” Net
Sep
18
How Firewalls Work
September 18, 2008 | Leave a Comment
At their most basic, firewalls work like a filter between your computer/network and the Internet. You can program what you want to get out and what you want to get in. Everything else is not allowed. There are several different methods firewalls use to filter out information, and some are used in combination. These methods work at different layers of a network, which determines how specific the filtering options can be.
Firewalls can be used in a number of ways to add security to your home or business. Large corporations often have very complex firewalls in place to protect their extensive networks. On the outbound side, firewalls can be configured to prevent employees from sending certain types of emails or transmitting sensitive data outside of the network. On the inbound side, firewalls can be programmed to prevent access to certain websites (like social networking sites). Additionally, firewalls can prevent outside computers from accessing computers inside the network. A company might choose to designate a single computer on the network for file sharing and all other computers could be restricted. There is no limit to the variety of configurations that are possible when using firewalls. Extensive configurations typically need to be handle and maintained by highly trained IT specialists, however.
For home use, firewalls work much more simply. The main goal of a personal firewall is to protect your personal computer and private network from malicious mischief. malware, malicious software, is the primary threat to your home computer. Viruses are often the first type of malware that comes to mind. A virus can be transmitted to your computer through email or over the Internet and can quickly cause a lot of damage to your files. Other malware includes trojan horse programs and spyware. These programs are usually designed to acquire your personal information for the purposes of identity theft of some kind. There are two ways a firewall can prevent this from happening. It can allow all traffic to pass through except data that meets a predetermined set of criteria, or it can prohibit all traffic unless it meets a predetermined set of criteria.
Comodo Firewall Pro uses the latter way to prevent malware from installing on your computer. This free software Firewall, from a leading global security solutions provider and certification authority, use the patent pending “Clean PC Mode” to prohibit any applications from being installed on your computer unless it meets one of two criteria. Those criteria are a) the user gives permission for the installation and b) the application is on an extensive list of approved applications provided by Comodo. With this feature, you don’t have to worry about unauthorized programs installing on your computer without your knowledge.
Comodo Firewall Pro is rated as Top Firewall recommended for both beginners and advanced users. It has a number of unique features including “Defense +,” an advanced host Intrusion Prevention system (HIPS), which prevents changes to critical system resources. This software is highly customizable, so that you can adjust it to suit your specific needs.
Vijayanand working as a online marketing co-ordinator in ID Theft team in Comodo, a leading internet security provider, offers a real time Identity Theft Prevention and Identity Fraud restoration services among others.
Article Source: How Firewalls Work




