Protecting Information and Data on the European Grid

July 16, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Current Computer Setup

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The European Grid is a complex technological infrastructure that allows computer users and researchers to access various computer resources all over the European continent. Even though this is a vast computer system that connects thousands of users, it doesn’t mean that it is 100% safe and secure. Users of the European Grid still need to practice safe Internet browsing to make sure they protect their data, documents and identity.

Here are some tips to help you practice safe Internet browsing while on the European Grid.

Up to Date Anti-Virus Software

The European Grid might be a close-knit computer system but viruses and malicious software can still get into the system. When a computer user accidently downloads a virus or malicious software program all data and documents can be destroyed or harmed. By having the latest anti-virus program on your computer, you can detect viruses and safely remove them before they destroy anything on the computer.

Only Give Information Through Secure Encrypted Sites

When transferring data and information over the European Grid you should make sure that you are using a safe, secure and encrypted website. Encrypted websites will scramble the information so only the receiving website can decode it. This prevents hackers and identity thieves from being able to retrieve your information and data without you knowing it.

Practicing safe document and information transfers while on the European Grid is extremely important as sensitive information and data is being sent from place to place. Following these tips will help make sure that information doesn’t fall in the wrong hands.

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Recognizing and Avoiding Rogue Security Software

January 21, 2011 by Leave a Comment
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There are plenty of great things about using the Internet, but there are a few things you have to watch out for. One of them is hacking. Hackers will try to get into your computer and cause you problems in just about any way they can find. They even create fake antivirus software, often called rogue security software, in an effort to get you to spend money on something that isn’t even going to help or protect your computer in any way. Don’t fall for that kind of scam – and don’t give hackers the chance to get it onto your computer. Instead, make sure that you’re using good, legitimate virus protection.

If you’re not sure what to get, there are several things to consider. You don’t want to pay too much, but you want quality and security. To get what you’re looking for, you should download PC Tools Free Antivirus. You don’t need to put in personal information or credit card information to use it, so you won’t feel like any of your information is being compromised or put at risk because it’s on the Internet. You also don’t have to worry about paying for a subscription to something that you have to keep renewing. Forgetting could put you at risk, so it’s nice not to have that concern.

It can sometimes be hard to tell whether an antivirus program is a fake or whether it’s something legitimate. A recent fake is System Tool. It pops up and insists that there are viruses on your computer. It ‘scans,’ and then tells you it can remove them for a fee. Many people don’t realize it’s a fake, so they pay the fee and assume that they’re protected. In reality, the company has their money and they still have no virus protection at all.

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Be Sure A Website Is Secure Before Entering Personal Information

December 18, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Although there are many stories of people having their personal data and credit card numbers stolen via the internet, it is actually quite safe if you if you follow basic precautions. Information can be stolen through hacking, but is usually acquired through much less sophisticated methods. One way that thieves can access data is by duping internet users into using fake or non-secure websites.

Whenever you enter your personal information such as your address, birth date, social security number or financial information, make sure that the site is secure. In the address bar of the browser window, the website address will begin with http. Secure pages begin with https. The s should appear when you get to a page that asks you to enter your information into a form. These pages will encrypt the information, making it invisible as it travels from server to server. Encryption scrambles the data making it unreadable through a virtually unbreakable code

Some vendors may also use proprietary, third-party services to add another layer of security to their sites. These sites will display an icon in the lower right corner of the page to indicate that protection measures are in place and that your information will be transmitted securely.

Shopping sites should make you create a password before you enter your credit card information. This extra step may be inconvenient, but it is for your protection. Sites with the highest security do not see, know or record your password. If you forget it, they can’t tell it to you. They can generate and email you a new one, which you should change as soon as you can. Although this also seems inconvenient, sites that do not store password information are more secure.

Always verify the site’s security before entering any information. Legitimate companies want you to shop safely with them, and put these security measures in place to protect your information.

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Why Your Computer Anti-Virus Software Constantly Updates

December 15, 2010 by Leave a Comment

If you are running a reliable anti-virus program on your computer, you may be annoyed by how many updates you have to download and how often it scans your system. While it may seem inconvenient, the fact is that frequent updates are actually a sign of an effective anti-virus program.

Because the people who create viruses are constant thinking up new ways to harm the rest of us, antivirus developers have to work twice as hard to keep up with new viruses and malicious programs. Because they can’t know what the bad guys will think up next, they can only work in response to viruses that are already out there.

Unfortunately, they bad guys are constantly at work. Anti-virus programs have to be constantly revised, added to and improved in order to keep up with the number of viruses that are created and discovered on a daily basis.

When you purchase an anti-virus product, you are not just buying a license for software, you are buying protection for a period of time, usually a year. This means that you are entitled to all the upgrades and improvements that are needed to keep your computer safe. As soon as viruses are discovered, the anti-virus company creates a fix, which is then passed on to you.

Anti-virus software is not static: it is constantly changing and improving. The updates are there to provide you with the latest fixes and to keep your computer safe from new discoveries. It is also designed to scan your system frequently to detect new viruses. This keeps your computer safe, and prevents the virus from spreading to others.

While it may seem inconvenient, it’s important to remember that frequent updates are a sign of an effective anti-virus tool. It means you are getting your money’s worth from the product and that it is actively trying to provide you with the best protective measures.

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Advances in Computer Security for Home Users

December 14, 2010 by Leave a Comment

It used to be that we just opened the box, plugged in the computer and went to work. Then came additional layers of security and the need for passwords, then more complicated passwords, and now passwords for nearly every site we access.

While this has worked well for keeping our data private, its applications are limited. Most people don’t need sophisticated security measures for their home computers, simply because the computers aren’t accessible by strangers. But what if the computer is stolen or lost?

Computers and electronic devices are the type of items thieves and burglars target. Many owners thought their laptops were safely locked in their car’s trunk. Unfortunately, when the car was stolen, so was the laptop. Countless laptops have been left in taxicabs and hotel rooms, or lost by airlines.

The new generation of home computers incorporates biometrics as a security device. These computers use fingerprint scanners to identify legitimate users, eliminating the need to think up (and remember) elaborate passwords. A user simply places his finger on the reader pad, and the image serves as a password. The greatest benefit is that the computer cannot be powered up without the owner’s fingerprint.

Fingerprint scanners are targeted primarily to people who use their computers for business and handle sensitive company data. Those who travel with their laptops always have a greater risk of having computers lost or stolen. But fingerprint readers are valuable for the average home user as well. No one wants a thief or a nosy cab driver looking at his or her photos, emails, or internet surfing history.

New developments in biometric security include hand print readers, retina scanners and facial recognition. While they are already in use for the most secure computer applications (government and military computer systems) it is just a matter of time before the technology becomes an affordable and common feature on home computers.

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Computer-Sharing Advice For Parents

December 10, 2010 by Leave a Comment

People with children in their households need to take certain precautions when using the internet. If you share a computer with children there are some steps you can take to protect your children, your computer and your privacy.

Remember that all internet activity leaves electronic footprints. Even though it does not involve personally identifiable information, advertisers often use the search terms you enter to display related advertisements. If you search for adult-related topics, even those of a clinical nature, you kids may see ads related to these search terms in a later browsing session. Make sure you use a private browsing session when you use the internet. Also, use your browser’s option tab to delete your search history, cache and cookies.

Always make sure to completely log out of banking, shopping and auction sites. If you have stored your credit card information on a shopping site, a child can inadvertently purchase an item. They could also see your credit card or bank account balances. Always log out of a site and then close the browser window.

If you belong to discussion forums that involve touchy, controversial or personal subjects, be sure to make your password difficult to guess. Don’t use names of household pets or school names. Choose something that only you and not your entire family would know. The best passwords are nonsense works or phrases.

If you visit sites you would rather your child did not see, be sure to delete your internet history. Many kids are more internet-savvy than you think, and may be nosy or just plain curious.

Explain to children not to download software, ring tones, music or other files without your permission. Children don’t understand the damage that viruses and malware can do. If necessary, block access to this type of website using your browser’s security settings, or install a customizable internet filter that prevents downloads from sites that are known to be harmful.

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Internet Safety

December 4, 2010 by Leave a Comment
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More than 90% of the world’s population uses the Internet in some capacity. The internet is such a great place to find Phoenix apartments at great rates.  Even if you don’t spend hours searching the Internet, you probably have an email account or have used a search engine to look up some information on Phoenix apartments. As with anything that becomes popular, there are crooks and cons that try to take advantage of this popular technology and use it to get personal information from unsuspecting users. 

To make sure that you don’t fall victim to these crooks and cons it is a good idea to take extra Internet security measures to make sure that you are not falling a victim to these types of crimes. Here are some Internet security tips that you can do to make sure that you are practicing good Internet habits. 

Clear Internet Cache. Clearing the cookies and cache on your Internet will get rid of any type of software or tracking cookies that can track your habits. This way no one will be able to know if you look at video games or Phoenix apartments, everything appears blank to them. 

Spyware. Everyone knows that running a virus scan on a computer is important. However, they do not know the importance of running a spyware check on their computer. Spyware can track typing, passwords and slow the computer down. Running a check for spyware will help you keep your Internet habits safe and secure. 

Check URLS. A lot of information is stolen by people going to sites they assume are legitimate and they are phishing sites. Always check the URL of the site you are heading to as many phishing sites are not the actual URL but a variation of it. 

Encrypt Information. Always make sure that all information you are sending is encrypted. This will scramble up the information and make it much more difficult for hackers to intercept personal information.

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Privacy in the Internet Age

October 10, 2010 by Leave a Comment
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Where one day a person could be adequately assured that nobody would know anything about him, as a unique individual, beyond what limited information transferred in the form of rumors or self advertisement – we now have entire business founded on the concept of target advertising. Businesses collect information about individuals, through offers of “free” goods or through services such as social networking sites.
Some would call it an encroachment on privacy – after all, how many people actually read the numerous terms of service agreements to which they have “click to agree.” The typical user simply wants to get to his or her service or good, and often doesn’t even realize that doing so means that somebody else will be harvesting his/her personal information for private financial enterprise. Of course, the case of negligence simply doesn’t hold in a court of law and these various service providers are well within their right to collect, and often even to sell, the personal information of the members of their service.

The deteriorating nature of individual consumer privacy, due to the internet, has only been exacerbated. But it isn’t all bad for the end users. Sure, as a matter of principal, you may not want information sold pertaining to yourself – especially when you can’t have direct access to the financial motivation to giving it away. But in turn, users are often able to receive ads that they actually will consider, deals that they would’ve otherwise missed out on products that they’ve long wanted to purchase and services that they had considered signing up for but simply had forgotten. The nature of targeted advertising means also that it isn’t so obvious that the advertising is in fact what it is, advertising. And though in a way that may seem sinister, for the end user, the internet revolution of private information may well be beneficial in several respects.

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