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Posts Tagged ‘Computers and Internet’

What Is Anonymous Web Surfing?

February 22nd, 2010 Suzy Quid No comments

Many IT security professionals agree that, even in this day and age, the Internet still has some security and privacy issues, so that some people have opted for anonymous web surfing. Simply put, this is using the Internet without revealing information such as the browser you are using, your IP address, your computer system, your location, etc.

It might not be obvious to you, especially if you are not technically inclined, but whenever you visit a website, you are allowing the server at the other end to get your IP address. It does not make sense to prevent this, because without your IP address, the server running the website that you are visiting will not know where to return information to you, and all you will see in your browser is a blank page or an error message. Aside from your IP address, your browsing history of the website (i.e. times you visited the website, links you clicked, data you entered) are recorded by the other server. Typically, companies use this kind of information for statistical, marketing, technical or legal purposes. Your company or school may have some Internet usage policies that necessitate the configuration of servers and firewalls to keep track of your Internet activities.

Anonymous surfing is done through an anonymous browser based proxy (a.k.a anonymizing proxy). This kind of website allows you to enter the URL of the web page or website that you want to visit, and the service will direct you to it while hiding your information from the other server. The website you visited will have no way to determine your IP address or location, because it would seem that all requests for information came from the proxy.

But how anonymous can you get using these services? Although companies offering these assure you that your information will not be leaked, it is not unrealistic that law enforcement agencies will use this technique for surveillance purposes and will most likely have access to these records.

Also, you might get away with anonymous web surfing for while in your office or school, but sooner or later, the system administrator will notice that you are using an anonymizing proxy and even see the websites you visited embedded in the URL sent to the proxy or from DNS queries. This will definitely put you on a watch list and may be grounds for disciplinary action.

More importantly, anonymous surfing is not the same as encrypting sensitive information such as login credentials (i.e. username, password) and credit card details when transmitted over the Internet. Some users may lulled into a false sense of security and will not know that the credit card information they typed in are unencrypted and easily retrieved by hackers or server administrators with malicious plans.

Do your homework on what to look for in a web proxy service for anonymous surfing. Check on the stability of the companies offering these services, since the current list changes constantly. Consider also the price. Some services can be had for free, while others are not. If it’s free, see if you’re getting the full or limited version. It may be that only the limited version is free, and you must pay one or more fees to get the full version.

The bottom line: anonymous web surfing has its uses, but it is up to you to weigh these uses against your needs to ensure that potentially bigger problems will not occur.

A PC cleaner can be a great way to reduce your risks against potential threats. Mitch Stenson is an experienced publisher who can help you minimize risk by using anonymous web surfing with a VPN. If you would like more information about this and other related topics search the internet and you can find just about everything you could think of.

Biometrics The Greatest Way To Identify Individuals And Create Better Security For Your Company

February 8th, 2010 Paul Guckian No comments

Biometrics is, generally, the subject of what can be measured of your biological features. As it pertains to computer security, biometrics has to do with authentication techniques that employ distinguishing physical features that can be mechanically substantiated.

Biometrics has fast emerged as a new technology for identification and has presently found practical applications in most hi-tech security fields. It is this particular aspect of the technique that we have selected to concentrate on. We seek to explain how easily biometrics can be utilized for security measures and authentication in assorted places.

A very large thought among the multitudes is that, Biometrics is available only for the rich and individuals with loads of cash. But that is a long way from reality. Biometrics other than being very efficient, is also very cost-efficient.

Utilizing biometrics for discovering and certifying human beings, offers some unequaled advantages. Exclusively, biometric authentication provides an identification on an intrinsic character of a persons body. Soon to be relics, similar to smart cards, magnetic stripe cards, physical keys, and so on, can be left at home or duplicated. Keywords can be shared or forgotten.

Finger print electronic scanners are the most widely utilized biometric devices. These devices moved into the mainstream a couple of years ago, when manufacturers began implanting the technology in laptops and regular computer keyboards, as well as offering stand-alone scanners for a wide range of security applications.

Fingerprints stay unaltered throughout an individuals life. In over 140 years of print comparison from all over the world, no two individuals prints have ever been noticed to be the same, not even the fingerprints of identical twins. Really good fingerprint scanners have been put in PDAs like the iPaq Pocket PC, so the reader technology is even easy. They may not function properly in industrial applications since it calls for clean hands to perform properly.

There is also voice biometrics. Similar face recognition, voice biometrics creates a way to verify an individuals identity without the subject’s knowledge. It is much simpler to fool (by recording peoples voices), it’s not possible to take advantage of an analyst by imitating another person’s voice.

In summary, biometrics has become available to every individual at all different price ranges.

Find out more about biometric security at his website on: information management security.

Biometrics The Greatest Way To Identify Individuals And Create Better Security For Your Company

February 7th, 2010 Paul Guckian No comments

Biometrics is, generally, the analysis of what can be measured of your biological features. When it comes to computer security, biometrics has to do with certification techniques that utilize differentiating physical features that can be automatically affirmed.

Biometrics has fast emerged as a new technology for identification and has presently found practical applications in most hi-tech security fields. It is this particular aspect of the technique that we have selected to concentrate on. We seek to explain how easily biometrics can be utilized for security measures and authentication in assorted places.

A rather normal misconception amongst the flocks is that, Biometrics is available only for the rich and individuals with huge pockets. But that is a long way from the reality. Biometrics other than being very efficient, is likewise very cost-efficient.

Utilizing biometrics for discovering and authenticating different people, provides some unequaled rewards. Exclusively, biometric authentication provides an identification on an intrinsic character of a persons body. Soon to be relics, such as smart cards, magnetic stripe cards, normal keys, and so on, can be left at home or duplicated. Keywords can be forgotten or observed.

Fingerprint electronic scanners are the most normally applied biometric devices. They made there way into the mainstream several years ago, when producers started designing the technology into laptops and normal computer keyboards, along with providing stand-alone designs for a variety of security applications.

A persons prints remain unaltered throughout a persons life. With over 140 years of print comparing worldwide, no two individuals fingerprints have ever been encountered to be identical, not even the fingerprints of identical twins. Good fingerprint readers have been put in PDAs like the iPaq Pocket PC, so the scanning technology is even unproblematic. Might not work in industrial applications due to the fact that it calls for clean hands to operate properly.

There is also voice biometrics. Similar face recognition, voice biometrics creates a way to verify an individuals identity without the subject’s knowledge. It is much simpler to fool (by recording peoples voices), it’s not possible to take advantage of an analyst by imitating another person’s voice.

To sum up, biometrics has become available to every person at all ranges of prices.

Find out more about biometric security at his website on: information management security.

Biometrics The New Way To Identify Individuals And Create Better Security For Your Business or Even Your Home

February 2nd, 2010 Paul Guckian No comments

Biometrics is, generally, the subject of what can be measured of your biological features. As it pertains to computer security, biometrics has to do with authentication techniques that utilize distinguishing physical features that can be mechanically substantiated.

Biometrics has fast emerged as a new technology for identification and has presently found practical applications in most hi-tech security fields. It is this particular aspect of the technique that we have selected to concentrate on. We seek to explain how easily biometrics can be utilized for security measures and authentication in assorted places.

A rather normal misconception amongst the flocks is that, Biometrics is available only for the rich and individuals with huge pockets. But that is a long way from the reality. Biometrics other than being very efficient, is likewise very cost-efficient.

Utilizing biometrics for discovering and authenticating different people, provides some unequaled rewards. Exclusively, biometric authentication provides an identification on an intrinsic character of a persons body. Soon to be relics, such as smart cards, magnetic stripe cards, normal keys, and so on, can be left at home or duplicated. Keywords can be forgotten or observed.

Fingerprint electronic scanners are the most normally applied biometric devices. They made there way into the mainstream several years ago, when producers started designing the technology into laptops and normal computer keyboards, along with providing stand-alone designs for a variety of security applications.

A persons prints remain the same throughout life. In over 140 years of print comparison worldwide, no two individuals prints have ever been encountered to be identical, not even those of identical twins. Good fingerprint readers have been put in PDAs like the iPaq Pocket PC, so the scanning technology is also unproblematic. Might not operate in industrial applications due to the fact that it needs clean hands to operate properly.

There is also voice biometrics. Similar face recognition, voice biometrics creates a way to verify an individuals identity without the subject’s knowledge. It is much simpler to fool (by recording peoples voices), it’s not possible to take advantage of an analyst by imitating another person’s voice.

To sum up, biometrics has become available to every person at all ranges of prices.

Find out more about uk biometric at his website on: information management security.

6 Simple Steps To A Faster Computer!

October 16th, 2009 Jim Taylor No comments

Here are six simple steps which, if followed, will result in faster peformance and a more secure computing environment.

1. If you have never used keyboard shortcuts, now is the time to try. These can save you lots of time and extra mouse movement! Take Windows + M for example. This simple shortcut minimises all open windows in one quick sequence. Imagine how long it would take to click minimise on each of ten open windows. Windows + E open Windows Explorer directly. Windows + L locks your computer if you need to leave your desk.

2. Another repetative timewaster in Windows is the delete confirmation message. It is one of the most annoying and unnecessary prompts you will encounter. In the course of an average computing month you will have told Windows hundreds of times that yes, you really do want to delete that file! To switch off this nag, right click on the Recycle Bin and untick the option to display the delete confirmation dialog.

3. Run Windows defragmenter at regular intervals to keep hard disk performance in good shape.The defragmenter does this by physically organizing the contents of the disk to store the pieces of each file close together on the hard drive. This results in noticably faster performance. Do a defrag once a month, or better still schedule this task (you can do this if you’re using Vista).

4.Keep Windows updated. Hackers constantly find new ways to attack your PC with viri & other attacks. Microsoft develops security updates and patches to fix them vulnerabilities in their software that are often exploited to install malware. The security fixes are available, but PC owners often don’t install them at all or in time. Make sure this doesn’t happen to you. Turn on Automatic Updates right away. An extra benefit of switching on Automatic Updates is that you will receive other software updates as well as secuirty patches. These will make your computer run better and faster or add extra functionality.

5. Make sure all of your user accounts are password protected, especially the default Administrator account. If this has already been done, think about whether your existing passwords are good enough. Simple passwords are dangerous. If you’re using any of the following for passwords you probably aren’t as secure as you think: names of children, pets, parents, phone numbers or birthdays. Something like Zs86jF03t is much more effective. Notice the mix of upper and lowercase letters interspersed with numbers.

6.Get some decent Antivirus software. The free options are strugling this year. 2009 to date has been the worst ever for malware infections. Ask any tech or Computer Repair shop and they will confirm this. You need to strengthen your security to have a better chance of staying virus free. Not all antivirus software is equal. Some perform very poorly and are a total waste of money. Before buying, do some research & read some reviews. Antivirus software by itself is much better than bundled products from the likes of Norton & McAfee which includes antivirus, antispyware & firewall functionality all in one. These extra features are usually not very good and cause no end of headaches for end users. It’s much better to buy the best antivirus software that you can, and then look for the best antispyware application separately.

Remember, you computer is like a pet, its not just for Christmas. You have to look after it. Take some action now!

For more information on Virus Removal and Antivirus Software, goto http://www.virusremoval.org

Simple Ways To Avoid Cyber Identity Theft

October 11th, 2009 Wayne Allen No comments

Cyber identity theft is a real concern but it is really not that difficult. Knowledge is the best defence against cyber attacks. Once you start to use safe tactics on the internet it will become second nature to you.

With the rising cost of petro fuel many people are doing their shopping at home online. Shopping in stores takes a certain security mind set but so does shopping at home on the internet. There is an old saying “follow the money” Scammers are taking that to heart.

When you engage in online shopping you are relived from the stress of standing in line and dealing with other rude customers. Sometimes the employees are not in a great mood either. A person can stay in the comfort of their own home and accomplish shopping with just a few clicks of a mouse.

One way to discourage thieves is through proper education. Make sure that your firewall is current and up to date. It is the best way to protect your computer from the outside world. A properly maintained firewall will filter data from the outside world.

A lot of people use one password for everything online. It is best to have a different password for every account but it is recommended to have a separate password for online banking and anything else that may involve money.

E-mails are another area where they are able to get in. You should never open an e-mail unless you are familiar with the person that sent it. Banks and other financial institutions will never ask for login info through an e-mail.

There are also activities that you can do with children and other family members that will allow you to supervise their use of the internet. If this is not possible to monitor them on a one on one basis you can supervise their activity on the net later. The sites that they like to visit online such as gaming or chat sites. It is important to know if they actually know the people that they come in contact with.

This will help you to set limits on their computer use. The sites that they visit should be age appropriate of course. It is not necessary to scare but instill in them a sense of awareness when they are on the net. This includes sites they are allowed to visit also.

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AVG Antivirus – Free Virus Removal

October 7th, 2009 Ryan Wilks No comments

AVG Antivirus is one of the best Anti Virus and Malware removal tools on the internet today. Whether its the free version or the retail version, AVG is ranked high against the competition online today. Now dont take this advice and go buy AVG thinking you can do anything you want online. That is not what I mean at all. When compared to others, AVG comes out near the top, however that is not a very tough position to attain. In the following, I will discuss the reasons that I and many others feel AVG is one of the best free virus removal tools online today and why the retail version is even better.

If you compare AVG to a majority of the other antivirus software, AVG comes out being the winner in the amount of computer resources it uses. AVG needs only a Pentium 1 with 300MHz in order to run. This means it could run on a computer built in 1998 and still be fine. You would be hard pressed to run McAfee or Norton since both take 5 times the hard drive space and the RAM needed to run them. Norton Antivirus recommends 512MB in order to run while AVG a lowly 128MB recommended. As you can see there is a vast difference and I believe you will notice a vast difference when you begin to run AVG if you are converting from either Norton or McAfee.

Second, when it comes to detecting viruses, AVG is among the best. Can you believe that AVG has a 93% detection rate? The free version has a little lower and the retail version a little higher but this is the average. Even with the difference, I have had the free version of AVG find numerous things that McAfee and Norton Antivirus missed.

Thirdly, and the best fact about AVG is that it’s FREE! AVG free has been shown to beat many retail antivirus programs as well as many other free ones. So it would seem that the retail version of AVG should be great and well it is. It beats its own free version by increasing speed and efficiency plus a few more features. Now, you don’t necessarily need the retail version if you know your way around a computer. You can just combine it with Spybot or Malwarebytes Anti Malware and be fine! If you aren’t so good with computers I would recommend the retail version. It is much nicer to have protection than to get a hacker stealing your identity!

Every program has its problems and AVG is a program so it’s going to have issues. When it comes to AVG free the problem are the programs that it has a conflict with. These programs are: StumbleUpon toolbar, System Protect, Contafiscal 2000, Webroot SpySweeper, ICQ Toolbar, Session Manager 0.6.1.13 add-on and, Dell Network Assistant. A majority of you will not have this but I figured it would be helpful to those of you who did.

To finish up, I highly recommend AVG to anyone looking for a free antivirus. It runs more efficiently and uses fewer resources than most of the other programs, finds a majority of the viruses, only has a few conflict programs and there is a version that is completely free with no strings attached. Are you looking for a great addition to your computer? Want to add that extra layer of protection so your password can stay your password? I would recommend making the effort to get AVG Free today. You will not be disappointed with this free virus removal and scan.

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Everything You Need To Know About Anonymous Web Surfing

September 22nd, 2009 Fredrick Baxter No comments

Web surfing is no longer safe as far as your privacy is concerned! There exist specialists who are masters at the art of tracking down all your details including your computer’s IP address as well as your bank account passwords! They can follow your cyber fingerprints in the process earning even the most personal of your details. Yes, along with the unlimited benefits World Wide Web offers, there are these unsavory disadvantages that internet brings to surfers.

If you are really worried about this problem then there is a reason to rejoice. This is the kind of net surfing known as the anonymous web surfing. Generally when you input any information it goes to the host server of the sites and the hackers are experts in intercepting this before it reaches the servers.

When you opt for the anonymous web surfing, it closes all the options of sending any personal or system information like the IP addresses to the servers. Anonymous Web Surfing could be made possible with the help of proxy servers. This could be a bit expensive but it will create an effective anonymous surfing platform.

Though running a free anonymous proxy might seem to be a brilliant idea. But there are some points to be noted. The proxy service can cost you a fortune. It occupies a lot of bandwidth which might lead to additional expenses. On the top of it, if the proxy service is not properly configured, the whole attempt for privacy might get arrested.

Moreover all the shopping sites have programs to track your shopping habits and you are always exposed to the dangerous worlds of spywares when you download something from the net. A little extra precaution in the form of anonymous surfing could be a great measure to institute safety to your computer and financial assets.

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Everything You Need To Know About Anonymous Web Surfing

September 17th, 2009 Garrick Maxwell No comments

In this world of spywares and antivirus you are never safe when you open your doors for surfing. Even though you have the latest antivirus program, there is no guarantee that the system information from your computer is not transferred to the net. All the information that you give to the net is watched closely by the hackers to know more about you and if they work step by step then they will be able to gather all the information about you one day.

When you make visits to the websites, most of their search engines absorb your computer’s data so that it can come back again. For instance, when you visit a shopping website, the hosting server will take note of your computer’s data so that it can track down your shopping preferences. But there cannot be any guarantee that the information that is divulged remains confidential.

When you opt for the anonymous web surfing, it closes all the options of sending any personal or system information like the IP addresses to the servers. Anonymous Web Surfing could be made possible with the help of proxy servers. This could be a bit expensive but it will create an effective anonymous surfing platform.

Anonymous web surfing is a necessity for a host of reasons. It can ensure security from hackers who can track your financial details such as passwords. It can maintain your privacy without letting your internet activity been tracked. This is always considered as a safe practice for surfing.

The shopping websites have servers to track down your shopping habits by entering into each and every activity you perform in the internet. You are equally prone to danger when you download various software tools from internet. Only anonymous web surfing can protect you from the all-powerful hackers.

For more information about how to surf the web anonymously and how you can stay safe, visit http://www.anonymouswebsurfing.org.

Designs and Models of Tasers

August 18th, 2009 Charlie Duff No comments

Tasers have distinctive shapes and colors with respective accessories you can choose from that could certainly suit to your personal taste. They are non-lethal stun guns which can be fired at an effective range of some feet away from you depending on the model you are using. These self-defense weapons are of various models with relative features that would suit to your peculiar needs.

Tasers are the right self-defense weapons for you and you loved ones. These affordable stun guns are available in many different sizes and power of up to 1,000,000 volts which are truly effective for your protection. These are less-lethal compared to firearms but they surely give those bad guys terrible shock of their lives!

There are models and designs that can easily fit in the palm and uses three-volt lithium batteries. These can also be carried in a holster like a cell phone if you prefer not to hold them in your palm. There is a model which can be easily concealed and can even fit into your purse or a cigarette pack. You can choose a small and handy stun gun instead of a high voltage device that is bulky.

Tasers which are electroshock weapons being used by several police departments as a non-lethal method to incapacitate suspects, are found to be generally safe. According to U.S. researchers and studies, the cases of injuries or incidents involving these devices are considerably at a low rate and often due to gross negligence. It is therefore very important to have a good understanding and proper education on the use of these guns before they cause harm on the holder himself.

Tasers and their accessories are available in certain websites online. You can visit some sites where these products are offered and inquire on the details regarding their proper usage. These are non-lethal self-defense weapons and permit to carry is not necessary to own one.

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