Technology advances and changes almost more often and faster than the sun travels across the sky. For computer users, the adjustments, updates and upgrades can make one’s head spin. Below are the top three computer-related questions fielded by technical support personnel and geek friends of new users and each question’s answer.

Q. What is a firewall, and how does it differ from an anti-virus program?
A. A firewall is a program designed to protect your computer against unauthorized intrusion. Many firewalls bar known trojans and viruses, but even the best firewalls can allow those sneaky programs onto your computer. Most firewalls are focused on anti-hacking or other malicious actions that can crash or commandeer your computer, whether via a remote program or manual intervention by someone on the Internet.

An anti-virus program has no influence against hackers and other actions. It pertains only to viruses, trojans or, in some cases, anti-spyware or anti-adware programs that track your computer and browsing history. Viruses, et al, are malicious programs that can damage or even destroy all the programs on your computer.

Keeping both your firewall and your anti-virus programs current is imperative for safe and “healthy” computer use and Internet surfing.

Q. What is the difference between RAM and ROM?
A. RAM stands for Random Access Memory and can be considered your “use right now” computer memory, much like a briefcase or purse holds things you will expect to need or use “right now” or in the near future. Suitcases and filing cabinets, on the other hand, store things for retrieval later and figuratively represents the total storage capacity of your hard drive.

ROM or Read-Only Memory, on the other hand, pertains to files you or your computer system can read for instructions or operating parameters, but you cannot change any of the data. ROM is included in the total hard drive capacity but does not influence how much of the “right now” memory or RAM your system provides.

CD-ROM disks are music or movie disks that you can play but cannot record over or erase. You might embed data on a blank CD-ROM, but you cannot erase the data once recorded.

Q. What is a computer cookie, and what does it do?
A. A computer cookie has nothing to do with chocolate chips or creamy nougat—hopefully! A computer cookie is an information recognition or retrieval program, reflected in many computer systems as information or instructions written in a plain-text document, that helps sites recognize who you are, your data—like log-in information, account information and security questions, for example. Some cookies are helpful, allowing retention of logged-in status and avoidance of repetitious security questions.

On the other hand, some cookies track precisely where you surf on the Internet, target advertising to your email and even your personal identification—your name, your address, your social security number, your credit card number and usage and more.

Every browser—the program you use to pull up websites—provides a measure of cookie placement control, although some have better and more complete user control than others. Routinely scan your computer for tracking and advertising cookies as well as viruses.

This post was contributed by Holly Miller, a writer for Coupon Croc. Shopping online for the latest electronics? Visit us for discounts and promotions on all of the most popular gadgets this year.

Repetitive strain injury is a cumulative trauma disorder caused by repetitive or awkward fine hand movements. Hand movements, such as typing and mouse clicking, repeated over a prolonged period of time, eventually strain the muscles and tendons of the fingers, wrists, and forearms. The muscles and tendons suffer small tears, which decrease the range of motion as the muscles contract. As the tendons are used repetitively and not allowed to rest and heal, the sheaths that cover tendons lose their lubrication, and chafing between the sheath and tendon causes abrasion and inflammation. Tearing, chafing, abrasion and inflammation lead to the nerves becoming pinched resulting in tingling, hypersensitivity and numbness of the hand and fingers. RSI is unavoidable as long as the cycle is not interrupted and results in chronic problems. RSI affects not only the hands and wrists, but is found in arms, necks, backs and eyes, due to poor posture and extensive time spent looking at a computer screen.

To avoid computer RSI injuries initiate a regimen of preventative measures immediately. If symptoms of RSI are apparent, substantial damage has already been done, and it will take a lot of time to heal, so the sooner the better to get your body in its best condition possible.

Ten Ways to Reduce the Affects of RSI
1. When using a computer, take a break every hour by walking around and stretching tight muscles. Look at something farther away than the computer screen to rest your eyes, too.
2. Always practice good posture when sitting, standing and walking. If it is hard to sit upright, it is past time to take a break.
3. Adjustment of the workstation and chair is needed to create the best ergonomic position with feet flat on the floor and arms in a comfortable position on the keyboard which will reduce strain on the body.
4. Exercise on a regular basis to strengthen and stretch muscles, and raise one’s heart rate aerobically. Yoga and Pilates are good programs to achieve these goals.
5. Do not use the computer any longer than necessary. Walk and talk to office mates instead of using IM or email.
6. Move your hands to reach BACKSPACE, ENTER, CONTROL and SHIFT, instead of stretching to reach these hard to reach keys.
7. Do not rest your hands or wrists on the keyboard, keep them floating above the keyboard by moving the entire arm, not just the wrist. This keeps the bigger muscles in the arms and shoulders, instead of the smaller ones, doing the work. Rest your elbows and wrists when not typing or moving the mouse, giving the smaller muscles the rest they need to recover.
8. Use both hands for combination key strokes, moving your arms to press SHIFT and CONTROL on opposing sides of the keyboard.
9. When writing with a pen or pencil, do not grip it tightly. Someone should be able to pull the pen or pencil from your hand while you are writing. A gel grip is advisable to ease this stress.
10. Be aware that RSI is more than a possibility if you use a computer. Take steps today to lessen the impact of RSI.

A firewall is designed to provide maximum protection on your PC against damage and reduce risk. In fact, all PC users are encouraged to have it installed on their computer to identify any possible sources of threat that could damage your system. The main focus for firewall programs is to monitor incoming and outgoing internet applications to avoid risky programs from introducing harmful components into your computer.

There are several free firewall programs available on the web. Hence, there is no need for PC users to invest on expensive firewall programs. The Windows Firewall is the most basic type of free firewall available for PC users today. However, due to the increased risks of not having enough PC security and protection, there are several types of firewall created for each type of Windows operating system.

Other popular free firewall programs available for PC users are Online Armor Personal Firewall, Outpost Firewall, Comodo Firewall, and Zone Alarm Firewall. Each varies in terms of their features and level of protection. To decide what is the best free firewall program for your computer, you need to determine how much protection you need and from what programs you would like to be protected from.

For those who own computer units, a computer virus is similar to a pest that you want to get rid of but you totally cannot eradicate. There are measures we can take to protect our computer units from getting infiltrated with viruses. But, we can only do so much. Viruses can easily infiltrate computer units, even Mac computers, from a variety of sources. Aside from installing antivirus software applications in our unit, we should also save backup copies of important files and data.

Computer units that have been infiltrated with viruses usually register unusual activity. There may be a hard-disk activity that remains unexplained. There may be unusual sounds in the disk. Network communications may also register unusual problems.

Some effects of computer virus may also vary according to the type of virus or to the type of computer. Some effects of computer virus may also just show up later while some problems can be detected right away.

Now that almost all technological gadgets have gone wireless, wireless keyboards are rapidly sweeping off the market in storm. The size and design of a wireless keyboard may vary from one brand to another. Because designs and features are available in a variety, individual preferences come into play in choosing a wireless keyboard. Always choose a wireless keyboard you are comfortable using. Advanced wireless keyboards also come with advanced features and settings such as internet access, online radio and media. Think about the features you want to have in your wireless keyboard before buying so you will have a well-thought of decision.

The budget or the cost spells another important and practical factor in choosing a wireless keyboard. Some brands and varieties such as secured wireless keyboards of Logitech and Apple cost higher than the simple versions. You should also make sure that you know how to troubleshoot your wireless keyboard in case something goes wrong.

With so much of our sensitive data sitting on our computers, every little step we can take towards greater security helps. One interesting measure some folks are now employing is to utilize a flexible keyboard you can store away. This way, unless a thief or nosy passerby has a spare keyboard laying around, they will not be able to access and use the computer. This is a simple but very effective method to protect data on your computer.

So what are these flexible keyboards? They are actually made from materials that are totally flexible by nature. These are also the ones being known as the roll up keyboards and flexible enough for folding within a small package and carried easily. Whenever the user wants to ensure the peripheral device, this kind of keyboard could be unrolled in it full size and use them comfortably when you are working.

Another thing why technology made this flexible keyboard is that, the water impact could have electronics and so, this portable keyboard is made from water resistant materials just like polyurethane and silicone. Apart from those, it can also be sealed completely in a rubber material in order to create more flexibility and makes it washable. Thus, you don’t have to worry about washing it around.

With regards to portable keyboards, they could be so soft and do not make any of the sounding type. So, if you would like to work comfortably and unsoundly, it would always be a better idea for you to consider using it, though it may require you to adjust a little.

Designing a website for a client isn’t as simple as throwing down some graphic and text boxes and peppering the page with links and tabs (as any good web designer should know).  While a lot of work goes into creating a design that is both functionally sound and aesthetically pleasing (not to mention indicative of the client’s brand sensibilities and technical needs), it all amounts to nothing if you don’t include the proper security measures to ensure that the site is safe from outside infiltration.  So when you contract to design a site, here are just a few of the many ways you can strive to protect the web space you create.

1.  Write your own secure code.  While some graphic design software will no doubt come with built-in security, there will more than likely be glitches that you can neither predict nor counteract effectively.  In order to guarantee the security of your code, you really need to write it yourself (or hire a qualified and reliable engineer).

2.  Protect sensitive information.  Encrypting your code is one thing, but you need to include extra security for sensitive information.  This can either be provided through the website or by an external security provider.  Often, the goal is to ensure that customers who wish to enter personal information (such as a credit card number for a purchase) will be protected from identity theft (just for example).

3.  Embed a system for authorization.  You don’t want just any Hacker Harry to wander onto your site and start changing things around.  So when you build the site, make sure to include varying levels of authorization (password protection) for access to administrative functions such as adding or removing content.

4.  Include an early warning system.  Adding an auditing system will allow you (or your client) to monitor activity on the website at all times.  But you will also want to build in a warning system that informs administrators when unusual usage occurs (such as high volume, password probing, or unscheduled changes).  By being aware of these issues as they occur, you can greatly reduce the risk for damage posed by hackers or other malicious attackers.

5.  Implement review and approval procedures.  Most websites will have certain areas that necessarily allow input from outsiders, from the inclusion of advertising to comments posted by visitors.  It is important to review anything that will be added to your site beforehand so as to avoid potential security risks.  Only through the approval process can you ensure the safety of your site and its contents.

6.  Add disaster recovery.  No matter how well you plan your security system, there’s someone out there who can break through.  For this reason, you really need to have a plan of action in place to recover data that has been corrupted or removed.  A separate system backup that is auto-updated will usually do the trick.

7.  Test everything.  You never know when you might have overlooked a tiny problem that could have disastrous results.  So make intensive QA part of your package unless you want to field a host of client complaints when they discover the mistakes you missed.

Leah Ryan writes for Grid Design Firm, a Chicago Design Firm specializing in web, online marketing, branding, and print.

These days it’s practically a given that children are going to grow up with the internet.  While most parents make an effort to monitor what their kids are ingesting via the worldwide web, worried about what they might be exposed to, pretty much everyone can agree that the benefits of understanding this technology far outweigh the potential risks in the long run.  After all, the world has changed significantly in the past twenty years, and kids who don’t have a solid base of knowledge concerning computers and the internet will not only suffer in school, but later in life.  Not only is it an invaluable tool for gathering information on just about any subject, it is also quickly becoming a superhighway for communication across the globe.  If your kids aren’t in on that from a very early age, they’re going to fall behind technologically and socially.  And yet, you worry.  How can you give you child the advantages the internet provides and still protect them?

It’s actually not as difficult as you might think.  Of course you can’t have your eye on your kids 24/7.  It’s just not practical, especially as they get older.  So while you can certainly try to keep up with what they’re viewing and doing online, at some point they’re going to get away with looking at stuff you don’t want them to see, whether it’s at your house or at the house of a friend whose parents are a bit more lax.  However, you can take precautions.  There are many tools available that allow parents to block content that is inappropriate for children.  For example, you can not only choose to block materials that are explicit or otherwise deemed inappropriate for kids; you can also get tools that help you to specify other areas that you don’t want your child wandering into, like chat rooms, news forums, and blogs, depending on what your personal preferences are concerning your child’s exposure to media, advertising, and so on.

But there’s more you can do.  Blocking websites at home won’t stop your kids from looking when they’re out of the house.  This is why you need to make an effort to explore the internet with your children and give them the information they need to make good decisions when you’re not with them.  By explaining to your kids what to watch out for (strangers wanting to meet them, the ease with which people can lie, the dangers of entering personal information, how to separate legitimate emails from scams, and even the difference between trusted sites for information and those that have no citations) you can help them to make good decisions about the type of content they view online.  You’ll not only keep them safe from content and communication that could be harmful, you’ll also ensure that they know how to use this technology in a smart and responsible manner.

Like any other area of life, you can’t protect your kids all the time.  But you can certainly make sure that they’re armed with the tools they need to navigate the sometimes treacherous waters of the worldwide web.  And in the long run, they’ll probably be able to do it better than you!

Sarah Danielson is a writer for SeaReach an asset protection company (view asset tag company here) and manufacturer of asset marking and security printing solutions.

Identify theft is one of the most pressing issues plaguing the modern world today. It can take place anywhere in the world to anyone with no exceptions. So what do you mean by identify theft. The crime is defined as stealing someone’s identify so that it can be used to commit a crime, usually to rob the person of his personal information and money.

There are many ways on the internet showing how these criminals commit identify theft and how it can be prevented. In fact there are some very good viral videos which show the crime is planned and what is done to the data that is stolen. Search Google for identify theft and you will be able to find these videos. When you do get the clips, please do share it with everyone as it was meant to. It will opened more eyes to the harm caused by identify theft and what can be done to prevent it. It is imperative that everyone know that identify theft is a major problem and can happen to anyone at anytime.

Basically there are a couple of ways which the criminals cansteal your personal information which you need to be aware of:

• Rummaging through your dumpster – this may seem a little extreme but it is one of the more common ways that your data is stolen. Thieves often go through one’s garbage because we do throw a lot of things out, sometimes even personal information like bills and personal documents. That is why it is important to shred all such information before chucking them out
• Stolen Purse or Wallets – Of all the method of stealing one’s identity, this is the most common and easiest to achieve. Although you may think that it is very common to have you wallet stolen, it may be a snowball to the bigger problem of identity theft. If your wallet is stolen, make sure that you make a police report immediately and inform the relevant authorities like banks, social security and the like.
• Scam online – Phishing is the art of getting one’s personal information online through the use of duplicate websites or scam deals. It is never a good idea to give your personal information online if you are unsure about the authenticity of the website you are on.

Once your personal data is in the hands of these criminals, your identity is basically theirs. They can use it to do much harm to you and create havoc in your personal and financial lives. These are some of the ways how your stolen data is used to commit crimes:

• Get a new credit card in your name and use it for major purchases
• Take out a loan for a new car
• With your identification, these criminals can now give you name to the police when they are arrested. It will show that the name has a clean record and be granted bail. When they don’t show up in court, you will be hunted down by the police.
• Similar to credit cards, they can open a new bank account and use it to write some bad checks
• The data can also be used to open a new company with the intention to commit fraud.

Computer viruses are nasty pieces of software specially designed to penetrate your computer through the Internet or any other recordable media which is the plugged into your computer. The function of the virus is to wreak havoc on your computer system, period. Nasty computer viruses can infect, corrupt and delete all the information on your computer. Viruses are even designed with the sole aim of bring down entire computer networks. Therefore it is important to keep computer systems free from nasty viruses. Even if a single virus infects you computer, it can literally spoil the end of that particular system.

One of the more popular ways for a virus to infect your computer is through the email system. Many people just open email attachments without checking if it comes from someone they know. This is extremely risky because attachments are the ideal hiding places for these nasty computer viruses. Once you open the attachment, the virus will infect your computer and spread throughout the network if you are connected. Usually it will move on to your email contacts and replicates itself to be sent out to all your contacts. That is why it is good practise to scan emails with an anti-virus program before opening and reading it.

Another common method of infection is through the shared use of recordable media. Floppy disks were previously the carrier of choice for viruses but as it is no longer in use in modern computers, the flash drive is now the number one carrier of computer viruses which spread through recordable media. One infected flash drive is enough to stop an entire network so flash drives must also be scanned before being used in the computer.

Your tool against nasty computer viruses is a reliable and solid anti-virus program. There are two main alternatives of anti-virus programs: the ones that you need to pay and the ones which you don’t. There are many reputable commercial programs such as McAfee or Norton which are great anti-virus programs. However if you do not have the budget for it, then free alternatives like AVG or Vast can do the job as well. The difference is the free ones are usually only for personal use, not commercial.

Once the anti-virus software is installed, you need to set up the program so that it scans your computer on a regular basis, probably once every day. The scans usually run in the background so you do not have to be interrupted when the anti-virus program is running. Also, make sure that the anti-virus definition in the program is constantly updated. Nasty computer viruses are produced everyday so without regular updates, your anti-virus program may not be effective against newer viruses.

If you have an anti-virus program on your computer, you should be relatively safe for nasty computer viruses. However for added protection consider getting a firewall installed as well. The Windows Defender firewall is good enough for basic purposes but there are also great alternatives available on the internet such as Comodo or ZoneAlarm which can give you the total protection needed for your system.