It's a jungle out there
Internet Safety
For Kids
We don’t need to stoke the fires of paranoia. Who hasn’t heard enough stories about the dangers lurking out there for kids on the Internet. That said, some accurate information goes a long way towards helping kids safer when they’re parked in front of the browser.
- SafeKids.com
- NetSmartz.org
- The FBI has lot’s to say at http://www.fbi.gov/publications/pguide/pguidee.htm
- HelpwithPCs websites about kids
For Adults
First and foremost, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Also, just because you read it on the Internet doesn’t mean it’s true. There are great resources for determining what’s true, and what isn’t.
- OpenDNS What a great resource this is. By using the OpenDNS DNS servers on your home or business PC, (which are 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220) you can save yourself a lot of trouble. To save space, I’ll just encourage you to click on the link and read all about it.
- Six tips to avoid scams targeted at seniors.
- http://safety.lovetoknow.com/Internet_Safety_Adult is a pretty good list of what-to-do and what-not-to-do about you, your computer and the Internet. So I don’t have to write all that over!
Need for Speed
Internet Speed Test Gizmos
Here’s a group of links for measuring your bandwidth. Most of them use either Flash, Java or Active-X
Ack! I've got a virus!
Ack! I have a virus!
OK. Don’t panic, at least too much. We work a lot with PCs that “just aren’t running right.” All too often, it’s because there’s software that has gotten itself installed that you don’t want. Here’s some free tools for removing the bad stuff. In each case, these companies are providing these tools because it is great advertising. We’re cautious about “free stuff” — free stuff may be the reason you’ve got the virus in the first place. They’re not really free – in each case, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to buy their product. That’s what advertising is, though, isn’t it?
- BitDefender: http://www.bitdefender.com – Then look for the “Free Scan” in the lower section of the page. BitDefender is a publisher of anti-virus/anti-malware software. This one fixes problems it finds.
- Trend Micro: http://housecall65.trendmicro.com This one fixes problems it finds.
- Eset Software: http://www.eset.com/onlinescan/
- Panda Security: http://www.pandasecurity.com/homeusers/solutions/activescan/
- Kaspersky Labs: http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner This one finds, but does not fix, problems.
- Symantec (Norton): http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/WelcomePage.asp This one can install a scanner – so it’s not really an online scanner. Or there’s the Symantec Security Check.
Each month, many of the Internet Security companies publish a report about the month’s bad stuff.
Symantec’s State of Spam is here. That’s often an interesting recap of the garbage our spam filters have been keeping away from you. (What? Not using our spam-filtering service? Call us now!!!).
The Spamhaus Project has a lot of links about the spam problem.
The US Governments Federal Trade Commission has a Spam Web Page.
The Spam Diaries – lot’s of good stuff here.
Lexmark Multifunction and Printers
Here’s the link to the Lexmark Color Printers.
Here’s the link to the Lexmark Monochrome Laser Printers.
Here’s the link to the Lexmark Multifunction units.
Phones
Computer Studios is now offering business phone services. The industry buzzword is “Unified Communications” because we’re combining phones, email, voice mail, faxes and more.
We have a completely hosted phone system offering – click here for all the info!
Xerox Printers and Multifunctions
Xerox has been a trusted name in copiers and printers for decades.
AVG Anti-Malware
Features
- Integrated protection
- Anti-Virus: protection against viruses, worms and trojans
- Anti-Spyware: protection against spyware, adware and identity-theft
- Anti-Rootkit: protection against hidden threats (rootkits)
- Web Shield & LinkScanner: protection against malicious websites
- Easy-to-use, automated protection
- Real-time protection, automatic updates, low-impact background scanning for on-line threats, and instant quarantining or removal of infected files ensures maximum protection. Every interaction between your computer and the Internet is monitored, so nothing can get onto your system without your knowledge. AVG scans in real time:
- All files including documents, pictures and applications
- E-mails (all major email clients supported)
- Instant messaging and P2P communications
- File downloads and online transactions such as shopping and banking
- Search results and any other links you click on
Computer Security & Health
We have a variety of products and services that will keep your computers running well.
End-point Protection Products ( this used to be called anti-virus. )
Sunbelt Software VIPRE
Sunbelt Software VIPRE
Features
- High-performance, next-generation antivirus + antispyware software
- VIPRE combines antivirus, antispyware, anti-rootkit and other technologies into a seamless, tightly-integrated product. Built with next-generation technology, VIPRE (Virus Intrusion Protection Remediation Engine) gives you powerful antivirus and antispyware software in-one that protects you against today’s highly complex malware threats including viruses, adware, spyware and rootkits, without hogging your PC resources like many traditional antivirus products.
- Checkmark Anti-Virus Certified
- VIPRE is Checkmark Anti-Virus Desktop certified by West Coast Labs and will receive additional certifications through other certifying bodies in the coming months.
- Does not slow down your PC!
- User surveys show the biggest frustration with existing antivirus solutions is bloat and high resource usage. VIPRE’s design is low on system resources and optimizes your overall PC user experience, keeping notification pop-ups and warnings to a minimum.
- Advantages of VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware
- High-performance threat protection with low impact on system resources
- Scans email for malware threats
- Kernel-level Active Protection guards you 24/7
- Advanced anti-rootkit technologies
- Small, regular definition updates greatly reduce update downloading time
- VIPRE has three extra bonus tools: a history cleaner, a secure file eraser, and the PC Explorer for advanced users.
Click on the links below to purchase:
Eset NOD32 Computer Security
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- Personal or Business System Protection
Features
- Proactive Protection: The award winning ThreatSense technology combines multiple layers of detection protecting you from Internet threats before it is too late.
- Precise Detection: ESET accurately identifies known and unknown threats. It consistently wins top awards from testing labs and is recognized for having zero false positive.1
- Lightweight Design: Requires less memory and CPU power, allowing your computer to run fast, making more room for games, web browsing, and emailing.
- Fast Scanning Speeds: Highly efficient program ensuring fast file scanning and product updates. It runs quietly in the background.
- Proactive, precise, lightweight and fast. You won’t find a better antivirus program.