Tame Your Technology - Computer Repair Zone

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For those of us addicted to the Internet a world full of cyber cafes can be a dream come true. On vacation in Costa Rica recently I was able to stay in contact with family and friends easily and cheaply.

But the question is, how do you stay safe when using an internet cafe? After all, you’re using someone else’s computer that could harbour all sorts of viruses and keyloggers. From a combination of my own experiences and research here are 6 tips to keep your personal information safe when using a cyber cafe.

1) Use A Reputable Internet Cafe

Is the cafe full of people? Is it welcoming? Consider asking for recommendations at your hotel. Do they seem to have anti-virus on their computers such as Norton or AVG? Windows will now flash up warnings if it’s own security systems sense a problem though just because Windows *isn’t* complaining doesn’t mean there isn’t a problem. Are the computers “closed systems” or are people downloading pictures from digital cameras, uploading videos and mp3s etc. The more interaction between the computers and other technology, the greater the chance to pass on viruses.

Having considered these factors, if at first glance all seems positive, then let’s look at the next factor to consider…

2) Choose Firefox Over Internet Explorer

For now, far fewer viruses attack Forefox as it is such a new piece of software. Likely this will change with tie but most experts agree that the Forefox browser is safer to use than Internet Explorer. Take a look at GetFirefox.com so you can see what it looks like so if you encounter it in an Internet cafe, it’sa good sign. Just because they use Explorer isn’t a reason not to use them, but given the choice, go for Firefox.

3) Run A Spyware Sweep

If in any doubt at all, use an online spysweeper tool to check the computer you’re using for viruses and any other programs that may cause you problems. One example of such a piece of software is HouseCall but there are plenty to choose from.

4) Don’t Autosave Any Of Your Details

I’m still shocked in most Internet cafes how many people stupidly leave their login details on the computer. If you use a username and password to log into a site - such as your emails or banking details - make sure you don’t select the option to save your details. Simply by visiting Hotmail, Gmail and so on I have gone straightinto someone else’s emails because either they didn’t log out, or they saved their details on the computer.

5) Delete Cookies And Internet History

At the end of your session, to leave less of a trace, if you’re using Internet Explorer, clear your cookies (small text files saved on the computer that can identify you and what you did) plus the internet histiry which lists the sites you visited.

By doing this, the next user won’t be able to see where you went so there is less chance of prying eyes working out what website you use for your email and so on.

To do this, select Tools, then Internet Options, then click the Delete Cookies and Clear History buttons before OK. It may well “idle” for a few minutes as it is deleting these files (there may be hundreds) so make sure you do this several minutes before you run out of time on your internet session.

6) Delete Any Saved Information

Even if you elect not to let Windows save your information, it may still try to save a few bits. To ensure you’re safe, again select Tools, then Internet Options but this time click the Content tab at the top. Then click the “Autocomplete” option and in this additional menu click both the Clear Forms and Clear Passwords buttons before clicking OK to finish.

Popularity: 30% [?]

Stylish Web Design is a design blog that has just got my attention as a related blog on topics such as web design, computer programming and related topics.

The first thing I noticed on arriving at the site (besides the weird logo that I personally found hard to read) is that the general design - the Wordpress theme - is beautiful. I mean stunning. One of the nicest, most crisp designs going.

But it’s not just attractive - I also found it easy to navigate thanks to having links at the top of the page to all the various categories of posts.

Whilst the mix of posts is pretty broad, several of the more “technical” posts gave me quite a bot of food for thought.

For example here is a very interesting (from a security point of view) article on the subject of effectively managing user accounts in Windows and thus reducing the chances if malware installations and the subsequent threats to your personal data.

Another computer security article that warrants your attention (but is only a quick read) discusses how much information to send to Microsoft on spyware interacting with your computer. Author Gombos Atila gives a very clear description of the spyware community and how it works.

Popularity: 26% [?]

In recent discussions a number of otherwise highly computer-literate people have mentioned how they haven’t got a clue how to find good-quality blogs on topics of interest to them.

This is a real shame because I am a keen blogger and also a keen visitor of other blogs. I enjoy visiting them on a regular basis, I enjoy getting to know the characters who write them and I find I can learn a lot from them to boot.

Finding blogs actually isn’t too hard.

They do, of course, appear in normal search engines like Google, Yahoo or MSN though they appear alongside normal web sites, PDF files and so on.

If you’re looking specifically for blogs, we need to use some slightly different tools.

Firstly we can include words in our standard search engines such as “blog” so we search for “gardening blog” rather than just gardening which will likely turn up a few.

But there are numerous search engines designed specifically (and only) for blogs.

Generally the blogs they list have been manually verified at some point in the past so are reasonable quality.

My own two favorite blog search engines of all though are Technorati and Google’s Blog Search.

In my experience both of these bring uo the highest quality results.

Note that Technorati will allow you to search for either individual posts *or* whole blogs. It’s up to you which option you choose. I personally tend to search for blogs if I’m searching for a general word or phrase (”computers”, “cell phones”, “cookery”) and blog posts when I’m doing a more indept search (”best places to stay in Morocco”, “is Windows Vista any good?”).

Lastly, don’t forget that thanks to bloggers, linking is alive and well.

A good number of the dozen or so blogs I visit on a regular basis were found because another blog linked them. Many blogs now have a links section or what is commonly known as a “blogroll” (simply a list of related blogs the blogger themselves like to visit) so follow some links and get exploring

Popularity: 37% [?]

Can’t get your PC to do what you want it to? Wouldn’t it be nice to have an IT helpdesk like at work that you can just call up and they’ll solve your problem for you in a couple of minutes?

Well surprisingly this is now possible thanks to the digital age - and for a cost that might surprise you.

There are a number of companies now who specialize in IT support and will deal with general members of the public meaning even at home you can have the level of suppot you’d expect working for a large company.

Costs and tariffs vary from either a monthly subscription charge to a per-case basis with it costing as little as $20 to resolve a serious problem you’re having.

Popularity: 21% [?]

While Bluetooth is gaining ground all the time, there are still a number of people who either don’t understand what it is, or aren’t aware of what it can do so I thought a quick overview of Bluetooth would be useful.

Bluetooth is, in short, a wireless connection between two pieces of technology.

To communicate by Bluetooth both pieces of technology need to be Bluetooth-enabled either by having the service built in (as many cell phones and the newer printers do) or by having it added (such as by adding a simple, cheap Bluetooth dongle to an existing computer).

The two Bluetooth devices, once a link is set up, can then communicate with one another without having to plug anything in.

The classic Bluetooth combination is an earpiece for using in the car and a cell phone. The benefit of this arrangement (beside the safety, and in some countries legal, aspects) is the lack of wires. You can leave your cell phone on the passengers seat and when you get out of the car with your headset on the connection will drop. When you get back in, the connection will automatically start again.

But this isn’t the only combination.

Some new cars will have an in-car kit that will communicate with any Bluetooth phone allowing you to talk out loud without a headset and the recipient of your call to hear what you are saying.

You could also print out photographs taken on your cell phone if you are within reach of your Bluetooth-enabled printer. Or back up your contacts to your Bluetooth-enabled computer. Or send ringtones, images, videos and the like to another Bluetooth-enabled phone.

And remember - you don’t pay for the connection or what you send. Like infra-red, it’s “just there”.

So, if you wanted to send a picture to a friend’s handset, you could either pay to send it as a picture message (MMS) or just wait till you and your friend are close (12-15 feet maximum generally) and then just send it free to their phone.

So get wireless and consider Bluetooth options - you won’t look back.

Popularity: 36% [?]