Hydrogen Storage

Fake Microsoft e-mail contains Trojan virus (CNET)

2008-10-20T21:35:00.001-07:00

CNET - Along with best removal software spyware vulnerabilities that Microsoft patched Tuesday, the software giant's customers have a new problem to grapple with: a fake notification e-mail that looks remarkably legitimate.

The internet has its fair share of threats and dangers that could harm your PC and access your personal and confidential information without your permission. Computer security entails both detection and prevention from such people and programs. "Prevention" would help in keeping you safe from all such malicious attempts whereas "detection" would inform you whether someone attempted to access/harm your system, either successfully adware spyware removal tool unsuccessfully and what harm they may have caused.

Why bother about your computer's security anyway? Well, nowadays computers are used for almost everything from shopping to banking and from having casual conversations through internet chat to investing. Yes, much of your information may not be that confidential but you still won't want someone sending forged emails on your behalf or reading your personal or official documentation, like financial statements and bank account information. On a more serious note, an intruder or hacker/cracker may gain access to your computer to launch attacks on other computer systems. With access to your computer they are able to hide their true location while they launch attacks on high profile computer systems, like those of banks and other financial institutions.

Computer hackers / crackers are always looking for weaknesses or holes in the system. Developers are not always able to run comprehensive tests on their softwares because of its ever growing complexity. Later on when these holes are brought to the developer's notice, they create patches to address the problem. So, the number one tip to all computer users is to make sure you obtain and install the patches and security fixes regularly. Some software like chat programs actually allow other users to execute commands on your system which could open the window to all kinds of harmful programs. Therefore there is a need to be more careful when using chat programs of various kinds.

Install a firewall. Hackers/crackers are constantly scanning for known holes or vulnerabilities in the system. Software or hardware based firewalls can provide good protection from such attacks. Having said that, no firewall is capable enough to keep out all threats, therefore having a fire wall is not quite enough.

Use Antivirus software on each PC that connecting to the internet but an anti virus software that is not updated may do little or no good. Some antivirus software comes with automatic update options - these are thoroughly recommended.

Disable JavaScript, Active X and Java if possible. By disabling these scripting languages you will keep your system safe from malicious scripts. By disabling these options you may degrade the functionality of some websites. For More information on disabling scripting languages please visit http://www.cert.org/tech_tips/malicious_code_FAQ.html.

It is also thoroughly recommended to disable scripting features in email programs as many email programs use the same code as web browsers.

Be careful not to open email attachments even if you are familiar with the source of the attachment. The only reason the Melissa virus spread so far and so rapidly was because it originated from a familiar address. Before opening an attachment, make sure your virus definitions are up-to-date, save the file to your hard disk, scan the file using your anti virus software and then open the file. If possible, even disconnect from the internet before you open the file.

Don't run a program that's come from an un-authorized or un-known source. Don't also send these programs to your colleagues and friends as it may contain a Trojan horse (these programs are used to enter into the system and trick the user into installing various programs which allow hackers and intruders access to your system).

Turn off your computer when it is not being used. A turned off system or a system that is completely disconnected from the network is safe from all intruders.

Make a bootable disk which will come in handy if your computer has suffered an intrusion or a hard disk failure. The bootable disk may help your computer recover from such an event but remember, the bootable needs to be created prior to any security breach or malfunction.

Make a back up of all important files on a removable storage device like a CD or DVD and keep the storage device away from the computer. In order to safe space, you may also choose to ZIP your data (compress your data) using a compression software while making a backup.

For more PC security tips, advice and anti virus software reviews visit http://www.antivirus-software.com

My Uncle And Vintage 286 Computer

2008-09-24T17:37:00.001-07:00

You may well have heard your uncle or father spouting odd numbers in their portrayals of their great computer expertise 286, 386, and 8088 and on and on. Confused ? What do these numbers mean. After all I know are Pentium computers and perhaps a few other models such as Dell, IBM and Intel Duo Core. Processors. These model numbers refer to the lineage of Intel Central Processing Units (CPUs) that are found in modern

To begin with the 8088 is the oldest of the early PC central Processing Unit (CPU) variant models. which means a rectangular case with two rows of 20 pins. DIP stands for Dual In-Line Package. Older 80800 CPUs are called 8088-2. As they can only run at lower speeds (believe it not 5 MHz or slower compared to a now 4000 MHz computer). By the way the 8088 had the equivalent of approximately 27,000 transistors.

Competition from non IBM PC makers clone makers who built computers out of the same components as real IBM PC. These hot rodders of their day souped up this first PC chip version to unheard of speeds It was not only computer speed that powered the sales growth for the clone makers. It must be remembered that pre IBM PC all of IBMs computer hardware was made in house for IBM. The IBM PC Personal Computer was remarkable in that most of the components were all third party that is made by outside suppliers whose names Indeed the agreed to standards were often those developed already for products inn production. At the worst they were now IBM standardized. The die was set, when people such as Michael Dell realized that they could put together an IBM PC look-alike work alike and sell it for $ 3,000 rather than the approximate $ 10,000 for the authentic IBM PC they were off and running. Although it was often said of corporate buyers that You can never go wrong buying IBM for the then geeks and amateur computer users it was an entirely different business plan. They were referred to as Turbo PCs.

However it was not only cost that propelled the computer industry onwards. If it was not for the innovators the clone makers engineers at such companies as Compaq Computer you might still be using that now primitive IBM PC running at 5 MHz. The Turbo PC/XT clones ran at the then unbelievable and unheard of speed of 6.6, 7.16 and even 8.0 MHz. Giant IBM the monolith computer industry leader was not only being made to look foolish with .the likes of Apple Computer in far away California but now that they had released their long heralded personal computer they were being upstaged on their own playing field.
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Next in line along the route of vintage computer evolution was the 80286 chip. Designed by Intel in 1981 the 286 packed a wallop of more power that the 8088 did. The 80286 is the equivalent of about 130,000 transistors in the actual similar volume of the 8088s 29,000 transistors. Not unexpectedly similar to the heat production problem of todays Pentium type computers extra cooling requirement is needed. We are left today in our modern computers with the benefits of the foresight of the electronic engineers of the day with the inventions of various types of heat sinks. Heat sinks one way or another are in effect radiators to dispel heat in a similar means and manner to you might have in your car.

Lastly came the 386 chipset which is the direct predecessor of our modern Pentiums.
The chip is properly called the 80386 by the still leading chip manufacture Intel. Introduced in 1985, the 80386 comes in a PGA package and is the equivalent of about 250,000 transistors. The 386 variants a wealth of programming features including the core vital ability to multitask DOS programs with the help of hyerpervisor programs like DesqView /386 or VRM/386. Its 32 bit data path speeds data access. Interestingly it took later hardware in the learn virus removal 486 era chips to fully take broad scale advantage of these built in innovations.

Interestingly enough there was also a downsized less costly and powerful example sporting a similar moniker name of CPU called the 386SX. The 386SX was identical except to the real 386 version the 386DX except for the vital fact that it had a 16 bit data path which it was said allowed it be more easily incorporated into earlier and less costly AT type 286 16 bit computer hardware. Imagine the confusion at the time in computer buyers who did not have access to ready information as we do today on the internet. Many people bought what they thought were an advanced 386 computer when in essence they had a much downsized version. Most likely they were more than impressed with their own research, computer buying and bargaining skills.

In the end though you get what you pay for. The fabled John Dvorak Dvoraks Law is that No matter what they tell you your next computer will cost you... At the time of the 8088 it was $ 10,000 then $ 5,000 $, $ 3,000, $ 1500 now $ 500- 800 perhaps.
In the end you get a tremendous amount for value for your money. Even though it may be said as well that you get what you pay for.

Max Rubin Vintage Retro Computer Manuals http://www.adgerlinux.com http://www.bayareaword.com http://www.vintagecomputermanuals.com

Why It Makes Sense To Deploy Retail Software

2008-09-18T04:20:00.001-07:00

The retail industry is growing at a breath-taking pace the world over. Stores are getting bigger and better each day. Even the third-world countries are gradually waking up to the benefits of organized retail and are witnessing the mushrooming of mega malls and hyper malls each passing day.

In response to this stiff competition, small and medium size retailers cannot afford to be complacent. No longer can mom & pop stores take their customers for granted. Retailers have now realized that they need to spruce up their services and infrastructure to cater to the new generation of consumers.

Conventional Virus Scan Removal machines are being given the boot by retailers who are now realizing the benefits of professional retail software. This has been further complemented by the ever falling hardware prices. Various software companies are now creating retail software as per regional requirements.

Retailers opting for retail software can expect various business benefits, such as:

Better Inventory Control

Although even simple POS machines have features for inventory control, retail software does it far better using the power of specialized software to allow retailers to professionally manage their inventory.

Smarter Decision Making

Being better informed allows retailers to greatly improve their decision making. Specialized software functionality helps them keep a better tab on all aspects of the retail business.

Improved Business Management

Deployment of retail software is essential to improve the quality of business management and also helps raise customer service levels.

Professional retail software allows retailers to make available the right product at the right price at all times. Research indicates that adoption of this technology helps retailers attract new customers and enhance their business profitability. For all retailers - big and small, this is one investment which promises excellent returns in the long run.

Jack Albert is a dedicated writer writes for NetProphets Cyberworks, which is a application development company provides multimedia services.