Sometimes we just have to use a public computer, whether it is in school, the library, coffee shops, airports, or wherever. This does not mean our online safety be jeopardized. Here are 10 tips on using a public computer safely. Bottom line is do not enter anything sensitive on a public computer.
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Just like everyone should, I get my annual credit report to make sure no nefarious activity has happened. It is the case that everything goes in circles.
The usual procedure is to go to www.annualcreditreport.com, fill out the sensitive information, and get your credit reports. Hah! Only if Equifax is chosen will you get an online credit report. The others require you to send in everything but a stool sample to get theirs.
Problems? It happened to us. After filling out all the information there was a problem in processing. No indication what was wrong. No online help. No telephone help. Nothing. They say contact the appropriate credit reporting agency who then says contact annualcreditreport.com to resolve things.
After an exasperating hour of runaround, we called in and went through the automated system. They claim the information was successful and the credit report will be mailed soon. We’ll see.
Doug
The Federal Trade Commission’s do not call list started receiving numbers in June, 2003. The expiration date was 5 years later…June 2008. The telemarketers are salivating at that date because they know people will forget to reregister their phone numbers. After all their are 149 million registered numbers.
The FTC plans on a program to alert people to reregister their phones starting next year.
For the most part annoying telephone calls have dropped dramatically though some telemarketers still abuse the system.
The program is supported by the government requiring telemarketers to pay annual subscription fees so they have access to blocked numbers so their autodial programs will not call them.
People can register their home and cell phone numbers or file complaints at donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222.
Do not forget that organizations engaged in charitable, political or survey work are exempt. Also companies that have an established business relationship with a customer also may call for up to 18 months after the last purchase, payment or delivery.
Doug
An interesting incident occurred the other day involving young children and their online experience.
A friend of ours has a young daughter who is starting to go online. She is guided by parental controls and advice from her parents. But something happened that no one forsaw.
Mom went upstairs to see how her daughter was handling an online game. She was in the process of playing it when her mom asked about signing up.
Did you use your own name and personal information?
Of course not was the answer.
So you made up a name and address to fill in?
Oh no. I used my friends name and personal information.
This presents a quandry. Do we teach kids to make up an alias to use online until they are old enough to use their real names? Certainly you do not approve of using their friends information. Honesty vs anonymity. This is a tough message to get across.
Doug
Do you know what computer programs are on your computer? More important, do you know the registration keys? If a virus destroyed your computer could you reinstall all the software without the hassle of finding the registration keys? This scenario happens all the time. If you lose your registration key and did not register the software the only alternative may be to repurchase the software. Not a fun idea.
Belarc advisors have a free software inventory product that lists out an inventory of your computer. Not only are the registration keys included but software versions, installed Microsoft hotfixes, hardware, and virus protection. If any hotfix is missing you will know it. Best of all, according to Belarc’s privacy notice, this information remains private: the data is only kept on your computer and not sent back to Belarc or anywhere else.
Mysecurepc recommends running and saving the software inventory every month or every time a major piece of software is installed. And keep the inventory page backed up.
A fake Windows patch has been making its rounds among email. The subject line reads “Microsoft Security Bulletin MS07-0065 — Critical Update” and appears to come from update@microsoft.com. A link is provided in the spam email urging readers to click on it and download the June 18 patch.
What really happens is the victim is taken to a website (one of several) where a Trojan horse (Behav-112) is downloaded to the computer and used for spam or denial of service attacks.
Doug
Try organizing your tasks in a three dimensional space. Topicscape’s Information Organizer can do this. If you have never used a mindmapping technique, take a look at how it is better than two dimensional organization.
There are plenty of ways to use the software. Here is one example of how an IT person organized available software.
computer information organizer software
Business or personal use - either will benefit. There are plenty of articles, tips, and techniques and an up to the minute blog available to help with your particular use.
Here is a lengthy review on the product:
3d mindmapping software review
From a sponsor - read our disclosure policy.
And why would I dislike iTunes? One word: privacy. When a song is purchased and downloaded from Apple your email and customer information is embedded in the file. The worst part is the data is -not- encrypted; it is exposed as plain text. What if your iPod is lost or stolen? You are out of luck. For me, I will skip iTunes and stay with my MP3 player.
Doug
