TECHNOLOGY TIPS - NEW YEAR, NEW PASSWORDS
IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN!
The New Year is always a time of rejuvenation and planning. We put out resolutions and we think about what we did last year and what we'll do this year.
I'd like to recommend one thing to you that is very near and dear to my "technology" heart. If you have not done so in the recent past, change your passwords. Yes, it's a little "old school" but write them down on a piece of paper and file them with your important papers.
Most of our ISP providers (in this case I'm thinking Comcast) provide us with a built-in firewall and anti-virus software. The main players in this type of software are McAfee and Norton. While both of these are great tools, they're merely the first line of defense.
All those great websites you view and just want to "check out" can come with a tracking software that will tell the provider what other sites you're going to and coming from. One trick for getting around this is to delete your temporary Internet files from your computer or to run a software like AdAware which quarantines and/or removes this software as well as any potentially dangerous files from your computer.
Lastly, have a professional give your computer a once-over. Think of it as Spring Cleaning for your computer. One of my favorite companies is local (in Elmhurst). They can remotely access your computer via their website and do all the clean-up you need.
The key is that you need to do a consistent and complete job of making changes. They should also be made on a regular basis. This will ensure the health of your computer and all that entails.
DO YOU HAVE A NEW TECHNOLOGY YOU WANT INVESTIGATED? Let me know.
CATHY MALLERS & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
