Trading Your Information for Free Online Services Again Are You?

In the United States, we believe that every citizen should have the right to choose. If they wish to share their personal lives with everyone else, well then they should be allowed to do that. If they choose not to, then we all cringe when the paparazzi invades the privacy of our favorite celebrities, and yet the reason they do is that the general public is genuinely interested in their lives. Okay so, I'd like to talk to you a little bit about how folks trade their information for free online services.

The article "The Curious Case of Internet Privacy - Free services in exchange for personal information. That's the "privacy bargain" we all strike on the Web. It could be the worst deal ever," posted on June 6, 2012 by Cory Doctorow was very interesting and made some relevant points such as;

"But if it's a bargain, it's a curious, one-sided arrangement. To understand the kind of deal you make with your privacy a hundred times a day, please read and agree with the following: By reading this agreement, you give our company and its partners the unlimited right to intercept and examine your reading choices from this day forward, to sell the insights gleaned thereby, and to retain that information in perpetuity and supply it without limitation to any third party - and this agreement is subject to change at any time."

Right, so people give their information and assume that that particular website will use that information for only good purposes, and perhaps to send them advertisements, and to help pay for those free services through their advertising partners. But who is to say that those advertising partners will not all get together with other advertising partners, sharing that data together, and before you know it you get your information shared with the entire world, when you supposedly just wanted a free app to run on your mobile phone, probably something silly, something cool, or something that really doesn't matter anyway - look at the real cost now?

Well, this is exactly what's happening now, and that last little bit above about; "and this agreement is subject to change at any time," and for any reason without your consent forever into the future as long as you live, and beyond - is yet completely another thing. Do people really agree to have their information given to every company worldwide just for using a free app? Do people really know what they're in for? I would submit to you that they do not, and that the individual who wrote that article is absolutely correct, and I fear that things are getting worse.

There was another interesting article in the Wall Street Journal on June 5, 2012 which indicated that there were companies able to get by the rules at the Apple's App Store about "tracking consumers" by working with other app companies, and then trading the data amongst them. Some of these networked big data information companies are making a ton of money off your personal information, and God only knows who is going to receive that information future. Indeed I hope you will please consider all this and think on it.

Lance Winslow has launched a new provocative series of eBooks on Digital Internet Concepts. Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank; http://www.worldthinktank.net/

View the original article here

Protect Your Network From Malware Using Anti Spam Services

Studies show 90% of the 200 billion emails sent out and received each day are spam messages. These spam messages are often harmless, but some may include malicious software (commonly known as malware) that compromise your security. You need reliable email filtering or anti spam services to protect your business.

There are two types of malware that are serious threats to businesses: spyware and Trojan horses. Spyware collects information about your network's users without your knowledge, while Trojan horses conceal other malicious programs that can do everything from keystroke logging to stealing passwords and credit card information. These malware aren't just threats to you, but to your business associates, customers, and anyone else you send emails to. This is why you need to find an email filtering service that has both inbound and outbound filtering.

Inbound Filtering

When talking about spam protection for email, inbound filtering is what usually comes to mind. This type of filtering scans all emails you receive for threats, and alerts you about them or automatically put the infected emails into a designated spam folder. Inbound filtering is usually included in most email hosting services, such as Gmail and Yahoo Mail. Certain anti spam services may keep records of the email or IP addresses sending you spam messages, which makes it easier for you to block them.

Outbound Filtering

Instead of scanning messages you receive through your email, an outbound email filtering service scans the messages sent from within your email system. Some hackers are able to gain access to your computer network without being detected, and could be using your own servers to send out malicious emails. Outbound filtering prevents this from happening by monitoring any potential threats in the messages you send, and detecting any suspicious activity such as sending out massive amounts of emails. This allows you to determine exactly where the spam or security threats come from, and enables you or your IT team to come up with an immediate solution.

Finding a Good Email Filtering Service

The tricky thing about security software is striking a balance between eliminating threats and making sure you still receive all your legitimate emails. Some filtering systems go over the top with their security measures, and may block messages from your business partners or customers. You want to stay protected but not risk losing any business relationships or opportunities because of your email's anti-spam protection.

There are many companies and software developers offering filtering services for businesses. When looking for reliable service providers, look for those who have years of experience and proven results under their belt. Doing a quick search on Google should reveal which among the available spam protection services are the most popular and effective, but you need to do more in-depth research than that. Find customer reviews and testimonials that talk about the software you are looking into, or ask your IT team for their recommendations.

Do not forget to keep your budget in mind as you search for filtering software. Some of the more effective packages are often pricey, but it is easy to find alternatives you can use until you manage to build up the funds for the best filtering services.

Mae O'Connell is a software developer who helped create an effective email filtering service and anti spam service.

View the original article here

Importance of Virus Removal Services

Almost the same as the genetically produced virus, a PC virus proliferates from one PC to the next. It is basically a self-duplicating program that thrives on other programs. To help you fight this problem, you have to get the best antivirus service.

How Can a Virus Pose a Threat to Your PC?

Most PC viruses are really bothersome - they cause your operating system to slow down and your PC either begins to act strange or it crashes. Every time you type a certain command, your PC does a different thing. The best antivirus services would simply reboot one's PC to remove the virus. However, there are those which can inflict considerable harm. For example, you might notice that important files needed by the OS have already been deleted. To protect your PC from being attacked by a virus, you can call up a Spyware Virus Program. Have them install an anti-virus program that matches your needs. They can also answer any inquiries or clear any uncertainties you may possess about how the anti-virus program works. But viruses are not the sole malicious software riding in your PC.

How Does Your PC or Network Get Debilitated by Spyware?

Spyware and virus removal programs are some of those things you can't live without most especially when you are in the net banking industry. This malware or software as it is more popularly known follows your online activities without you being aware. Then suddenly, you find a change in your homepage. There are unwanted websites that keep popping up. Computer settings may have altered. Internet service connection is abnormally slow. As soon as spyware enters one's PC, it starts checking one's personal data making one totally submissive to phishing. A spyware and best antivirus program can assist you in dealing with such nuisance. The major difference between a spyware and a virus lies in the fact that the former is not capable of replicating itself.

It is actually not similar with a PC infection that proliferates like the dreaded virus. Either it enters the computer program as a Trojan or it piggybacks. Just like the seasoned spy, spyware has the difficulty to be detected. The best antivirus spyware program can assist you in cleaning up your PC and enable you to conveniently use your PC again. To protect your PC from these attacks, take advantage of a good Spyware and Anti-Virus Removal. Our dependence on our computers make us a target rich environment for unscrupulous people, but it doesn't mean that we can't fight back and protect ourselves from viruses and spyware.

View the original article here