Awhile back I set a goal that I wanted freedom from the fear of losing files, viruses, spyware, malware or even a hardware failure. Bottom line, I never want to fix my computers again. I just want them to work. I want my files where I need them and I want them to be their automatically. However, threats are everywhere. You can't talk to anyone about computers without the topic of being infected with spyware or viruses coming up in the conversation. No matter how careful everyone says they are I don’t think anyone who’s used a PC in the past 5 years hasn’t inadvertently infected their computer with some kind of malware, lost files or experienced a major computer slow down for no apparent reason. At this point many depend on the skills and kindness of others to get cleaned, download free tools that promise sunshine and rainbows, or pay good money to get the nightmare over with. In this new age where being connected at all times has become a proverb there is a war going on to take control of your computer and use it against you and others systems. Online thieves work hard to get your banking information, credit card numbers and if they can, even your identity. They high jack your hardware resources like your processor, memory and internet connection to attack other systems so your PC is cranking away doing everything but what you want. If that’s not bad enough, you still have hardware failures to worry about. Hard drive crashes are not uncommon and just a good old fashion computer crash can take out all your files. We still carry around usb drives between home and work and email ourselves files we need on our other computer. It’s barbaric.
The laptop I’m using to write this still works the same as it did when I bought it in the summer of 2004 and still runs just as fast. My son is now 16 and has managed to drag his computer through the depths of evil on the internet where empty promises of free goodies combined with bad advice from friends would destroy most computers. His computer still runs clean and fast with no issues. To do this you need to deploy a team of both built in software and third party tools to truly lock things down, protect files and at the same time make them available everywhere you need them. Most people install an Antivirus program and think they are protected. This is like putting a tank in front of your house and expecting it to secure your home from all threats. Although the tank is a powerful machine capable of fantastic destruction of large enemies, without support, it’s foolish to expect nothing to get past it. In reality we have many technologies protecting our homes from would be thieves to insects and even microbes. We have security systems with real people monitoring them, locks on the windows and doors, pest control, and air filters to name a few. It’s the same with your computer.
This book is not a review of different software apps with a top ten list of the best products in each category. Or a Captain Obvious list detailing how you should make sure Windows is up to date, run antivirus software, don’t pirate software, don’t search for porn and curb your curiosity on the web. Not every solution in this book is free. Although I’ve tried many apps hoping they would get the job done for the great price of free this was not always the case and having to fork over hard earned cash was required to get the job done. This is a complete simple step by step guide that anyone can follow and turn computer problems into a bad dream that happened a long time ago. It will show you what to do and how to do it.
I read an Associated Press article recently titled “Framed for Child Porn by a PC Virus” published Nov 9, 2009. It had a detailed account on how a couple was infected with a virus that visited child pornography websites and collected images on the husband’s state issued computer. When a company technician discovered offensive images stored in a folder that logs what was viewed online he was fired and authorities charged him with possession of child pornography. A charge that carries a sentence of up to five years in prison if found guilty. After 11 months fighting the case they had spent $250,000 on legal fees, spent all their savings, needed to take a second mortgage and sell their car. The charges were dropped but the damages where done and, by their account, it ruined their lives. Criminals can use viruses to take control and direct someone’s laptop or PC to collect child porn and view them remotely when the infected computer is online.
This article confirms what I have believed for some time now. The days when we can be protected from all responsibility of what is on or what our computers do because of our lack of knowledge are coming to an end. The consequences have become too severe to not invest in adequate protection. There have been many times I have cleaned up infected computers in the work place and personal computers and discovered a cornucopia of pornography, pirated music and movies. When asked, the answers I get are almost always the same “I only use it to check my messages.”, “I hardly use it for anything except for a few websites I visit every day.” This is the same as if one day it’s discovered you have a large stash of illegal drugs in the attic of your home and your defense is “I don’t know anything about houses, I just sleep and eat here”. If you follow the steps in this book you will be well protected from the ongoing threats that can seize your computer regardless of what websites you visit, emails you read, files you download or what you click on.
Here is a sample of what's inside the book:
- How to clean out a Malware Infection
- How to Rollback any Disaster with One Click
- How to Never Lose Your Files (Even old Versions!)
- How to Access Files No Matter Where You Are
- How to Encrypt Sensitive Data Like James Bond
- How to Secure Your Wireless Home the Right Way
- How to Keep Your PC Always Running Fast
- Includes 50 Free Apps to Help You Do Everything
