BUSINESS
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Brian Enterprises
Established 1983
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Websites of friends & family |
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Heather
Hilton, artist |
| Windows programs | Computer wisdom |
| ANTI-MALWARE: AVG makes a great anti-virus program.(look for Free Edition) The program is FREE and there is no fee for updates. SPYBOT anti-spyware program. The program is FREE and there is no fee for updates. ZONE ALARM is a firewall program. The program is FREE and there is no fee for updates. AD-AWARE anti-adware program. The program is FREE and there is no fee for updates. APPLICATIONS: (Because these programs are not written by Microsoft they are not as tightly “coupled” to Windows. There exists the opinion that the process used to develop these programs and the “loose coupling” makes them more secure than their Windows counterparts. NOTHING is secure enough to cover the actions of a careless user.) FIREFOX is an internet browser, like Internet Explorer (IE). It is very fast at drawing pages and supports all sorts of extensions, plugins and features (like tabbed browsing). We try not to use IE because of all the virus problems associated with it, this is the program we replaced it with. The program is FREE and there is no fee for updates. THUNDERBIRD – is an e-mail program, like Outlook or Outlook Express. The program is FREE and there is no fee for updates. OPEN OFFICE – is a Microsoft Office replacement (.DOC) (.XLS). You can use this to do almost anything that Microsoft Office does, and more (I know, I use both). The program is FREE and there is no fee for updates. ADOBE READER – is a program that will let you read (.PDF) files that you find on the web. Adobe Acrobat Reader is a very popular tool for reading this special type of documents. The program is FREE and there is no fee for updates. PERSONAL ANCESTRAL FILE – is a program that lets you organize your genealogy records and photos into a professional quality database. You can generate website pages with this. We use this program “internally” to keep records and use a program we wrote to present it on the web. The program is FREE and there is no fee for updates. WinZip – is a program that compresses information (.ZIP) so that it takes up less space (think 2000 lb. Elephant in a suitcase). It is no longer available for FREE. This version is an older “demo” version, but it works well. WORD '97 VIEWER – is a program for viewing Microsoft Word Documents (.DOC). This program has been “replaced” by OPEN OFFICE. |
Malware
- “Evil software”. A program that uses computer hardware and
information in unauthorized ways without concern for the well being of
the computer, the information on the computer or the operator. Spyware - Malware that monitors the computer operator's activities and reports what it learns to an unauthorized person. Some spyware is “included” in commercial products to gather marketing statistics. Trojan - Malware that presents itself as a “good program” or an “enhancement” in an attempt to get the computer operator to willingly accept it. Worm - Malware that makes use of a weakness in a system to install itself (and possibly other) programs. Worms usually travel without operator assistance from system to system. Virus - Malware that makes use of a weakness in a system to install itself (and possibly other) programs. Worms usually travel without operator assistance from system to system. Antivirus – A program that monitors system activity and uses known “signatures” or “finger prints” to detect the presents of Malware. Because it takes time to develop signatures and cures, malware can exist undetected on your system. The signatures should be updated as frequently as new ones are developed. Don't be surprised if you find a virus soon after an update of the signatures. You should not be “careless” about your computer activities simply because you feel “protected”. Getting a “shot” for the flu should not tempt anyone to increase their association with flu infected people. Firewall – A program that monitors traffic to and from the internet in an attempt to detect and prevent unauthorized access. A firewall will ask you before it allows traffic to continue. Good traffic may include sending and receiving e-mail, browsing web pages and using an instant messanger. Bad traffic is anything trying to get in or out without the operator's knowledge. Internet Browser – A program for viewing web pages. Internet Explorer is the most common (because it is included with Windows), FireFox is my personal favorite. Cookie – A small file that contains information about the selections you make while visiting a website. Some websites remember “who you are” by storing your name in a “cookie” on YOUR SYSTEM. This is OK, most of the time. Bad Habit - Something you do, without thinking about it, that is likely to get your computer infected with a virus. This link will take you to sites that can help you avoid infection. |
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/ Rev. 12-Jan-2005