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Ruthless crooks develop viruses and spyware that could harm both your data and
you. To minimize chances of harm, you need to update your Operating System,
Browser, AntiVirus and AntiSpam, apart from the other applications that you run.
The importance of being Updated cannot be overemphasized!
The Operating System (OS) acts as the interpreter between the programs you run
(your Word Processor, Spreadsheet, Picture-viewing program, Browser, etc.) and
the system's hardware. The OS does all the house-keeping tasks as it were, and
is vital for your PC to run at all in the first place, and run in a healthy,
trouble-free manner.
While there are a number of Operating Systems for the PC, we are concerned with
the one developed by Microsoft, Windows alone: Windows is used in the vast
majority of PCs worldwide.
The title of this page is our way of honoring one of our all-time favorite
authors: Oscar Wilde. We are amazed at Oscar Wilde's genius at writing and his
insight into life and people: although he lived a few centuries ago, people have
not changed so much since his time! Unfortunately, Oscar Wilde's personal life
was filled with tragedy and shame...
Apart from interpreting your favorite programs, the Operating System is also
responsible for letting the Hardware know what Peripherals (Printer, Scanner,
Web Cam, Modem, etc.) and Add-ons (Thumb Drive, a second Hard Disk, your Digital
Camera/ Video Camera, USB Port Replicator, etc.) are attached to your machine,
immediately after you attach them. When any of these are removed, the OS informs
your PC what has been removed too.
Click here for a free Whitepaper on the Importance of being Patched and Updated!
The following Seven Steps are VITAL for keeping your Computer
WellOiled - a
Computer is only as secure as the last update it has had, just as a chain is
only as strong as its weakest link!
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Use Authentic, Legal Software alone!
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Anything else and you are a thief! |
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Illegal/ Pirated software may not work at all, may not be complete, may not be
free from viruses and definitely will not be supported by the manufacturer. So
you may not be eligible for upgrades and patches released from time to time by
the manufacturer. |
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Your Operating System software should be as up-to-date as possible.
Always.
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Although both Windows XP and Vista (all versions) have an auto update feature,
it is a good idea to manually check for Windows Updates weekly - or at least
once every fortnight |
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Microsoft Windows self-updates itself whenever you are connected to the
Internet. However, it pays to check the Microsoft site once-in-a-while, to
check out whether you have missed out any important update!
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Say weekly, if you browse the Internet frequently
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Certainly fortnightly, if you aren't a regular Netizen
The link to Windows update is;
http://update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/v6/default.aspx.
You can access this link by means of the Tools/ Windows Update
MenuItem (a MenuItem is the text that is at the top of any Program (the
usual MenuItems are File, Edit, Help, etc.), under Internet
Explorer.
Microsoft provides two kinds of Windows updates - Express and Custom. It is
vital to install the Express Updates as soon as possible - these are
security loopholes discovered, the Express updates would 'patch' the
security loopholes in Windows
Certainly, a company should not be targeted for being successful, whatever
be the means of attaining the success. As Microsoft product users, we are
severely impacted by any loopholes in the product that unscrupulous people
utilize to extract information from your PC without your consent, or to
bring down your PC. You are assured some amount of peace of mind by
regularly checking, downloading and installing the Windows Express Updates.
Under Custom updates, you will find Microsoft's updates for your Hardware as
well as Software. These usually help run your PC more smoothly, with some of
the Custom updates even adding new functions and features to your machine.
While these aren't vital, it makes sense to check, download and install
Custom updates at regular intervals (once in a month) too |
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Your other Microsoft products (such as MS Office, MS Project and MS Visio,
etc.), should be as up-to-date as possible too
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All Microsoft products update
automatically. However, it is a good idea to check manually for updates once
every fortnight or so |
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Microsoft products are targeted by Hackers and other unscrupulous people, as
the market share of Windows-based PCs is about 93% of all installed PCs
worldwide. (The remaining 7-and-odd percentage is held by the Apple
Macintosh machines)
To secure your PC as well as you can against these unscrupulous people, you
must update all your Microsoft products, too |
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You must run a top-notch Antivirus Program.
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For a comparison,
recommendation and purchase of your choice of AntiVirus program,
Click
Here |
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Viruses can cause data loss, you could end up losing all your hard work of
many years, if your PC is subject to a Virus attack.
Spending about $80 for an Antivirus program is like spending on Insurance -
you do not expect (or want) to die, yet you pay the premium every year! |
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Installing the best Antivirus program alone will not keep viruses away from
your machine.
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You must update your
Antivirus program every 2-3 days, else your computer is open to attack by the
latest viruses, for which you have not yet downloaded the Antivirus updates! |
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Even the best Antivirus is only as good as its latest patch! |
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You must run a top-notch AntiSpyware Program.
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For a comparison,
recommendation and purchase of your choice of AntiSpyware program,
Click
Here |
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Spyware is the latest security hazard on the block. While Viruses can cause
data loss, Spyware can cause you financial loss - even loss of credibility
and standing in society!
Spending yet another $100 for an AntiSpyware program is therefore a great
investment idea! |
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Like the OS and the Antivirus program, your AntiSpyware program needs to be
updated as well.
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It is a good idea to
update your Antivirus and AntiSpyware program at the same time, once every 2 to
3 days |
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With new kinds of Spyware programs constantly coming up, the need to update
your AntiSpyware program is also vital! |
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PCs: Hardware, Software and Computer Services.
And, People who use PCs
People seeking reliable advice for PC
Purchases
People seeking advice for
extracting maximum utility from their PCs
People looking for reviews of and purchase
links for top-notch Security Products (AntiViruses, AntiSpyware, etc.)
Small/ Home Offices with Networked PCs, seeking maximum RoI from their IT
Investments/ advice on expanding IT Infrastructure
People and Corporations planning to set up professional, contemporary, optimized, aesthetic websites
Worldwide IT Vendors looking for authentic,
professional and inexpensive Market Research on global IT Markets
Software Developers wanting to Document/
create quality User Manuals for their Products/ Services
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