1.) The author mentions many ways you can maintain and tune your computer. Some of these methods for windows users include using a junk-cleaning program which is a program that scans your computer for "junk files", or useless files, and allows you to delete these files from your computer. Another method for windows users is using Windows' Disk Cleanup utility which is a program that again allows users to delete "no-longer-needed-files" and reclaim free space on your harddrive. Some methods for Macintosh users include getting rid of unwanted applications which involves using a utility called AppZapper which finds and deletes all components of an unwanted application. Another method includes deleting files you no longer need which involves using a program to uncover and delete files on your computer that you no longer need. Also, another method for Macintosh users include using a maintenance utility which again uses a program which takes care of regular system maintenance.
2.) I usually use the method of manually maintaining my computer by deleting unwanted files and regularly updating my system. This has worked fairly well, as I have been able to avoid viruses and my computer still works as fast as it did when I first bought it four years ago. I have not tried any of the authors suggestions because since I have kept up with maintaining my computer I see no reason to buy a program to do what I have done manually now for four years.
3.) Data scrubbing is an error correction technique that uses a program to periodically check your computer for errors, and when errors are found the program corrects the errors using another copy of the data, one with no errors. This is important because by using this you can avoid the accumulation of errors and reduces the risk of having uncorrectable errors.
4.) A "cookie" is a text file embedded on to your computer after visiting most commercial websites. They can be a good thing for convience reasons. For example, if you visit a previously visited site, your computer can read the corresponding cookie and tell who you are. Although cookies are not always good because some advertising networks can track these cookies on your computer and can track what websites you have visited and when you visited them.
5.) "Key Logging" is the method of tracking the keys struck on your keyboard so that the person striking the keys is unaware of it. Two methods the author recommends to keep your computer free of spyware include using a free program called Lavasoft Ad-Aware Personal which catches spyware and malware after it has entered your computer and allows you to remove it after the fact. The other method is to use a program called Microsoft Windows Defender which does real time scanning and let you know right when spyware or malware has infected your computer. The author also warns that before you install any free spyware or malware removal programs to make sure the program is not itself a spyware/malware promulgator by searching the name of the program at symantec.com, which is a company that monitors malware threats.
6.) Phising is a scam that is sent to thousands of people in hopes they will fill out their personal information and click submit, so that hackers or scammers can use this information against you. Pharming is a type of identity theft that is committed when you go to a phony website. It happens when you are directed to a phony site where they again ask you for your personal information that scammers will eventually use against you.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
Chapter 8 Assessment
1.) Wi-Fi is short for "Wireless Fidelity". It is a set of instructions for configuring radios, that allow computers to talk to each other without wires. There is a single base station which is connected to the internet, which all other computers connect to, basically eliminating the need of data cables. The author mentions that other users, wireless phone headsets, microwave ovens as well as baby monitors may interfere with your Wi-Fi connection. This happens because Wi-Fi uses an unlicensed spectra to broadcast, one that is susceptible to interference.
2.) Three methods of telling if someone is using your wireless network are checking the website log for suspicious activity, check your security software for Intrusion Detection Alerts and software such as Wall Watcher and Securepoint Intrusion Detection to monitor incoming and outgoing activity over your network. Two methods of protecting your wireless network from outside usage include hiding your network by "closing" your network and encrypting your network by creating a software "key", that is used kind of like a password.
3.) The incident of a man being cited for using an "open" wireless connection is quite ridiculous. He was just in the right area to use it and wasn't doing anything illegal, just using the internet. Also, anyone has the right to "close" their wireless connection if they don' t want other people using it, if they choose to leave it "open", it should be legal for anyone to use it. I agree with the author's assessment because I also believe it is the owners responsibility to keep the network locked if they do not want to share it.
4.) One potential issue when using a VoIP service is obtaining a second phone line for the DSL connection because the phone number can not be the same for the VoIP service and the internet connection. Also, the traditional 911 emergency service doesn't work when called from a number using a VoIP service, no name or address appears when you call. Another issue is if the power goes out then so does your VoIP service and you have no phone. Finally, if your internet connection gets dropped, you will not be able to use your VoIP service.
5.) The author provides five things you should do with your e-mail when you receive it to help you deal with your e-mail. These five things include either delete the e-mail, answer it, let someone else deal with it (or redirect the message), save it for reference or tag it for later action.
6.) Methods the author provides to reduce the amount of spam you receive include not letting spammers know you exist by not posting your e-mail address anywhere online. Another method is not ever replying to a spam or clicking the "unsubscribe" link. Also, you can never buy anything advertised via spam. You could also use your internet service provider's spam filtering options to filter out spam. Also, you can use the spam filtering capabilities that come with your e-mail program, similar to that of your internet service provider's. Finally, you can use a third party filter, which is a system that you run your e-mail through that filters out the spam for you.
2.) Three methods of telling if someone is using your wireless network are checking the website log for suspicious activity, check your security software for Intrusion Detection Alerts and software such as Wall Watcher and Securepoint Intrusion Detection to monitor incoming and outgoing activity over your network. Two methods of protecting your wireless network from outside usage include hiding your network by "closing" your network and encrypting your network by creating a software "key", that is used kind of like a password.
3.) The incident of a man being cited for using an "open" wireless connection is quite ridiculous. He was just in the right area to use it and wasn't doing anything illegal, just using the internet. Also, anyone has the right to "close" their wireless connection if they don' t want other people using it, if they choose to leave it "open", it should be legal for anyone to use it. I agree with the author's assessment because I also believe it is the owners responsibility to keep the network locked if they do not want to share it.
4.) One potential issue when using a VoIP service is obtaining a second phone line for the DSL connection because the phone number can not be the same for the VoIP service and the internet connection. Also, the traditional 911 emergency service doesn't work when called from a number using a VoIP service, no name or address appears when you call. Another issue is if the power goes out then so does your VoIP service and you have no phone. Finally, if your internet connection gets dropped, you will not be able to use your VoIP service.
5.) The author provides five things you should do with your e-mail when you receive it to help you deal with your e-mail. These five things include either delete the e-mail, answer it, let someone else deal with it (or redirect the message), save it for reference or tag it for later action.
6.) Methods the author provides to reduce the amount of spam you receive include not letting spammers know you exist by not posting your e-mail address anywhere online. Another method is not ever replying to a spam or clicking the "unsubscribe" link. Also, you can never buy anything advertised via spam. You could also use your internet service provider's spam filtering options to filter out spam. Also, you can use the spam filtering capabilities that come with your e-mail program, similar to that of your internet service provider's. Finally, you can use a third party filter, which is a system that you run your e-mail through that filters out the spam for you.
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