If you think your business would not benefit from having a web presence, think again. A new report by PEW/Internet describes how internet usage continues to rise in America, up almost 11% from a year ago. They also post a handy chart of internet demographics if you want to see a break down in ages and gender.

More and more people are turning to the internet as one of their main sources of information. Your business cannot afford to ignore this advertising, marketing, and networking venue any longer. Even search engines are using technology to favor web sites that have been around longer and appear to be in it for the long haul. Even if you must start small, start Now!

Well, today my new Tablet PC arrived. I upgraded my M1300 to an LE1600 from Motion Computing. I was a bit bummed that none of my old components or upgrades would transfer over, but I am excited about the new features- especially the thumbprint reader and the View Anywhere screen.
I am not looking forward to restoring files and reloading software but it will nice to have a ‘clean slate’ to try to keep in better order and keep up on backups and restores!
Oh, after I finish setting up the new one, I will be selling my old tablet either locally or on ebay, if you’re interested.

This is my plea that when you receive an email urging you to do it, please don’t send it “to everyone you know.”

Emails that urge the recipient to pass the message on to everyone they know generally fall within 3 categories:

1. Chain Letter
2. Internet Hoax
3. Warning/Safety issue which may actually fall into category 2.

1. Chain Letters.? These may be cute, they may be inspirational, but I bet you still might want to carefully consider who you send these out to.

2. There are hundreds of hoaxes and urban legends spread like wildfire by email.? Some of these hoaxes have been around nearly a decade, yet it seems impossible to kill them.

PLEASE check stories, warnings, sounds-too-good-to-be-true offers out on one of the many Hoax listing sites before you have that knee-jerk reaction to “send this to everyone you know.”

My favorite Hoax listing site is the CIAC’s Hoaxbusters at http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org/I particularly encourage you to read the section titled The Risk and Cost of Hoaxes.  You can also check out the list maintained by Trend Micro.

3. Warnings/Safety issues.? These messages?try to appeal to you that “you may be saving the life of a loved one.”? Alot of times these fall into the #2 category, because they have been floating around for so long, the issue has been resolved or the concern no longer valid.??Be sure check the above hoaxbusters sites and perhaps just do a quick Google search to try to determine the age of the warning.? Again, some of these make the rounds for years when they are no longer relevant issues. How can you tell when a message that gets forwarded just says “last week there were 3 reported cases…”.? When was “last week”?? When a message continues to make the rounds on email it is impossible to tell.

So think hard before you add to the problem of the email avalanche we face today.

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A Path to Recovery

Just a heads up that there is a new wave of viruses spreading to web sites and through html email (that’s any email that has any pictures, graphics, special fonts). Many times the virus is spread through a website that’s been infected unbeknownst to the web site owner.
To best protect yourself and prevent the spread of malicious viruses, you should utilize the following four tactics:

• Install virus protection and keep it up to date. My favorite anti-virus programs are from Trend Microand Computer Associates. For more information on some of their products, check out this review.
• Use an internet browser with a pop-up blocker (don’t forget to enable it!) or install a third-party pop-up blocker.  I personally use the Google Toolbar on top of the built in Internet Explorer pop-up blocker (version 6 and up).
• Use Anti-Spyware programs like Ad-Aware and PestPatrol.
• Make sure you download the latest patches and security updates from Microsoft if you’re using the Windows platform.

Healing Hands, Healing Hearts

Everyone, and I mean everyone should have anti-virus software installed if they use a computer that is networked in any way, shape, or form. (If you’re reading this you are on the largest network alone- the Internet!) If you don’t, you are not only putting yourself and your data at risk, but pretty much are putting the rest of us at risk as well (especially those you have the most contact with via email or other online communication).

Even if its been a long time since you installed it or updated it -perhaps you bought a computer in 2001 with Windows 2000 (or worse, you may still have Windows 98) on it and you had a ‘trial’ version of some anti-virus software that you’ve never upgraded or updated- you should probably consider one of the new generation anti-virus programs.

My current favorites are from Trend Micro and Computer Associates.

Trend Micro has a place on my recommended list because when some of the other big companies seemed to be just sitting on their laurels, Trend Micro was making great advancements and incorporating new technologies into their products. Plus I have a soft-spot for a company that gives you free tools and good prices. Trend Micro was the first anti-virus to offer a free online scan- with Housecall. Although scanning online will not protect you from viruses, it will let you find and destroy them if you’re already infected. Plus its nice to have a ’second opinion’ for peace of mind if you do have some sort of outbreak with another anti-virus product.
Anyway, your best bet is to install their PC-cillin Internet Security which gives you all-in-one antivirus, antispam, firewall for your PC and PDA. They are also offering $25 Competitive Upgrade Rebates until the end of 2006, if you need that nudge to upgrade that five year old version of McAfee you are fooling yourself into thinking is protecting you.

The second company I prefer is Computer Associates. They also have Internet Security Software that is effective, easy to use, and affordably priced. They also acquired Pest Patrol and have started incorporating anti-spyware into their products as well as offering FREE Scans. I currently run EZ Armor myself with PestPatrol on the side.