0 Virus Alertness Tricks

When talking about computer virus protection, anti-virus software, and firewalls, it is important to stress that no virus protection system is foolproof. Even top security computer systems have been infiltrated time and again by hackers and computer criminals simply by programming a virus. Files have been deleted, accounts and identities have been stolen, and confidential files have been accessed by these hackers. This is not to say that anti-virus softwares are useless, but to point out that these programs work and perform better with the users' assistance.

Computer viruses are programs that reproduce themselves and infect files and disks. They are spread and transmitted whenever files, disks, or programs are exchanged. Email attachments from known people, like your friends, professors, colleagues, or even your boss, can be virus-laden. The senders themselves may not even be aware that they're sending you a virus. Computer virus protection, anti-virus software, and firewalls are developed to help you identify the viruses, the infected part of your system, and the process by which the virus can be contained. But as pointed out before, they need your assistance. New programs are developed regularly, and aside from these, there are also new technologies put in use. With the improvements in technology, it is naive and erroneous to assume that viruses remain as they are. They are constantly changing, becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect. Most advanced viruses aren't detected until they have brought down and controlled entire systems. Hence, the first trick of virus protection is to subscribe to a reputable anti-virus software. Free software can detect and quarantine simple worms and viruses, but they would be hard-pressed to detect the more sophisticated kinds. Subscription requires minimal fees compared to the degree of protection your computer receives. This is especially advisable to companies and large businesses where several computers are joined in a network. Computers for home use and ones that aren't used for storing sensitive data can do just fine with free downloadable software.

Subscription automatically causes your computer virus protection, anti-virus software, and firewall security to update whenever it is possible. This is an advantage because you can keep up with the rapid sophistication of new viruses. The more updated your software is, the more efficient it is in catching the virus. Free software must be updated or replaced with new versions regularly. It is best to update your software whenever your software site alerts you of newer versions. Aside from these tricks, doing virus scans on files, disks, software disks, programs, and other applications must be second nature to you before opening or downloading. Keep back-up files of the data and files in your computer in case a virus caused them to be deleted. Regular rebooting and "clean up" of your system also minimize susceptibility to viruses. Computer virus protection and anti-virus softwares optimize their performance with your help.

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0 Multi-Media Technologies Changing Lives For The Better

Multi-media technologies, are a meld of audio, video, and imaging software, used to capture, edit, store, and search, retrieve, transfer, distribute, and access information through multiple means. Hence – the term multimedia.

As these technologies become more advanced and versatile, they've enabled content creators to design and facilitate the presentation of information to new levels.

What about the audience? Today's audience is highly sophisticated, with a bigger appetite for media experiences where fast motion, brilliant color, energy, textures, powerful sounds, and richer content are the order of the day, engaging their senses, and piquing their interest.

The good news is, the use of multi-media technology has gone mainstream. There are many websites which offer free and cheap downloads of multimedia programs to give anyone from the budding filmmaker, teacher, the lawyer, CEO, marketing whiz, and to the homemaker the ability to communicate their ideas, in vivid details, from the big picture to the tiniest details.

Indeed, these technologies permeate our daily existence. And makes it a fair question to ask. "Is there value to be found in using multimedia technologies?" Yes, and here's why.

In today's world, information has become the new currency, with many countries scrabbling to move heavily into an information-based society. Technologies such as multi-media software, give an added advantage to it's' users, providing them the tools to clearly convey ideas and thus, produce valuable content. That gives them premium importance.

Nevertheless, it may surprise you to know that not only has multimedia technologies revolutionized the way we live, work, create, but it has spawned new industries and killed old ones.

For instance, in the work place, these technologies provide office workers the means to communicate, and collaborate, with colleagues on the other side of the planet, from different time zones, through desktop video conferencing, shared workspace, and multimedia messaging. Companies in fact, purchase multi- media technologies, to provide the employees the ability to create, edit graphics audio and video files, and use these to create presentations, and other work related products.
For one's entertainment needs, there's a choice between movies or videos on demand, and pay-per-view, among others. In this instance, multi-media technologies give the consumer the freedom to select what she, or he wants to watch.

For audiophiles, there are many free and cheap software programs, which provide the users the freedom to select the file format, how it will be recorded, and where it will be stored. All you'll need is a high bandwidth, and the pc equipment to record and capture the audio.
For serious gamer's multi-media software have created stimulating new games, better quality special effects, richer playing environments, betting/gambling software, multiplayer games, and polling. These technological tools, have accelerated the growth of the video game industry, and expanded research for better computer graphics, simulation, modeling, and artificial intelligence.

Even if you were not a serious gamer, you would greatly appreciate the ability to download interactive video games, while you're in your pajamas, in the privacy of your home.

Advertising has become intuitive, for as the differences between television and the internet continue to blur, advertisers have turned to interactive infomercials, to get consumers to buy. These tools allow advertisers to track the users' preferences and create an infomercial especially suited to the users' needs. Another nifty product is the virtual catalogue, where the customer can inspect the products before purchasing them, in the privacy of their home.

The use of multimedia technologies for home shopping, banking and financial transactions, telephony, medical advice, restaurant or hotel guides, is a commonplace activity for consumers.

Even the way we learn and package information from books, magazines, atlases, and newspapers has improved. One brilliant example is the educational CD Rom. Think about the fact that an entire 32-volume Encyclopaedia Britannica book set can be compressed into two cds.

In retrospect, one can see the world has benefited immensely with the use of multi-media technologies. It has brought humanity closer by making distance a non-issue, freedom of choice a reality and the conveyance of ideas, more precise.

For your own personal multimedia file usage, please visit http://www.multimedia-downloads.com for all your audio, video and imaging software needs.

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0 Your Information Technology Career: Certification vs. Experience

Whether you're just starting your Information Technology career, or wanting to get further ahead in your current IT career, you have probably thought about earning one of the many popular computer certifications such as the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification, or the MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) cert.

A major point of frustration for individuals pursuing one of these certifications is a possible lack of experience with these technologies. Many future CCNAs or MCSEs simply stop trying to earn their certification, feeling that their lack of experience will hold them back.

Adding to this are those in IT who will stop everything they're doing at the drop of a hat to stomp on the dreams of others. I recently saw a post by an IT newcomer on a popular website where he declared his intention of earning his CCNA. Within minutes, several naysayers popped up and told him that he shouldn't bother, it wouldn't do any good due to his lack of experience, etc. (Did you ever notice that people who bash certifications generally don't have any themselves?)

I am in no way discounting the importance of experience. What I am saying is that every single one of us was a beginner at one point, and a lot of IT professionals forget this. None of us was born knowing everything we know today, and we shouldn't spend any time dismissing the goals of others in the IT field, or those just breaking in

I am speaking from experience on this point. I had a tough time breaking into the IT field, and made a lot of calls and knocked on a lot of doors before I got in. I found out later that the reason I got that entry-level job is that I had a professional certification where the other candidates did not.

The pursuit of certification is the pursuit of knowledge, and in our field, you can never have too much knowledge. If your work is strictly on the Local Area Network side, don't let that stop you from pursuing a CCNA. If you work exclusively on the WAN side, don't let that stop you from going after your MCSE. If you're just breaking into Information Technology, don't let a lack of experience prevent you from studying for your A+, Network+, or even your MCSE or CCNA.

Because one day, opportunity is going to knock - and the more you know, the readier you'll be to answer that knock! Use your long-range vision to envision the day when you will have both experience and certification - an unbeatable combination.

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0 Questions To Ask A Computer Repair School Before You Put Down Your Money

Most people realize that getting good training from a computer repair school for a task is a smart thing to do. Choosing a computer repair school that gives you bad training on the other hand can lead to much frustration. Avoiding a negative experience comes down to asking the right questions.

How long have you been in business? This is the first question to ask. You don't want to be a guinea pig for a school. If this is the first or second year of operating for them, keep looking. I know someone has to be first and you are probably going to get a lower tuition rate but it isn't usually worth the risk. Running a training school isn't for the faint of heart. There are lots of lessons to be learned. Why let them learn those lessons on you?

How many people in the program I'm planning to take have found jobs in the last year? A good computer repair school will be happy to provide you with numbers. Even better is if they are willing to provide you with references including names and phone numbers. Unless you plan on opening your own business, knowing there will be a job for you at the end of your training is important.

Don't overlook this part of your research. If they give you names to call, call them. While you have these references on the phone, ask them about the school. What they liked and what they didn't like. Better yet, ask them whether the training they received from the school was worth the price they paid for their training.

How much real life experience do my teachers have in the field? You don't want to get theory only. You need some practical advice to go along with that theory. Sometimes, you may find their practical advice being worth a lot more than their theoretical knowledge.

Why should I enroll in your course of study over another training company's program? Asking this question can help you identify the particular strengths of the training school you're examining. Keep in mind though that the answer to this question will usually be a sales pitch. Do some outside research to verify any information the school gives you.

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