"It wasn't me...I swear"

Recently, two interesting articles related to home computer security were published in prominent periodicals. Last week the "Boston Globe" wrote about the vulnerabilities of wireless Internet access. The opening sentence is a real grabber..."If you have wireless Internet access at home, your next door neighbor could have it as well, without paying for it. He can just use yours". Some wireless systems can connect up to 300' with signals strong enough to penetrate brick walls. You may be thinking... "Who cares...It's nice to share...the only one getting hurt is the Internet provider". Wrong! If some shady character parks outside your house and downloads illegal material guess who the authorities are going to question first? Right! If this does happen try... "It wasn't me...I swear". However, it seems easier and more effective to "lock down" your wireless technology. This process is readily available, inexpensive, but better explained by an expert. In a second related topic, a study funded by America On-Line and the US National Cyber Security Alliance revealed that 80% of home PCs had been infected with spyware. And the users have no idea. Spyware can allow your internet usage to be tracked: what sites you visit and for how long, what you bought online and from whom. The study states that most users are unprotected from online threats and largely ignorant to the dangers. According to the findings 60% of home computer owners do not know the difference between a Firewall and antivirus software. In addition the large majority of PCers using antivirus software do not updated it regularly (that would be me). But back to more pleasant topics, two down...two to go...Go Sox