How To Secure Your Computer System?

By Edwin Zhang

Today, more and more people are using their computers for everything from communication to online banking and investing to shopping. As we do these things on a more regular basis, we open ourselves up to potential hackers, attackers and crackers.

There are numerous ways in which the security of your computer can be breached. The most common threats come from worms, viruses, Trojans, phishing, hackers and crackers. Potential security breaches can come in the form of downloading unfamiliar email attachments, being monitored by spyware, maliciously attacked by malware, or probed through port scanning.

Computer security can be a difficult concept for many people. But as long as you follow these easy, cost-effective steps, you can take to make your computer more secure.

1. Always make backups of important information and store in a safe place separate from your computer.

There are so many ways you can lose the information on your computer. Your child decides to play Chopin on your keyboard, a power surge, lightening, a virus, or even simple equipment failure. Therefore, backing up the contents of your hard drive is an absolute MUST. By regularly making backup copies of your files and storing them in a separate location, you can typically get some, if not all, of your information back in the event your computer crashes.

2. Don't run unfamiliar programs on your computer and do not open unknown email attachments.

It sounds like common sense, but many of the most prominent attacks have involved spyware and email attachment worms such as Bagle and Netsky. If you don't recognize the sender, don't download its attachments. Sometimes it is simply not enough that you may recognize the address from which it originates because many viruses can spread from a familiar address.

3. Update and patch your operating system,web browser and other applications frequently.

Many industry experts believe that most network security attacks would be stopped if computer users would just keep their computers updated with patches and security fixes. Too often, we forget to do this on a regular basis. Remember that every day, new viruses, worms and Trojans are being created and distributed. They are looking for the weaknesses in your computer system. Having outdated software is basically the same as holding the door open and inviting them in for a visit.

4. Install a firewall.

Without a good firewall, viruses, worms, Trojans, malware and adware can all easily access your computer from the Internet. Consideration should be given to the benefits and differences between hardware and software based firewall programs.

5. Install antivirus software and set for automatic updates so that you receive the most current versions.

6. Don't use weak passwords.
Use passwords which are difficult for someone to figure out. People frequently use the names of children, pets, anniversary dates, or birthdays. Because there seems to be a password needed for everything, it is not uncommon to see many people using the same password for everything.
Big mistake! The use of only one password provides a hacker with easy access to a smorgasbord of personal information. If you have to write your passwords down, it is best not to leave them on a post-it, attached to the screen of your computer. You may chuckle at the absurdity, but it happens more than you think.

7. Don't allow unrestricted physical access to your computer.

If you have sensitive or proprietary information on your computer, allowing other employees or family members to use your computer can lead to potential breaches in your computer's security.

For more information about pc security, please visit: http://www.pcsecurityarticles.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Edwin_Zhang

Alcohol and Your Health - Benefits to Digestive and Respiratory System

By S. Michael Windsor

It seems these days many people prefer to talk about the negative affects that alcohol has on some people. There are many, many benefits to consuming moderate amounts of alcohol daily such as those affecting our digestive and respiratory systems, such as the prevention of gallstones in the digestive system. Although the benefits are much greater in other areas of the body, the benefits may improve many peoples' lives tremendously. More detailed information can be found online at The Hangover Network website.

Many individuals believe that alcohol and alcohol alone causes weight gain on most people. After researching many studies performed on the subject, I was not able to pinpoint ANY definite conclusions as all the results of the studies seemed rather mixed. Quite possibly this could be because of not the alcohol, but HOW they are consuming it. Many of the individuals in the studies not only showed no increase in weight, but a decrease in many cases. Why is this? When out and about a lot of folks like different styles of drinks and different styles mean different flavors, right? Could it be possible, then, that those who experience weight gain either consume many more sugar-laden, 'fattening' drinks versus many who simply go with the scotch 'on the rocks'? In addition, we are all guilty of getting those late might 'munchies' due to the long night of drinking and blood sugar levels dropping like a porn star's knickers on pay day. Could this be another possibility as to why many seem to gain more weight when they drink more? I believe it to be quite a valid assumption.

As for conditions and diseases that can be prevented through regular consumption of alcoholic beverages in moderate amounts, research has also shown that alcohol has the ability to reduce the risk of developing gallstones. In addition, the tests also showed a correlation between the decreased risk of gallstones with the combination of vitamin c and alcohol. Some of this stuff can be quite an anomaly to any of us and as more research is being done we will just have to wait for the next big discovery in current research. All I can say is that this stuff is pretty darn exciting!

In regards to our respiratory system, it has been believed by some that a new fad of 'snorting' a little alcohol can actually help your respiratory system. I don't know about this and I really was not able to find much research on the subject. One article has mentioned that a small amount may have beneficial effect on the lungs, but I would not run over to the bar to do a shot of tequila through the nose in order to find out if I can breathe better the next day. Snorting, by the way, is believed to cause a person to get a quicker buzz versus that of consumption through the stomach.

Remember that binge drinking always provides more negative effects that that of moderate consumption of alcohol. It will effect your nervous system which will cause your breathing to slow down and, in many cases, as we have all heard about, it may even cause death. So if there is one thing to remember, try to remember how tying a few on can really effect your body and don't forget to talk with your medical professional for more advice on your own individual body and how drinking alcohol can affect you personally.

S. Michael Windsor is currently publisher and a writer for The Hangover Network. The THN Online Hangover Prevention Guide is a premier hangover information platform that provides individuals with a quality in-depth look at hangover and the associated products, services and information available today. Visit us today at http://www.HangoverNetwork.com and subscribe to our free services.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=S._Michael_Windsor

Top 5 Nutritional Tips To Tune-Up Your Immune System

By Raymond Geok Seng Lee

A deficiency of virtually any single nutrient can significantly impair immunity. Throughout the world, nutrient deficiency is by far the most common cause of poor immune function. This fact is by no means limited to people whose diets are restricted by poverty. In America, many people are overfed but undernourished. They choose foods that have a lot of calories but little real nutritional value. Here are some tips that you can benefit tremendously if you follow these guidelines closely.

1. Take A High-Potency Vitamin And Mineral Supplement
Doing so will increase your intake of the key nutrients for immune function, as discussed below. Not long ago, a study of adults found that those who took a multiple vitamin and mineral supplement had a 50 percent decrease in the number of days of illness due to infection compared with the group that took a placebo (dummy pill). Those taking the supplement also showed improvement on eight out of twelve objective measures of immune function. Pretty good results for such little effort!

2. Decrease The Intake Of Saturated Fats And Cholesterol
A diet high in saturated fat suppresses immunity. Many people initially presenting with high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides also report more frequent colds and flu. When cholesterol and triglycerides levels are normalized, proper immune function is restored.

3. Cut Out The Sweet Stuff
Sugar makes your white blood cells sluggish. Studies show that eating 100 g of sugar reduces the effectiveness of a type of white blood cell known as a neutrophil, which engulfs and destroys bacteria, by as much as 40 percent within two hours after ingestion. Since neutrophils account for about 60 to 70 percent of your white blood cells, interfering with them can seriously impair your immune function.

4. Eat Sufficient But Not Excessive Amounts Of Protein
Adequate protein intake is critical in the making of white blood cells, antibodies, and chemical messengers such as interferon. You also need protein to make antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione, which is found in abundance in white blood cells. Elevated glutathione levels are associated with better immune function. People with low immune function can benefit from eating more protein from fish, lean poultry, and lean cuts of meats. There are many vegetarians who are suffering from low immunity solely as a result of not consuming enough protein. I would recommend either soy protein isolate if they eat absolutely no animal products, or whey protein if they eat dairy. An additional 40 to 50 g per day for one month will boost protein stores back to normal. After the month is up, I would still recommend 20 g of either choice daily.

5. Eat Plant Foods
Eat a diet that is rich in a variety of vegetables especially the green leafy ones, fresh fruits whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds. These plant foods are rich in essential nutrients and immune-boosting chemicals.

Raymond Lee Geok Seng is one of the foremost experts in the health and fitness industry and is a writer specializing in body health, muscle development and dieting. He has spent countless of time and efforts conducting research and share his insightful and powerful secrets to benefit men and women all over the world. He is currently the author of the latest edition of "Neck Exercises and Workouts." Visit http://www.bodyfixes.com for more information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Raymond_Geok_Seng_Lee

Reverse Funnel System - Is It For Real?

By Eddie Perea

By now many of you have seen or heard about Ty Coughlin's Reverse Funnel System on the internet. It has become the hottest online marketing system in a little over 2 months and the buzz around this system has just exploded. A search for the Reverse Funnel System produces over a million results on Google.

But is it for real? Is there a catch?

The answer: YES, this is for REAL and NO, there is no catch.

The internet has made marketing and earning a substantial income online a reality and I am talking about more than a couple of hundred dollars a month here. The next wave of millionaires is coming from the World Wide Web. Like many people, I had been searching for a system that produces real wealth but would not take away from my time with my family, a system that would free me from the 9-5 daily grind of working in corporate America.

We have all heard the stories:

Guru spills secrets...Make $100k in one month...Earn Millions and Millions, etc...

So many grandiose claims, but who exactly is making all this money? Truth be told, it's the 'gurus' making the dough off of selling you a bunch of eBooks, software, courses, lectures, etc...you name it, they sell it. Most of it is not about how they made money on the internet but about ways to make money on the internet by buying their products, much of which consist primarily of the same rehashed and repackaged ideas and concepts - many of which are based on common sense but readily available online with a little effort and research.

Ty Coughlin, Don Glanville and the rest of the Inner Circle team have put together the most profitable cash streaming business model ever and created the Reverse Funnel System to allow people like you and I to earn a substantial income - $10000+ per week - all on autopilot by following a step by step, proven system.

The Reverse Funnel System requires literally no prior online marketing experience. It involves no calling, selling or prospecting. The leaders of the Reverse Funnel System provide all the resources, ad copy and training you will ever need to successfully launch an online business. The system has an incredible built in advertising mechanism that converts sales at a staggering 60% or higher and the back office infrastructure including the marketing and tracking are like nothing you have seen before. It has become so successful that people are literally climbing over themselves to join the team.

This system is so powerful that experienced online marketers are now trying to copy the Reverse Funnel System to market their products. I have been involved in sales and marketing for over 20 years, the last 8 with a major ISP, and I can tell you from experience, there has never been anything like the Reverse Funnel System - EVER.

Ed Perea has spent 20 years as a sales and marketing professional who has worked for firms such as Pepsi, Gallo, Motorola and EarthLink. He now spends his time teaching people the secrets, tips and tricks to build a successful internet marketing business.

Contact Ed via his bloghttp://loadedbeachbum.blogspot.com

If you want to start earning thousands weekly, you can learn more about Ty Coughlin's Reverse Funnel System by visiting http://www.loadedbeachbum.com/

Put Your Trust In Systems, Not In Genius

By Wally Bock

If you want to create a great company, create one where your systems unleash the power of your people. That's what the Roman Army did.

In 4 BC, the Gauls sacked Rome, a horde of individual warriors defeating other individual warriors. But by the end of the Second Punic War, mostly due to Scipio Africanus, the Roman Army was unlike any other in the world.

Other armies depended on the skill, bravery, and prowess of individual warriors and their leaders. The Romans created an army where systems, training, and supervision combined to create a world-conquering force.

There are two common meanings for the word, "system." Both are relevant for the Roman Army and for us.

A system is a number of inter-connected parts that work together. If you do something to one part of the system, other parts are affected.

A system is also "the way we do things." Routine things are done the same way every time. Processes have the same steps every time.

In the Roman Army every routine thing was reduced to understandable and manageable actions. Large, complex activities like preparing camp for the night were reduced to individual actions that created a camp with the same layout and defenses every time.

Tents were standardized. Eight men shared a tent. They also shared a mule and eating equipment which they were responsible for transporting.

Training was the way that soldiers learned how to do all those routine things. Other armies had "practiced" what to do. The Romans taught soldiers what they needed to do to live, fight, and win. And supervisors oversaw learning and execution.

In other armies, the warriors answered to someone from their tribe, clan or family. In the Roman Army, the various levels of private soldier and legionnaires answered to senior men, including a centurion, who had earned their positions.

The Romans understood something that we keep forgetting. We love "heroic" leaders. We worship "talent" as if it were an undifferentiated quality, applicable to any situation.

And so we ignore the fact that great success comes from creating a system that allows people of average competence to combine to produce results that otherwise could only be achieved by people of great talent or genius. We ignore that fact that even the most talented individual will be hard-pressed to produce great results in a flawed system.

The idea of creating a system that would help ordinary people be more productive was the driving concept behind Frederick Winslow Taylor's "Scientific Management" and its search for the "one best way." It is idea that sent battalions of efficiency experts armed with stopwatches and clipboards into factories around the world.

It was the modern approach of the nineteenth century. Engineers were imagined as gods and the sensible workers as compliant parts of a well-designed machine. For decades, scientific management, time studies, and the like created huge improvements in organizations.

Then experiments at Western Electric's Hawthorne Works showed that human factors, unrelated to any "one best way" affected productivity and that individual line workers could do some pretty creative and effective things. In the early fifties, W. Edwards Deming demonstrated that a system could make a huge difference. His 14 Points are about technique and management and training that come together in an organized way to produce results.

Deming's work is the bridge between the efficiency experts of the early twentieth century and an idea of effective systems that will work in today's interlinked, knowledge-worker world. After a visit to see the Japanese companies who had adopted Deming's methods, Woody Morcott, CEO of the Dana Corporation returned home and asked a friend: "Why did we hire 55,000 brains and only use three of them?"

As Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric, says, you have to get every brain in the game today. But that's not enough. You also have to create a system where those brains can be productive.

The current great example of such as system is a company that adopted Deming's approach and improved it: Toyota. And the best example of how that system can be applied outside Japan is New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc., or NUMMI.

For years, General Motors operated an auto plant in Fremont, California. Absenteeism ran around 20 percent. The plant had the highest defect rate in the country. Producing a car there cost more than anywhere else.

In 1985, Toyota took over the plant under a Toyota-GM joint venture named New United Motors Manufacturing, Inc. (NUMMI). Eighty-five percent of the workers in the new plant had been workers at the plant when GM ran it. But the results were different.

Absenteeism dropped to 3 percent. The defect rate plummeted. The NUMMI plant turned out some of the highest quality cars in America at one of the lowest costs. The people, the talent, were the same as when GM ran the plan alone.

The difference was Toyota's system. It's so commonly used as a model today, that the Toyota name is often dropped and replaced by the term "Lean Manufacturing."

The organizational core of Toyota's system is the basic processes and methods of production. There is constant training, including training in quality methods and problem solving. And there is supervision, though Toyota expects a supervisor to be primarily a facilitator and trainer and not a directive boss.

Toyota's system won't be the last word. It works well for a manufacturing process, but there are bound to be modifications for service or knowledge-worker activities where the goal is customized response rather than uniformity of output.

The Market Based Management system at Koch Industries or the organic approaches to organization that you find at Semco will probably produce new variations on the basic concept of business systems. And there are certainly other experiments and developments going on right now that we haven't heard of.

Whatever the future holds, we can be sure of two things. We can be sure that companies that grow systems for success will outperform companies that rely on a few stars. And, we can be sure that the systems of the future will make today's systems look crude and old-fashioned.

Wally Bock helps organizations improve productivity and morale by selecting and developing great leaders at all levels. He coaches individual managers, and is a popular speaker at meetings and conferences in the US and elsewhere. This article first appeared in the Three Star Leadership Blog ( http://blog.threestarleadership.com/ ). Check out Wally's Working Supervisor's Support Kit ( http://www.threestarleadership.com/supervisorsupportkit/ ).

Is Your Phone System Killing Your Business?

By Brandi Cummings

I am always surprised when I call a company and get a scratchy voicemail message, a computer voice telling me that the wireless caller I am trying to reach is out of their calling area, or a fax tone screaming in my ear. When this happens, my first impression of that business, right or wrong, is that they are unprofessional, a fly by night operation, not established, and I am frankly not comfortable doing business with them.

The reason that it continually surprises me is because it just doesn't need to happen. Here are 3 simple and inexpensive things that you can do to make sure that the image you are presenting when someone calls your company enhances your professional image, not takes away from it.

1. Marilyn Monroe or Olive Oyl- Some of us were blessed with wonderful phone voices. They are warm, have wonderful intonation and exude confidence while putting people at ease. Some of us were not so blessed. You know which one you are and should take that into consideration when creating outgoing messages that your callers will hear. If necessary pay the money to have someone professionally record your messages for you. It will pay for itself in the confidence you give to your callers.

2. Fax Tones Cause Irritation- In the year 2007 you should no longer have a fax machine that shares your phone line. If you have to say, "Okay give me a few minutes to turn my fax machine on before you send the fax," and then give anyone else that calls during that time a piercing scream to the ear, it is time to upgrade. There are internet fax options as well as virtual phone numbers that allow you to still have the one number for phone and fax, but will also allow both kinds of calls to come in at the same time without having to flip any switches.

3. Cell Phone Voicemail Is A No-No- In today's world, it is not unusual for people to work on the go. Most people you see nowadays have a cell phone held up to their ear, and it won't be long before they are surgically implanted at birth. All the world's an office. However, you don't want your callers to think that you don't have one. If you want to take your business calls on your cell phone, get a virtual number that will forward your calls to you there. That way if for some reason you can't answer the call, or were abducted by aliens and are now out of your service area, your virtual number will handle the voicemail.

Image is so important in the business world. The first impression people will get of your company is what they hear when they call you. Are your callers left with a warm and fuzzy feeling of "mmmm" or an icky feeling of "eeeww"? Take the few extra steps to make sure your phone system is not killing your business.

Brandi Cummings, an expert in the field of virtual telecommunications, recommends checking out Freedom800.com, a leading provider of virtual pbx systems designed to enhance the image of small and home based businesses.

Home Security System Monitoring - Is It For You?

By Ara Rubyan

Philosophers have a question that they ask and it goes like this.

"If a tree falls in the forest and there is no one there to hear it, does it make a noise?"

It's the same thing with your home security system. If the alarm goes off, and there's nobody listening for it, are you really protected?

Clearly, home security system monitoring is crucial. Here are some benefits of having your system monitored 24/7:

• Studies show that your home is three to four times less likely to be broken into, if your system is being monitored.
• You can save up to 20% on your homeowners insurance if your home security system is monitored.
• Home security system monitoring never sleeps -- it goes around the clock. It never takes a day off. And you are always protected whether your home or not.

Now, be aware that if you have home security system monitoring, you want to make sure that it is always working. So you need to test the system periodically. Test your system at least once a month, if not more. Some experts recommend checking out once a week. What's involved in testing your system? Simply turn it on.

And don't forget: Make sure your monitoring system is on at night -- even (especially!) when you are inside -- and also when you leave your house during the day.

Another good idea is to spread the word that your home security system is being monitored. Tell your neighbors; tell your friends; tell people who know about your habits, such as when you are away. Tell as many people as you can. Word gets around. By doing this, you will reduce the chances of burglary by someone who knows someone who knows you.

Conclusion

Relax and enjoy your vacation. When you hire someone to monitor your home security system, your home and your possessions -- and maybe even your family -- are protected.

P.S. You can also have your home security system monitored for fires and medical emergencies as well.

For more info on home security system monitoring, visit Ara Rubyan's Home Security Systems.
Ara Rubyan is not a part of the home security system industry, nor does he sell home security systems, nor does he pretend to be a guru of any kind. Instead, he is like you: a consumer, a business owner, and someone who has been researching the industry so that he could make an informed decision about the best home security system for his needs. Now, he's put all his research (so far) in one convenient location and he's sharing it with you, no strings attached.

Ways to Use a Portable GPS system

By G. Mira

Since GPS technology became available, the number of devices that contain GPS units has increased. You probably have or know someone that has a GPS unit installed in their car. Technically, the GPS units that are installed in cars are mobile GPS systems, since a car has wheels and it moves around. Other, newer devices that contain portable GPS systems are just as popular.

Serious Portable GPS Systems
Many of the devices that contain portable GPS systems are used for business purposes, emergencies and other very serious matters. The mobile phone is a device that is most likely to contain one. In the past several people would call 911 but they were unable to give their location, so a law was passed that required mobile phones to contain a GPS signal emitter.

Now, a 911 cell phone caller can be located as easily as someone calling from a home phone. PDAs are used by delivery people, sales people, repair people and other people that need them to find their way around, are used to track their positions and keep track of their phone calls.
Some software that is being used in conjunction with GPS units can create routes that are efficient by grouping customers together by their location.

Surveyors use a very precise portable GPS system to plan roads, map fields, and locate survey markers and boundaries. Besides PDAs, laptops can be equipped with a Global Positioning System as well as software to use the signal for mapping, traveling and many other purposes. Police and Fire services find new ways to save lives with different types of portable GPS system every day.

Fun Stuff
Almost all electronic gadgets gets turned into toys for adults, and the portable GPS units are no different. Remember that tracking your own position isn't the only way to use a portable GPS system. You can use them track the position of someone or something else too.

Competitive glider pilots use portable GPS units to provide proof that they reached the race markers. Geocaching is a game that is played using a small item that emitters a GPS signal that is hidden and players with PDAs compete to find it. Now that watches and cameras can be found with a portable GPS system, the possibilities of their uses are seemingly endless.

The camera can imprint photos with the latitude and longitude of the places that they were taken. This is very useful on vacations. Smaller GPS units can be used to track pets and other things that might wander off. Besides doing fun things, just having some of the odder new items equipped with a portable GPS system is pretty fun, too. It looks like GPS units are here to stay!

If you are considering purchasing a GPS system, and you would like to read about some of the latest GPS devices on the market then you need to visit: http://www.GpsTrackingWorld.com