10 Tips to Keep your PC secure

TIP # 1
(Keep your software up to date.)
The first line of defense in keeping your computer as secure as possible is through regular software updates and routine system maintenance to help avoid data loss, new viruses, and other potential risks. The top two software applications you need to keep updated are your operating system (ex. Microsoft Windows) and your anti-virus solution.
For Microsoft Windows, we recommend that you run Windows Update or the new Microsoft Update. If you are using Windows XP, Windows 2000 SP3 or higher, or Windows Server 2003, we recommend that you activate Automatic Updates. The Automatic Updates feature in Windows notifies you when critical updates are available for your computer. Automatic Updates also allows you to specify the schedule that Windows follows to install updates on your computer.
For the new Microsoft Update, please visit http:!!update. microsoft. com/Microsoftupd ate
To turn on Automatic Updates, on Windows XP go START -> Control Panel -> Automatic Updates

TIP # 2
(Use a Firewall.)
When someone on the internet or on a network tries to connect to your computer, we call that attempt an "unsolicited request." When your computer gets an unsolicited request, a Firewall application could block the connection. If you run a program such as an instant messaging program or a multiplayer network game that needs to receive information from the Internet or a network, the firewall asks if you want to block or unblock (allow) the connection.
If you are running Windows XP with Service Pack 2, you can take advantage of Windows Firewall which is a protective boundary that monitors and restricts information that travels between your computer and a network or the Internet. This provides a line of defense against someone who might try to access your computer from outside the Windows Firewall without your permission. If you are using Windows XP and have not yet upgraded to Service Pack 2, Windows Firewall was previously known as Internet Connection Firewall or ICF
You do not have to use Windows Firewall, you can install and run any firewall that you choose available through other software vendors. Evaluate the features of other firewalls and then decide which firewall best meets your needs. If you choose to install and run another firewall, turn off Windows Firewall.

TIP # 3
(Use anti-virus software.)
This can detect many, but not all, forms of malicious software before they have a chance to affect your computer.
Antivirus software is a program that either comes installed on your computer or that you purchase and install yourself. It helps protect your computer against most viruses, worms, Trojan. and other unwanted invaders that can make your computer "sick." Viruses, worms, and the like often perform malicious acts, such as deleting files, accessing personal data, or using your computer to attack other computers.
You can help keep your computer healthy by using antivirus software. Remember to update your antivirus software regularly. These updates are generally available through a subscription from your antivirus vendor.
Microsoft currently does not offer an anti-virus solution. There are a number of software companies that offer anti-virus applications.

TIP # 4
(Use an Anti-spyware application. )
Spyware is a general term used for software that performs certain tasks, such as collecting personal information or changing the configuration of your computer without your appropriate consent and control. Spyware can significantly slow down your computer, make unwanted changes to key settings, and be difficult to remove.
Anti-spyware software helps protect your computer from spyware and other potentially unwanted software by detecting and removing known spyware programs. It can be scheduled to scan your computer at times that are convenient for you.
A variety of tools that detect and remove unwanted software from your computer are available at no charge
Microsoft offers Windows AntiSpyware which can help protect your PC from spyware and other potentially unwanted software This is available from
http://www.microsof t..com/antispywar e for FREE for all users of Genuine Windows software.

TIP # 5
(Upgrade to Windows XP Service Pack 2)
If you are using Windows XP, we highly recommend that you upgrade to Service Pack 2. Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) contains a collection of new technologies designed to help keep your PC and your personal information more secure. These new technologies include the Windows Security Center, Windows Firewall, Internet Explorer Pop-up Blocker, and more.
More details on the many features of Windows XP SP2 and how to take advantage of these can be found here:
http:l/www.microsof t.com/windowsxp/ sp2/howto/ default .mspx

TIP # 6
(Create a "strong" password.)
The purpose of having a logon process is to establish who you are. Once the operating system or website knows who you are, it can grant or deny requests for services. If a bad guy learns your username and password. he can log on as you. In fact, as far as the operating system is concerned, he is you.
Sometimes we use simple passwords so it will be easy for us to remember them. Usual passwords include your name, name of your spouse or child, your birthday, your pet's name, your ID number. The problem with these passwords is that anyone who knows you could probably figure out your password given enough time. That is why these are also called "weak" passwords.
A strong password is where you create a more complex password using other symbols on the keyboard and use other words which would be harder to guess. Remember that lowercase letters are different from upper case letters. For example... for password" it could be'P@s$wOrD" .
Finally, try to adopt a"Pass Phrase" instead. It could be easier to remember, yet more difficult to guess. For example, "MyBirthdaylsOnNov2 2 1979". Just let your imagination fly!

Tip # 7
(Keep your passwords safe.)
Your password is as important as your ATM PIN, or your front door key. You need to guard it well, and make sure nobody else gets hold of it.
As much as possible. memorize your password and do not write it down Some people not only wnte their passwords down, they put it in prominent places like on a small sheet     taped to computer monitor. By doing so, you defeat the purpose of having a password.
Remember not to give out your password to ANYONE. It is also smart to change your password regularly.
Most people use the same password for all of their internet accounts. This is something we don't advise you to do. Just imagine what would happen if someone got hold of your password for one of your accounts? He or she would have access to all of your internet accounts.

TIP # 8
(Be suspicious of bogus E-Mail.)
Anyone, anywhere in the world, can register for an ISP account. and Internet email protocols allow anyone to send a message that appears to be from any other person. Don't assume an email from "Tito Boy" or "Manang Gloria" was actually sent from someone you know, and don't assume that an unsolicited message from
user@hotmail. com was really sent by that account.
If an e-mail has a very small attachment and the message of the e-mail is practically empty. Just delete it. If the attachment is a ZIP file but it looks too small to contain a photo or document, just delete it. Despite who it seems to come from, chances are it is probably a virus.

TIP # 9
(Be suspicious of scams)
Scams are a popular way of getting your personal information. The most common scams are fake login pages and forged emails that ask for your password, credit card number, or other sensitive information. Ignore anything you see that strikes you as questionable or suspicious.
If any e-mail asks for your usemame or password, do not respond or reply to these e-mail messages. Always confirm a transaction through your Bank. The intemet is also full of "get rich quick" scams. Just remember that if it seems to good to be true, it probably is. If you received e-mail from anyone claiming they will share with you millions of dollars if you help them out or follow a few simple instructions, this almost always is a scam in which you will gain nothing and could put you in financial or physical risk.

TIP # 10
(Stay Informed)
This booklet contains only a few out of dozens of possible tips geared at keeping your computer environment safe and secure.
Education and awareness are out best line of defense in the battle against cyber security threats and fraud. Be sure to drop by Microsoft Philippines' Security website at:

http://www.microsof t..com/philippine s/security

for updates, bulletins, links, and tips on keeping your PC environment safe and secure.
At the site, you can also sign up for our free, monthly e-mail newsletter that's packed with valuable information to help you protect your home and work computer. This newsletter provides practical security tips for you, your family, and your officemates, useful resources and links.

Mobile Manners

The mobiles industry wants as many people as possible to enjoy the benefits of mobile telecommunications and encourages individuals to use their mobile phones in a responsible manner and to be considerate and aware of situations where using their mobile phone might annoy others.

1. When in doubt, always go out

When possible go outside or to another room to make your call if your call might disturb others. Also, features such as text messaging answering services, call diversion and vibration alert can be used to receive important calls without disturbing others.

2. If you can't turn it off, use silent mode

If you need to keep your phone on for important calls, then turn it to silent or vibrate mode. It's the ring of a mobile phone in inappropriate places and times such as at the tennis or in restaurants which annoys people the most.

3. When required turn your phone off and check it's off

There are some places where people should never talk on a mobile phone or send text messages and where the ringing of a mobile phone or message alert is considered highly unacceptable, such as: movies, stage shows, weddings, funerals, concerts, speeches, classrooms and lectures. In these cases, turn your phone off and remember to check it's off before you enter the venue. You can always check your voicemail, text messages or your answering service afterwards.

4. Keep your conversations private

People's sense of personal space varies in each situation. Making a call in a busy pub may be okay, but talking loudly in a confined space like a lift or on a train tends to infringe on others personal space. Be aware of where you are and who you are with and what others are doing before deciding to make or accept a call. In some situations it might be better to send a text message.

5. Speak softly

Mobile phones have very sensitive microphones that can pick even the softest voice, so there is no need to shout. If you are having trouble hearing the other caller, check that you have the volume on your phone set high enough.

6. You don't always have to answer- use your messaging service

It's a natural reflex to answer your phone if it rings, however, if you forget to put your phone on silent or vibrate mode and it rings at an inappropriate moment, send the call to voice mail or your answering service (usually by pressing the hang-up key).

7. Talk to the one you're with

If you receive a call during a conversation, send the call to your voicemail or answering service. Your first priority should be to the person you are with. However, if you are expecting an important call let the person you're with know before the call arrives and excuse yourself before accepting the call.

8. Don't send inappropriate messages

Messaging is a great way to communicate, but don't send offensive or threatening text, voice, picture or any other sort of message, because it is a criminal offence to use a mobile phone to menace or harass someone. Also receivers can save messages and easily identify you as the sender.

9. Respect others' privacy when using in-phone cameras

In-phone cameras shouldn't be used anywhere a normal camera would be considered inappropriate, such as in change rooms or toilets. You should ask for permission before you take someone's picture. Also bear in mind that some venues do not allow the use of cameras and may refuse entry to anyone with one.

10. Ban the ring: not the phone

Wherever conversations are normally acceptable, venues can help by asking people to turn their phones to silent or vibrate mode rather than turning it off. This approach will help with compliance, especially for people who need their phone for important calls. Venues can also assist by reminding people to set their phones to silent mode, before they enter.

10 Things WE Didn't Know About DREAMS..

10 Things We Didn't Know About Dreams
 

Blind People Dream Who become blind after birth can see images in their dreams. People who are born blind do not see any images, but have dreams equally vivid involving their other senses of sound, smell, touch and emotion. It is hard for a seeing person to imagine, but the body need for sleep is so strong that it is able to handle virtually all physical situations to make it happen. You Forget 90% of your Dreams Within 5 minutes of waking, half of your dream if forgotten. Within 10, 90% is gone. The famous poet, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, woke one morning having had a fantastic dream (likely opium induced) - he put pen to paper and began to describe his vision in a dream in what has become one of English most famous poems: Kubla Khan. Part way through (54 lines in fact) he was interrupted by a Person from Porlock. Coleridge returned to his poem but could not remember the rest of his dream. The poem was never completed. In Xanadu did Kubla Khan A stately pleasure-dome decree: Where Alph, the sacred river, ran Through caverns measureless to man Down to a sunless sea. Curiously, Robert Louis Stevenson came up with the story of Doctor Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde whilst he was dreaming. Everybody Dreams Every human being dreams (except in cases of extreme psychological disorder) but men and women have different dreams and different physical reactions. Men tend to dream more about other men, while women tend to dream equally about men and women. In addition, both men and women experience sexually related physical reactions to their dreams regardless of whether the dream is sexual in nature; males experience erections and females experience increased vaginal blood flow. Dreams Prevent Psychosis In a recent sleep study, students who were awakened at the beginning of each dream, but still allowed their 8 hours of sleep, all experienced difficulty in concentration, irritability, hallucinations, and signs of psychosis after only 3 days. When finally allowed their REM sleep the student’s brains made up for lost time by greatly increasing the percentage of sleep spent in the REM stage We Only Dream of What We Know Our dreams are frequently full of strangers who play out certain parts - did you know that your mind is not inventing those faces - they are real faces of real people that you have seen during your life but may not know or remember? The evil killer in your latest dream may be the guy who pumped petrol in to your Dad car when you were just a little kid. We have all seen hundreds of thousands of faces through our lives, so we have an endless supply of characters for our brain to utilize during our dreams. Not Everyone Dreams in Color A full 12% of sighted people dream exclusively in black and white. The remaining number dream in full color. People also tend to have common themes in dreams, which are situations relating to school, being chased, running slowly/in place, sexual experiences, falling, arriving too late, a person now alive being dead, teeth falling out, flying, failing an examination, or a car accident. It is unknown whether the impact of a dream relating to violence or death is more emotionally charged for a person who dreams in color than one who dreams in black and white Dreams are not about what they are about If you dream about some particular subject it is not often that the dream is about that. Dreams speak in a deeply symbolic language. The unconscious mind tries to compare your dream to something else, which is similar. Its like writing a poem and saying that a group of ants were like machines that never stop. But you would never compare something to itself, for example: That beautiful sunset was like a beautiful sunset. So whatever symbol your dream picks on it is most unlikely to be a symbol for itself. Quitters have more vivid dreams People who have smoked cigarettes for a long time who stop, have reported much more vivid dreams than they would normally experience. Additionally, according to the Journal of Abnormal Psychology: â€Å"Among 293 smokers abstinent for between 1 and 4 weeks, 33% reported having at least 1 dream about smoking. In most dreams, subjects caught themselves smoking and felt strong negative emotions, such as panic and guilt. Dreams about smoking were the result of tobacco withdrawal, as 97% of subjects did not have them while smoking, and their occurrence was significantly related to the duration of abstinence. They were rated as more vivid than the usual dreams and were as common as most major tobacco withdrawal symptoms. External Stimuli Invade our Dreams This is called Dream Incorporation and it is the experience that most of us have had where a sound from reality is heard in our dream and incorporated in some way. A similar (though less external) example would be when you are physically thirsty and your mind incorporates that feeling in to your dream. My own experience of this includes repeatedly drinking a large glass of water in the dream which satisfies me, only to find the thirst returning shortly after - this thirst drink thirst loop often recurs until I wake up and have a real drink. The famous painting above (Dream Caused by the Flight of a Bee around a Pomegranate a Second Before Awakening) by Salvador Dali, depicts this concept. You are paralyzed while you sleep Believe it or not, your body is virtually paralyzed during your sleep - most likely to prevent your body from acting out aspects of your dreams. According to the Wikipedia article on dreaming, Glands begin to secrete a hormone that helps induce sleep and neurons send signals to the spinal cord which cause the body to relax and later become essentially paralyzed. .

---