Hello and welcome to "The Internet And Your PC" (Now called "TechAlert" - [edit -1/22/08]).

I'll be covering security updates, software updates, hoaxes and scams, tips to stay safe, helpful web sites, and useful applications. Mostly 'PC'-relevant (Windows-based) information but a great deal of it will naturally apply to all operating systems and computer types.
Please Note: I'm definitely not anti-Mac, I just don't own one.
I used Apple computers at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, and all of my friends in web design and prepress (I used to work for Capital Offsett Co.) use them, but when it came to buying my first computer I simply couldn't afford one. From then on I've existed solely in the PC world.

I check a number of security web sites daily, and I'll try to compile some of the latest alerts to keep readers abreast of the dangers confronting you and your PC as you travel the digital highway. In addition to that I'll provide links to those sites because I couldn't possibly list all the updates and security issues affecting all the different software products out there that people use.

The first site I want to talk about (in my next blog post) will be Secunia and their Secunia Software Inspector. Go check them out if you're not already familiar with them, and leave any questions or comments you have in my comments section.

I'll bring you some of the articles and topics that I see as important and interesting. I'll point you towards helpful web sites that I use to stay updated and informed, and also sites where I go to find explanations of unknown terms and answer other questions I encounter.

To some, much of this information might be second nature and simplistic, and to those folks I'd suggest chiming in with helpful tips of your own to help those less knowledgeable (and that could include me!). I want to cater to the beginners. They're the ones that need the most help! Also, they're mainly the ones who haven't developed the skills to know what's safe and what's not.

I'll also try to 'link' (short for hyperlink) words that beginners might not know the meaning of to web pages explaining them. All too often when I'm trying to learn something new, the people writing the instructions leave out information, assuming the reader already knows it. To me, the best 'help' information tries to include helpful tips and examples that the reader might encounter when learning to use the product. It doesn't automatically assume that you know everything.

As far as security goes, unfortunately all too many people (even some who work in the IT industry) don't take security as seriously as they should. In some cases people don't know any better, and with this blog I'm hoping to help change that. In other cases some people need "encouragement" to create and maintain some good security habits. It helps to step back and get a look at the big picture, where everyone who neglects security (and unfortunately that's a lot of people) contributes to the success of criminals and irresponsible troublemakers. As the world relies more and more on computers for almost everything, the more important it is for those who use them, whether it's at home or increasingly at work, to maintain safe practices, and to realize that failing to do so can have disastrous consequences. I'll speak in more detail about that in future posts.

And because I'm far from knowing everything, I wholeheartedly encourage and welcome comments and suggestions from readers. Many undoubtedly work with computers in various industries and can offer valuable insight and context to some of the issues I'll talk about.

I want to re-emphasize this point, I want to cater to beginners. Unfortunately in some cases when certain people attain a higher level of knowledge they forget that they once were 'n00bs' (a variant of the term 'newbie') and criticize or put down those who aren't as knowledgeable as they (sometimes think they) are. I see it all the time in forums and in the comments section of tech articles.
That won't be tolerated here. Please remember that helpful courteous comments are welcome and encouraged. Condescending, immature, negative comments are not.
Thanks for understanding.

So thanks for reading and stay tuned, if there are topics or specific issues you'd like addressed, please let me know. Remember, everyone benefits from better security practices, except the crooks of course!