As a recent addition to Microsoft’s fight against software piracy, the company just released a new version of their WGA update.  This new version is designed to thoroughly check the software version and activation keys of Windows XP Pro for counterfeit or stolen product keys.  Since XP Pro is the Windows version that’s a favorite with software counterfeiters, this new release will specifically check those XP versions for instances of piracy.  It will also examine the latest cracks and bypass codes that software counterfeiters use in circumventing Microsoft’s current activation process.  

The process of fighting piracy

The process is really quite simple.  It is done automatically for systems that have automatic updates enabled, and for those who want to check the status of their XP version manually, one can go directly to Microsoft’s WGA site.  Also, WGA updates are required before one can download Windows plug-ins, components, and updates from their site.  For example, if you want to get the latest Direct X version from Microsoft, running the WGA notification process is a requirement.  

About privacy, Microsoft does not get sensitive or personal information from the PCs.  What the WGA process will look at are the hardware information from the computer, such as the computer make and model, BIOS version, Windows version, product ID, and volume serial number, just to name some.  

What happens when pirated software is detected

Microsoft claims that once an instance of counterfeiting is detected, it will not affect functionality.  What will happen is that the desktop will turn black, and one would be constantly annoyed by reminders from the system tray and task bar that your version of Windows is not genuine, and will present information to users on how to address the issue.  
According to Microsoft, most of the owners of counterfeit copies of XP are not aware that their version of XP is fake.  Some possibilities include buying counterfeited software unknowingly, being sold by unscrupulous computer and software retailers a fake copy, and the installation of a fake copy by computer repair centers.  Microsoft recommends that victims report these cases, and once determined that the customer is not at fault, Microsoft will provide a genuine copy of Windows to the customer.  

Here, Microsoft is after the software counterfeiting syndicates rather than individual users.  As the users are usually victims themselves, Microsoft is after the big fish rather than small fry.  Additionally, the company is using the WGA process to gain more information about counterfeiters to help them in prosecuting these syndicates.

Contrary to what some people believe, an email spam is also a serious threat to your computer just like viruses and malware. The bulk of emails that you receive can cause confusion and disturbance. This can also distract you and make you lose a portion of your precious time in the process. However, these are not everything there is to email spams. Spams can actually cause you to lose some of money if you are not too careful. Email spams are used by scammers as bait to acquire personal information such as bank accounts, credit card numbers, and passwords. They also serve as tools for spreading virus and other harmful software online. Because of all these, you have to take email spam seriously, especially if you are running your own business online. Below are some of the ways through which you can prevent spams from infiltrating your primary email account.

 

 

Scrutinize emails from unfamiliar sender.

As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. This is why the basic step is to make sure that you prevent email spams from entering your system. You can actually do this by taking time to analyze an unfamiliar address in your email box before you open it, for some spam emails may contain hidden malicious software. It is helpful to read the subject line of the email in case you have forgotten that you sent a message to a new acquaintance and the unfamiliar email is the reply. You also have to avoid opening emails that have subject lines like "You order" or "You requested" unless you clearly remember ordering something online.

 

Never respond to suspected spammers.

The common mistake of some is sending a reply to an unfamiliar sender. Sending a reply would be interpreted as your consent to receive more emails from that specific sender. Moreover, you have to avoid following the links that the unfamiliar sender provides.

 

Activate your email blocker or download spam filter.

What's great in email blocker is that you can prevent getting more emails from the suspected spammers. Another good thing about your email blocker is that you can set the rules regarding the emails that you want to be blocked in the future. This can software can be downloaded for online for free with the trial version or a small fee. You can always use the Internet to gather information about the best programs that would put an end to email spams that continue to evade your personal email space.

 

Report email spams to your ISP.

Just like you, your ISP (Internet service provider) hates spams, too. This is because spams clog up the servers. Your ISP can help you filter the emails coming from suspected spammers. It is necessary, however, that you identify first the true origin of the spam message. There are various websites online that can give you a tutorial on how to identify the real source of the spam.

 

Create another email address for commercial purposes.

If you are wondering where spammers acquire email addresses, the answer is online. Spammers use sophisticated computer programs such as spambot to surf the web and harvest email addresses. If you are fond of joining forums or if you make your email address available to online stores, you can be a potential victim to email spamming. This is why you have to create another account that would be used when joining forums or posting your email address to order products online. This will also be helpful when subscribing to newsletters and online magazines. For this purpose, you can opt for free email account providers. For business or more private correspondence, it may be best to subscribe for a paid email account service.

The internet is a source of endless possibilities in terms of information, entertainment and communication. In recent years, however, it has become more and more obvious that unfortunately there are also numerous possibilities of getting your computer compromised using the internet. Identity theft, viruses, and spyware are the very worst consequences one can suffer from uninformed behavior when it comes to internet use. Fortunately, the chances of being a victim of identity theft or losing all data because of a nasty virus can be significantly decreased by following a few simple rules:

 

 

Back up your data

This rule is so simple that it is astonishing that so few people follow it. By backing up your data on a regular basis (daily, weekly, or monthly depending on how often you add new and important data) the effects of a virus are much less devastating. Instead of desperately trying to save the remnants of data after an infection, you can just wipe your machine clean and reinstall all the programs that you had on it without losing a single file. Although this doesn't prevent a computer from getting a virus, it nullifies its effects.

 

Use Firefox

Internet Explorer has a lot of security gaps and should not be used to surf the internet, instead Mozilla Firefox can be downloaded for free. One of the reasons that Firefox is so much more secure than other internet browsers is because its code is open, so anyone can take a look at it and alert Firefox to a security problem. Some of its features are pop-up blockers, anti phishing (if you are accessing a fraudulent site a message will be sent to you), and automated updates which make sure that you always have the most recent upgrades. In addition to that, Firefox can be supplemented with No Script, which is free software that blocks malicious scripts.

 

Keep your operating system updated

There is a reason that you are getting alerts from your operating system. The more up to date it is, the less vulnerable to attacks it will be.

 

Use Firewalls

The reason that your operating system is equipped with a firewall is to make it more secure. Think of it as a fence around your lawn, which will prevent stray dogs from entering your property.

 

Use antivirus and anti-spyware programs

Having an antivirus program paired with an anti-spyware program definitely shields your computer from nasty surprises. Some people are put off by the fact that most antivirus programs come at a price. However, paying a fee for an antivirus program is still cheaper than having to get your computer fixed by an expert. On top of that, some of the best software can be downloaded for free like AVG and Ad-Aware.

 

Set up a spam filter on your email

Email is one of the biggest gateways for viruses to get onto your computer. By using a good email service with an effective spam filter the chance of falling into this trap is much smaller. Spam is not just annoying; it also tries to trick you into accessing unsafe sites or opening infected attachments. A good rule of thumb is not to open any emails that are from an unknown address, because even the best spam filter won't catch absolutely everything.

 

Don't open attachments that end in .exe

Attachments that end in .exe are executable files, meaning something is going to be installed on your computer. Once that is done, it might be close to impossible to get rid of it again. When you receive an email with an .exe attachment don't open it unless you are expecting it from someone and you know exactly what it contains. When downloading an .exe file, make sure that your source is absolutely safe.

 

Don't surf unsavory sites

Even though the prospect of free porn might seem tempting, such sites are often a sure bet when it comes to viruses and spyware. The amounts of pop-ups that these sites generally employ are enormous, which is already an indication for them wanting to confuse you and take advantage of you. Should you encounter a pop-up (Firefox should block them) never press a "yes" or "no" button, but instead try to close the window by using your keyboard. Oftentimes the commands on pop-ups are switched, so that they refer you to their site even if you press "no".

 

Use file sharing smartly

Not all file sharing websites are trying to spread viruses, but they sure create the opportunity to do so. Limewire, for example, has been known to be a source for infection. Always look at the file before downloading it, if the file is really small, chances are that it's not really the song or movie that you are looking to download.

 

Never give out personal information

This point is absolutely crucial: Never ever give out your personal information on the internet. No bank would ever ask you to give them your personal pin or password. If you are asked to do so, chances are that someone is trying to steal your money. On top of that, make sure that your passwords are safe. Using your first or last name as a password is way too easy, even a child could get at your personal accounts like that.

With the great number of online transactions that are being executed on a daily basis, it is of the utmost importance to have the safest password possible. Passwords that are easily found out run the risk of making personal information available to people who might have criminal intentions. That no one is safe from security breeches has been made clear when the Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin's email account was accessed by a third party. If it can happen to politicians, it can happen to any of us.

 

 

 

Sophos, a company that specializes in online security, conducts studies concerning popular internet behavior on a regular basis. What they have found out in their most recent research is that a third of web users recycle one password for many different sites. Only a small percentage of people on the Internet, namely 19 percent, are aware that using the same password twice could put them at a serious risk. Sophos also states that compared to previous years these numbers have not improved much. Not even ten percent of Internet users have changes their routine when it comes to using passwords. Graham Clueley, one of Sophos' security consultants, is bewildered by the fact that so few users have learned anything when it comes to internet security. He does not understand why people would use the same weak passwords over and over again. He is also worried that people who are not aware of the importance of strong passwords might use the same passwords for social applications like Facebook and Twitter as well as for highly private use like online shopping or, even worse, online banking. Obviously having your Facebook account compromised, although annoying, is not really the end of the world. If this leads fraudster to access a bank account, however, it is a completely different matter. Just the thought of scenarios like this should make people reconsider and maybe change a few passwords in the future.

 

The temptation to create passwords that are easy to remember, and therefore mostly weak, is high considering the many application that need passwords these days. However, it pays to make passwords unique and safe and not just a word out of everyday language, or even a name. A password manager can help people store all of their very important data in a program which then minimizes the need to remember passwords to only having to know the password for the manager. A password manager can store password information but also other private data like credit card numbers, social insurance numbers and software registration numbers. Not only does it provide additional safety, but it also allows for easier online transaction since these numbers can just be copied and pasted out of it. Popular password manager choices are KeePass, eWallet, and SplashID. They have additional advantages like a password generator and even the option of synchronizing these passwords with a Smartphone so that this information is readily available whenever and wherever.

 

Another important part of making one's online life as safe as possible is to use the password features of a particular website smartly. Most sites have security questions in order for people to be able to retrieve forgotten passwords or even account names. In times where a large part of our personal information is available for other people to read on the internet these features have to be used in different ways. Using the "what was your mother's maiden name" question for example is not such a good idea if your mother is one of your Facebook friends and she sports a hyphenated double name. Neither is using your pet's name a good idea if you twitter about your dog at least once a week. Information that is available on these social applications is especially easy for users to access, just think of all the people who are allowed to view a specific profile by just being in a particular network. In order to make the security questions safer, users can employ somewhat cryptic answers, which can subsequently be stored in the password manager.

Another safety precaution that is easy to maintain is not to use any public PCs. Although it seems really practical to check one's email from a hotel lobby computer or in a public library these computers are generally a major risk for the safety of passwords. Due to the fact that those computers are used by many different people and rarely investigated for viruses or spyware they are the perfect harvesting ground for thieves who are interested in unsuspecting people's data. It is then not surprising that many public computers are infected with Trojan Horses which allow hackers to access the personal information (such as passwords) that users have employed on a particular computer. If the only option is to use a public computer, security can be enhanced by first running an anti virus software to ensure that the computer is not infected.

One of the men who etched their names in the hall of entrepreneurs is Jerry Yang. He created the Yahoo! navigational guide together with David Filo in 1994, and co-founded the Yahoo! Inc the following year. Yahoo! is one of the leading Internet brands, with the most traffic networks on the Internet. Jerry Yang was cited by BusinessWeek as one of "The 25 Most Influential Men on the Web." Yang was also listed by Forbes as the 140th in the list of "The 400 Richest Americans" 2006.

Personal information

Jerry Yang is a Taiwanese who was raised in San Jose, California. He was born on November 6, 1968 in Taipei. Yang's father died when he was just two years old, so he was solely raised by his mother who was an English teacher. When he was eight, he moved with his family to California. It was probably not easy for this young boy to adapt to his new surroundings with only a single English word (shoe) on his vocabulary. Still, Yang proved to be a genius even at an early age when he was able to master the English language just after three years. He was even put into an AP (Advanced Placement) English class, a program that offers college level courses to high school. Jerry Yang finished in Sierramont Middle School and Piedmont Hills High School. He had his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Electrical Engineering at Stanford. Yang is married to Akiko Yamazaki, who is also an alumna of Stanford University.

 

Entrepreneur in the making

At Stanford, Jerry Yang and David Filo teamed up to create computer chips with the use of computer-aided design. But when their supervisor left for Italy, they put aside their project and instead surfed and experimented with the web. Back then, searching the web is similar to searching the library, which proved to be quite tedious. Because of this, Yang and Filo created their own website that contains various other websites in 1994. This was called "David and Jerry's Guide to the World Wide Web." They organized the sites into different categories and later into subcategories for easier searching. The name was changed to "Yahoo!." Thousands have been visiting the site just few months after it was created. The then giant AOL company offered a buyout, but the two refused saying that their creation was done for fun and enjoyment and not for money. Later, the two decided to make a profit out of their invention. They found an investor in the likes of Mike Moritz. With the $1 million investment by Moritz, Yang and Filo hired some colleagues and established businessmen to start their own business. Just a year after its creation, Yahoo! became one of the most successful online companies.

 

Career development

Jerry Yang played a major role in running the company, which he co-founded with Filo. As a former CEO, he played a great part in the company's development and implementation of business strategy, vision, and international ventures. In January 13, 2009, he was replaced by Carol Bartz as the new chief executive. Although no longer the CEO, Yang is still a member of the company's board of directors. The reign of Yang as CEO was scrutinized by various businessmen for failing to increase the stock price of Yahoo! He was also criticized by other shareholders for his refusal to accept a deal with Microsoft.

 

Despite all the issues that followed the career of Jerry Yang as a businessman, his contribution to the Internet media industry only proves that he is a really a brilliant entrepreneur. Currently, Yang is part of the Board of Directors of Alibaba, Cisco, the Asian Pacific Fund, and Yahoo! Japan and also a member of the Stanford University Board of Trustees.

If you have billions in your bank accounts, what would you do? Being aware of how the the majority of the people live and getting involved in their lives, is Bill Gates' answer. Though more known as one of the richest men on earth, Bill Gates is not only a business magnate, but also a writer and philanthropist.

 

Gates is considered as one of the leaders in software development. He was the chairman and the co-founder of the the giant software company, Microsoft. Gates held the positions of chief software architect and CEO of Microsoft during his career. Although no longer the CEO, Gates continues to be among the largest individual shareholders of the company he founded with Paul Allen.

 

 

Childhood years

Bill Gates, or William Henry Gates III, was born on October 28, 1955 to William H. Gates, Sr. and Mary Maxwell Gates, which both came from well-off families. He spent his early childhood years in Seattle, Washington where he was born. Gate's father was actually a prominent lawyer, while his mother was a University of Washington regent, schoolteacher, and chairman of the United Way International. His great grandfather was a mayor and state legislator and his grandfather held was an executive of a national bank. Coming from an upper middle class family, Gates had an excellent early education. He was sent to Lakeside, a private school popular for its intense academic environment, where he was also introduced to the field where he would later establish his empire.

 

Years in the academy

In Lakeside, Gates explored the world of computers and began programming at the early age of 13. It was here that he first formed an alliance with Paul Allen, who was two years his senior, to whom he shared his interest in computers. In 1973, Gates graduated from Lakeside and entered Harvard University. It was in Harvard that he met Steve Balmer, one Microsoft's CEO.

 

Early years of the Microsoft

Bill Gate's and his childhood friend, Paul Allen, took interest in Altair 8800 computer after reading about it from the 1975 issue of Popular Electronics. Gates contacted MITS (Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems) to say that he and his companions developed the BASIC interpreter. This, however, was just a bogus claim to get the attention of MITS. They actually developed the BASIC interpreter just a few weeks after they were required by MITS to run a demo. The demo was so successful that Paul Allen was hired at MITS in Albuquerque. Later, Gates followed him after taking a leave of absence at Harvard University. They formed a partnership, which they named Micro-Soft. Just a year later, they changed the name to Microsoft, finally dropping the hyphen in the official company name. From its establishment until 2006, Gates played an active role in the development of the company.

 

Gates as a philanthropist

In 1994, Gates sold some of his stocks and established the William H. Gates Foundation. He married Melinda French that same year. In 2000, he combined family foundations to create the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which is one of the largest transparently operated foundations in the world. The foundation aims to alleviate poverty and promote health care. It also aims to make education and information technology accessible to a great number of people. In 1999, Gates wrote a book "Business @ the Speed of Thought," which showed how people can find solutions to their business problems through computer technology. This book was translated in 25 languages and were available in over 60 countries. Aside from this book, Gates had written many others that were considered best-sellers. The money that came from selling these books are donated to non-profit organizations that provide educational support to people in need.

There have been in the past a survey by internet security company Mcafee saying that websites owned by Hong Kong citizens and domains with the extension .hk (hong kong) are more likely to be a threat and might infect your computer with various malicious software.

Applications that goes under labels like viruses, high threat spyware, visitor attacks, ID theft, spam and fraud. The main reason Hong Kong can do this is the undeveloped and weak law that these individuals and companies are bound to.

A big part of the worlds spam can actually be sourced to both Hong Kong and China. Many demands that the laws in Hong Kong and China get tighter and more up to date with the industry and we should expect such action in the future.

Generally speaking having some sort of internet security active on your computer is always a good first step to secure your personal information and protect yourself from internet threats and attacks.

The browser Mozilla Firefox is also an excellent choice while browsing the web, if you somehow would enter a dangerous site that have been flagged by firefox through their database you will be presented by a red screen with a danger message of the website you are about to enter. You then have the choice to exit before entering a dangerous website which is an easy and fast lane to safer web browsing.