Nowadays, social media accounts are the norm for people of all ages, especially among teens where almost everyone seems to have multiple accounts, just like their friends. And though social media offers plenty of benefits, it does have some safety risks. So, whether you're a concerned parent or a responsible teen yourself, here are four steps that can be taken to improve teen safety on social media. 1. Review content before posting Before posting anything on social media, think carefully about whether or not it reveals too much private information about yourself. Posting things like personal contact information or...

There are many factors that can affect the speed, efficiency and security of a PC. Computer owners should complete regular maintenance checklists so that any potential issues are stopped in their tracks. Ideally, this should be done on a weekly basis. Update your anti-virus software Viruses can cause extensive damage to a computer. Often, this will be irreversible. The latest malicious software finds flaws in outdated security systems. This is why it is essential that you are running the latest version of your chosen antivirus software. Run anti-spyware/anti-malware programmes It is also important to do a scan of...

We all own precious family photographs, health and legal documents that are private to us. Once upon a time you could simply lock your home or build a wall of physical security around your business in order to keep your personal information safe. Over the last 20 years, our lives have increasingly moved online. A bolt on the door doesn’t protect our online data. That is why encryption matters. Online digital security matters to us all When it comes to the internet and networking, it’s not just our own personal computer or business ethernet which needs guarding. The very...

We all know how to keep our computers safe now, right? Install antivirus software and let that take care of you. Sit back, browse and download to your heart's content and watch the little digital warrior in the bottom right of your screen shoot down invaders with robotic precision. But what happens when you forget to update and something sneaks through? Or, perish the thought, you forgot to install the software in the first place? Now you're in a predicament. Surprisingly, not many people know how to cleanse their own computer after a successful virus or malware infection. ...

The hard drive or solid state drive of your computer holds a lot of sensitive information. This includes your account passwords, personal details, financial records and personal files and photos that no one but you should see. When you want to sell or dispose of your old computer, you need to wipe out all the sensitive data. This will protect you from identity theft. Simply deleting files and folders and emptying your recycle bin or formatting your computer does not wipe out all the data, however. You may no longer be able to access the deleted data, but...

When your data becomes inaccessible or lost for any reason, you better have a backup - an effective way of preventing data loss. Unfortunately, even backups can suffer from malfunctions at times, especially when you rely on SD card or memory stick. When such a thing happens, you’ll need the services of a data recovery specialist to salvage all of your important information. So, how do you choose a good firm? Here are some tips to help you land the best data recovery company: Consider reputation Problems with portable memory cards or hard drives need expert assistance....

The Deep Dark Web It’s very easy to make the comparison between the internet and the ocean: both are expansive bodies, ever evolving and changing. To take the analogy further, right now you are floating out on the very surface in the warm, safe waters. But there are things that lie beneath what you can access on your phone or your laptop, in the part of the internet known as the ‘deep web’ The name ‘deep web’ sounds ominous but, in fact, the term simply refers to sites and pages that cannot be accessed by traditional browsers. Like...

Protect yourself from attack, and make sure your anti-virus software protects you from these dangers. While giving us the option to connect to the entire world, and learn anything at the drop of a hat, the internet can also be a place that leaves you vulnerable to malware, identity-stealing scams and more. How can you protect yourself from these dangers? Anti-virus protection is a real way to protect yourself from the dangers of surfing online. Here we’ve collated some of the most important benefits of installing good anti-virus software. Protection from Viruses The clue is in the...

Top 5 Tips For Finding A Trustworthy Computer Repair Technician When looking for PC repair services, many people worry that their technician may be overcharging them or using poor quality products to fix the damaged parts. It’s important, therefore, to use the tips mentioned below to find a computer repair specialist. Gather some background information about your problem Before you start looking for someone to fix your PC, you should do some research. There are multiple tech blogs that you can read to learn more about computer-related issues Researching about your PC issues will help you understand...

Key benefits of anonymous email services An anonymous email service does what it says on the tin; it allows the user to share a message with one or multiple recipients without also sharing their contact information. There are many benefits to using an anonymous email service, with good intentions, and in many ways it's more beneficial for everyone involved. Here are 3 key ways anonymous email services can benefit you. Freedom of expression The sad reality of things is that people often don't really want to be told the truth. They may say they do, but the minute...