When the Norton 360 program came out, the concept was conceived that security for the personal computer and the user was initially the first and foremost priority to the creators. With this set of basic tools, the reality of real protection to those who used this software was obvious and some don’t know how they ever went on the Internet highway without it installed to begin with.

Of course Microsoft has something to do with the Norton 360 and it was a huge step in the right direction for all those involved in the security of the technology world, as we know it. Not only did it give users tools to obtain security on their personal computer but also in a sense the user could actually not have the worry of a invasion of personal privacy. People who have used the older versions of the software thought that the programs made their computer hard drive run sluggish and not want to run to the performance they should be running. However updated and improved those who used the program in the past are not ecstatic about the new program and all that it has to offer.

By splitting the initial interface of the program into smaller categories the big problems with the other designs were put to rest, leaving reassurance and the protection of security and the use of fire walling instead. Being able to see different parts of your computer and addressing issues that seem to have a conflict or problem is much easier to fix and correct the problem. And you can also get reports of the scans or other items that go with the program. As you choose the tools and receive the basic scan reports you are able to see the area that is making your computer run slowly or if there’s a security problem you can be informed as well.

You are allowed to do several things with the Norton software and initially keep your personal computer clean and safe from viruses, Trojans, and so much more. This in the long-term sense of thought will save the user a lot of grief and misfortune of all the problems those without some form of security software on their computer would have. Sadly enough, there are many programs that are downloaded onto computers today that are ultimately attached as Trojans which will literally copy and correspond back giving any personal information you might have stored on your computer. And, once it is attached in most scenarios it is very hard to get the problems uninstalled or deleted from your computer system. Even system restore in most cases will not work; this is why a security program is as important to you as a user.

There are several security programs available, however there are only a few that actually do what they are intended to accomplish and it is imperative that the security programs are useful or they will just take up space on your computer hard drive and not do the work it was intended to do. Being prepared and have security on your computer is important to everyone today.

There is a very old and correct saying that goes on to say that a coin has two sides. Like a coin, almost every aspect of life has two sides. For example, take the advancement of technology and the crime associated with it. With the improvements in technology, computers have formed an integral part of the working world. Computers along with them have brought greater work and time efficiency in the working circle of the world as a whole. However, there is a dark side to this as well. Along with all the benefits that computers and technology comes the rising and alarming threat of cyber crime.

Thanks to the crimes committed by the hackers and predators, the good bring the evil. The dangers that cyber crime is posing to computers and information stored in the computers is real. The affects have been felt by almost all the countries. Serious concerns are rising against the growing threat of cyber crime. This potential threat to the information possessed in the computers is alarming. The reason that cyber crime is posing a serious threat is because most countries around the world have no existing laws against it. This leaves us all at the mere mercy of the same technology that we use for good and they use for destruction.

One resort that you can take against cyber crime is installing ant-virus, spyware, and security programs. This is still unfortunately; it is not a full proof step. Hackers can easily hack through the computers of others you know and work with. This makes the data stored in the computer more open to these attacks.

One reason why cyber crime has been gathering so much of attention, is the fact that cyber crime has no boundaries. Cyber crime is breaching national barriers with ease. This is jeopardizing the political and the defense strategies of the country. It is reported that after committing the crimes the hackers reap rewards. They sell the information they stole to other countries and businesses for large sums of money.

There is another reason why cyber crime is becoming so common. Hackers operate together from different places. This makes it harder for law enforcement to track and find them. Hackers usually operate from different countries and through multiple networks making tracking them almost impossible.

It is time for national bodies and governments too operate together. Making a legal framework and structure through which no hackers can slip through before committing these cyber crimes.

Forget 99% of the articles out there that are telling you what you need for starting your very own internet based radio station. I’m here to let you know that you can cut your budget by almost 99% by not listening to most of the articles that exist on the web today.

I just has an article about my streaming radio station in the local paper and when the reporter ask how to start an internet radio station I was torn between a couple of answers. Do I lengthen the story and add a few thousand dollars to the budget just to scare away potential competition? Or do I tell the reporter just how easy is actually is, and deal with a few more station on the internet that could potentially steal listeners from me? I chose to tell the reporter exactly what I though was right. I chose to tell him exactly how easy setting up your very own radio station is.

When I started to research what it took to set up a streaming radio station, It was staggering how many articles are out there that told me that I needed thousands of dollars and a web hosting account that would cost an extra 400 to 500 hundred dollars a month to handle the bandwidth and copyrighting issues of running an internet radio station. I actually became quite angry after I had gone through most of the set up of my own station. I realised that a lot of the articles out there were written by people who just wanted to sound smart, simply copied and pasted another articles and had no clue what it took, and the creme de la creme were the people who wrote articles just to scare people out of creating a station because they couldn’t handle the competition. So, the number one item on the list of important things to do before you start you own streaming radio station? Research, and lots of it.

I quite literally have another window open on my screen as I write this because I want to list out what the author of the other article wants you to buy in order to start your own streaming station. Ready?

World Wide Web has become the first resort to the net users, consumers and information seekers. It is a very common practice to seek information about the product or the service first on the internet before approaching any other source.

Obviously, any website company has a key role to play. Website Company is going to decide the look of the web in coming future. These are the companies that are involved in web designing. It is a skill or an expertise that allows delivery of content in a text, graphical and user friendly format through the web.

Changing facet and formats:

Improvement in browser compliant standards and usage of XHTML / XML has changed the web from the inside out. In future, the aim is to deliver a wide variety of media modes and interactive options to the users without letting the requirement of plug-in modules. Dynamic web pages are trying to guess the user requirements and update information and design to meet them.
This has thrown the field open to the latest technology developers to break through with technology that is essential to online success.

Let us look at two cutting edge technology providers from the website company’s point of view.

Nvidia: Nvidia has established itself in graphics and gaming technology. It has, time and again, come up with latest graphics processing unit based on Intel mult-icore processor. It’s Ge-Force 8800 GPU and nForce 680i SLI MCP is sure to bring high-resolution and high-definition graphics to both PC gaming developers and website designers.

AMD: American Micro Devices is another cut above the rest player that brings revolution in website company graphics technology to embedded systems. Its ATI Radeon[TM] E2400 is a high-performance graphic processing unit that efficiently handles the latest 2D, 3D and multimedia graphics requirements that reduce space requirements, design complexity, and helps speed time to market.

However, mere hardware components are not sufficient for online success. Though they provide critical basement on which a website is built, other crucial factors that affect your website and in turn your online success.

These factors can be mainly divided into website design factors and technology factors.

Website company design for online success:

The design of the website plays an important role in your online success. Keyword relevance, content quality, plug-ins, graphics, imagery, etc that are incorporated in your website design can add value to the website. But certain points must be kept in mind.

1. Updated content: The content provided on your website must be updated regularly. It must be relevant to the keyword for which visitors come searching.

2. Attractive design: The website design shall be perfect with attractive colors, easy to read fonts and positioning of various link pages. Information should be positioned.

3. Technical perfection: The website shall provide for easy navigation. Required links shall be placed at appropriate places and legal aspects shall be catered to.

Technologies for online success:

Websites, these days, are an evolved lot. Mere content in a text format is not sufficient. Technological advancement is making it possible to embellish web page with audio, video and other graphics.

1. Audio on web page: Providing audio on the web page in the form of a music or text reader will make it appealing.

2. Video on web page: Video in the form of a product description or a podcast will add authentication to the information provided. Videos of short length will also make a visitor stay on the site for some time and arouse his interest.

3. Graphics and imagery: Attractive interactive graphics and imagery can be a crucial tool to attract more views and in turn, more business.

Thus, up to date, new company website design and development technologies are the deciding factors for online success.

This is a story about how my PayPal account got hacked and how I got it back. I had an unlucky day but with a little tinge of lady luck’s blessings which helped me to get back to square one. This story gives a good advice for all the PayPal account holders on earth.

Day 1 – 8.30 PM IST

I just logged in into my gmail account to check the emails, I was shocked to see 4 emails from PayPal. 1. Password Changed, 2. Payment sent to some email address 3. Bank accounts removed 4. Primary email address changed. Oh my God!, I had $X,XXX in PayPal balance. While I was seeing these emails my gmail also got logged out. When I tried to login again, it did not. The hacker watched my every move. My primary email ID was the one which I used for all my business and personal contacts and it had 14000 archived emails and chat conversations.

I was feeling like blindfolded and left in a unknown forest. I just could not believe that this had happened to me. I had Norton anti virus + norton internet security and Spyware doctor, both of them licensed versions!! I know all about fake emails and phishing stuffs, I never clicked on suspicious links.

I realized that… “You are safe only if no one targets to attack you.”

After a few minutes, someone added me to Yahoo messenger and said ‘Hi’. I guessed that it was the hacker and it was. The very first sentence he told me was ‘Hi, don’t worry, you will get back everything within 7 days’ .. He told me that he was a good guy and this is the first time he hacked someone. He also told me that he was in real need of the funds and would return my funds within 7 days. I almost believed him. I told him to give back my gmail account and told him that it was very important to me, and to my surprise he gave it back. He asked me what password I needed for the new account and he set it. I logged in and changed the password again. I was happy that I got back my gmail but was still very uncomfortable about the feeling that someone had watched me for so long!!

I was late in the night, I was sleepy but I had to hold on. I backed up all my files in my iPod and did a system recovery. After 45 minutes, my PC was as good as new. I again changed all the passwords and got back to sleep at midnight.

Day 2 – 6.00 AM IST

I saw my friend was online. I chatted with him and told him the entire story. He scolded me that I have not responded in timely fashion. He was so sure that the hacker was no good and chatted with me to make sure I don’t call PayPal. The hacker did not achieve that but however he delayed me by 10 hours. I spent nearly 30 minutes waiting for PayPal representative and then some one showed up. I told PayPal, the entire story and they listened carefully. They assured me that ‘I will not be held responsible for unauthorized payments sent from my account’. I felt good but not very good, I was not so sure that I would get back the money. I did what I could have done and I needed to relax. I took rest from this issue.

Day 3 – 7 PM EST

I called PayPal again. It needs a ton of patience to get connected with them. It took a few minutes to spot my account. They told me that “Your fraudulent payments were reversed, did you check your account”. I just jumped right there and was so happy. But I COULD NOT LOGIN into my PayPal because the password was not with me!

I was not able to reset my password because the hacker also changed the security questions! They advised me to send all the documents and they will help to recover the password.

After a few minutes the hacker came online again. And LOL what nerves he got!!.. He asked me to send the documents to him because he said my account got limited and needs to be unlocked!! I refrained myself from talking abusive words and just managed the situation and logged out.

Day 4 – 6 PM EST

I logged in into yahoo messenger and I saw that the hacker had left me an offline message. Wow! he got frustrated I guess. He left me the PayPal email and password. I logged in and viola! I went inside my PP. Lovely moment it was.. The balance was intact. The four fraudulent payments were reversed. The account was limited though. I just printed the fax cover sheet and sent them the docs.

Day 4 – 3 PM IST

I got an email that my PayPal account has been restored. I immediately went in and sent 4 big payments to my friends and family members. I could breathe now again!

Now whats next?.. everything is back to square one! Now that I have learnt a good lesson. If we think something like “This can never happen to me” you actually attract that situation and within a few days you realize it… the dream comes true.. even though its a bad dream in this case.

I contacted me friends and everyone told me that I need to kick out Norton and Spyware Doctor and buy Kaspersky because thats what is best in the market. I went to that site and reviewed their products. They had anti virus and Internet Security 7.0. The anti virus comes inbuilt within Internet Security and hence its enough to buy the latter one. For one year it costs around $60 and for 2 years its around $95. I just bought it right away and installed it, activated it. Again I changed all my important passwords.

Bottom line: If you think it wont happen to you, one day it will happen, and you will think about the day when you thought that it won’t happen to you.

Now that I got my money back, but it may not happen all the time to all the people. You just need to be on top of it.

Good Luck!

Norton internet security is a well established brand that is available for purchase to ensure the security of your computer. Norton packages range from $39.99 to $79.99 depending on the features that you choose. There are three packages available: the Norton internet security package for $59.99, Norton 360 Version 2 for $79.99 (which has the added advantages of drive defragmentation and file repairs), and Norton Antivirus 2008 for $39.99.

Symantec recommends the $59.99 pack, which gives you access to internet security for up to three computers in your household. It offers antivirus as well as spyware detection, in addition to a two-way firewall that can prevent unauthorized access to potentially harmful websites.

The Norton internet security package also comes with Antispam and well as Parental Controls, which enable you to child lock your computer and ensure that young users at home do not have access to inappropriate online content. The Norton internet security package is compatible with both the Home and Premium Editions, as well as the Business and Ultimate versions, of Windows Vista and Windows XP (Service Pack 2 is required).

Symantec’s software package also provides email scanning features as well as instant messenger scanning for AOL, Yahoo!, MSN, and Trillian instant messenger, as well as for email clients that are compatible with POP3 and SMTP support.

There is also the invaluable phishing protection offered for your online activity, although it is only compatible with two browsers at the moment, Microsoft Internet Explorer (6 or higher, 32-bit only), and Mozilla Firefox (version 2 or higher), so users familiar with Opera or Netscape as browsers or Google mail and Gtalk may not benefit from the email and instant messaging scanning features.

Norton internet security also helps you to protect yourself against online identity theft by guarding your system against phishing attacks and hackers. The anti spyware option also ensures that no malicious software can covertly install itself on your system.

Like other internet security providers, Norton has also stepped up its performance standards, and scans and other processes are much faster in the new internet security pack than they were in earlier versions. Norton internet security also monitors both email and instant messaging for viruses and spyware to give you further protection for your system.

Norton has also got its own patented technology for detecting rootkits in your system. Rootkits are devices that affect your operating system in a manner that makes malicious software (malware) and spyware undetectable in your system’s processes, and help to conceal such installations so that you are unaware of their presence.

One of the flaws in the Norton Internet Security package is that it can be difficult to uninstall it from your system once you have set it up. Features such as email scanning can be temporarily deactivated, but the program itself does not come with an uninstall option, and is likely to keep giving you reminders about upgrading or renewing your account.

When you purchased your new computer it probably came with a CD that automatically installed a program called Norton Antivirus. While the software does work effectively at protecting your PC from hazardous viruses (that could cause permanent damage to your hard drive/system), many experts in the field of antivirus and spyware seem to recommend other programs that may do a better job.

In fact, just recently when I was searching information on how to contact Norton antivirus, some interesting tips were posted in forums that I will share with you below:

Taking Up Too Much Of Your Computers Resources

When you look up Symantec’s website on how to contact Norton antivirus, you will not find any precise information on how much of your computers resources will be used when running the program, only an average estimate. Tech experts have concluded that Norton may be somewhat of a “resource hog” in terms of running at full speed. This means that when the software is running you will see a significant drop in how your computer performs.

Do Not Expect Refunds On Opened Software From The Store

When I first started using my computer I actually bought the Norton program at a local electronics store. At the time it was the only software that I had known about to help protect my PC. It was relatively cheap and although I did not really understand the scope of computer security, it was explained very thoroughly when I found out how to contact Norton antivirus.

The rep on the phone was very helpful and answered many questions that I had, with the end of the phone conversation referring me to several links on their website for further information.

I was quite satisfied until some time later I had a message pop up on my computer screen basically telling me that I needed to upgrade my Norton antivirus in order to keep my PC protected. I thought, “Ok, sounds logical” but when I saw that I had to actually pay money for the upgrade, frustration took over.

Of course I probably did not see the fine print about having to pay to keep the antivirus program running, even though I found out how to contact Norton antivirus and talked with the rep. But it seemed that nobody made this clear to me, even when I bought the software from the store.

A refund was what I was hoping to get but unfortunately when you purchase software that has been opened, it is virtually impossible to get your money back. This of course is not the fault of Norton antivirus or any other entity that sells software. But most of you, like myself, are not familiar with some of these details in the beginning, especially when you are first getting to know your computer and the technical aspects of what it takes to keep it running clean and safe.

Alternative Options

Whatever your reason may be for wanting to know how to contact Norton antivirus and talking with their sales department or customer service rep, consider doing a bit of research online for alternative anti spyware programs. While I still consider Norton antivirus to be a very respected and reliable service, dozens of free PC security software choices exist that may meet or exceed what you are currently using.

The iPhone is quickly emerging as the premiere wireless smart phone device in the U.S. Most recently it has added to its efficiency with the 3G connectivity feature and a more robust battery life, bringing even smarter phone users to date. For this reason the apple iPhone app market has soared. I have found it incredibly hard to avoid the latest commercial in which the use of an iPhone app was implemented to find a restaurant by food preference.

Marketing an iPhone application seems like it would be as easy as putting out a brochure in the mail. But if you have tried, it may not have appeared to be that easy. So these are some of best thoughts on possible ways you might want to market your iPhone apps.

Find your audience

What type of people will use your product? How does your product fit the needs of apple iPhone users? Is it unique in its creation or an alternative or improvement to already existing apple iPhone software applications? Do you know if your product would be popular with a certain apple iPhone user demographic?

There are forums in which iPhone users dwell. Try plugging into discussions between users. They might provide you with information on what programs are needed and what existing programs don’t work. Use these forums as focus groups examining what the needs and benefits they look for from application. Pick the brains of the users. You might find out additional information on user demographic also.

Check the competition

The Apple iPhone is not without competition, see what the competition is offering and create an application of similar usability. If you have an application already created, market that application in apple user forums and other smart phone user forums as an alternative to any similar programs used by the devices. You should also contact top authoritative iPhone sites and consider advertising your application. You must remember to treat your application just like you would any other product you sell. Just because it is a digital product doesn’t mean that you don’t have to market it as heavily.

Get Social

Social networking sites are also great promoters of new applications. You can create a page and promote your application. Get a lot of people interested in your iPhone apps through advertising on your page, joining groups that might have an interest in what your software provides. MySpace has a bulletin feature that let you send mass bulletins to subscribers of your page and as well as the subscribers of the groups you have joined.

Blog

Out of all the suggestions mentioned above I have found this avenue the most controlled way to market anything. The current craze is blogging. It’s like a forum but it gives you a way to ask your audience questions and provide them with answers. It gives you insight on customers needs and provides you with information useful to improving and marketing your products quicker. The grass root appeal is the new marketplace for anything you want to sell. You are able to address objections and develop the ground work necessary for moving your customers toward your product. Some of the best iPhone apps have been discovered this way. The market for the best iPhone apps is growing in tremendous gains, with a little creativity and market study you can be a part of this growing industry.

As we all know eBay is the place for buying almost anything imaginable. However there are things that we must watch out for if we intend buying on eBay. Never forget the rule caveat emptor, or buyer beware. As in all facets of life this rule rings true and even more so on eBay. There are steps you must take to be sure that you know what you are buying, do that and you will really get a great deal on an iPhone. On the other hand if you are not careful you can have great disappointment and lose your money. So listen up and take notes.

Firstly, know exactly what you are buying and if you don’t know, ask the seller. They are obliged to answer your questions. Watch out for conflicting information between the title and the extended description. As an example there was a listing for an unlocked 16 GB iPhone, at least that was what the title said. In the description it said that, and it was clearly stated the phone is locked, then they stated that they are using it with a carrier other than AT&T so it clearly must have been unlocked. You could ask the seller for clarification of the issue, but my reaction would be to look for another phone.

Do you know the difference between unlocked and locked? We will give you a brief rundown here. If the phone is unlocked, it means the firmware has been hacked and now you can insert any chip that will work on your chosen mobile network. Different countries have different carriers so you should find out what is available to you and what services they are offering. Some features of the phone can be lost if you go away from Apples recommended carriers. Where your iphone will work has nothing to do with the chip but with wiring of the phone and the radio frequencies of the carriers.

The terms “unlocked” and “new, unopened box” are incompatible. You have to open up the box and hack into the firmware in order to unlock the iPhone. Apple does not ship unlocked iPhones. In order to hack into the iPhone you must open the box, and hook the iPhone up to a computer. This is hardly unopened. Locked means that the firmware that Apple shipped the phone with is intact and untouched. These phones will only activate and work on the AT&T network. However, a locked phone has no issues or troubles with any firmware upgrades whereas an unlocked phone must be careful when updating to be sure they do not re-lock the iPhone.

Three very important words to look out for when purchasing anything on eBay are, refurbished, new and used. If an instrument has been refurbished, hopefully by the manufacturer, it has been take from not performing the way it should to an as new state. Find one of these and you should get a decent phone at a realistic price. If the seller is for real he will declare what the phone is, either new or refurbished, but watch for those les scrupulous sellers that may not disclose this fact. As always if you’re not sure ask. If in doubt shop elsewhere.

There are many phones that are similar in appearance to the iPhone, but clearly are not. There is only one iPhone. You will see phones called A88 iPhone, PDA, cell phone. This is not an iphone but a look alike. Make sure that any phone you are considering as an iPhone is the Apple brand.

Very important when buying on eBay, make sure that you know the sellers return policies and only pay through PayPal using your credit card. Some will ask you to pay direct to their account.. I never do that, I go somewhere else. Never ever pay with cash or checks or wire transfers or money orders. No, no, no, just don’t do it. Stick with Pay Pal and if a dispute arises you have recourse through that company. Sorry if that sounds like a plug for Pay Pal, but we are opening ourselves up to the scammers of the world when we shop on eBay and I have found not safer way. So if you find a seller who does not take credit cards or Pay Pal then I would be most suspicious. Remembered “caveat emptor” and go somewhere else to buy.

eBay tries their hardest to make it safe for you to shop, but you must do your part by educating yourself and giving yourself the best chance of getting a good deal.

Before you buy an iPhone on eBay do your due diligence and research what you want and don’t be disappointed.

Why is internet safety important? The number one reason is because there are pedophiles that seek out young, innocent children to prey upon by using the internet. This is a problem nationwide. If you read your syndicated newspapers, you will find numerous articles regarding this problem. Parents really need to safeguard their children. Every computer comes with safety features. Always go to “internet options” and set security levels on the computer that your child uses all the time. There are programs that parents can buy that has “parental guidelines”. These programs allows the parent to actually see what websites and chat rooms that your child visits. You can also set a time limit on how long your child can spend on the internet.

Why is internet safety important? Because it may save the life of a child. There are bad people that live in our world. They do not care about the person they are chatting with on the internet. Their only concern is what they can get from their victim, no matter what, no matter how. If you love your children, you will want to restrict and or monitor all internet activity that they are involved in.

The internet was not designed for just chatting purposes only. It was designed as a research tool. There is information on the internet about every topic, person, people, place or things all made available at the click of a button. But because people are people and because people are inquisitive, then you get pedophiles that seek out victims on the internet.

Why is internet safety important? There are terrorists in the world. Remember Columbine, Colorado. The two students that killed their classmates had a website that was linked to terrorists. Fifteen to seventeen year old students cannot buy guns or ammunition without an adult with them. Someone had to supply those kids with the weaponry that they used to murder the other students. Columbine was the only school shooting incident that was linked to terroristic activity. It is so important to know what your children are doing and what they are involved in.

Your child may very well not like the idea of you “getting involved’. But remember, YOU are the parent. Also, remind your child daily of how much you love them, and how much you want to protect them. Help them be aware of the dangers that they can encounter just by surfing the web. Your local police officers can get information for you that you can share with your children. Go so far as to have a local police officer talk to your child. By doing this, you could very well save your child’s life.

Dare to make a difference in the life of your child.