Reader Scott Adler wrote recently to tell me about an interesting article on cable/DSL router security. I found it interesting that the mainstream computer media, in this case it was an article at CNET News.com, that was warning people to change the default password on their cable and DSL routers.

For a long time, my security recommendations for wired and wireless routers include the recommendation that you change the password on the router from the default to one of your choice..

What’s the default password for a router? It’s the password that you have to enter to edit the router settings. Many users use their router’s default password to set up the router initially. Then, they forget all about changing the password — or they worry that they won’t remember it so they decide not to change it.

Why is it important to change the router’s password? You should change the password because it’s one more door that can be locked to protect your computer and your Internet computing.

Continue reading Router Security — Wired & Wireless Routers

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*   Using Acronis True Image Home 11 to Back Up to DVD’s
In a comment on my Terry’s Computer Tips blog, a subscriber requested that I write about how to use Acronis True Image to back up to CDROM’s or to DVD’s, as many people don’t have home networks.

*   A Happy Ending to PDF Problems
Long-time subscriber Scott Adler wrote this week that he was having problems with current Adobe programs. In particular, he had the same issue with Adobe Reader 8 that many of us have had.

*   My Security Software Recommendations
My recommendations for anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, and anti-spam software…

*   Malware Silently Alters Router Settings — Change Your Router Passwords!
I’ve predicted it for a long time as a reason to change your router password from the default, and it’s now running wild on the Internet…

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I’m sure you’ve heard about the On-Star satellite system sold by General Motors as an add-on for their automobiles. On-Star is billed as a method to give you instant access to help and even remote control of your vehicle. Lock yourself out of your car? No problem, call On-Star and they’ll unlock it for you. In a crash? They’ll call you to make sure you’re all right because the triggering of the air bags triggers a warning to them. Lost? Get directions.

Before On-Star, and still available for other autos, was a system called Lojack. It would respond to a special transmission and respond with its location. In other words, if it was stolen, you could get the Lojack people to locate the vehicle so it could be recovered.

Now, Absolute Software licensed the Lojack name to use with their software product Lojack for Laptops.

I’d read about it a couple times. Then, one day I noticed that Dell Computer was including it as part of the Complete Care package for their notebooks — at least on the models that I was considering.

So, I started looking at Lojack for Laptops again. The more I read, the more I liked…

Continue reading Lojack for Laptops
or
Get Lojack for Laptops now…

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*   Create PDF Files for Free

*   My Security Software Recommendations

*   Using Multiple Tabs in Firefox

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*   Problems with Installs and Updates

*   RealVNC for Home Remote PC Maintenance

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This week’s email and on-line newsletters are now available:
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This week’s online articles include:

*   Choosing to Send Plain Text or HTML in Outlook Emails
Fonts, colors and special formatting are sometimes appreciated in emails. However, often, recipients don’t want them. It’s easy to change the default settings and the setting for an individual email…

*   Updates Last Week
I watch a few operating systems and programs for updates — mainly because these are the ones that I use or in which I am interested. What updates or versions were new last week?

*   Backing Up Your Files
A subscriber asks me what I use to back up my files…