{"id":2932,"date":"2010-10-23T14:44:10","date_gmt":"2010-10-23T04:44:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bonzamobilecomputerrepairs.com\/blog\/?p=2932"},"modified":"2010-10-23T14:44:10","modified_gmt":"2010-10-23T04:44:10","slug":"are-you-a-pebcac-a-picnic-or-a-geek","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/bonzamobilecomputerrepairs.com\/blog\/?p=2932","title":{"rendered":"Are you a Pebcac, a Picnic or a Geek?"},"content":{"rendered":"

His Geekiness,\u00a0Wayne (our\u00a0senior technician), often endearingly calls me\u00a0a PEBCAC<\/strong> (“Problem Exists Between Chair And Computer) or s<\/em>ometimes\u00a0a PICNIC<\/em><\/strong> (“Problem In Chair Not In Computer”<\/em>). The acronyms imply a lack of computer savvy asserting the user is at fault when a computer problem arises. Oh, alright!\u00a0I admit it,\u00a0I make mistakes.<\/p>\n

I HATE COMPUTERS! I\u2019m not a super geek, I just know how to use<\/strong> one to do my <\/strong>job.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Typically, errors are caused by typing in a password with the caps lock on, by an unplugged device, by hitting the wrong key and by accepting a message dialogue without reading and understanding it, by an unplugged network cable or a session timeout. And by opening an email attachment or going to a particular web page.<\/p>\n

Innocent errors with the capacity to cause severe downtime and expense for your business!<\/p>\n

However, the biggest human error is lack of vigilance.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The focus of this\u00a0article is not whether you’re a geek, a computer power user or Pebcac, it\u2019s about cyber security.<\/strong><\/p>\n

A\u00a0couple of\u00a0nights ago\u00a0the 7.30 Report had a segment on cyber crime. Did you see it? Here is a link to the transcript Cyber crime on the rise!<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The report mentioned some startling statistics, but failed to provide\u00a0anything substantial that we haven’t heard before. You’ve heard\u00a0news stories before\u00a0about credit card numbers being stolen and email viruses spreading. Maybe you’ve even been a victim yourself.<\/p>\n

One of the best defenses is understanding the risks and knowing what you can do to protect yourself against them.<\/p>\n

What are the risks?
\n<\/span>Viruses erasing your entire system, someone breaking into your system and altering files, someone using your computer to attack others, or someone stealing your credit card information and making unauthorized purchases. Unfortunately, there’s no 100% guarantee that even with the best precautions some of these things won’t happen to you, but there are steps you can take to minimize the risks.<\/p>\n

What can you do?
\n<\/span>The first step in protecting yourself is to recognize the risks and being vigilant.<\/em><\/p>\n

General security<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022Choose and Protect your\u00a0Passwords and change them regularly<\/p>\n

\u2022Understand your\u00a0Anti-Virus Software<\/p>\n

\u2022Understand your Firewalls<\/p>\n

\u2022Coordinate Virus and Spyware Defense<\/p>\n

\u2022Have Good Security Habits<\/p>\n

\u2022Safeguard Your Data with\u00a0offsite backups<\/p>\n

Attacks and threats<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022Understand Hidden Threats: Corrupted Software Files<\/p>\n

\u2022Understand Hidden Threats: Rootkits and Botnets<\/p>\n

\u2022Recognize and Avoid Spyware<\/p>\n

\u2022Avoid Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks<\/p>\n

\u2022Understand Denial-of-Service Attacks<\/p>\n

\u2022Identify Hoaxes and Urban Legends<\/p>\n

Email and communication<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022Understand Your Computer: Email Clients<\/p>\n

\u2022Use Caution with Email Attachments<\/p>\n

\u2022Reduce Spam<\/p>\n

\u2022Understand Benefits and Risks of Free Email Services<\/p>\n

\u2022Understand Benefits of Blind Carbon Copy (BCC)<\/p>\n

\u2022Understand Digital Signatures<\/p>\n

\u2022Use Instant Messaging and Chat Rooms Safely<\/p>\n

\u2022Stay Safe on Social Network Sites<\/p>\n

Mobile devices<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022Protect Portable Devices: Physical Security<\/p>\n

\u2022Protect Portable Devices: Data Security<\/p>\n

\u2022Use Caution with USB Drives<\/p>\n

\u2022Secure Wireless Networks<\/p>\n

\u2022Protect Cell Phones and PDAs Against Attack<\/p>\n

Privacy<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022How Anonymous Are You?<\/p>\n

\u2022Protect Your Privacy<\/p>\n

\u2022Understand Encryption<\/p>\n

\u2022Effectively Erase Files<\/p>\n

Safe browsing<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022Understand Your Computer: Web Browsers<\/p>\n

\u2022Evaluate Your Web Browser’s Security Settings<\/p>\n

\u2022Shop Safely Online<\/p>\n

\u2022Browse Safely: Understand Active Content and Cookies<\/p>\n

\u2022Understand Web Site Certificates<\/p>\n

\u2022Understand Internationalized Domain Names<\/p>\n

\u2022Understand Bluetooth Technology<\/p>\n

Software and applications<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022Understand Patches<\/p>\n

\u2022Understand Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)<\/p>\n

\u2022Understand Risks of File-Sharing Technology<\/p>\n

\u2022Review End-User License Agreements<\/p>\n

\u2022Understand Your Computer: Operating Systems<\/p>\n

Are you a Geek? I’m not!\u00a0 I get Wayne to handle all of the above, t<\/strong>he do-it-yourself<\/em> method is not an option.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Small businesses like yours and mine,\u00a0can’t operate without\u00a0computers. <\/span><\/span>Without an\u00a0IT expert on\u00a0your staff\u00a0means someone else\u2019s time is being used inefficiently to deal with computer problems. <\/span><\/span>It’s imperitive you have the best security measures in place for your computer systems and a\u00a0trustworthy firm giving you the best professional service and impeccable after sales service. And that’s Bonza!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t wait\u00a0to see which virus, hacker, spy, hard drive crash, barrage of time-wasting spam, or other problem is going to derail your business operations.<\/p>\n