May 18, 2012

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Networking as an Online College Graduate

Many people believe that there are no networking opportunities available if you receive an online education. However, an online education is no different than an education received in a brick-and-mortar college, and that includes the availability of networking opportunities. Graduates have the same type of networking opportunities available, regardless of where they received their degree. The only difference is that networking as an online college graduate requires the use of the Internet and a desire to build a personal platform in which to broadcast your experience, education, and personal brand.If you are a recent online college graduate or considering online education, here’s a look at some of the networking opportunities that are available to you.

Online Forums

Many online colleges have a dedicated online forum where current and former students can go to connect with each other. These forums will sometimes have a section dedicated to employers or job posting that allows any student to start to market themselves. If your college does not have this type of forum online, there are sites like earnmydegree.com that can be used as a resource to help you find forums of this nature.

Social Media Outlets

Social media websites can be a great way for online students to network and broadcast themselves to future employers. Most social media websites have networks that you can join that will allow you to share your information and make connections that can help you develop your own personal brand or find a new job.

With a little work and dedication, any online college graduate can have the same opportunities that other graduates have to build powerful networks.

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Beware of Email File Attachments

Since the widespread inception of the Internet into the average household, email has grown drastically. More people are utilizing the ease of email currently than ever before. With the increased efficiency of wireless capabilities in conjunction with the wide array of different mobile devices; the use of email is in short, booming. However, with the wide use of email for many different aspects of peoples lives, there comes the potential for dangers and various scams that malicious entities try to utilize in order to victimize unsuspecting users. These scams come in a wide variety of different forms, and can all cause detrimental effects to the end-user whom ends up as the victim.

The most common ways that these entities work is by obtaining email information for a number of different individuals, and utilizing them as a source to send automated messages to. These automated messages appear to the unsuspecting user as coming from a viable source; whether a popular and recognizable retailer such as Target, or a popular shipping company such as the Post Office or United Parcel Service. Generally, they will either include an attachment, or request personal information regarding a package or item you know nothing about. Unfortunately, many people take the bait and either open up the file or input their information due to curiosity and or confusion regarding the issue.

In many cases, the file attachment is an executable virus that requires a download and installation. The programmers tend to make it appear as if it a simple form that needs to be filled out by the recipient in order to remedy the issue in question. However, more times than not, once it has been downloaded, it turns out to be a virus that runs rampant through the system causing any amount of damage or problematic issues. Ensure you are cautious regarding emails you do not recognize.

Filed Under: Advancements, Computers Tagged With: , ,

There is no Better Time Than Now to Buy That New Computer

Computers are becoming the staple of any modern household that provides a way to access the Internet for various tasks. Whether members of the family are enrolled in an online educational institution, or they like to keep in touch daily with relatives that live across the country, or in another country at that; the computer, and more importantly, the Internet is the means in which to accomplish these tasks. However, as technology increased, and the demands of the Internet and various other activities performed on the computer begin to increase with this technology, some people are finding that their computers are becoming outdated. When most people think of the cost that typically correlates with the purchase of a new computer, they tend to tell themselves that it is out of the question, and their current machine will suffice. As a result of this, as each year goes by, their computer becomes more and more outdated, and cannot perform many of the standard tasks that are prevalent in the online world.

Fortunately, one aspect of the bad economy that has actually turned out to be somewhat positive is the drastic drop in computer prices. Part of the reason why computer prices have dropped so much is due to the fact they are utilized so often now a days. However, the economy has caused people to not venture out to make purchases as much as they did prior to the recession. As a result of this, companies have been forced to lower prices in order to appeal to this new brand of cautious consumer.

There are droves of powerful brands and models on the market that vastly out perform computers even from a couple of years ago. Increases in technology have made it possible for manufacturers to pump out performance machines at lower costs than ever before. Machines that would have been considered souped up super computers five ears ago are being released as the standard in specifications, with higher end models exhibiting ridiculous specifications. As a result of this, there has never been a better time to find yourself a viable computer upgrade.

Filed Under: Advancements, Computers Tagged With: , ,

Pay Attention to Those Email Downloads

Practically everyone has en email address that they utilize on a regular basis. No matter the generation, young or old, email has become a pivotal aspect of our society in terms of how we communicate with family, friends, and in a business sense. As a result of this, millions of emails get sent out on a daily basis that range from simple salutations to intricate project proposals. However, there is one aspect of emailing that can be somewhat dangerous, and many people are unaware of the potential detrimental effects that this element can cause to their computer. The problem being referred to is transferable files that are attached to emails. The unfortunate fact of email, and the Internet in general is that there are malicious entities always working behind the scenes in an attempt to scam people and or infect their computers with executable viruses. Email is a large target for these entities because of the mass volume that flows through various services.

One of the most widely used ways for a potential hacker to gain access to a computer via a virus is by sending a file to someones email that is the virus in its dormant form, requesting that the person open the file and install it. The majority of the time, these emails are disguised as a reputable entity such as The Post Office or a favorite retailer stating that something is wrong, or that the potential victim has won something and needs to open the file to view a specific document. For the most part, it is simple to tell that these emails are fraudulent, however, people who are less experienced and slightly more naive take the bait and open the files. When the file is open, the user unknowingly installs the malicious software onto their machine and are usually completely unaware that it is running in the background.

There are many other types of viruses that can be transferred via an attached email file; As such, ensure you completely avoid opening email attachments unless they come from a 100% trusted contact.

Filed Under: Advancements, Computers Tagged With: , ,

The Problem With Peer-to-Peer File Sharing Over The Internet

As the Internet has become more popular over the years, more people who have less experience than others are pouring onto the web. These people present opportunities for hackers and other developers of malicious software to victimize through various tactics. One way in which these unethical entities launch their attacks is via a variety of different viruses. Unfortunately, the people who are developing these viruses are fairly innovative and underhanded in their tactics as getting the virus on a specific computer. Among the most popular ways to get a computer infected is through peer-to-peer sharing services that used to be extremely popular, and still remain a way that people transfer and share various files.

The problem with peer to peer file sharing is that people are put into an atmosphere in which they can practically download anything and everything. These atmospheres present a slew of different material that range from pirated versions of popular software, to videos and games. It is extremely easy for a hacker to write an executable program, rename it something that is popular among the various down-loaders, and serve it. For the most part, people will notice that the item in which they are downloading has the .exe extension, throw a red flag immediately and stop downloading it. However, with the vast amount of new Internet users that are unaware of checking file extensions, as well as the fact there are many people online who are unethical in their practices, these executable files get downloaded and installed on a regular basis.

The viruses that come attached to these downloadable files can range from practically anything. Among the most widely used are viruses that act as a gateway for the developer to access the computer, otherwise known as a Trojan virus. Additionally, these gateway viruses can also act as a hub for other viruses in that once they have infected your machine, they will continuously download a steady stream of additional viruses onto your machine, exponentially infecting it. As such, if you are unfamiliar with them, avoid peer-to-peer file sharing services.

Filed Under: Advancements, Computers Tagged With: , ,

The Importance of Maintaining Computer Hardware

Computers have been growing in popularity at a rapid rate over the past few decades. More people are taking the plunge and purchasing computers due to their immense versatility and importance in this fast paced modern society in which we all live. Additionally, businesses rely on computers for a wide array of their operation that decades ago, would have been dependent on a human. As a result of this, it is vital to ensure the computer is properly cared for so it will exhibit the longevity that it can as well avoid any catastrophic occurrences such as mass loss of data.

In caring for your computer, there are a couple fairly simplistic guidelines you can follow to ensure the hardware is not neglected and left to the harmful elements that can damage the components in your computer case. The first guideline to abide by is to consider changing the actual placement of the computer itself. Many people tend to place their computer towers on the floor. This may seem like something that is logical and would not put the computer at risk, however, it can be an issue if left unchanged over a long period of time. The main issue that persists is a build up of dust in and around the case. Additionally, depending on the placement of the case on the floor, specific vents could be obstructed by the carpeting. When looking for proper placement for your computer tower, place it on a solid surface that is elevated off the ground at least three to four inches.

A second and equally simple guideline to abide by to ensure your components remain in good shape is to regularly inspect the inside of your case and clean it of all debris, the most common being dust. Take a can of compressed air to the components of your computer at least once a month. Unfortunately, dust, as common as it is, is one of the most detrimental elements to computer components and can cause a slew of issues if left unchecked.

Filed Under: Advancements, Computers Tagged With: , ,

Safe, Easy and Legal File Sharing is Not as Oxymoronic as You Think

File sharing can be nerve-wracking. Is it a legal site? Could the file contain a virus? Is it worth the potential risks? There are certainly plenty of websites on the Internet that are not legal, will disseminate virus-ridden files and are not worth the risks, but there are also plenty of completely safe and legal sites. File sharing is an important service for many users. Grandmas need to see photos of their grandchildren; businessmen and women need to transfer documents to clients; and everyone wants the ability to send music to their friends. The following list is a rundown of various file-sharing sites that won’t burn you.

  • MediaFire: This website does not limit your uploads or downloads, has a simple interface, and is compatible with many social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. The only limit MediaFire enforces is a file upload size of 200 MB.
  • Google Docs: Google Docs is mostly for documents and spreadsheets and is popular in the business world. Forms can be uploaded, downloaded and edited easily with the clean Google interface. The maximum file size is 1024 MB, as is the maximum storage space.
  • RapidShare: The best advantage of RapidShare is the ability to upload and download multiple files simultaneously. For the user with a large library that wants to upload everything they have, RapidShare is a great service. The maximum file size is 500 MB.
  • FileFactory: Less known than some of the others, FileFactory provides huge file sizes (2000 MB) and an even huger maximum storage space (500 GB). It’s fast and reliable, and FileFactory even pays the user for every 1000 downloads.
  • Megaupload: Easily one of the most sought-after file-sharing services, Megaupload gives the user a maximum file size of 2048 MB and 200 GB of storage space.

Safe and easy file sharing depends on knowing the right websites to wield. If you choose any of the above, you’re on the right track.

Filed Under: Advancements, Computers Tagged With: ,

Do You Really Need a Firewall?

When you leave your front door unlocked, one of two things could happen: nothing and something. Perhaps no one will come through your door, but you’re completely unprotected if someone does decide to try the knob. That’s what it’s like to have a computer connected to the Internet without applying a firewall. Depending on your neighborhood, you might never have a home intruder. Although the Internet is a bit like a vast and scary neighborhood, there are pockets that are safer than others. For this reason, not everyone needs a firewall, but it’s still advantageous to have one.

The following list contains three examples of network setups and the security risk of each.

  • Dial-up home computer: This is the most secure computer setup. It is also, however, the slowest. Hackers usually look past dial-up networks due to the nature of the connection. It’s more difficult and less beneficial for an intruder to hack a computer using dial-up Internet. Thus, if your home computer is set up as such, the use of a firewall is not necessary. The likelihood of an attack is minimal.
  • High-speed connection: Computers connected in this manner are at a high risk for hacking because they are almost always connected to the Internet. A firewall would be very helpful in this situation.
  • Small business computer: Regardless of the connection used by the small business, it is in the interest of that business to invest in a powerful firewall due to the vulnerability of such a network and the possibility of important and private documents to be compromised.

The idea of “needing” a firewall is actually misleading. Anyone can surf the Internet without one; firewalls are just a means of protecting your system from looming threats. Most experts would agree that employing a firewall is in every user’s best interest if they are worried about their privacy, but it’s not a requirement. But neither is locking your door.

Filed Under: Advancements, Computers Tagged With: ,

Juniper Networks NetScreen: Details of a Specific Hardware Firewall

If the everyday computer user employs a firewall, it’s more than likely to be a software firewall. It’s a firewall that can be downloaded from the Internet and easily installed and customized to fit the user’s needs. It’s either free or inexpensive, and it works relatively well. However, the everyday computer user probably doesn’t have thousands — or even millions — of dollars worth of business data and records at stake. Businesses and other large networks of computers require a more secure method for protecting their systems. They’re not cheap, and they’re not easy, but hardware firewalls provide that extra level of safety.

Juniper Networks NetScreen is not the best hardware firewall, but it’s not the worst either, so it’s a prime example for detailing the specifics of this type of information defense. Juniper’s specifications and features are described below.

  • The price for Juniper Networks NetScreen is approximately $13,000. More advanced hardware firewalls can cost as much as $60,000.
  • The two versions of NetScreen hardware available are the NetScreen-5200 and the NetScreen-5400.
  • The NetScreen-5200 has two slots, 10 Gbps FW, and the possibility for up to 4094 virtual local area networks. There are 16 default security zones, but there is room for more than 1,000 total.
  • The NetScreen-5400 has four slots, 30 Gbps FW, and the possibility for up to 4094 virtual LANs as well. The 5400 allows for 2,000,000 sessions compared to the 5200’s 1,000,000.
  • All Juniper firewalls have anti-virus systems that use the well-known Kaspersky Lab technology.

Juniper Networks NetScreen products are not the most confusing on the market, but they often still require a computer technician or specialist to set them up. Juniper is a reliable company used by many of the top businesses and universities in the United States. Utilized properly, Juniper’s NetScreen products can secure a fairly large network of computer systems from the many dangers lurking online.

Filed Under: Advancements, Computers Tagged With: ,

Free and Legal: Where to Download Music These Days

Since the legal troubles and subsequent collapse of free music file-sharing websites, it’s been hard for music lovers on the Internet to find a comparable substitute to fill their Napster-sized holes. The dearth of outlets for such endeavors has been frustrating for those who believe that music should be free for all to enjoy. Luckily, there are a number of sites today that provide totally free and legal music. While you may not be able to obtain the new Britney Spears single, you may stumble upon a genre or artist you never knew existed. Here is a look at three sites for doing just that.

  1. Internet Archive’s Audio Archive: With more than 200,000 free audio downloads, the Audio Archive is no slouch in this business. You can find audio books, Grateful Dead concerts, news programs from the days of old, and tons more. The music collection alone features 50,000 songs — all for no cost. The goal of this particular project is to collect various bits of audio content for researchers, but the public gets to reap the benefits too.
  2. Jamendo: You can find thousands of tracks from genres such as rock, jazz, pop and classical with Jamendo. In fact, there are more than 250,000 available tracks on the website. The Creative Commons and Free Art licenses are what allow a site like this to operate. Jamendo also promotes artists and raises money to support those that provide site content.
  3. Free Music Archive: While it only has 22,000 songs in its library, the Free Music Archive is a great idea and an innovative way to encourage artists to create and share. Still a relatively new website, the Free Music Archive has plenty of room to grow and continue impacting the music world.

There are still ways to download music illegally, but why bother when there are so many paths for finding extraordinary and extraordinarily free music.

Filed Under: Advancements, Computers Tagged With: ,
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