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In today's society, with so much criminal activity taking place, it is very important to consider security when operating a computer in an office setting. This article discusses 7 bad habits that I have recognized during my experience as an IT professional and some of the corrective measures that should be put in place.

1) Failing to set passwords - Anything that is not public should be privately secured by setting a password. In a few simple steps, a password can be created for entire folders or for single files. This will prevent any user who doesn't have a password from accessing private material.

2) Creating passwords that are easily guessed or common - If you create a password that is too easily guessed, you might as well not set one at all. It's like having a lock on your doors at home and leaving a key in the door so all people have to do is turn the key and come in. Passwords are designed to keep people out. Using common passwords such as "password" or "123456" just isn't smart. Take some time and put together a password that will take some effort for even you to remember.

3) Placing passwords near the computer - If all someone has to do is move you keyboard to find a sticky-note that contains your password, you haven't really slowed them down much. I've seen passwords taped to the side of computers, taped under the monitor, and in so many other places. The best place for a computer password is in your mind.

4) Not locking the computer - All it takes is a few minutes and someone can access your computer, get what they need, and get away undetected. Whenever leaving your computer, lock it. As an additional step, it's a good idea to set a password along with the screensaver. That way if the screensaver comes up after 2 minutes, a password is needed to log back in. This may prove annoying sometimes, but it is worth it to have security.

5) Downloading without caution - Computers were not made to handle every download that a user could think of. Many users download many different types of software, file sharing programs, instant messengers, and more, much of which they rarely use. It's a good idea to think about if it is really worth downloading certain programs. If the software is illegal, you can face legal penalties and additional risks.

6) Ignoring software updates - If software has a built-in feature to notify you when there are updates that need to be made, don't ignore them, just install the updates. If there is a virus that is being released, being notified that there is an update for your virus protection software won't help if you don't download it.

7) Not reporting problems in a timely fashion - As soon as you experience odd behavior on your computer, it's time to report it to the proper IT staff members. They may be able to keep an eye out for things and perform preventative maintenance. This would save both time and money.

These are just seven of the bad habits that computer users can develop. By simply correcting a few of these areas, users can experience a greater level of security while operating their computers each day.

Devin Dabney is a computer consultant, author, speaker, and entrepreneur who is the founder and CEO of DabneyWorks Computer Consulting. DabneyWorks provides remote and in-person computer assistance , website design and auditing, and business consultation.

For more information, visit http://www.dabneyworks.com

# posted by ujx @ 3:54 AM 0 comments

The technology of cell phones has changed, thanks to the iPhone Consumers today expect their phones to be touchscreen with finger touch. They want to be able to manipulate and fully work the phone and it's media with nothing more than the tips of their fingers. This all started with the iPhone but as of this writing it has ended with the iClones. These clones set out to copy the iPhone but which ended up added additional features to the iPhone that Apple should have thought of. Copying the iPhone got the clones attention, but making the iPhone better is what is selling truckloads of iClones.

The A380i is no exception and is a great addition to the CECT family. Although this phone looks very much like the iPhone and has all of the features one would expect (a high resolution finger touch 3.0 inch touchscreen, an awesome digital camera, Bluetooth, a video camera and player, and MP3 / MP4 players with six surround sound speakers), it's the new shake and tilt technology that has made this phone an immediate hit.

The bonus feature which has gotten the most attention has to be the shake feature, called shake control or "shake technology" as the manufacturer likes to call it. If you want to change songs, wallpaper, video or photos, you don't have to look down, press buttons or scroll. You just shake the phone to advance it.

The other bonus feature that makes this phone popular is the automatic tilt feature. If you tilt the phone, the media immediately becomes full, wide screen. In other words the picture turns from portrait to landscape.

The A380i has expandable memory via micro SD card. The iPhone doesn't. Of course, the CECT A380i has all of the other innovative additional features that we expect from the clones: slide unlock, a removable battery, dual sim (one phone number for work and one for play) and additional surround sound speakers.

You do not need to be a hack if you don't want to use AT&T's expensive service. The 380i has slide unlock. Just swipe your hand and voila you can now use any carrier you chose. You don't have to use AT&T.

This clone runs between $120 and $150 depending on where you get it. This is a steal considering you're getting the most innovative phone on the market today and not being forced to go with AT&T.

Please click here to see video, photos, specifications and the best pricing on this awesome phone. Rae Edwards is an internet technology researcher and freelance writer.

# posted by ujx @ 1:51 AM 0 comments