COMPUTERS
System back-ups necessary
Jeff Crume, IBM IT security architect and author of the blog Inside Internet Security, says one step bears repeating about computer systems: back them up. “No matter how hard you try, there’s always a chance that your system could get hacked,” Crume said in an email. “So what’s the next best thing since we don’t have perfect security? A means to recover any data that might be lost.”
In addition to services like Backupify (free to $19.99 a month), external hard drives are cheap buys. Malware and spyware protection are also must-haves since such code can be incredibly efficient at acquiring your personal information. And don’t neglect the other hardware responsible for getting you online.
“A number of years ago, it was typical for a wireless router’s default settings to have all security features turned off,” Crume said. “Setup was complicated, and manufacturers and retailers would rather not have to field the onslaught of customer support issues that inevitably resulted from configuration errors.”
That practice has changed, but if you can’t remember the last time you checked out your wireless router, examine the encryption settings to see whether there’s a WPA2 option. Crume said the older WEP encryption is now easy to crack, so if WPA2 isn’t supported, it might be time for a new device. Also, check to see whether your router needs a firmware update so you can apply any relevant security patches.
— Tyler Dukes, Raleigh News & Observer
Installation difficulties
Q: I am having trouble with my HP Mini 311, which is a netbook (a small laptop) that has no DVD drive. Can I load Windows XP from a DVD disk to a USB drive, and then install it on the Mini that way?
A: No, you can’t copy Windows XP to a flash drive and then install it on another PC. Microsoft prevents Windows from doing this as an anti-piracy measure. That leaves you with two choices. You can buy an external DVD drive for your HP Mini and load Windows XP that way. Note that if you already have installed your copy of XP on another PC, you won’t be able to load it onto the netbook, too. You’d have to buy another copy. And because Microsoft no longer markets XP, you’d have to buy it from an authorized reseller. Or you can download and install an electronic copy of Windows 7 from Microsoft, since you don’t need a DVD drive to do that. But before you go to the expense of replacing Windows on your netbook, check your computer’s behavior against the warning signs that your hard disk drive may be failing. Those signs include PC slow-downs, repetitive clicking sounds or files that won’t open or are corrupted. If your disk drive is going bad, replace it and then install Windows on the new hard drive using the external DVD drive method.
— Steve Alexander, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Discussing truthfulness
Q: After making a very unfortunate mistake, I was fired from a job I had held for 10 years. Because potential employers always ask about my termination, I have had to relive this devastating experience. My mistake was stupid, and I have paid dearly for it. I would like to put the whole thing behind me, but I know interviewers will continue to ask. How can I answer their questions without incriminating myself?
A: Without knowing the nature of your mistake, I can’t offer specific suggestions. But you may be volunteering way too much information. Applicants often incorrectly assume that truthfulness requires full disclosure. Although you never want to lie during a job search, remember there can be many different honest answers to the same question. Prepare a concise, factual explanation for your departure that raises as few red flags as possible.
— Marie McIntyre, McClatchy-Tribune News