| Welcome to the February edition of the Geeks2U newsletter!
In this month's newsletter we discuss computer security. We will cover some of the problems that can occur and the ways your security can be compromised.
Be sure to check out the product of the month. We have partnered with Kaspersky Labs to help you secure your own PC!
If you'd like more information about anything in this edition of our newsletter, or would like to recommend a topic for an article, please send us an email at
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| The Importance of Securing your Home or Business PC
Since before computers ever connected to the World Wide Web computer viruses were there. With the advent of the web though, and especially with the advancements in technology, now more than ever it is important to keep your PC secure. Where once it was just viruses, which you had to contend with, now there is adware, spyware, worms, viruses, and other malicious programs. All of which, can affect your computer’s performance and put your information at risk. Without the proper security you are opening yourself up to a whole world of problems.
The costs of ignoring PC security Keeping a PC secure today is about more than just keeping your antivirus software up-to-date. There are other types of security issues that need to be dealt with. Some of the most common problems facing users today include:
1. Viruses – Although technology in virus protection has improved, so has the ingenuity of those who create these malicious programs. A virus can be defined as a program that is capable of replicating itself, and usually it is a file that executes with malicious intent.
2. Adware – Adware became prominent with the increase in Internet usage over the past two decades. This type of software usually isn’t intended to harm the PC. However it displays Ads at various intervals and can cause extreme performance issues for many users. This type of program can also be included as part of the next problem on our list.
3. Spyware – A program that is classed as Spyware is meant to steal information from a computer. This can be as simple as recording your browsing history for research purposes, or as bad as stealing your credit card information for fraudulent purposes.
4. Worms – Computer worms can usually be classed as viruses, adware, or spyware, but they have one feature that makes them unique. A worm is capable of replicating and spreading to other computers through network connections.
5. Phishing– Phishing is a common tactic used by those who seek out your personal information for the purposes of credit card theft, identity fraud and other abuses of personal information. Usually phishing is performed using fake websites, through email, or a combination of both.
6. Hackers – Although less of a problem today than they were when computer security wasn’t common, hackers are still a problem for many computer users. With this type of problem a hacker logs onto a PC (using various means) to use that computer for their own purposes, to plant viruses, or to steal personal information from your computer.
With so many different problems out there it quickly becomes apparent how important it is to keep your computer secure. Unfortunately many PC users’ still aren’t taking security seriously. Just last month the virus/worm called Downadup infected over 8 million computers worldwide.
Keeping your PC secure
Luckily, keeping a computer secure isn’t difficult. Just as potential problems have evolved so have the security solutions available. A good security suite can protect your PC against all of the problems we have listed and even those to come.
The suite you choose to keep your PC secure should include antivirus capabilities, adware and spyware scanning, and a firewall to protect against hackers and worms. A good program will also help to keep you safe from Phishing attempts and can work to keep your personal data safe. The security suite you choose should come from a reputable company that employs security experts to keep the software up-to-date.
Viruses may still be a problem today, but securing against potential problems is simple; today, more than ever, paying attention to securing your PC matters.
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| Product of the Month
Kaspersky Internet Security 2009
 Computers and the Internet are now an inseparable part of our everyday life and the data stored on them has become a valuable asset. At the same time, the number of malicious programs as well as the rate at which they are infecting computers continues to grow rapidly. Naturally, this makes proactive protection of computer systems even more important – prevention is of course is always better than cure!
In order to assist you in protecting your computers from these threats, Geeks2U is proud to announce our partnership with Kaspersky Labs to provide our customers with what we consider the best protection available.
Kaspersky® Internet Security includes technologies that effectively protect against both current and new malicious programs that are designed to do anything from steal your financial and confidential data to crash your entire computer. The suite includes antivirus, antispyware, antispam, a personal firewall, parental controls, and protection from hackers all in one easy to use solution.
To purchase online click here and enter the following promotional code in the Geeks2U ID field – G2U0209
For more information, please feel free to email
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| Geeks2U Technician of the Month
Luke Conte
Luke Conte was originally trained as a main frame engineer and due to his involvement with Apple 2 and the original IBM PC he and a friend decided to form a company based around desktop computer communication.
Luke was the Technical Director and 50% shareholder responsible for all technical decisions including R&D and manufacturing. This company was successfully floated on the Australian stock market.
Five years after the company was floated Luke sold his shareholding to pursue other interests related to internet technologies and stock market trading systems.
Luke joined Geeks2u in July 2008 and is based in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Luke is experienced in Win98 / XP / Vista, PC hardware, LAN, Wi-Fi and WAN.
While Luke’s main interest is in computers, he is also interested in motor sports using technologies to log and analyse live racing data.
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