Google Tools...Fun, Free, Fantastic

Last week we talked about how to use free software to protect your computer, this week I want to touch on some additional free software from Google. Google is not just a giant search engine company anymore. Google offers a vast array of free software and services to provide function and fun to your life. This article will touch on four of these tools: Google Book Search, Google Earth, Picasa, and SketchUp. You will find links to this software by clicking the Free Downloads icon on my website www.connectutech.com.
For the book worms out there, Google has created Google Book Search. Book Search is a database of tens of thousands of books, including subjects such as Literature, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Political Science, Biology and much more. This is not just a list of books with short paragraphs or excerpts from the book, but a complete searchable full text version of each book or magazine. This is like having a complete library online at your fingertips.
The is a great resource for the student who needs to do some research or the home bound who has trouble making it to the bookstore or library.
The next tool from Google can help you travel the world. Google Earth allows you to see the world from the comfort of your home. Whether you have always wanted to visit the Pyramids of Egypt or the Eifel Tower in Paris, Google Earth makes everyday an adventure. There are also several websites devoted to Google Earth tourism, where you can click on a link and it will point Google Earth to different spots on the earth.
In most places you can see an aerial view of a couple blocks, but in some areas where Google has integrated Street View, you can actually see pictures of the front of buildings from street level.
The third tool, Google Picasa, is a free tool that helps your organize, edit and share your photos online in a web based photo album. Once in your album you can tag the photos in Google maps; this map integrates with the aforementioned Google Earth. So when you are browsing Google Earth you may see photos other people have uploaded. When visiting the Great Wall of China on Google Earth you may see photos of people’s vacation or more photos of the Wall itself.
The final tool from Google I want to touch on is SketchUp. SketchUp is a 3D modeling software that like Picasa integrates with Google Earth. You can build anything from a bridge to a swing set in this easy to use modeling software. With SketchUp’s Push/Pull technology, converting a 2 dimensional photo into a 3D model has never been so easy. With a few clicks of your mouse you can bring life to the simplest of photos.
Even though Google is mostly known for its dynamic search engine, their free software and service offerings are unmatched. Even though I was only able to tough on a small portion of the list of the different free software and services offered through Google, I encourage you to browse through the different resources they have to offer and find the right tools for you.
You can find links to all of the software mentioned in this article as well as extras that you might find interesting in the free downloads section on my website www.connectutech.com.
Eric Wichhart is the CEO of ConnectU, a Business Technology firm based in Eustis, Florida. He can be reached at (352) 702-0354 or eric@connectutech.com

Security is Not Just About Anti-Virus Anymore

Credit card numbers, banking account information, Social Security Numbers, and financial records are all forms of information found on your computer that can be left open to hackers if your computer is not protected. This week you may have heard a lot about the Conficker worm lurking around the Internet. This worm and other malicious programs can be used by hackers to capture that data. Once captured, the thieves can use this data to steal your identity or money.
Last week’s article “Is danger lurking in your e-mail” discussed protecting your computer from virus laden e-mails. This week I want to talk about the other layers of security for your computers and network. These layers include updates, virus protection, firewalls and anti-malware software. The best part of protecting your computer is that there are many free ways to get protection; links are available on our website.
The first level of security is an updated virus protection. Virus protection comes in two versions, most commonly the software is installed directly on the computer. There are many vendors who provide anti-virus software, the most common ones being Symantec, AVG and McAffee. AVG offers a great free anti-virus solution for home users.
No matter which anti-virus you pick, the most important thing is that you make sure the anti-virus is kept up to date and that you have a recent version of the software. Newer versions of anti-virus will be more effective in tracking down newer viruses. You should update your anti-virus version no less than every two years.
The second form of anti-virus comes built in a firewall. This version protects computers on the network, but should be used as a supplement to regular anti-virus.
Speaking of firewalls, this is the second layer of protection for your computer. Firewalls also come in two different versions. Software firewalls which are part of Internet Security packages or independent packages such as Zone Alarm, which also offers a free version, are designed for non-networked computers. Network computers should be protected by a hardware firewall, which is the second type of firewall. Depending on your requirements, firewall can range from small home firewalls to more expensive firewalls for business.
Firewalls are designed to protect your computing resources from outside attacks, but can also protect the spreading viruses throughout your network.
The next level of protection is making sure your computer is up to date with the latest patches from Microsoft and other vendors. Patches from Microsoft are delivered through the Windows Update site as well as Windows Update Services.
Even if you have Windows Update Services turned on in the Control Panel, you must also visit Windows Update through Internet Explorer, by clicking Tools, then Windows Update. Going to the Windows Update site and performing a “Custom” update will install important updates not normally downloaded through the regular update process.
Updates not only increase program performance, but increase security and reduce fatal crashes.
The final level of security is probably the least known level and most ignored. Anti-malware, sometimes referred to as anti-spyware, software compliments anti-virus software by removing adware and other malicious software. The difference between a virus and malware is very small, but is dependent on the actions of the software. Viruses try to spread and infect other computers, where malware embeds itself in your computer and performs tasks such as sending out spam. Just like anti-virus software, anti-malware software is available in several free versions and must be current and up to date. One of the most popular free anti-spyware software is Spybot Search and Destroy.
There are many levels of protection required to keep your computers and network secure. Current and updated anti-virus and anti-malware software along with a firewall and keeping your computer up to date will compliment the spam protection you have implemented to keep you safe.
You can find links to the software mentioned in this article on our website www.connectutech.com.
Eric Wichhart is the CEO of ConnectU, a Business Technology firm located in Eustis, Florida. He can be reached at eric@connectutech.com or (352) 702-0354.

Is Danger Lurking In You Email?

Earlier this month my wife took me to see a Broadway show called SPAMALOT, a hilariously funny comedy by Eric Idle. Although SPAM was funny in this context, spam in your inbox is not. Spam can be annoying but can also be downright dangerous to your computers and network. Best estimates show that more that 90% of email is spam. One of my clients receives over 10,000 spam emails daily. Think of the time and resources that would be wasted if they did not have a proper spam filtering solution.
Even though large volumes of junk mail can waste a lot of valuable time, this is nothing compared to the potential of a virus outbreak caused by an email virus lurking in someone’s inbox. One mouse click opens the wrong email and the next thing you know, every computer on the network is infected. A virus outbreak can cause damage to valuable data, lead to expensive repair bills, computers and equipment downtime, employee complaints and legal action against you.
Not only can spam be dangerous, but spam taxes your system resources. Spam fills up your email box, which in turn will slow down your computer. Spam also uses up your Internet connection. All of that spam being downloaded by your email program will decrease your bandwidth and slow the loading of your favorite website.
There are many ways to combat spam. For the individual there is spam filtering software which you can purchase for around $20. This filtering software is loaded right on the computer and is an effective way to fight spam on a single computer. Another way is to switch your email address to a company, such as Gmail, who does not sell your email address and will actually filters your email before it reaches your inbox.
For the business there are three basic ways to fight spam. The best way is to use a hosted service. This solution filters your email before it is delivered to your server. Thereby, decreasing the demands on your server and decreasing the traffic on your Internet connection. The second way is to add an in-house filtering appliance. This decreases the load on your server, but does not decrease Internet traffic. The final solution is a software package placed on the server. This package will decrease the demand on the mail portion of your server, but places other demands on your server and does not decrease your Internet traffic.
No matter from which angle you look at spam, it is harmful. Combating spam is a serious issue for both the business and individual user. Forecasts state that the amount of spam is on the rise as malicious software continues to be spread. Implementing a spam filtering solution is an essential part of a security defense for your computer systems. Combined with anti-virus, anti-malware and a firewall, spam filtering software will help keep your computers protected.
For more information on spam filtering solutions, please see our website www.connectutech.com or contact me at eric@connectutech.com or (352) 702-0354. ConnectU “Making Your Net…Work!”