The Internet has become an even riskier place to surf

Not only do we need to protect ourselves from Viruses, Hackers and Spam, but now we need to be concerned about the proliferation of Spy-ware. Carelessly clicking on Ad's and Pop-ups over time, could clog your computer with many Spy-ware, Malware, and Key logging programs. Some of these programs install themselves without prompting the computer user in any way. Clicking on the 'Cancel' or 'No Thanks' button on some pop-ups, installs the spy-ware software anyway, just as if you had clicked on an 'OK' or 'Accept' button. As a computer support technician, I have recently been asked to investigate and repair PC's that have become practically unusable, for unknown reason's, as reported by my desperate clients. Pop-up after pop-up are appearing on their desktops. Internet browser home pages are being replaced with others (called Browser Hijacking - One most recent browser hijack, takes you to a web site advertising one of the ejected American Idol contestants. According to what I have read up to now, the only way to get rid of it is to format your hard drive and reinstall all of your software.) Unsolicited pop-ups appear non-stop. Clicking with the mouse to start a program can take up to a minute, even on the newest, fastest, computers. These spy-ware programs are sucking up all of your computers resources and spewing information back to their creators. They clog up the Internet with unnecessary data traffic, that effects us all. Some spy-ware now prevent you from closing your Internet browser or make the keyboard inoperable while using your email program. As Internet surfers, we all need to become educated about these dangers, and do our part to take back the Internet. Not only do we need to keep our Anti-virus programs up to date, at least on a weekly if not daily basis, but now we need to purchase Spy-ware detection software from a reputable vendor. Do not blindly trust the freebies, available on the Internet. With the exception of a few anti-spyware vendors, see links at the bottom of this page, free usually means they are offering their software with ulterior motives in mind. All computer users, (Apple Computers less affected) need to buy software, capable of automatically detecting and eliminating the problems and updating their detection software files via the Internet. I am still stunned at how many people still believe, that installing an Anti-virus software program once, or even relying on the trial (evaluation/introductory) versions that come preloaded on their brand name PC, will protect them forever. Don't forget to keep all of your PC's operating system patches up to date as well.

Although the Internet contains a lot of filth, it still provides enormous amounts of useful information. I plan all of my photographic trips, after researching different locations, including lodging, climate conditions, park entry fees, hiking dangers, etc. I look for inspiration by visiting other photographers online galleries.

It's going to take a combined effort on everyone's part, to act and surf responsibly.
Let's clean up these dirty Internet streets.

Please review the links below to learn more about the dangers of Spy-ware. I am not endorsing any particular product. I'm just asking that everyone become more knowledgeable, and take the necessary preventive actions, that will help to protect us all.

Parents should also beware of the pornographic sites, or the exchange of pornographic movie clips and images by kids on the Internet. With fast Internet connections available to many households today, these short movie clips (Movie file mpeg , .mpg) can be downloaded or even emailed as attachments very quickly. These clips and image files can then be copied (burned) to a blank CD-R CD and freely distributed to other children. Parents should consider purchasing Internet filtering software, which will block and prevent viewing these types of web sites. Just remember however, that these software packages don't block ALL of the sites you don't want your child or teen to see, and they require the parent to manually add sites to the block list. The software vendors also offer updates to the blocking lists that you will have to download from time to time. You can search for these files on your child's PC via the Start menu, Search, For Files or Folders...and type in *.mpg. Simply double-click on any one of the files when they appear in the Search Results list. Windows Media player (if installed) will play the file. If you don't have the time to make these changes to the blocking software, or keep the software up-to-date, then keep an eye on your child as they surf. If you don't even have the time to watch them as they surf, don't let them surf at all. I have provided some Internet filtering vendor links below as well.

Do you want an easier solution to the prevention of viruses, hackers and spy-ware?