prevention

How to prevent closing multiple tabs in Chrome

Tabbed browsing is a huge convenience for looking at lots of different web sites at the same time.

Whether you're researching or adding distractions in other tabs, it can be frustrating when you accidentally close them all at once. For Chrome users, Window Close Protector is an extension that won't win points for creativity for its name, but definitely delivers the ability to prevent you from closing all of your active tabs. This extension mimics the behavior seen when closing a Gmail tab (or similar) during the sending process.

Step 1: Install the … Read more

Facebook throws potentially suicidal users a Lifeline

Facebook announced today that it's working with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on a program designed to help save lives.

The new service will enable Facebook users to click on a link and be taken to a page where they can enter into a live chat with a suicide prevention specialist. There is also a reporting link where users can alert Facebook, if they see something on a person's profile that causes them to think that the person is in severe distress. Facebook will send a message to that person to encourage them to contact the Lifeline.

The … Read more

How to shop safely online

Savvy online shoppers know they can get great deals on their holiday items without having to brave the Black Friday crowds.

Cyber Monday will be packed with discounted products from many tech companies and shopping sites, giving online customers an opportunity to save big while skipping the Black Friday chaos.

But before you let your keyboard do the shopping this season, peruse these tips for safe online shopping.

Here's the condensed version:

Vet the site you're buying from before you make your purchase Record the details of the item and delivery terms to ensure you get what you … Read more

How to know when your private data is lost or stolen

You're responsible for securing the private information you store on your computer or transmit over the Internet. But what about your personal data that's in the hands of some organization you've trusted with it?

From the IRS to your local florist, your private information is widely shared. And every day some organization loses sensitive data about its clients or customers--whether due to a hack attack or (more likely) from the loss or theft of a computer or storage device.

Here are three recent examples from the Open Security Foundation's Data Loss Database:

A disgruntled employee steals … Read more

Only you can prevent phishing attacks

As I sorted through several dozen newly arrived e-mails this morning I noticed one from "Provider Inc." with "Order Sales Order" in the subject line. "Damn phishers," I thought as I prepared to send the message to the digital Dumpster.

On second thought, I wondered what would make someone fall for a message that appeared to me like an obvious phishing attempt. Well, people respond to sales receipts even if they haven't bought anything online recently--nobody wants to be charged for something they didn't buy.

So "Sales Order" was the … Read more

How to prevent malware and adware downloads

Every day computer criminals find new ways to trick us into downloading viruses, keyloggers, adware, and other software intended to steal our personal information, spy on us, or simply irritate. But malware prevention doesn't have to be complicated. A few simple precautions can keep your PC free of infection.

Get the latest versions of whatever software you use

Computer security begins and ends with the operating system. If you use Windows, upgrade to Windows 7. The upgrade-to-the-latest-version rule is less stringent for older releases of Mac OS X, Linux, and Android, but Windows XP and Vista should be considered … Read more

Performance, security, and features come together in Norton 2012

The bottom line: Low-impact performance, strong security, and useful features are the hallmarks of Norton AntiVirus 2012, one of the best antivirus suites available.

Review: Editors' note: Portions of this review are based on CNET's review of Norton Internet Security 2012.

Over the past few years, Symantec has completed a course reversal for its Norton consumer Internet security suites. The massive package of security tools works better than it ever has before, with an impressive set of features, some useful new tools including remote management and download stability analysis, and third-party security efficacy benchmarks that are at the top … Read more

How to prevent identity theft

Somebody breaks into your e-mail account and sends phishing spam from your address to everyone in your contacts list. Somebody else steals your online bank ID and password and cleans out all the money in your accounts. And another crook swipes your Social Security number and opens credit card, cell phone, and other accounts in your name.

All three of these crimes fall under the umbrella of identity theft. Reports of declines in identity-theft incidents from such security research firms as Javelin Strategy & Research and government agencies, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC's consumer-complaint statistics for 2010--pdf), … Read more

Risky business with Risk Management Kit

Risk management is a critical part of the project management process; anticipating and responding to risks in a structured way can save a lot of time, hassle, and--most importantly--money. Risk Management Kit is a set of templates for Microsoft Word and Excel that can help you address risk in your projects in an effective way. Even people who are new to project management should find Risk Management Kit useful and relatively easy to master.

The program comes with an 18-page PDF Project Management Guidebook, which provides a nice overview of the entire project management process (as well as links to … Read more