The computer has become as common in our homes as the telephone was when I was a kid (1940's & 50's). Sometimes it is very difficult for many people my age and even some a lot younger to get the computer to do what we want it to do while our kids and grandkids click a few keys, faster then we can follow, and say, "See that is all there is to it." (Side note: It is not nice to taunt the old people just remember if you live long enough you will become one yourself.)

Radio communications (which includes cell phone, broadcast radio, and TV) and wire voice communications (telephone) is my area of expertise. I understand much about how a computer works but I still have a lot to learn when it comes to personal interfacing (communicating or interacting) with them.

Someone sent me a Trojan horse. No I don't mean a large wooden horse from the Greece this is a type of malicious infestation in the family of viruses, worms, and spyware. It took a lot of work using different programs to finally find all the gremlins this thing brought to my computer but I have finally got my computer back and working as it should. I will not bore you with the details but this thing was really BAD.

Do not put your computer online (on the internet) even just to receive emails until you first have good virus protection and good anti-spy ware protection software.

Just so everyone is on the same page with me, I know most of you already know this, let me explain the difference between hardware and software. Hardware consists of the physical things you can see and feel, the desk top computer (Central Processing Unit - CPU), the laptop computer, the monitor, the printer, and so on. Software is the program or instructions that are entered into the computer that tell the hardware what it is suppose to do to accomplish or the job it is suppose to do.

Not only for computers which are used on the internet but computers that in anyway interface other computers, whether directly or by passing of disks or other memory devices, should also have virus and spyware protection. These evils can be passed from one computer to another just by contact like a cold virus can be passed from one person to another by contact.

Do not trust your internet provider or email web site to protect your computer. They may say they protect against virus and spyware and they may stop some but they do not stop all of them. It is up to you to protect your computer.

Keep your protection software constantly updated. If you do not know how to set the program up so it will automatically update itself ask for help. It is important because new viruses and spyware are being put on the internet everyday.

Frequently scan your computer using the antispyware and antivirus programs you have. These annoyances can sometimes slip in undetected. The Trojan horse I received came through the internet providers' defenses, through my firewall, and past a good antispyware program. Many times those that slip under the radar screen will be detected by the scan. If one does sneak through and that scan does not get rid you may need help from someone who has the experience and knowledge of how to get rid of it.

If you are wondering why it is important to have these programs if sometimes these things sneak through anyway just remember the one that sneaks by is rare and there are millions of them out there trying to attack your computer. Some of them are malicious and some are not but all of them will slow your computer down so it is best to get rid of them all.