From:         Bob Rankin 
Subject:      TOURBUS - 5 Aug 2008 - Anti-Virus / Botnets / Future Devices /

TODAY'S TOURBUS TOPICS: FREE ANTI-VIRUS / BOTNETS /

Future Input Devices / Health Records

In today's TOURBUS, I've got a review of AVG 8.0, a free anti-virus program that I use and recommend. Are you protected? You'll also learn about Botnets, an insidious threat to your computer. Are you vulnerable? We'll also peer into the future of computer input devices, to see what will someday replace your mouse and keyboard. And we wrap with a roundup of online health records services. Will your private medical records be safe on the Web? Read on!

AVG Free Anti-Virus Software

If your computer safe from viruses? Without the proper protection, your computer can catch a virus faster than you can recite your email address three times. Viruses can destroy files, compromise your privacy, and make you vulnerable to identity theft. What to do?

AVG Free anti-virus software The first step is to make sure that you have a decent anti-virus program installed. There are many to choose from, but I use and recommend the free AVG software. Let's take a look at the new 8.0 version and see what it can do to protect you from the onslaught of cyber-nasties floating around out there.

FREE AVG - http://askbobrankin.com/avg_review.html

Warning, Danger: Botnets!

A reader recently asked me this question about botnets:

> "I've read warnings about getting caught up in botnets, but still
> don't understand the danger. Can you explain in simple terms what
> a botnet is, and how to avoid them?"
The term "botnet" is short for "robot network" -- but try not to think of this in terms of a General Grievous-style robot army trying to take over Cyberspace. A botnet is a collection of ordinary home and office computers that have been compromised by rogue software.

Computers that have been caught up in a botnet have been effectively taken over, and can be used to perform almost any task by the people who control the botnet. Botnets are controlled by criminals and other miscreants whose motives include selling products, operating financial scams and crippling websites through coordinated attacks.

Learn more about botnets, how millions of computers have been caught up in this malignant web, and how to avoid the botnets...

BOTNETS! - http://askbobrankin.com/what_is_a_botnet.html

Input Devices of the Future

We're tethered to our computers now, but the future of input devices will give computer users a freedom that is nearly unfathomable. Get ready to cast aside your keyboard and mouse. Future computer input devices will rely heavily on the movements of our eyes, head, hands, body, the words that we speak... and maybe our thoughts.

Learn about the latest innovations in Body Movement Input Devices, Voice Input Devices, Virtual Reality Input Devices, and Brain-Computer Interfaces. Are you ready for a computer that can read your mind?

NEED INPUT - http://askbobrankin.com/future_input_devices.html

Would You Store Your Health Records Online?

Storing health records online can be a convenient way to access and manage your family’s medical information, saving you the hassle and headache of filling out forms, or getting your doctor to transfer your info to another facility. Having access to your medical history at the click of a mouse can be extremely important or even life saving in the case of a medical emergency.

But would you trust your personal health records to an online company? There are several websites currently offering this service. Let’s take a look at each one...

HEALTH - http://askbobrankin.com/online_health_records.html

That's all for now, see you next time! -- Bob Rankin