Your computer security is paramount. With the rise of broadband, many people simply leave their computer online at all times. A friend knocks on your door unexpectedly? You don't bother switching off your machine with broadband, you go and answer and entertain. However, your computer and the software on your computer is full of holes that can be exploited whilst you're both using and away from the machine. This month we've included Steganos Security Suite 7, which is a complete all-in-one security suite for your computer. In addition, we've also included a backup 12-program security toolkit to complement elements of Steganos Security Suite.
However, we have more. Canvas 8 is a multi-purpose design tool, created for new designers through to expert users. BitDefender 9 (updates until 15th of April 2004) is a straightforward anti-virus client, WinBackup v1.86 will enable you to point at the application data you want to backup, whilst Secured eMail Home 2.2 will securely wrap your email so only the intended recipients can read your important correspondence.
If you've bought the DVD edition, you'll find there's a whole host more. This month we've got a few superb game demos, including Quake 4 and Civilization IV. We've also included the second preview of the forthcoming Ubuntu 6.04 'Dapper Drake' Linux distribution (planned for 2006). In addition, we've included VCOM's Media Easy Express 4.01 so you can manage and view all your movies, photos and music media.
Spam Filters (local and server-side spam filters)
Over the last few months, we've noticed that readers have had problems obtaining serial codes from online registration pages. This isn't always a problem with the online registration page, but a problem with anti-spam filters, which filter out the incoming email (containing the serial code). If you have an internal anti-spam filter installed on your computer, check your 'junk mail' or 'spam' folder, to see if the email has accidentally been classed as spam.
Alternatively, you may find that you're Internet service provider (ISP) has implemented a server-side anti-spam filter. A server-side anti-spam filter filters email at the ISP...so you don't even see the spam. However, the downside is that any email that your ISP classes as 'spam' means that it gets filtered, by your ISP. Our advice would be to turn off your ISP server-side anti-spam filter and use a filter on your system, which means that spam is filtered by your own preferences (ie what you regard as spam).
