Digital Aches And Pains Increase Odds Of Data Loss For Today's Cyber-Retirees

North American retirees and seniors are embracing computers and technology in increasing numbers. It may be only to keep in regular contact with family and friends over long distances and share photos of their winter cruise. However, unlike their younger counterparts, they are less likely to take precautions against threats to their digital data.

In Canada, research by the federal government reveals that older adults are the fastest growing group of computer buyers and Internet users. In 1999, one quarter of households headed by a person 55-64 years old used the Internet from home. In the 65 and over age group, 10 per cent did. In fact, Internet use in the 65 and over age group is growing faster than in all other age groups.

Meanwhile, according to research by the PEW Internet & American Life project, 22 per cent of Americans 65 and older use the Internet, and the percentage of seniors who go online jumped by 47 per cent between 2000 and 2004. In January 2006, PEW found 34 per recent of Americans age 65 and older go online, up from 29 per cent in January 2005. That being, said, just 28 per cent of Americans age 70 and older go online - almost same percentage as the year before.

The most interesting and dynamic segment is the recent retirees or those approaching retirement in their 50s or 60s. They are unlikely to give up their wired ways and therefore will transform the wired senior stereotype. As this "silver tsunami" of Internet-loving Baby Boomers swamps the off-line senior population in the next 10 years, PEW predicts the demographic shift, paired with a rising tide of viruses, spyware, and other online threats, is cause for concern.

Retirees and seniors place themselves at greater risk of losing precious information stored on their computer. Just as many retirees who can't immediately recall something may blame it on a so-called "senior's moment", it's not just humans--young or old--who sometimes cannot recall the information stored in their "brains." When computers cannot recall or access the files electronically stored on them, computer users often panic.

That digital information could be e-mail messages sent and received, income tax returns prepared but not yet filed, the household budget maintained in a spreadsheet, a letter written to a municipal counselor protesting illegal parking on the street, research conducted on the family tree, or the expanding collection of photographs of grandchildren.

There are numerous causes of data loss:

o You experience power interruptions, power surges or a blackout causing your computer to shut down unexpectedly

o Your computer experiences a mechanical failure

o Your computer is contaminated with a virus or bug after a file is downloaded from the Internet

o Your software no longer works as it should

o Your saved information is deleted accidentally

o Your computer won't start up and only the infamous blue screen of death is visible on your screen.

Any and all of the aforementioned problems can cause digital information loss. These problems can be all but eliminated by taking a number of precautions to prevent the loss of important files:

o Regularly backup your data and check to make sure the backup information can be retrieved

o If possible, store your backups somewhere away from your home like a safety deposit box

o Buy USB drives for your kids or grandkids and save a copy of the photos to this small storage device and provide one to each of them

o Use anti-virus software and update it frequently to scan and screen all incoming e-mails especially those jokes that your brother-in-law keeps sending you with attachments

o Use power surge protectors since a power fluctuation can disrupt software, erase valuable data and damage the hard drive

o Maintain your computer in a dry, controlled environment free from dust

o Turn off your computer immediately if it makes any unusual noise.

If you're not comfortable with technology and prefer not to attempt recovery of your data with a Do-It-Yourself solution, you could ask your computer-savvy relative or friend to assist you. Or, you can seek the assistance of a data recovery specialist who can come to the rescue of your irreplaceable digital information.

Don't let digital aches and pains get you down. Enjoy the Cyber Years.

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An IP Change For Today's Internet Challenges

There's no argument about the Internet becoming an unsafe place for the common user. Not only is cyber security now a problem. It has grown many faces and unless one is adequately skilled, it's simply a problem to deal with everyday. Fortunately, the situation is not yet helpless and anyone who commits to actively protect himself from online crimes will do well beginning with a good knowledge of what makes the Internet a whole world to conquer.

Probably the most famous word associated with Internet abuse is viruses. True enough, these nasty little codes have been responsible for a good chunk of Internet - related computer problems today. Trojans, which are destructive codes disguised as constructive software, are yet another thing to be wary about. Spyware, which may come with legitimate downloads, are those that aim to create a profile of your Internet behavior by tracking your online activities. And then there are those grander forms of hacking which lead to more elaborate crimes crimes such as identity and credit/banking information theft.

Another issue with the Internet is privacy. When you surf online, you're actually making yourself available to anyone who might have an interest in tracking what you do. If you thought you've secured that secret blog with a code, not quite. Someway, somehow, somebody's going to know what you're doing online because you are completely traceable by means of your IP address. In fact, not only do these crooks store a profile of your online habits. They could also snatch personal information from your emails and personal files in your PC. Yes, that's no longer a fantastic idea these days. And with each day that passes, it becomes more and more real.

It's no longer a surprise waking up one day with a half-a-million dollar credit card statement and not having an idea where it came from. Yup, identity theft has never been much easier and this is one of the more serious reasons why anyone conducting online transactions should take responsible steps in ensuring his own safety.

If you're in business relying on very sensitive data, you couldn't be at greater risk. While information is one of the greatest assets that any company or organization might have, it' is also the paramount target of cyber crooks who labor to steal everything they can from their unsuspecting victims.

While the Internet has served us in more convenient, pleasurable and useful ways than one, it can also be a weapon for our own destruction. Our IP addresses particularly provide this power to online criminals who will stop at nothing to bleed their victims dry. As long as your IP address is exposed, you will be traced and you could be victimized.

Change your IP address and surf anonymously and surf safely because it could mean your security, personal or business.

An IP Change For Today's Internet Challenges

There's no argument about the Internet becoming an unsafe place for the common user. Not only is cyber security now a problem. It has grown many faces and unless one is adequately skilled, it's simply a problem to deal with everyday. Fortunately, the situation is not yet helpless and anyone who commits to actively protect himself from online crimes will do well beginning with a good knowledge of what makes the Internet a whole world to conquer.

Probably the most famous word associated with Internet abuse is viruses. True enough, these nasty little codes have been responsible for a good chunk of Internet - related computer problems today. Trojans, which are destructive codes disguised as constructive software, are yet another thing to be wary about. Spyware, which may come with legitimate downloads, are those that aim to create a profile of your Internet behavior by tracking your online activities. And then there are those grander forms of hacking which lead to more elaborate crimes crimes such as identity and credit/banking information theft.

Another issue with the Internet is privacy. When you surf online, you're actually making yourself available to anyone who might have an interest in tracking what you do. If you thought you've secured that secret blog with a code, not quite. Someway, somehow, somebody's going to know what you're doing online because you are completely traceable by means of your IP address. In fact, not only do these crooks store a profile of your online habits. They could also snatch personal information from your emails and personal files in your PC. Yes, that's no longer a fantastic idea these days. And with each day that passes, it becomes more and more real.

It's no longer a surprise waking up one day with a half-a-million dollar credit card statement and not having an idea where it came from. Yup, identity theft has never been much easier and this is one of the more serious reasons why anyone conducting online transactions should take responsible steps in ensuring his own safety.

If you're in business relying on very sensitive data, you couldn't be at greater risk. While information is one of the greatest assets that any company or organization might have, it' is also the paramount target of cyber crooks who labor to steal everything they can from their unsuspecting victims.

While the Internet has served us in more convenient, pleasurable and useful ways than one, it can also be a weapon for our own destruction. Our IP addresses particularly provide this power to online criminals who will stop at nothing to bleed their victims dry. As long as your IP address is exposed, you will be traced and you could be victimized.

Change your IP address and surf anonymously and surf safely because it could mean your security, personal or business.