| From "ignorance is bliss" to "surprise attack and | | | | updating PC Operating Systems.There are many |
| disaster" - how many thousands of Internet users | | | | unaware Internet users who have been online for |
| have experienced this frustration and grief?This raises | | | | years, but lack in these ares:* They don't know what |
| the obvious question: "Why haven't they prepared to | | | | "Updating" really means.* They have never responded |
| avoid it?"The startling fact is that there are many long | | | | to the popup message associated with the icon in the |
| term Internet users who have never even considered | | | | Task tray that announces new Windows Updates.* |
| updating their Operating Systems and protective | | | | They have never clicked on the Windows Update icon |
| Safe-ware.Perhaps the complexity of it all contributes | | | | in the Program Start menu.* They have never visited |
| to what might be described as User apathy - or | | | | the Microsoft Windows Update web page at They |
| indifference and a lack of enthusiasm toward the | | | | have never updated their PC Operating Systems.Even |
| following:* The news of yet another vulnerability or | | | | if they have been able to navigate to the Microsoft |
| patch process.* The potential damage to computer, | | | | Update webpage, many just throw up their hands in |
| personal information and reputation - i.e. the "It can't | | | | despair at the overwhelming number of choices and |
| happen to me" attitude.* Their own abilities - i.e. "I'm too | | | | unknowns, such as:* Choosing what to update from |
| old, too dumb, too whatever - to learn how to fix a | | | | the long list of options.* Waiting for Windows to check |
| computer without breaking something."* Updating - i.e. | | | | the registry for available updates.* Deciphering the |
| "My computer came with an anti-virus program, so | | | | Update descriptions (and instructions).* Selecting or |
| why does it need to be updated now?"The sad fact is | | | | Removing the necessary options.* Starting the |
| that the lack of confidence people have in their ability | | | | download.And oftentimes, many people have never |
| to build a defense often leads to a reluctance to even | | | | even used the Windows Help information to find out |
| accept the reality of Cyber Threats.Some of the | | | | how to update their computer Operating |
| lesser-experienced Internet users rationalize their lack | | | | Systems.How many self taught or untrained computer |
| of action with pessimism, even defeatism. Human | | | | users are going to persevere through all of the hassle |
| nature often supports these excuses with defensive | | | | described above? Is it any wonder so many |
| attitudes and mis-beliefs like:* False sense of disaster | | | | computers become infected? The criminal Hackers |
| support - "My nephew, neighbor, son or whoever, is a | | | | building their bot and zombie armies have nearly an |
| computer whizz. They'll be able to fix the problem if | | | | open and undefended playing field; many are using it |
| anything ever happens."* Scepticism - "All this talk | | | | every day to steal money and identities.So, what is the |
| about viruses is just so the "news people" will have | | | | solution to this problem?If individuals with computer |
| information for publishing, and so the software | | | | "understanding" would help and assist others with less |
| manufactureres can scare people into buying more of | | | | knowledge, there would probably be less of a |
| their products."* Ignorance (of the extent of deception, | | | | problem.Nearly everyone who has faithfully kept their |
| skills and sophistication that the malicious hackers have | | | | PC Operating Systems and Safe-ware up to date |
| attained).* Disbelief (that personal computer might be | | | | surely has family members and friends who could |
| infected and used by others to spread malicious | | | | benefit from an hour or so of basic instructions. This |
| viruses and worms). "My computer seems to be | | | | would make it much more difficult for the criminal |
| working ok - a little slow, maybe, but it is getting pretty | | | | Hackers to compromise another persons |
| old."* Overwhemed (too many choices with firewalls, | | | | computer.Hacker's would eventually be faced with a |
| anti-virus, anti-spam, anti-spyware, Trojan removers). | | | | growing number of adequately protected computers, |
| "Why do I need all of these and which ones should I | | | | educated Users and hopefully would finally give-up |
| use?" or "Do I really need to update my Operating | | | | offers new and enhanced Free Spyware Remover |
| System, my anti virus, spam, spyware stuff?"...I'll just | | | | Software. Not only will these programs effectively |
| never learn how to do all of this.* Expense (How much | | | | check and clean your computer from Spyware, once |
| will all this cost and is it really necessary?)* Fatalism - | | | | installed they will also shield your computer from future |
| "Hey, if it's going to happen, it will, and I'll just junk my | | | | Spyware intrusions and browser hijacks - before the |
| computer and get another one. Mine's getting kind of | | | | malevolent software even have a chance to enter |
| old, anyway."Here, then, are the Shocking facts about | | | | you PC! |