In modern times, it’s simply not enough anymore to back up your prized “digital” possessions on disc or removable media. It is now quite common to use cloud computing and online backup as an extra layer of security for preserving and safeguarding your files.

For example, Dell IT services will help and allow you to backup your data so that it is stored somewhere else besides your home. However, even cloud computing and online backup can come with security issues.

Anti-Spyware

You can begin adding an extra layer of security for protecting your data online by installing and regularly using antivirus and anti-spyware software. Some malicious programs are designed to log every keystroke you make which can be bad news if you happen to make a login attempt to your online data while the malware is installed. Because this is a critical, common problem, it’s a good idea to make sure your anti-malware programs are updated regularly as well as used from time to time.

Passwords

Additionally, it’s a good idea to cycle through different passwords periodically. For example, you can keep a set of 5 passwords that you plan to use, and change them regularly every 30 days. This can drastically minimize your chances of having your online data tampered with or stolen. It only takes a few moments to change a password; it’s an extremely non-intrusive and simple method for significantly strengthening your online data’s security.

Online Backup

If you’re not already using online backup for your files, it’s a good idea to educate yourself and find out just how it can benefit you. If you’ve got a significant amount of data that you can’t afford to lose, it may be a good idea to start looking into cloud computing and online backup as a straightforward and affordable solution.

Christmas and New Year is a time to be merry and full of festive cheer. But when it comes to losing or having your mobile phone stolen, cheer can soon turn to tears, according to Lookout Mobile Security .

In a recent survey conducted by Lookout among mobile users, around two-thirds admitted they were ‘very worried’ or ‘worried’ about their phone being lost or stolen, a figure that is set to rise as we embark on a series of parties, presents and pantomimes and of course booze! A third of those questioned confessed that they could last just a couple of minutes to acouple of hours if their phone was lost or stolen – 10 per cent couldn’t survive at all!

While most expressed serious concerns over the safety of their phones and what is on them, very few actually do anything to protect them. More than 85 per cent have no way of tracking a lost or stolen phone, 60 per cent do not use a PIN or passcode and 74 per cent do not regularly back up personal contacts and information.

With less than two weeks to go until the ‘big day’, here are some simple tips on how to keep your mobile safe during the Christmas and New Year holiday period:

• Be crowd-aware

If you are at a Christmas party, in a busy shop or running around town on public transport, keep your phone tucked deep in your bag or in a zipped pocket out of sight.

• Lock the door

Set a password, PIN or a handset lock on your phone to make it difficult for anyone to use it if you lose it.

• Secure & protect

Use a free mobile security app like Lookout to safeguard your phone. If it goes missing you can track its location, sound an alarm and even wipe the contents remotely. Download Lookout in the Android Market or App Store.

• Think before you download

One of the most exciting things to do with your smartphone is explore all the great applications you can download onto it. But, as you explore make sure you only download apps from sites you trust, check the app’s rating and read the reviews to make sure it is widely used and respected.

• Don’t go public

Public Wifi networks are everywhere – coffee shops, train stations, cafes etc – but security for these networks is not. Be careful what you do on public Wifi, and in particular use extra caution when shopping and mobile banking unless you’re confident you have a secure connection.

How to download a TV show from iTunes

Why? To watch your fave TV show on your TV, iPad, iPhone or iPod.

What you need? iTunes and an Apple ID to access your iTunes store account.

How? Open iTunes, select store and sign in using your ID. Click on TV programmes at the top of the screen and use the search bar in the top right hand corner to search for your chosen show. Click on ‘Buy’ and once downloaded it will be available under ‘TV shows’ to view.

How to make an online photo album

Why? To share and back up photos quickly and easily.

What you need? A computer, digital photos and an internet connection.

How? Choose a photo sharing website such as flickr.com. Log in, and then click on upload. Select your photos to upload, add titles and description. To share your pictures with family and friends, click on groups, choose public or private, then click create. Add your group name and start adding your photos.

It may be unthinkable now but it wasn’t that long ago when instead of being held on a beautifully shiny mp3 player our music collections were stored in awkward CD racks dotted unattractively around the house.

Digitally downloading our music has become such a way of life that many young people under the age of 20 may have never bought a CD and it could well be the case that when we explain the concept of CDs to our grandchildren they look at us with a horrified disbelief that we had to endure such a complete lack of technology back when we were growing up!

Due to the downloading of music being so simple and convenient it’s not surprising that many of us have amassed a collection of music and movies totalling £1000’s but what is surprising is how many of us don’t have an adequate insurance policy to cover us should the worst happen and our collection is lost, stolen or damaged.

In 2010, Julie Owens, MoneySupermarket.com’s home insurance expert, highlighted the issue: “Whether it’s Beyonce or The Beatles, people don’t associate the same value to an MP3 player full of music as they do to a wall full of CDs or vinyl, but it is just as – if not more – valuable in terms of money, so people need to ensure they are appropriately insured.”

Research by MoneySupermarket has found that the average person has well over £1000 worth of music, movies and software stored on a hard drive and many of the big name home insurance policies do not protect these should anything go wrong.

Julie continues “”I recommend checking the small print of your policy to find out what you are covered for and to what value. Being underinsured is also a dangerous position to find yourself in – if in doubt, speak to your insurer to find out whether you need to increase your cover for downloaded material.”

And it’s not just music that we are downloading, more and more of us are frequently downloading movies, TV series and PC games making what we store on our hard drives an important part of our day to day lives. I don’t know if you’ve ever been unfortunate enough to lose your entire download collection, I have and it does not feel good, in a way I was lucky it was a new computer and so I only lost a few new albums but I cannot describe the feeling of frustration knowing I’d lost those songs.

Purchasing an external hard drive is a great way of protecting against computer malfunctions but if you do a lot of downloading an insurance policy is still vital as the hard drive can easily be damaged or stolen and you need to know your valuable downloads are protected.

Over a third of home insurance policies don’t cover digital downloads so if your downloads are important to you it’s vital you choose a policy to suit your needs, while it’s true that not all home owners will think this is a vital, for many of us we couldn’t live without the contents of our computers!

When deciding on which home insurance policy is right for you, don’t just take into consideration the price, while cheap home insurance is great you need to know you have purchased an adequate cover for your needs. And of course do your research and ensure the insurance company you are choosing will cover for digital downloads, while not all insurance companies have quite hit the digital age yet there are many that can give you a great level of protection for great prices.