Christine had kindly gestured her venue to us at no cost, asking in return Adam and I give her our time for business consultancy and social media guidance.

Now the reason I’m blogging about this is because this previously mentioned ‘haven’ is actually the closest thing to ‘heaven’.

Christine runs The Peak Conference Centre and ‘The Secret’ at Peak Serenity, two businesses under one roof, fantastically equipped..in fact, 5 stars in every box…every box.

The Conference Centre is a large well equiped room to hold conferences of up to 20 people, probably more.  The real bonus however is the serene views out of the windows…you are in the middle of nowhere (but not a million miles from Nottingham or Derby) and your body and soul can’t help but unwind.

‘The Secret’ at Peak Serenity is the accommodation within the same 18th century converted barn.  Clean, luxurious, great facilities, a spa, green belt as far as the eye can see…I could seriously list positive after positive here.  Wonderful place.

So…need to escape for a weekend? – or need to run a business event where you’re guaranteed no distractions?  The Peak Conference Centre and ‘The Secret’ @ Peak Serenity is just for you.

Now this isn’t in anyway PC performance or security related is it? – yes it is…the book was progressed significantly during my stay simply because I was in the most relaxing environment you can imagine.  It won’t be long now and the publishing agreement with Wisdom Publishing is coming on great too!

So do view the above 7 minute video showing you both facilities that Christine owns and manages so well.  The power of a recommendation is strong nowadays however this particular recommendation comes with the Gavin Whittaker seal of approval, you will LOVE IT!!

Why? – because this one could just save your bacon!

http://www.urlvoid.com/

URLVoid is a simple website similar in design to Google.  In the ‘search bar’ your type or paste a web address you have been given in an email or on another website, that frankly you are a little suspicious about.

URLVoid runs off and safely checks this site giving you a simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ on whether it’s safe to visit.

If it gives you the thumbs up then click the link and enjoy the ride.  If it gives you the thumbs down…seriously, don’t go there!

The site uses multiple scanning engines to detect whether the website is dangerous or not, a few of the common and award winning ones such as:

• Google Diagnostic
• McAfee SiteAdvisor
• Norton SafeWeb
• MyWOT

That’s a lot of consolidated testing in a simple user interface!

Till next time…

Using 100% Free Software

The Beginner’s Guide to a Fast & Secure PC is now written and in the design process.  ‘Windows Secrets‘ are running an exclusive within the next month, offering their subscribers two free chapters from the book.  Following on from that, you’ll be able to get your hands of the same free sampler direct from either www.speeddemonit.co.uk or www.fastsecurepc.co.uk.

The P&A Group

Also, worldwide financial specialists in debt recovery, business finance, asset recovery and fraud prevention have adopted my recent book “Avoiding Fraud on the Web” to distribute to all of their UK Fraud Prevention Forum members.

This has raised the opportunity for other Internet related business and IT channel vendors, distributors and resellers to do the same.  If you can add value to your client base by offering them a free guide to avoiding fraud on the web, contact me today and we can discuss re-branding the book to your business.

Who of you use Google? – most people I would imagine!

So, an awesome link from Bill Mullins’ Weblog Tech Thoughts site comes a great article on maximising your privacy when using Google’s search engine and associated maps, documents and infamous GMail service.

Maintain Your Privacy on Google with a Dash of Paranoia

If you’re a Firefox user, and frequent visitors to my site know how much of a fan I am will particularly benefit from the advice in the above link for some great plugins to boost your online security.

I wish you well and more great tips coming soon.

Decrypt tiny URLs to avoid infecting your PC

Here’s an example: http://tinyurl.com/38e85q4

As you can see, there is absolutely nothing in the above link to give you an idea as to where on the web you will be redirected to.  This poses a security risk because people with bad intentions are using these shortened URLs to drive you to malicious websites; And in some cases as soon as you arrive at the site, no clicks required, you can become infected!

So, it’s definitely worth you knowing how to “decrypt” these shortened URLs.  It’s also worth you considering using them for your social media strategy because especially for Twitter, it means you can say more in your 140 character limit.

There are two great tools to be aware of for decrypting these tiny URLS.

KnowURL (www.knowurl.com) is a useful online service which allow users to find, retrieve or unshorten the original URL hidden behind the Shortened URL. It supports almost all small big URL shortening sites. The service also lets you scan the link for viruses.

For Firefox users, use the UntinyFox add-on to automatically see original link behind short URL’s.

As a big Firefox fan, I urge you to not only use Firefox as your everyday browser but also install the UntinyFox add-on using the Tools menu, selecting Add-ons and then searching for UntinyFox.

Till next time

Google have released a secure version of the Google Search engine.  Using SSL technology to encrypt the information that travels between your computer and the Google service means hackers and scammers cannot ‘listen in’ to your searches and find out more about you.

The service is still in its infancy but it works and it is safer for you to use.  Simply visit https://www.google.com/ (note the ‘s’ after the http) to ensure your Google searches are secure.  This new site has its own Google logo so you can clearly identify you’re searching the Internet more secure, as shown here on the right.

You could even make this new Google security feature your browser home page.  Features lacking at the moment include links to Maps, Google Mail and Image Search.  These will all begin to appear in the coming weeks and months.  For now, use this new Google feature as your main search engine and navigate to the normal Google search when you need to find images, view maps or so on.

Let’s go completely off-topic for a moment because I want to share with you details of my new blog – 44 Hundred.

44 Hundred is a dream realised last year to tour the entire UK mainland coastline, by motorbike, for charity.  As an avid biker, getting away from the hussle and bussle of everyday life feeds my need for adventure.  Planning and carrying out such a lengthy bike tour, approximately 4,400 miles, hugging the coastline all the way is a passion that I’ll be living out soon.

If you want to know more about the project then head on over to http://44hundred.wordpress.com/ or follow my tweets at http://twitter.com/44hundred

It’s been a busy ol’ week, yes it has.  Public speaking for Symantec and the Technology Channels Association (TCA) had to be one of the highlights however.  Symantec remain strong front runners for their home and business security solutions.  If you need new PC security software then do take a look at Symantec’s 2010 product range.  The TCA have gone through so many re-branding exercises over the 17 years as it has grown and acquired smaller technology associations, to the degree not everybody now relates to the TCA as the UK’s largest IT Trade Association.  We’re out there however communicating our message, features and benefits to ensure anybody with a keen interest in IT or works in the industry understands why they should join.  Prices start from as little as just £5 a month.

For more information, check out the TCA presentation on my LinkedIn profile or visit www.tcauk.org

Next week I’m off the radar – leaving my family whilst I retreat to Norfolk to wrap up the book – A Beginner’s Guide to a Fast & Secure PC.  It’s so close now and with a Wisdom Publishing agreement pretty much wrapped up and a Summer launch party planned, I better pull my finger out.

More PC performance and security tips soon…in the meantime don’t forget to download your free copy of my book, Avoiding Fraud on the Web at www.avoidwebfraud.co.uk and be sure to pass on the link to your friends, family and co-workers.  This book shows you the 10 most common scams on the Internet that everybody should be aware of and so can avoid!

I wish you well

30 minute e-mail addresses

Every now and again we decide to sign up for a new online service where our email address is a requirement of registration.

The problem with giving the site your main email address is that they may well sell on your details and you become the recipient of even more spam or worst still, a targeted malicious attack!

QuickInbox - www.quickinbox.com – gives you a free disposable temporary e-mail address that you can use to activate or confirm a web site membership so you don’t have to use your primary e-mail!

You can visit as many times as you like and create unlimited email addresses.  They are only valid for 30 minutes and so are the perfect solution. You do not need to register your details to setup a temporary email address and you can reply to these e-mail addresses as well!

Below is a short tutorial video available on YouTube by Matthew Sabia:

I use these all the time now.  They are so simple to setup, are completely hassle free and get the job done whilst keeping you safer on the Internet.

Give www.quickinbox.com a spin – and share this great PC security tip with your friends and family.

Don’t forget to visit www.avoidwebfraud.co.uk today to download your free copy of “Avoiding Fraud on the Web”.

Free e-book by Gavin Whittaker

Download this great free e-book, giving you an insight into the 10 most common scams on the world wide web.

“Avoiding Fraud on the Web” originated as a compilation of articles that were re-ran on blogs such as Bill Mullins’ Weblog and spread on Twitter overnight!

Watch the promotional video below…

The book is endorsed by the Technology Channels Association, is featured on small business blogs and has been widely publicised to the followers and attendees of the Channel Expo 2010 exhibition that took place May 12/13th at Olympia, London.

Download “Avoiding Fraud on the Web”

Please recommend this free book to your friends and family!

www.avoidwebfraud.co.uk

• Protect Yourself from Fraud
• Highlight the Common Internet Scams
• Give You the Knowledge & Confidence to Avoid these Online Scams

Lets wrap up by looking at ‘work from home’ or ‘make money quick’ emails and websites.  These sites offer you a second income or a great reason to quit your day job and invest all of your time into this ‘proven’ system.

Let’s not assume that all of these work from home opportunities are a scam, take a look at Ann Summers or Avon for example.  However there is without question a huge amount of scams that don’t give any return on your investment, whether your time, money or both!

Most of these scams request an upfront payment for training, materials, administration, registration…you name it, there’s a spin on it.

The scam types varies.  Some include the distribution of flyers or production related work. The real trick however is when the scam itself involves you unknowingly promoting the scam again, to your friends, family and neighborhood.

I’m sure the last 9 days articles have reinforced just how much more painful this situation can become if not only did you pay upfront for materials but you also gave them your bank details….ouch!!

Be aware if you’re approached for a ‘work from home’ opportunity.

• Research the company on the Internet.  A poor site usually gives the game away immediately
  
• Do not get involved with anyone asking for an advance payment
• Dismiss immediately any offer of a big reward for just a little investment of your time and money

Be sure to check out other articles on www.speeddemonit.co.uk to read about great FREE software to protect you and your personal data when browsing online.

Please tell your friends and family and direct them to www.speeddemonit.co.uk where they can find lots of PC Performance and Security tips.

• Protect Yourself from Fraud
• Highlight the Common Internet Scams
• Give You the Knowledge & Confidence to Avoid these Online Scams

Today we focus on how scammers make money dishonestly from major world events.  Good hearted people the world over are targeted by fake charity sites to pledge money from disasters, such as the recent Haiti earthquake.

Within hours of the earthquake bogus web sites were everywhere on the internet, processing donations that unfortunately never made it to their supposed beneficiaries.  Similarly emails were being distributed asking you to click the link and pledge money to a scammer…

I advise you should never donate money to a charity by clicking either a website or email link and instead go directly to the recognised charity site.  Online charities have to be registered with the Charity Commission at www.charity-commission.gov.uk so if you still have doubts, investigate the charity in question on this website.

Be sure to check out other articles on www.speeddemonit.co.uk to read about great FREE software to protect you and your personal data when browsing online.

Please tell your friends and family and direct them to www.speeddemonit.co.uk where they can find lots of PC Performance and Security tips.  If they subscribe by entering their email address, they’ll receive by email my FREE guide to Avoiding Internet Fraud for Beginners.

PROGRESS TO FINAL ARTICLE – DAY 10

Here’s the eighth part of the www.speeddemonit.co.uk guide to:

• Protect Yourself from Fraud
• Highlight the Common Internet Scams
• Give You the Knowledge & Confidence to Avoid these Online Scams

Today we focus on Trojans, code that is part of software you download from the Internet to do various things such as steal your usernames and password, bank login details and so on.

Trojans are a major reason that there has been a significant rise of botnets – large networks of compromised computers that can be remotely controlled and called upon to spread further damage, whether by sending spam emails or launch attacks on websites you visit, without you ever knowing.

So botnets, spread the Trojan further!

Eliminating a Trojan is not easy and usually involves a complete format of your computer, meaning the re-installation of your operating system, your applications and all the other personal preferences you have configured on your computer.

Identifying these cons is by being mindful of what the links you’re clicking in emails or the programs you are downloading.  A robust web browser such as Mozilla Firefox and up to date anti-virus and spyware protection plays a major role in your security too.

You’re unlikely to know if your PC is part of a botnet, however, if it is or you suspect it is then seek specialist technical support to ensure your personal files are backed up prior to re-installation.

Avoiding this type of scam again boils down to common sense and simply being on guard against suspect emails and not downloading software you cannot guarantee the source of.

Be sure to check out other articles on www.speeddemonit.co.uk to read about great FREE software to protect you and your personal data when browsing online.

Please tell your friends and family and direct them to www.speeddemonit.co.uk where they can find lots of PC Performance and Security tips.  If they subscribe by entering their email address, they’ll receive by email my FREE guide to Avoiding Internet Fraud for Beginners.

PROGRESS TO DAY 9 ARTICLE