Spyware IS Good

How many times per week do you run your antivirus protection or anti-spyware or adware programs to ensure that your paranoia about having an infected machine is just that, paranoia? With so many problems in the computer infection world, one cannot really blame themselves for checking up on their system on a routine basis. However, do you ever really think about where all these programs come from because someone out there must be sending them out, they dont just appear through spontaneous generation. This makes one ponder the question as to who is sending these things?

There are thousands of spyware, adware, and Trojan horse programs that are running rampant throughout cyber space as you read this article. But if you really think about it, just as war might be considered good for the economy, these computer infestation programs are good for the economy. If you are not sure what I mean, just think about Spybot, Spyware Nuker, Adaware, and countless other detection and removal programs. This is a new sector of the economy that has only sprung up as a result of those programs that can take control of your computer.

Just as with the medical industry making billions of dollars per year on not finding cures for AIDS and cancer, because financially these cures would allow them to make less profits each. It seems like information technology companies do not want to rid the world of all the infectious programs that can endanger your PC. The reason for this is that they find profit in the misfortunes of others. The continual emergence of new Trojan or adware makes it necessary for people to spend money for protection. If this sounds familiar that is because it is the same philosophy employed by organized crime. You pay them for protection but they are not going to do anything to ultimately cure each case but just get more money from you after something happens and tell you that it is not going to happen.

In short, Spyware is good for the economy because it allows for more money to be reinvested into the market through purchasing new and updated protection programs to keep you computer clean. It makes you put more money back into the economy and allow the software creators of these protection programs to prosper. Who knows, it could be these companies that created some of these programs that you need their software to cure. Just think about it, spyware IS good.

Now that you have read that, please read this. If you believe any of that, I have an oceanfront house in Oklahoma that I can sell you at a great price. Spyware, Trojan programs, and adware are nothing but a group of programs put on this planet to annoy us at all times. Most spyware and adware programs offer you free versions of their software that is sufficient enough to monitor your system on a regular basis. Although, there are those that offer a more detailed version at a higher price, most free versions are sufficient. Spyware is not good and these programs help keep it that way. Dont believe the hype!

About The Author

Andrew Wroblewski

When not on his soapbox, Andrew Wroblewski is doing battle with the thousands of spyware programs that can affect you via his website: http://spyware.pcwash.com

admin@pcwash.comMicrosoft CRM Data Import FAQAndrew Karasev

Microsoft CRM has built-in conversion tool, however you should probably first try third party conversion tool, such as Scribe. It is relatively expensive and has bunch of importing capabilities, that you might never use and need. Scribe allows you to map objects in source and target, when source is ACT! for example. If you are just realized the need to load data into CRM please research Microsoft CRM import tool and Scribe. Here we will describe other option and possibilities

• Master records import you can import via MS CRM integration tool. Tools->Import and select contacts or leads

• Duplication dilemma. In version 1.2 as well as in 3.0 (as far as we know) you do not have duplication check and you can import duplicate leads or contacts.

• MS CRM SDK custom data migration. If data import is critical and you have reasonable budget for the migration you can appeal to MS CRM customization partner who specializes in the complex data import. In MS CRM SDK you can program duplication check, special rules for security settings. We have to stress here, that this is not one thousand dollars project and if you are small company, you should stick to Scribe or native MS CRM import tool

• Large Scale MS CRM implementation. For corporate business security might have top priority and migration should be programmed in MS CRM SDK.

• Some technical tips. Post-call-outs. In MS CRM 3.0 which should be released in earlier 2006 there are so-called pre-call outs (in version 1.2 we have only post-call-outs). Pre-call-out should allow to check for duplication, based on your duplication recognition criteria and cancel record if it is duplicate contact, account or lead

If you have a need in large scale data import, you can always have us help you with MS CRM SDK data conversion. Give us a call: 866.528.0577 or 1.630.961.598, help@albaspectrum.com

About The Author

Andrew Karasev is Chief Technology Officer at Alba Spectrum Technologies ( http://www.albaspectrum.com ) - Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains, Navision, Axapta MS CRM, Oracle Financials and IBM Lotus Domino Partner, serving corporate customers in the following industries: Aerospace & Defense, Medical & Healthcare, Distribution & Logistics, Hospitality, Banking & Finance, Wholesale & Retail, Chemicals, Oil & Gas, Placement & Recruiting, Advertising & Publishing, Textile, Pharmaceutical, Non-Profit, Beverages, Conglomerates, Apparels, Durables, Manufacturing and having locations in multiple states and internationally.

help@albaspectrum.comManaging Spam in 2005Scott Hendison

In 1998, nearly 10% of all email traffic on the internet was SPAM. By 2003 that number had climbed to 50%, and the problem had gotten so bad that Congress passed the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 (Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act)

The specific requirements and penalties of that law, (which took effect in 2004) have done little to stem the tide of junk email we all receive. Today, in 2005, the percentage of unsolicited email is at an all time high of 87% (source Wired Magazine July 2005)

How can we even stand to check our email? Well I cant. Thats why I pay for a service to protect my entire domain name from all Spam. Thats a great solution for me, but its too expensive for a home or very small business user. How then can you protect yourself?

First, there are filtering options in Outlook and Outlook Express, and I encourage you to investigate them further. More details on this are in my article from May of 2000 called Managing your E-mail II here http://pdxtc.com/200005-managingemail2.htm

After trying about 6 other programs, I found a free version of some software that I used for a long time called Mailwasher. This program was easily trained and configured to learn all of my preferences, and for free, theres nothing better. However, you I still basically have to check mail twice, once in a clunky web-interface to sift through all the blocked SPAM. I prefer to just check my mail normally, not worrying about a missed message.

In 2003, a friend recommended a service called Knowspam. That was a great solution that blocked 100% of all SPAM through a permission based system. A permission based system means that all new senders not on your list, will get a verification email, asking them Are you human? Well, if they are really human, then they take the simple instructed action, and youll get their email, as well as all future mail from them, unless you choose to block them later.

Many readers of my column tried Knowspam, and I got dozens of positive comments. That wasnt enough for Knowspam though, because they still went out of business.

Well the good news is that theres a replacement for Knowspam. Its called Spam Arrest, and its under $3 a month. It does everything that Knowspam used to do, and then some. Ive now set myself up with an affiliate account and arranged for you try it for free for 30 days.

First, you easily upload all of your contacts, and then follow their easy directions to change your system mail settings, and anyone on your list or anyone you ever send mail to is automatically approved.

The great news is that this works for up to 5 email accounts, and even works for AOL mail! If you want to see 100% of your spam get blocked, and not be embarrassed to let your kids see your inbox, then visit http://www.pdxtc.com/spamarrest and sign up for your free 30 day trial.

About The Author

Scott Hendison is living in Oregon, and is the owner of Portland Technology Consultants. He is a computer and internet consultant, and has been in the industry since 1995. For over 75 other articles, visit his website at http://www.pdxtc.com