This week, while deep in one of my daily “meditations”, I was perusing the newly delivered September edition of a certain (to remain unnamed) magazine that REPORTS about CONSUMER products and services. Emblazoned in red across the front cover were the words “Protect yourself online”. Four bullets followed: “8 ways to stop spam”; “8 ways to foil viruses & block hackers”; “5 ways to beat spyware”, and “6 ways to outwit identity thieves”. If you’re a Windows PC user, it’s a must read - you should run, not walk, to your local library or newsstand. If you’re a Mac user like me, well, you really only must read HALF the article - you can use the other pages for, well, meditation. Let me explain.

The first and fourth bulleted sections concern scourges common to all computers - spam and identity theft. However, the middle two bullets dealing with viruses, hackers, and spyware, are, at least for now and into the foreseeable back-to-school and holiday buying seasons, required reading only for the unfortunately shackled 90%. You know who you are.

This particular CONSUMER magazine also features REPORTS on automobiles. Last week in my column I included a humorous anecdote comparing cars and computers. Continuing in that vein, what if you shopped for a car like you shopped for a computer?

Let’s say you’re in the market for a “family sedan” computer. On the one hand, you have the Windows XP sedan (think Chevy/Ford/Dodge/Saturn/Kia/Hyundai). On the other hand, the more expensive (at least on the surface) Apple Macintosh sedan (think BMW/Volvo/Saab) running Mac OS X. Both sedans have more than enough speed to get you pulled over on any local road. They both have two/four doors, a decent stereo, and good warranties. Let’s apply the “Protect yourself online” bullets listed above, and do some “comparison shopping”.

“8 ways to stop spam” and “6 ways to outwit identity thieves”. Spam and criminals don’t care what kind of computer you use – they’re equal opportunity pains in the back seat. A good ISP, email program and a little common sense will get you through. OK, we’ll call it a draw.

“8 ways to foil viruses & block hackers”. Sure, the Windows sedan carries a cheaper sticker price, but when you get it home you discover that you have to go back to the dealer and buy special accessories just to keep it running. Every time you fill up the gas tank (connect to the internet, for example), you need a special filter to keep pollutants from fouling up the engine. You discover that the automatic door locks weren’t turned on when you bought the car, and after you spend the afternoon getting them turned on, you realize you need a stronger lock system. Back to the dealer you go. You also find out that someone else is using your car at night while you’re sleeping, and using your credit card to fill up other people’s gas tanks. Oh, and the teenager across the street can take over your car on a whim.

“5 ways to beat spyware”. You fire up that nifty navigation system on your Windows sedan. Just as the screen is about to display the route to your destination, a window opens, replacing the route, exclaiming “now’s the time to refinance” or “turn left for the latest in adult entertainment”. When you listen to the radio, your car keeps track of what you’re listening to. Your mail box then starts filling up with “buy one CD, get three free” offers.

Or, you could get a Mac.

© 2004 Peter F. Zimowski