Whenever my experience takes me into unfamiliar territory, I have a compulsion to learn everything possible about that particular new thing. Since my run-in with some sort of computer ‘infection’ last week (that caused me to have to completely reformat my hard drive), I’ve been browsing old newsletters from antivirus.about.com...newsletters and current info on Internet safety issues that I had evidently become far too complacent about.

It appears there is much more danger out here in the worldwide web ocean than mere viruses! I’ve been reading about ‘zombies,’ bots, and a host of other horrifying things that can happen to our computers, as bad or sometimes WORSE than the old fashioned viruses and worms. In fact, reassessing my recent experience (along with a host of other ‘peculiar’ symptoms that I’d been having for MONTHS prior to this recent ‘meltdown’), it is likely that my own PC has been a ‘zombie’ for some months now. And my most recent exploits with my carelessly configured wireless network (which I’ve just learned was unsecured and wide open to all manner of cyber attacks) was undoubtedly what sent my system over the edge...which in a sense, could well have been a blessing in disguise. The failure of my system FORCED me to take some actions that led to my discovery of my own ignorance and carelessness, and to take the measures necessary to correct my errant ways.

As the ‘evil’ in cyberspace becomes more and more sophisticated and widespread, keeping our computers (especially PCs) and the information on them secure is becoming a DAILY responsibility that requires our own ongoing education regarding the latest threats and daily vigilance in incorporating protection. Technology is a wonderful thing, but its many wonders does not come without a price that, depending upon an individual’s/nation’s dependence upon it, could be unspeakably costly in the long run.

God...my hippie, nature-freak personality is being awakened. Some interesting things to consider. Sssheeeesss...my life is complicated enough these days...like I need even one more thing to be responsible for! I’m thinking I should plant a garden in the back yard this spring, fertilize it with my own horses’ manure, toss my cable modem out the window and dig a hole next to the house to bury what little money I have.

Maybe that’s what I SHOULD do. But for the moment, I have some online bills to pay and passwords to change...before I go a-surfing the web once more (albeit, with considerably more caution than in times past).