Social Media

Here and everywhere, social media has taken quite an impact in everyone life. This is usually to teenagers and young adults who are IT literate. Furthermore, with smartphone that can gives the access to social media, it is undeniable that these people cannot live without it!!.. Back years ago, the social media does not influence people like nowadays. Among the early social medias are such as MySpace, and Freindster. Now, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare and others have gives some positive and negative impact.

Honestly, I am one of them, even though I am not type of social media freak. I not have my Facebook account and long before the Friendster. I seeing this social media as communication and interaction among the people we know across the world. But, somehow, some people sees social media gives negative impact to our lives. What is the use of internet, if we cannot communicate and interact? Internet itself defined as the world without boundaries. As long as the user does not spread malicious rumors, and viruses, I do not see any harm of using the social media. In fact, nowadays, a producer use social media as medium to promotes their products and services.

Facebook users in Malaysia is among the highest users and active in Facebooking. Based on statistic, shows that Malaysia is in ranking of number 17 with the most users, left behind Indonesia and Philippines. It makes the South East Asia is the most users of Facebook in the world. Founded by Mark Zuckerberg, together with Eduardo Saverine, Dustin Moskovitz and Chris Hughes, the Facebook has reach to 845 millions users.

Based on the above number, it clearly shows that the people are too dependent on social media. Many people does not see it can harm the user life, as long as the user himself does not do anything that can harm himself. We can see social media is a place to get together, exchanging opinion and information, for the better purposes.

The PC Fair

Do you know that PC Fair  is annually event that organized by PIKOM, the National ICT Association of Malaysia, who is representing Information and Communication Technology in Malaysia industry. The aimed for PC Fair is to improve the business climate in the interests of people who are into technology and gadgets, as well as to promote industry growth to the Malaysia economy. Through PC Fair, helps in educate people by giving the information regarding latest technology such as the software, computers, and gadgets, as well as the accessories. PC Fair always welcomed from the local people to know more about the products. PC Fair also facilitate Malaysian to gain knowledge of IT, and it can be clearly seen as Malaysia nowadays are developing in technology like the well developed countries. 

As for me, I not a person who are into technology and gadgets. But, if I have the time and opportunity to visit PC Fair, I will definitely go. It just to sight seeing and to know the update and new technologies, software and gadgets. It can helps in gaining my knowledge and at the same time, can gives me the new perspective of technology development. The most exciting visiting the PC Fair is when we can get the free gifts, if we visit the booth and buy the items. It is quite interesting because usually all the free gifts are newly produce items and have variety of design. Example of free gifts that I have been collected such as pen drive, and handphone case. 

Since PC Fair offering lower prices compared to the stores, some of the visitors taking the opportunities by purchasing the items such as laptop, printers and smartphone. For those who is waiting to buy the computer at PC Fair, I would like to share the tips before purchasing.

The tips are :-

Purpose

Firstly a buyer must know is the purpose of buying the computer. If the purpose is just for do the regular        typing, and surfing the internet, he can buy the basic software. But, if he intend to buy the computer, for example, design and graphic, he need the computer that provides the related software.

Budget
A buyer must have the budget before buying the computer. The budget includes types of computer a buyer needed. Meaning to say, if a buyer need computer for surfing the internet, the budget that he must allocate roughly around RM ,1000 TO RM 2,000. The prices of the computers are depend on brand, software, applications and etc.

Warranty

The computer usually will be provides with warranty. This warranty is as an assurance that the producer will responsible if computer cannot be functioning. Generally, the warranty is between 1 year to 2 years depending on the brand and software includes. 

Make an observation

Before purchase the computer, make an observation about the computer desired. Compare the prices, the functions and the services. The observation can be made by reading the articles, and seek the advise from the pro. This is to ensure that the buyer can get the best computer.

Services & Help

Even provides with warranty, the help and services is also important. If a buyer having the problems or difficulties with the computer, he can refer to the help services. For instance, HP brand, has the local help services and a buyer can refer to them. Unlike certain brand, which have help services, but, it does not cover in Malaysia. Hence, it is difficult for a buyer to do the reference. 

Obviously, it is not easy to buy a computer. It takes a lot of time because it involving a large amount of money. Thus, it will be worth it if we are being careful.

Safety Tips for Internet Users

Do you know, cybercriminals target everyone with access to the internet, and most cybercriminals are opportunistic which is, they will only attack easy and vulnerable targets. Therefore, the harder your computer is to crack, the less likely it is to be attacked by cybercriminals. Do anyone of you has been victim by Cybercrime? Luckily, I've never been in that situation. However, lets share the tips that I found to avoid being the victim. 

Keep your computer updated with the latest security software

Just like it is necessary to lock your front door at home, it is to ensure your computer is secure by installing anti-virus, anti-spyware and a firewall, or a package including all three. Ensure that you regularly install new updates when they become available, otherwise hackers will exploit any existing flaws to break into your system. Take advantage of ‘auto-update’ features to ensure you receive the updates as soon as they are created.

Configure your computer settings so that it functions securely

Make sure that the security settings on your computer are set to the right level, particularly with regards to your internet browser and email software, as they will be able to warn you of potential risks when visiting dubious or suspicious websites.

Be responsible when using passwords online

Passwords are a necessary security measure to perform various functions on the internet. If used and chosen improperly, they can make an internet user very vulnerable to attacks. When required to select a password, make sure you choose a secure password that:

·         Has at least eight characters or more (with a combination of letters, numbers and symbols if possible)

·         Is not related to personal information such as birthdays or login names

·         Is not the same password you use for other internet functions

Furthermore, try to change you password regularly – about every two months– and always keep your password information in a secure place.

Keep an eye out for suspicious e-mails

If an e-mail displays any of the following, approach it with care:

·         Misspelling

·         Poor grammar or odd phrasing

·         A suspicious website address – such as an address made up of predominantly numbers rather than words

·         Instructions requiring you to provide information (particularly e-mails which ask you to provide details quickly to avoid something bad happening).

If the e-mail is from an unknown source, try to avoid opening it, and definitely avoid opening any attached files or links as they may contain harmful viruses or worms.

Keep your personal information protected

Many online services (purchasing goods, social networking services etc.) require you to enter at least some personal information on a website. Before doing so ensure that the website is in fact authentic – for instance a shopping or banking website requiring sensitive information should begin with ‘https://www’, with the extra ‘s’ standing for ‘secure.’ Also, read the privacy policies of websites, and understand how the website may use or share your personal information in the future. Always guard your e-mail address when possible, and do not unnecessarily post it on any online blogs, chatrooms, or newsgroups, or you may become susceptible to spammers and phishers.

Steer clear of pirated materials

The use of pirated software, or the downloading of pirated material, is not only illegal but is also dangerous for your computer. Many files contain hidden Trojan horses that will download themselves onto your computer along with the stolen file.

Regularly check your financial accounts

By regularly checking your accounts for unauthorized transactions, you may greatly reduce the damage a cybercriminal may inflict on your financial assets. If there are any suspicious looking actions on your account, report them immediately to your bank.

RFID

When I was younger, I never thought that I can live like the world today. What I mean is the technology that developed very rapid and fast. During my youngster, I was exposed to computer and when I was teenager, I was introduced to internet, the world without boundaries. And now, with the intelligent and genius IT like the late of Steve Jobs, the world becomes more closer, and the work becomes easier.

And now, with the new technology in IT, there are a lot of new things that are marketed such as the touch screen smartphone, wireless internet and so on. And I found this video coincidentally.

Do you ever imagine the world like this? The world that walletless, without have to queue long to pay at cashier. It is definitely makes our world easier. And now, I can not wait to experience it. Radio Frequency Identification is the wireless non contact system uses radio frequency electromagnetic fields to transfer data from the tag to an object, purposes for automatic identification and tracking. Like the above video show, a guy taken the items from the shelf, and before he out from the store, he already pay for the items without queue it at the cashier. It means, the items that he taken was attached with the tag that include the information such as brand, type as well as price of the item. In addition to that, that guy also does not queue at the cashier counter because he have the credit card that are already has RFID function. Meaning to say, his card storing the information of his bank account.

By having this function, it is undeniable that technology can bring benefits into our life. In fact, this system already applied in certain items and countries. Because of that, I cannot wait to see that this system can be apply in Malaysia later. This video is one of the example that technology can gives in our life. Right now, I am enjoying every experiences that technology brong into my life. Hopefully, sooner or later, there are other good news to makes our life easier.

The Internet Story

Internet has taken major important place in our live nowadays. Some people just cannot live without the internet! Thankfully, I am not at the level (yet). Usually, i surf about 3-4 hours per day, reading the news, checking the updates and blog walking. I would like to share my history on how I was introduced in the world of internet.

Around year late nineties to early 2000 (cannot remember the exact year), my dad installed the internet connection, TMNet, during that time, internet was not familiar with some people, and the function still limited. To connect to the internet, we need to used the dialing up, 1515, that took ages just to open the page such as Yahoo (Google not yet born). With limited function, the internet used only for email (most popular was Hotmail and Yahoo), as well as looking for the information. 

Look at now, internet has unlimited function, and boundaries. Despite provide the information around the world with just one click, the world becomes closer. Now, through internet, we can watch video, television program from across the world, the live show and others. As according to sources from Internet World Stats, about 58% of Malaysian are now IT literate. Meaning to say, these people have the access to internet whether via broadband, dial-up or others. In addition to that, internet becomes the medium for Malaysian to interact and communicate. This shows the improvement among Malaysian as we can see that Malaysia are trying to be more knowledge and develop liked well developed countries. 

Even though the internet in Malaysia is quite left behind, I can say that now Malaysia are leading to the same road and level as developed countries. About a year ago, Telekom Malaysia (TM) has introduced High Speed Broadband or HSBB. HSBB offering the package of Unifi, the fastest internet that the minimum speed can achieve at least 10Mbps compared to Streamyx that maximum speed is 4Mbps.

 

And now, the wireless internet can be find everywhere especially through campus, and shopping mall. I was lucky to know such technology to help me improve in my life and definitely in finishing up my assignments.