Doom and Gloom

Late last year, one oracle predicted that the dreaded W32.Kriz virus would awaken on Christmas morning and erase all the files on infected systems. Yet chances are you didn't know the "Kriz" virus existed. You probably haven't even checked your home computer for viruses or investigated your online security posture.

You might feel protected by the free anti-virus software that scans your hard drive every week. But ask yourself when you last updated your virus definition files. Without such updates, your anti-virus software is defenseless against the viruses. Because there are computer-based predators all over the Internet, it's time for everyone to wise up. "There are still some people out there that don't realize they need anti-virus technology," says Patrick Martin, product manager for Symantec Corp.'s anti-virus research center. And having up-to-date anti-virus software is just a start, he contends. "There are a lot of people who don't want their e-mail address distributed to every Web site they visit. It's an area of personal privacy."

Martin says that Internet browsers and programs called Active X objects and Java scripts that are set to run on Web sites can do a lot more than people imagine when it comes to transferring personal data. Symantec, an anti-virus and computer security firm, provides a series of scans and fixes that can be downloaded from its Web site. The firm also provides the free "Symantec Security Check" Web site.

At this site, users can conduct a security check or virus check. The security check lets you know if your computer is vulnerable to hacker attacks. It tells you how much personal information your computer gives away when you surf the Web and whether your virus definitions are out of date. It also suggests solutions when it finds your computer is in the danger zone.

Using the most current virus definitions, Symantec's free virus check scans your system. If your system is infected, a good anti-virus package is a must-even if you have to go out and buy one.

"We wanted to raise awareness so people understand that there are nasty things out there," Martin says. "This is painless. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to use it because it does all the work for you." To check out your system free of charge at Symantec's site, go to http://security1.norton.com/us/intro.asp?venid= sym&langid=us.

HARDWARE
Quick Internet Imaging

As the number of Web sites continues to explode, the need for images that can be posted on the Internet has grown. Microtek Lab, a Redondo Beach, Calif., imaging company, has introduced an inexpensive bundle designed to spruce up any Web site.

Microtek is selling a digital camera and a flatbed scanner for $180. This means that budding Internet photographers can take new digital pictures as well as scan their entire back inventory of pictures.

The MN100 Digital camera and the ScanMaker 4600 both use a universal serial bus for connectivity and are compatible with Macs and PCs.

New Mobile Friends

The Visor handheld computer from Handspring now can be used to read email and surf the Web. It can also become a global positioning system receiver. The Visor can use the @ctiveLink messaging module from Glenayre Technologies Inc. to take advantage of the wireless Internet. It retails for $179. And according to Jim Kelly, Glenayre's senior vice president and chief marketing officer, the device will run for four weeks on two AAA batteries. The module requires a subscription to a network service company. This can cost between $25 and $60 a month.

Another Visor add-on, Nexian Inc.'s HandyGPS, turns the Visor into a location finder. The GPS attachment retails for $149.99 and provides coordinates for longitude, latitude and altitude. It also enables the user to search maps for street locations.

Both devices fit into the Visor's versatile Springboard slot.