The Worm Ate My Homework: New Back-To-School Computer Use Checklist For Parents<\/p>\n
Melbourne, 21 January 2010: AVG (AU\/NZ) Pty Ltd, which distributes the AVG range of Anti-Virus and Internet Security products, has created a Back-To-School Computer Use Checklist For Parents (www.avg.com.au\/resources\/security-tips\/).<\/p>\n
In one easy list are guidelines to help parents understand the current terminology, what to be looking for, and how to ensure children are using computers safely and responsibly. It also includes an associated shopping list of software and accessories for parents to consider.<\/p>\n
Lloyd Borrett, AVG (AU\/NZ)\u2019s Marketing Manager, said: \u201cThere is much to learn and monitor when it comes to your children\u2019s use of computers. With the many threats out there today and changes in technology, it can be quite a daunting task for parents to keep up. From our extensive knowledge of what is happening in the area of Internet security, we have compiled a checklist covering all the issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs parents and their children rely more and more on the information stored on home computers, I cannot stress too highly how vital it is to protect it against online threats or loss.\u201d <\/p>\n
With the government\u2019s Education Revolution, and the growing use of laptops by school children, will come enormous losses of school homework, assignments and study notes through laptop damage or theft. <\/p>\n
A child\u2019s school may have an open wireless network, or kids could decide to work at the local Internet caf\u00e9. These are prime targets and leave laptops vulnerable to viruses, worms and other malware.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s no longer a matter of the \u2018dog eating my homework\u2019. It will become a matter of \u2018the worm ate my homework\u2019 if parents don\u2019t have all the protection mechanisms in place,\u201d Borrett said. <\/p>\n
\u201cUsing home computers safely has become very much easier as everything that\u2019s required is now affordable and easy to install,\u201d Borrett continued.<\/p>\n
The overriding caution in AVG\u2019s Back-To-School Computer Use Checklist For Parents <\/p>\n
is to keep all security and backup software current by using automatic updates and ensure it is licensed, installed and running properly at all times.<\/p>\n
\u201cViruses are being introduced so rapidly that most reputable security software vendors release multiple threat definition updates every day. Not only the operating system but all other programs and pieces of software on the computer need to be regularly updated,\u201d Borrett advised. <\/p>\n
For parents looking for security software, the AVG Internet Security 9.0 full suite solution delivers excellent Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware, Anti-Rootkit, Enhanced Firewall and Anti-Spam protection (www.avg.com.au). Even the basic protection provided by the free version of AVG (www.avgfree.com.au), is much better than nothing at all.<\/p>\n
Borrett also suggests a solution for parents worried about homework and assignments being lost, or the kids losing all their data if a laptop is stolen. He recommends they use an Internet based remote backup solution such as Carbonite Online PC Backup (www.carbonite.com.au).<\/p>\n
Another recommendation is to educate children to stay away from the popular peer-to-peer (P2P) networks from which the vast majority of the files being shared are copyrighted songs and movies which are illegal to download and often carry infection mechanisms.<\/p>\n
The AVG Checklist also includes a shopping list of helpful accessories suggesting everything from a USB key for easy transfer and transportation of data to a laptop security cable.<\/p>\n
To view or download the Back-To-School Computer Use Checklist For Parents go to AVG (AU\/NZ)\u2019s web site at www.avg.com.au\/resources\/security-tips\/.<\/p>\n
Keep in touch with AVG
\n\u00b7 For breaking news, follow AVG on Twitter at www.twitter.com\/officialAVGnews <\/p>\n
\u00b7 For security news analysis, follow the AVG blogs at http:\/\/blogs.avg.com\/ <\/p>\n
\u00b7 Join our Facebook community at http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/AVGfree <\/p>\n
ENDS<\/p>\n
About AVG (AU\/NZ) Pty Ltd \u2014 www.avg.com.au<\/p>\n
Based in Melbourne, AVG (AU\/NZ) Pty Ltd distributes the AVG range of Anti-Virus and Internet Security products in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. AVG software solutions provide complete real-time protection against the malware, viruses, spam, spyware, adware, worms, Trojans, phishing and exploits used by cyber-criminals, hackers, scammers and identity thieves. AVG protects everything important and personal inside computers \u2014 documents, account details and passwords, music, photos and more \u2014 all while allowing users to work, bank, shop and play games online in safety. AVG provides outstanding technical solutions and exceptional value for consumers, small to medium business and enterprise clients. AVG delivers always-on, always up-to-date protection across desktop, and notebook PCs, plus file and e-mail servers in the home and at work in SMBs, corporations, government agencies and educational institutions. <\/p>\n
AVG products actively protect over 110 million users worldwide, including more than 3.6 million users in Australia and New Zealand. <\/p>\n
AVG (AU\/NZ) has more than 2600 resellers across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Worm Ate My Homework: New Back-To-School Computer Use Checklist For Parents Melbourne, 21 January 2010: AVG (AU\/NZ) Pty Ltd, which distributes the AVG range of Anti-Virus and Internet Security products, has created a Back-To-School Computer Use Checklist For Parents (www.avg.com.au\/resources\/security-tips\/). In one easy list are guidelines to help parents understand the current terminology, what<\/p>\n