Dell wants to teach Web surfers a security lesson

Dell on Tuesday unveiled a plan to educate its customers on how to protect their computers from an onslaught of spyware, adware and viruses.

Spyware programs keep a tab on a user's Internet activity and gather personal information from a computer--without the user's knowledge. Dell said nearly 20 percent of the calls received by its consumer desktop technical support team relate to spyware and virus problems. Malicious-software incidents are increasing in number, as more consumers begin using broadband and wireless access--which is always connected to the Internet.

The computer maker has also set up a new PC Security site to help customers identify online security threats and ways to handle them. The Web site also features antivirus and antispyware products as well as links to partner sites. Dell also said it would work with a consumer education group, the Internet Education Foundation, to help its customers.

For customers who find it difficult to help themselves, troubleshooting will be available for $39 per incident. Dell's warranty options typically cover only hardware and preinstalled software.

Dell aims to make its customers more aware of the problems spyware and viruses can cause so that they can avoid those situations. It plans to use several avenues to educate people about the malicious software and to protect them from it.

"We look at what our top (support) call drivers are and do whatever we can to alleviate them so that our customers can enjoy the technology" they've purchased, said Ricky Rodrigue, director customer assistance and resolution team.

Following Tuesday's announcement, Dell plans to further educate its customers about security and to later beef up the capabilities of its PCs in order to combat spam, spyware and pop-up ads using new software.

Dell will also begin touching on security in its advertising. Its August sales catalog, for example, will include a four-page insert with information on updating Windows, antivirus and antispyware software as well as keeping data backed up, Rodrigue said. The catalogs reach tens of thousands of customers in the United States via U.S. mail, Dell representatives said.

Later in the year, Dell plans to begin installing antispam, spyware protection and pop-up-blocking software on its PCs, Rodrigue added.

In some respects, Dell is catching up to others, such as Hewlett-Packard. HP has been shipping Intermute's protection suite, which features applications designed to prevent spam, pop-up ads and spyware, on its PCs.

However, Dell also intends to add more specialized help desk phone support cues for assisting customers in tasks such as setting up networks and troubleshooting printers.

[Jonathan]

Lesson #1...Stop Using Internet Exploder.

Lesson #2...use a firewall. At minimum XP's built in firewall.

Lesson #3...Stop being damn idiots and opening exes you don't know what they are.

Lesson #4...Have Windows Auto update on patches.

Extra Credit Lesson?.Use Anti-virus software. But for those of us with a brain AV software is pointless. I've yet to get infected on any of my systems even though I don't run AV on anything other then my home server.


Class dismissed. I expect everyone who reads this to send me $100 for my much valused advice. ;-)

[John Kuzak]

Class dismissed

http://www.analogstereo.com/volvo_s40_v40_owners_manual.htm

[bmac50--2008]

Lining Pockets?

While Dells at least headed in the right direction they're looking to line their own pockets with the vendors they have chosen. All of this type of software can be had as freeware, search under Google for free AVG, free Zone Alarm and free AdAware.

Norton isn't even rated that good anymore and that's by the users not some rag making a buck. For the PestPatrol, it's like Norton, a resource hog.

While Dells intent is good they're just looking for your hard earned dollars.