Help keep your computer safe

Photo by chrisjohnbeckett

At the start of the year, many people often think about getting things in shape: their homes, their bodies, but they don’t stop to think about getting their computers in shape. While online safety and virus protection should be thought about year round, this is a great time to take a quick refresher course on some of the common online threats that you may (or may not) encounter while surfing the net.

Online and within the news you’ve likely heard of some of the most common terms (malware, spam, viruses, and Trojans), but may not have known what they are, or, how to protect yourself or your computer from them. We’ve pulled together a quick resource guide outlining the who’s who, and where to go for more information. But when online, some of the most important things to remember are:

  • Don’t trust pop-ups; things pretending to be virus checkers may actually be viruses (more on that later)
  • You don’t have to understand a lot about online security to protect against the most common online threats. Keep your computer up to date and be suspicious about the sites you visit- employ the same skills you do in real life as you do online: don’t give out your personal information to strangers, and don’t trust something because it “sort of” looks official. And remember to trust your instincts: if it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.

What’s malware?

Malware is software that does something you don’t want done, usually installed without your permission. It includes viruses, worms and Trojans.

What is spam?

Spam is/can be: the repeated postings of the same content; off topic banter/answers/comments; links to commercial sites or merchandise; in general, unsolicited, unwanted or irrelevant messages, links or postings. You may run into it in your inbox, on message boards, in comments sections, etc. Basically, anywhere that someone can enter or submit text is susceptible to spam.

What is phishing?

This is any attempt to steal your account information. Phishers set up fake web sites that look like those of trusted companies to trick you into disclosing your account information. These pages can look nearly identical to the real thing, so it can be hard to tell that you are on a phony site.

Most commonly, you’ll see these as emails asking for the password to your bank account, your Yahoo! email account (urging you to send your account information or else your account will be terminated), or your credit card information. If you run into a phishing email on Yahoo!, please do report it to us!

Remember to never click on links in emails, no matter how official they look. Use bookmarks or physically type the site name in.

To protect yourself further, set a sign-in seal and don’t give out your Yahoo! password on your computer unless you see your sign-in seal (for more information on this, go here . This helps you know when you’re on a phishing page, or when you’re on a legitimate Yahoo! login page).

Yahoo! Security Center

At Security.yahoo.com you can assess your PC’s exposure to online threats, including malware, viruses, and an assortment of other online risks. Additionally, you can also learn about:

How to help protect your machine

Be sure that your computer has antivirus software installed and that its virus definitions are up-to-date- many computers do not, and this leaves them open to many malware attacks. Programs like Norton Anti-Virus or Malwarebytes will help protect and prevent future attacks.

If you see a pop-up, close it promptly, without clicking on anything inside the window (buttons inside the window may download software, no matter what the label on them says, even if it’s “No”, or “Cancel”). Click the close button on the window frame (the “x” in the upper right on a Windows machine, the red button in the upper left on a Mac).

If that doesn’t work use “Ctrl + F4″ on Windows or “Shift + Cmd + W” on an Apple machine to close the window. Worst case, kill the browser with the Task Manager on Windows or Force Quit on a Mac, and if you can’t do that, reboot the machine. (Be sure to save your work in other programs!)

Then run a virus-scan using an anti-virus program to check for any malware remnants.

At the end of the day, it’s up to YOU to help keep your online experience safe—keep your software up-to-date and be cautious about giving out information, including passwords.

– Yahoo! UK & Ireland Answers team

Call for community: 7.0 earthquake hits Haiti

Photo by Globovisión

On Tuesday, January 12, Haiti was struck by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake, centered 10 miles west of Port-au-Prince. The quake has caused widespread damage and casualties and structural damage. At this point, authorities are unsure as to just how much damage the quake has caused but know that its impact was vast and intense.

In times like these, it is important for communities to band together to provide support.

On Answers, we form a community of collective knowledge- but in the real world, together, we create a collective bound together by one thing: humanity, and the ability to endure. And in times like these, it’s important to remember that, and to help others persevere.

According to the Associated Press, “it was clear from a tour of the capital that tens of thousands of people had lost their homes and that many had perished. Many buildings in Haiti are flimsy and dangerous even under normal conditions.”


DEC Haiti Earthquake Appeal

To learn more about how you can send your support to help the victims of the earthquake in Haiti please follow the links below.

UnicefEfforts in HaitiDonate

Donate to the Disasters Emergency CommitteeRed Cross Blog
British Red Cross Flickr photos

View more of Globovision’s photos from the quake. WARNING: photos contain images that may not be suitable for children.

Choose a best answer, prevent a tie!

Did you know that on average, 10% of questions are in tie-breaker status at any given time on Yahoo! Answers? And, at any given moment, there are literally millions of questions open on Answers?

For many members, it’s easy to get swept up in the “Ask” and “Answer” flow as you watch the steady stream of answers that come in when you ask a great question. But then the tough part comes: picking a Best Answer! How do you choose?

If you’re looking for a few tips on how to pick your next Best Answer, here are a few taken straight from our community:

  • “To put it simply, I go with the one that is the most useful or the least useless. I do notice the number of thumbs-ups and downs the answer gets, and I use that and the level/BA percentage of an answerer to determine whether or not I should trust the answerer, but the main deciding factor is what I think of the answer itself. A concise but comprehensive explanation beats a long drawn-out half off topic lecture.” – Luigi
  • However, “According to the specification of the question I read carefully and I compare it to the other questions, I make sure their answers make sense and have more clear explanations. Not always the thumbs up are right and this person can be wrong, So I read & understand before I give my best answer…8)” – “Evo_Raptor”
  • “[…] If there are two equally good answers, I choose the one with better grammar, punctuation, and spelling.” – *Sombra*
  • “I pick Best Answer by re-reading through all the answers again from my question. Then pick the one that was the most helpful, informative, and the answerer was polite while giving me the information I needed.” – Future Pet Vet
  • “Whoever has clearly spent the most time answering the question and not just put silly 1 word answers or sarcastic comments. Also, if I believe the answer is 100% true.” – Craig and Charlie

Even with tips like these, picking a best answer can be tough—and for many Answers community members, it becomes so tough, questions go unresolved and end up in tie-breaker status.

But for those of you who enjoy helping the undecided pick a Best Answer, be sure to check out the Answers TieBusters group—a group dedicated to clearing the backlog of undecided questions found on Answers: here.

All in all, remember: If you asked a question, choose a Best Answer! Otherwise your question may end up in Answers limbo, and you may never give someone the joy of earning a Best Answer!

– Yahoo! UK & Ireland Answers team

Yahoo! Answers Highlights of 2009

Yahoo! Answers Highlights of 2009

The Yahoo! Answers Highlights of 2009 is a free eBook pulling together a review of the most topical, exciting and era-defining events of 2009 from the world of showbiz, news, politics, economics, sport, music and film. From the Ashes to X Factor, the Yahoo! Answers Highlights of 2009 tells you how.

  • Download it for free HERE.

The Highlights of 2009 contains such topical questions from 2009 as…

But we don’t want to give it all away here. Download it for free HERE and see for yourself!

– Yahoo! UK & Ireland Answers team

Featured User: Giorgie

Is it true that we only use 1% of our brain? The mind boggles… but how much of it? Now and then a question on Answers really grabs your attention and focuses the mind, no matter how much of it you’re using, and one such question was about how much of our brains we use.

The question was answered by a great Answers user, Giorgie. Turns out she’d provided many such great answers but her profile hinted at an even more fascinating life.

“I’m currently undertaking postgraduate study in Forensic Psychological Studies and hope to go onto the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology next year I currently work with offenders who have mental health problems. I previously worked for 3 years with adults who have learning disabilities.”

Given this we thought we’d drop her a line, to thank her for her great contributions to Answers and see what her unique line of work throws at her…

Yahoo! Answers team: So Giorgie, please you introduce yourself to the community….

“I’m a Scottish girl who lives near to the granite city of Aberdeen, which tends to present in various shades of grey depending on the tone of the rain clouds!  Since the age of 16 my main interest in life has been psychology, which I have studied first as a Higher, then as a BSc (honours) in psychology and now at Masters level in forensic psychology.”

“My ultimate career goal is to qualify as a clinical psychologist then specialise in either forensic patients or drug and alcohol addiction.  I currently work with offenders who suffer from serious mental illness, which has been given me valuable experience both in terms of my career hopes and for life in general.”

“Whilst I am geekish enough to admit that I actually enjoy studying(!?), I also manage to squeeze in some other interests.  I love being outdoors and enjoy walking in the local hills and countryside, which can look quite spectacular when the weather’s right!  I enjoy art and relish in taking a stroll through an art gallery or museum (which makes Paris one of my favourite cities to visit!).  Also, when a good show is in town I love a night at the theatre.  I take every opportunity I can to travel and see the world!”

Could you tell me a bit about how you discovered Answers and what you like about it?

“I first discovered Answers way back in 2006 when I think I was using a search engine online and an answer given in Answers came up in the results.  I began using Answers then, usually just reading and answering random questions.  I soon discovered just how fun it was answering questions (and how much I could learn from reading the answers of others!) that I soon found I was using it quite alot.”

“I tend to answer questions in the topics of Psychology and Higher Education as these are the areas where I find the most questions that I feel I can answer but in general it’s good to answer any question that I think I may have a useful answer to.  One thing I particularly like about Answers is that people can ask questions they may be reluctant to ask elsewhere anonymously, so any embarrassment in asking is reduced or removed.  Answers also gives people the chance to seek the opinion of others on aspects that may not have a right or wrong answer, but for which advice or guidance is sought. Overall I think Answers is just a great opportunity for people to share knowledge and advice and have fun doing it!”

You seem to be providing some great answers about psychology, can you explain your involvement with the subject?

“I left school aged 16 and studied my Highers at college instead, one of which was psychology.  I was hooked on the subject almost as soon as I started studying it!  From there I began studying for an MA (hons) psychology at the University of Aberdeen, but unexpected problems meant I decided to leave after my first year.  I did not want to discontinue studying psychology, as already I had decided I would like to follow a career in the subject.”

“So on the advice of my good old mum I transferred my first year credits to the Open University, where I studied full time with them and completed my BSc (hons) psychology degree in 2008.  I’m currently studying at Masters level in forensic psychology, again with the OU.  I am hoping that my OU experience and postgraduate study will be beneficial in gaining me a place on a practitioner qualification in psychology in the near future (either the clinical psychology Doctorate or the Masters in primary care psychology, the latter of which I believe is currently an exclusively Scottish qualification).”

“This is picture I took of a large sand sculpture of Charles Darwin at Fiesa Sand World in Portugal this summer-Darwin has contributed a lot to psychology and indeed there is an entire branch dedicated to evolutionary psychology so thought it encompassed the psychology aspect and my love of travelling!”

– Giorgie

What is it about psychology that appeals to you? What are it’s highlights?

“Psychology has so many appealing aspects to me it’s difficult to know where to begin with this question!  I think the most crucial aspect is its relevance to pretty much everything human.  I’m always coming across something in my studies that applies to either myself, or someone I know or even to everyone I know.  Psychology is so diverse that there will always be something that really interests me and makes me want to find out more.  It’s a subject that covers some very taken for granted behaviours that we all carry out, such as how we perceive images or understand words or remember who we are through to more varied behaviours that we may not carry out ourselves but which will often affect us, such as crime.”

“Psychology has had a significant input to many areas of everyday life that many people don’t even realise.  Areas such as public health, education, employment, child rearing, law, business and advertising right down to road signs and aeroplane cockpits have been influenced by the findings of psychological research!  Research is really one of the foundations and highlights of psychology and research findings often produce even more research questions!  Because psychology is so diverse, there is always more to investigate and learn. ”

“A further highlight is that psychology is very self critical, which means it’s always looking to improve its theories, knowledge and research.  Anyone who has studied a psychology degree will know that critiquing the work of others and expressing how it could be improved is a central skill to acquire.  Psychology takes nothing for granted and every psychologist needs to be aware of both the pros and cons of their own work.  Through this process psychology can be used to improve itself and then applied to real life situations to help improve the lives of others, which is a further highlight of the subject.  I feel it’s definitely a subject that has something for everyone.”

You seemed to study at the Open University, who are a Knowledge Partner here on Answers. How did you find learning with them?

“I thoroughly enjoy studying with the OU.  When I first began studying with them I was in my late teens and to be honest I did wonder if I would have the self-discipline and commitment to finish my degree through distance learning.”

“However, I find the studying very rewarding and my enjoyment of it is enough to encourage me to keep going.  Studying is not as isolated as may be expected, with tutors who can offer as much or as little support as you need and an online community of other students that are there for you everyday!  Students and tutors can also meet face to face at tutorials and residential schools; my experience of both has been fantastic.  The materials I’ve received for all of my OU courses has been of a very high standard and varied media is used to teach (such as textbooks, cd roms, DVDs, audio and online activities). ”

“When I first left the University of Aberdeen I was concerned that completing my degree with the OU might give me a poorer quality education (sorry OU!).  Now I do not feel this is the case at all.  Not only have I received a comprehensive psychology degree that has given me the registration with the British Psychological Society that I need to progress onto a career in psychology, but gaining my OU degree also shows potential employers and postgraduate course administrators that I can work efficiently and independently and that I am a self-disciplined and motivated individual.”

“This is a picture of Glasgow Royal Concert Hall when they held The Open University graduation ceremony that I graduated at.”

– Giorgie

You currently work with offenders who have mental health problems, whats that like and can you describe the challenges and highlights?

“To use a cliche it is a very rewarding job, although at times it can be difficult.  The bulk of my clients now live in the community after spending time in psychiatric hospitals, including the Scottish State hospital, although a couple are still inpatients. They have very varied personal, psychiatric and offending histories and nearly all have previous or ongoing drug/alcohol issues.”

“It is very interesting just to chat with the guys and get their perceptions and ideas on issues to do with their lives and their futures.  My work is mainly on a 1:1 basis and people will often ask me “what on earth do you find to talk about?!” but in reality my clients are intelligent and perceptive men who are more than able to provide quality conversation.  A real plus of this job is seeing progress in clients.  We assist them with many aspects of their daily lives and even a little bit of progress in the right direction is positive.  Sometimes this could be something as basic as a client’s house being clean and tidy when I arrive right up to a client securing a job for themselves.”

“One of the more difficult aspects can be when there is a deterioration in their status.  This could be due to a relapse in mental health or becase of their engaging in substance misuse (the two of which are often linked).  It can sometimes feel like one step forward two steps back, or that a long time passes where nothing changes, but I think this is definitely a job where progress and achievement can take a long time so patience is a requirement!”

“Another challenge is simply being wary of anything that may suggest things are ‘not quite right’.  Almost all of my clients have at some point committed very serious, often violent offences, so there is a duty on me as a worker to protect myself, clients and the public.  My job can sometimes involve working with clients who are overtly suicidal, which is distressing as suicides are unfortunately not uncommon with this client group.”

“However, the overall purpose of my job is to assist clients in improving their quality of life and overcome their offending, which can only be beneficial for all.  This job gives me valuable experience relevant to my future career plans and has provided an opportunity to put my psychology knowledge into action!”

5 Best Answers from Giorgie