Q: How should I choose a password to make sure its secure?

A: You will want to choose something that is easy to remember but difficult to guess. Guidelines for choosing a password are:

Ensure it is at least eight characters
long Don't make it the same as the user
name Avoid words found in dictionaries
The password should be made up
of letters and numbers Avoid the names of friends, family
members or pets Avoid dates, car registration and
telephone numbers Don't write the password down
Intruders may use programmes which have a list of common user names and passwords, so, by choosing something unusual, it will minimise the chances the password appears on the list. The most secure type of passwords contain a nonsense word or phrase that has some special meaning to you.

Q: I keep hearing about broadband. Should I get it?

A: Most of us connect our computers to the internet using a modem. The speed of the connection is typically about 40kbs (kilobytes per second).

This may not mean anything to you but you probably have a feel for how quickly web pages and email download.

Broadband allows you to connect at one of 128kbs, 512kbs or 1,024kbs, anywhere between three and 25 times faster. Other benefits are you are connected all the time, a monthly charge covers everything and it doesn't tie up you phone. Broadband allows you to do things you couldn't (easily) do with a modem. For example, use a web-cam, download movies, music and software and play interactive computer games. If you only want to connect to download the occasional email or web page, then save your money. Costs vary from about £15 to £50 a month, depending on which service you use. The two major providers are NTL and BT but there are others. It is worth checking out who provides broadband in your area. A useful web site can be found at www.broadbandmap.co.uk.

Q: Everyone says you can download free software from the internet. Where is it?

A: There are a number of web sites that host cheap or free software, which can be downloaded to your computer and used immediately. There are three major distribution methods for software: Freeware, shareware and commercial. Freeware will cost you nothing and you are free to make as many copies of the programme as you like but you get no legal protection from malicious code and usually little or no support from the developer(s).

Shareware will cost you a nominal fee once you have downloaded and tried it out. You usually get a month's trial period and may share the software with other people who also get the chance to try it out before paying anything.

If you do pay for the software, you can be almost guaranteed you will get quick, helpful support from the actual developers and not a sales team. Then there are the web sites for commercial software companies which usually have online shopping systems to enable you to download their products over the internet.

www.asp-shareware.org/users/faq.asp
www.shareware.com
www.tucows.com
www.download.com.