Keeping Your Computer Safe

You've purchased a computer, software applications, installed it all and everything is working fine. Is that the end of the story? Unfortunately no. Gone are the days when you could buy software off the shelf and still be happily running the same version 2 years later. Whether it's your operating system or your word processor, there are not only software bugs waiting to catch you out but also security flaws that hackers and virus writers are all too willing to exploit. Anti virus software especially can date rapidly and needs to be updated regularly to keep pace with today’s virus writers.

The internet provides a fantastic doorway to a world that contains vast amounts of information, but being connected also opens a window for others to peek into your PC. The growing popularity of fast internet access heightens the risks of unauthorised access to your data as your PC can be more readily identified. Broadband connections tend to have a static address, so once a hacker has this address they can use it to try and gain access anytime your PC is on.

To combat these problems software companies not only provide new versions of software, but also release free patches to existing versions to correct flaws that have been reported. The patches, also known as Service Packs or Maintenance Releases, provide you with a way to minimise the chances of becoming a victim of fraud, virus attack, or hacking. More recent versions of software now incorporate "Live Update" features whereby the software itself will advise you that an update is available. Patches are also available for older versions of software, and can be accessed from the appropriate software manufacturer website.

In particular you should check to see if there are patches available for:

Internet Browser - Especially important as many security flaws have been found in browser software that may leave your computer vulnerable. E-Commerce relies on having secure connections so you can pass on your financial details such as credit card numbers safely.

Email software - With most viruses now delivered via email, up to date email software is essential to limit any impact these could have.

Anti Virus software - With new variants of viruses discovered every month you need to ensure that your anti-virus software can identify them. The only way to do this is to ensure you have the latest version. Most anti-virus software has a paid subscription service that gives you access to the latest virus libraries and signature files needed to trap new viruses.

Operating System - Important for bug fixes as well as security patches.

Applications - Word Processors, Spreadsheets and Database Managers can all be exploited if not kept up to date.

While some of these updates can be quite large, and take some time to download and install, the benefits cannot be underestimated. Many of today's viruses still take advantage of security flaws that have been identified and fixed sometime ago. These viruses will continue to spread as long as there are machines running software that does not have appropriate service packs or patches applied. The effort of staying up to date will not only give you peace of mind but will also help stop the spread of many known viruses. Below are links to several sites that may be useful to you:

Microsoft Support
http://support.microsoft.com

Operating Systems
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

Office Updates
http://office.microsoft.com/ProductUpdates/default.aspx

Service Packs
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=FH;[LN];sp&

Internet Explorer
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.asp

Symantec
http://www.symantec.com/downloads

  Future Developments in Pay2k

Some of the key updates to look forward to over the next few releases of Pay2k are:

	Automated tax rate updates
	Easier switching between databases
	Making the Termination process easier to find
	A Database Restore feature. Currently if the database needs to be restored from one of the backup copies made during the pay run the process is fairly lengthy. We will be looking at a way to make this process more straightforward. Note: A backup performed during the pay process is different to the type of backup required for data security in the event of the computer being damaged or stolen.
	Reprinting payslips from History. When a payslip is printed from History the After Tax Items do not print on the payslip. We will be looking into a way of making this information available.

  How Do I?

How do I use the Pay Variance report?

The Pay Variance Report compares the information held in the MAINTENANCE>AUTOPAY DETAILS to the information in PAYROLL>CURRENT PAY.

The report can be set to show:

	Only the details of those employees in the pay run where there is a difference between their autopay information and the current pay information, or
	The details for all employees in the pay run. The report will list their autopay and current pay information and give the details of any difference between them.

This report is to be used to verify that any differences that occur between the autopay and the current pay are expected. The report has a signature area for signing off.

The Pay Variance Report can only be printed prior to the Payroll Update being run. Once the Payroll Update has been processed the Pay Variance Report is no longer available for printing.

Pay2k can be set so that the Pay Variance report has to be printed out before the Payroll Update can be run. To do this:

	Go to MAINTENANCE>SYSTEM PARAMETERS
	You will see an area called PAY VARIANCE MANDATORY with a YES or NO option. Set this area to YES and the Pay Variance Report will have to be printed out before the Payroll Update can be run.

  Website of the Week

Do you have wine stains on the carpet, hands smelling like garlic, or a tough screw to undo? Then you need the Tip King!

The Tip King is a good source of helpful advice to assist you with day-to-day tasks and small problems. Basically it’s the sort of advice that was probably common knowledge in our parents and grandparents time.

There are several different categories of advice, ranging from Beauty, Car Care and Cleaning right through to Pests, Handyman and Home Remedies. If you are not sure which category your issue falls into you can use the search feature to find it.

The Tip Exchange is an online forum where you can ask for advice on how to solve a particular problem, send in your own tip or just chat to other Tip King visitors. If you would like to receive regular tips via email why not subscribe to the Tip King Newsletter?

Some of the tips on the site do seem a little unusual, for example the suggestion that a cure for warts is to have someone buy them from you! But if you use a bit of common sense you should find quite a few useful hints to remember and pass on to your friends.

  Quote of the Week

"Life must be measured by thought and action, not by time."
John Lubbock, Conductor

For more information, please contact:

Heather McKay
Human Edge Software
Phone: 1300 301 931
Fax: +61 3 9690 2802
Email: pay2k@humanedge.biz

Human Edge adheres to a policy of not sending unsolicited (SPAM) e-mail. You are receiving this e-mail because you are listed as a contact for a product or service that our organisation provides or have requested that this service be activated for you. If you are receiving this message in error or wish to have our records changed please advise us via return e-mail or call us on +61 3 9690 5044