Greenburgh Public Library Blog

The basics of how computer hardware, software, and systems work, and the risks they create for our privacy and security Computers are everywhere. Some of them are highly visible, in laptops, tablets, cell phones, and smart watches. But most are invisible, like those in appliances, cars, medical equipment, transportation systems, power grids, and weapons. We never see the myriad computers that quietly collect, share, and sometimes leak vast amounts of personal data about us. Through computers, governments and companies increasingly monitor what we do. Social networks and advertisers know far more about us than we should be comfortable with, using information we freely give them. Criminals have all-too-easy access to our data. Do we truly understand the power of computers in our world? Understanding the Digital World explains how computer hardware, software, networks, and systems work. Topics include how computers are built and how they compute; what programming is and why it is difficult; how the Internet and the web operate; and how all of these affect our security, privacy, property, and other important social, political, and economic issues. This book also touches on fundamental ideas from computer science and some of the inherent limitations of computers. It includes numerous color illustrations, notes on sources for further exploration, and a glossary to explain technical terms and buzzwords. Understanding the Digital World is a must-read for all who want to know more about computers and communications. It explains, precisely and carefully, not only how they operate but also how they influence our daily lives, in terms anyone can understand, no matter what their experience and knowledge of technology.

 

Fully updated and revised, this leading guide on Internet privacy, anonymity and security contains all the practical information you need to inform and protect yourself. In this comprehensive yet easy-to-read guide for Windows users, you will quickly learn how to: stop search engines, social media and other powerful Internet players from tracking and profiling your online activities gain unrestricted access to all the content and downloads the Internet has to offer use social media to stay connected with friends in ways that don't compromise your privacy or safety keep hackers, identity thieves and adversaries from gaining access to your computer use the best (and often free ) privacy, anonymity and security apps that really work mask your IP address with a proxy, The Onion Router (Tor) or a virtual private network (VPN) use encryption to keep your digital items, downloads and personal information completely hidden and safe prevent surveillance and the monitoring of your activities by Internet service providers (ISP), governments, adversaries and other unwelcome snoops enjoy all the benefits (and downloads) of torrent file-sharing and Usenet newsgroups while staying protected and anonymous get rid of trace and hidden data on your computer that exposes your private activities conduct checks on how private your online activities and devices really are From your small investment in this book, you will benefit for years to come. After all, your privacy and security are priceless.