Computer Hard Knocks

This week the topics have revolved around computer security and privacy. Some may look at computers as a communications tool, others as a professional necessity, others may look at computers as a nuisance. Regardless of your viewpoint, most people under the age of 60 use computers on a regular basis.

Because of this, most people are susceptible to a possible risk of releasing personal information to unintended recipients. This may be used as a means to contact you for marketing purposes, steal your personal identity, use your computer as a launching pad for attacks on other computer systems while implicating you, or obtain private financial or personal information for other reasons. None of these are in your best interests. Therefore, you need to protect yourself. There were solutions to a variety of these problems presented this week in this blog with the posts on Wednesday and Friday.

On a personal note, since I am on my computer much of the time for research or other matters, I am at a higher risk than most. Even with taking some precautions, my computer was recently compromised by computer viruses and trojan horse programs that would not allow Windows to boot properly. This rendered my computer useless. So, I was forced to bring my computer to a computer expert to retrieve my data, locate and eliminate the viruses, and reformat the hard drive. This was not only a nuisance, but naturally incurred an expense for the work performed. Also, I lost a number of software applications that had to be reloaded manually which took additional time. Fortunately though, I did not lose anything really important other than the time and expense to fix the problem.

Since then, computer security and privacy has taken a higher priority with me. I've taken a number of steps mentioned and added more anti-virus and anti-spyware software on my computer. Also, I added an external hard drive for back up purposes. These steps are only a beginning point for those who want to protect themselves and their information. Do you want to learn the hard way or take the precautionary steps now to protect yourself? How much is your privacy and personal information worth?

As with all Saturdays, I recap the movements of key financial indicators that give special insight into what is happening in the markets. The recent slight recovery of the US dollar and dip in the precious metal markets appear to now be nearing an end. The price of gold rose this week to close on Friday at $884.80 per ounce. Silver also closed higher from last week to close on Friday at $16.85 per ounce. The US dollar index fell to 73.02, meaning that the value of the dollar is losing ground to the other major world currencies. The price of oil continues to climb to close at a new high at $126.00 per barrel. This is very typical prior to the summer traveling season for much of the globe, so that consumers pay a higher price at the gasoline pump. Take note of this yourself that the price of gas usually jumps just prior to major summer holidays. Do you still think that prices are not manipulated?

The increased price of oil not only drives up the price of gasoline, but also everything else. Food will cost more because of increased transportation costs. This also affects most other markets as well, so inflation as a whole goes up. In previous posts in this blog (November 20, 2007), it is important to understand the distinction of core inflation and real inflation. Core inflation, which is reported on news programs, measures the prices of selected consumer goods, but excludes the costs of food and energy. Thus, this figure means very little because everyone is truly affected by the price of food and gas. Therefore, they use this to core inflation number to soften and confuse the public on the real effects. Real inflation is well into double digits.

Has your pay or investment returns increased by double digits this year? If they haven't, you have less money to buy the needed things, let alone the other purchases you make on a routine basis. How long can you continue to have less and be forced to spend more? That is why inflation is really an invisible tax, affecting everyone. The Federal Reserve has so much more power than most people realize.

This blog is an excellent starting point for you to understand how these things affect you and what actions you can take. Your future really depends on it, whether you realize it or not. I'm available for personal consultation to your questions and have solutions to your situation. As always, the choice is yours.

A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge,
but the simple keep going and suffer for it. Proverbs 22:3 (NIV)

If you have comments or questions, please feel free to contact me at the address below.
Email: DeltaInspire@panama-vo.com