Let’s face it – computers have become an integral part of our lives. Today when shopping for a computer, you will be given choice with several different models, configurations and prices to choose from. Shopping for a computer is no easy task especially for the less tech savvy with several tech jargon in the air, making mistakes rather inevitable.

Whether you’re looking to buy a budget computer or top of the line model, listed below are 5 common mistakes to avoid and by a computer that serves you well.

1. Buying a computer that doesn’t match your needs – if you think a computer is amazing based on the hyperbole surrounding it or simply because it looks good, you are taking the wrong route to computer shopping. It is however right to prioritize certain features both technical and aesthetics when buying a computer, but bottom line is buying one that will satisfy your needs. For example if your needs are basic such as internet browsing or some word processing, investing in a high spec model is not a viable decision.

2. Believing in a single number – when shopping for a computer, there are several numbers that are mentioned and a few that are disregarded. For example, many computer shoppers believe that an i7 processor is better than an i5 and although it is, there are several high quality i5 chips that will knock the socks of their i7 counterparts. So rather than simply focusing on high numbers, it is important to consider the components of the computer and other metrics such as clock speed, hyper threading and cache size.

3. Not knowing what your operating system includes – there are several operating systems to choose from, each with their own set of pros and cons. These include Microsoft Windows, Chrome OS and Linux, and each although may come across as being aesthetically different upon first glance, they do offer different functionality and better yet handle software differently.

Software that works well on your old operating system might be compatible with your new OS and in worse cases software for your new OS might not even be available. For example, Microsoft office will work its best when plugged in to a Windows OS computer, but will function differently when used on a Linux or MAC powered computer.

4. Ignoring missing details – as mentioned before it is wrong to simply favor high numbers when shopping for a computer because small numbers could mean the difference between buying a computer that’s right for your needs and budget and one that offers no real value. For example, if you’re a gaming enthusiast, buying a computer with no graphics card makes no sense. This not only does not serve your purpose of buying a computer to begin with, but will cost you a lot more when you decide to add components are a later time.

5. Thinking components can be added easily – continuing from the last point, adding components at a later point is a costly affair given that you will have to pay technician fees and then for the components as well. Another important point to note is that most computer warranties are voided as soon as you opt for third party technical help to open the computer and install new components.

Other aspects to take into account when buying a computer are software trial expiry dates and shopping around to get the best deal.

One of the largest sectors that relies greatly on information technology is the Healthcare industry. From hospital management, clinical development, regulatory compliance to research and development, technology plays a significant role. Owing to its widespread coverage, services and growing expenditure, this industry is growing at a tremendous pace. However, there are several challenges that continue to plague this sector.

Amongst several odds, two major challenges confronted by this industry include increasing service costs and the compulsion of providing medical care facilities to all sections of society irrespective of their purchasing power. In such a scenario, Information Technology’s role in providing high quality health services is rapidly growing.

With increasing penetration of technology in the healthcare industry, care providers, as well as, patients are enjoying the benefits of on-demand access to medical information as and when required. As the reforms and economy continue to present challenges, advancements in information technology (IT) will help ensure compliance with new legal requirements, besides providing improved patient care at low-cost.

The advantages of Technological Innovation:

1. 1. Data storage management systems are playing a significant role in maintaining patient records in an appropriate, secure, and easily accessible way.

1. 1. Advancements in picture archiving and communications systems, electronic medical records, and computerized physician order entry solutions are being implemented at a rapid pace.

1. 1. Medical practitioners are making rapid use of mobile computing. This has helped care providers to share electronic patient records and other information without delay. This has reduced medical errors significantly and have improved services for patients.

1. For physicians certain solutions such as electronic scanning and maintaining records are being used more than ever before to augment administration efficiency, expedite insurance claim processing, and consolidate management of electronic record.

The growing complexity of modern medicine has paved way for several diagnoses, drugs, medical and surgical procedures that are available today. All this and more have taken patient care and service to the next level. This has resulted in increasing adoption of IT services, which indeed has significantly contributed to overall patient care and service.

Additionally, healthcare providers need to develop a robust IT road-map by adopting systems’ that can provide accurate and meaningful insights from humongous piles of data from different sources. However, to meet the growing demand for technology in this industry, robust IT infrastructure needs to be incorporated. With high-end IT infrastructure support and solutions in place, operational efficiency could be enhanced, processes could be transformed and productivity could be augmented.

The Internet is a gigantic collection of linked networks that span the globe. The networks are connected using routers.

A router is a specialized computer that directs traffic on the Internet. As the Internet consists of hundreds of thousands of smaller networks linked together, the use of routers is absolutely necessary for it to function.

When you want to visit a particular website, you type the address of the site into your web browser. The address goes to the nearest router and the router decides where the required site is on the Internet.

The router also determines the most efficient path through all the networks to reach a particular destination… based on the traffic in different parts of the Internet and the available connections.

Cisco Systems Inc is an American multinational technology company that designs, manufactures, and sells networking equipment including most of the routers used on the internet. In fact, 85 percent of Internet traffic travels through Cisco’s systems.

Hacked routers

Security firm FireEye announced recently that its researchers have discovered malware (dubbed SYNful) on 14 Cisco routers in the Ukraine, the Philippines, Mexico and India.

SYNful replaces the operating system used in Cisco’s network equipment and thus opens a back door that provides a permanent foothold inside a targeted network.

This enables the hackers to harvest vast amounts of data while going undetected by existing cyber security defenses, according to Mandiant, FireEye’s computer forensic arm.

Cisco have confirmed that it has alerted its customers to these hacking attacks and said that it was working with Mandiant to develop ways for customers to detect the attacks.

Indeed Cisco has published intrusion detection signatures that customers can use to look for attacks in progress which, if found, can then be blocked.

If successful attacks are detected, customers will have to re-image the software used to control their routers.

It is highly probable that many other instances of these hacks have not been discovered, according to FireEye. Indeed it is likely that the infected routers are being used to infect other parts of the Internet.

Because the implanted software duplicates the normal functions of routers it could also affect routers from makers other than Cisco.

How bad is the threat?

Routers operate outside the perimeter of firewalls, anti-virus and other security tools used by organizations to safeguard data traffic.

This means that the estimated US$80 billion spent every year on cyber security tools is money down the drain where this form of attack is concerned.

According to Cisco, SYNful does not take advantage of any vulnerability in its own software. Instead it steals valid network administration credentials from the organizations targeted by the hackers so that it can install itself or it can be installed when the hackers gain physical access to Cisco routers.

No matter how it is installed, if a hacker seizes control of a router then he has control over the data of all the companies and government organizations that flow through that router.

According to FireEye, the affected routers have been used to hit multiple industries and government agencies. The company also says that the router logs indicate that the hacks began well over a year ago.

So what does all this imply for the ordinary consumer, who does his or her shopping and banking online?

The answer depends on who the hackers are working for.

The USA’s global spy agency, the NSA (National Security Agency), has a habit of intercepting networking equipment and installing backdoors before the equipment reaches customers.

This came to light in May 2014. In 2015, Cisco began offering to deliver this kind of equipment directly to customers in order to avoid interception by the NSA or other miscreants.

The latest findings from FireEye suggest that the miscreants, whoever they are, are managing to implant malware on routers no matter how they are being delivered.

While it is likely that the NSA or some other state actor is the culprit, this is not at all certain, even though FireEye says that interception could only be done a handful of sovereign states. In this writer’s view, the miscreants could well be a criminal gang intent on commercial gain.

Perhaps it would be as well to check with you bank to see whether they have any reservations regarding online banking in the light of these revelations.