Computer Security
for Your Jewelry Business

© by Rita Juhlin; all rights reserved

After reading Rena's excellent article about dealing with a disaster "before" it happens I starting thinking about computer security. I know that for a long time I was guilty of not protecting my computer.

Mountain jade and wirework
pendant necklace by Rita Juhlin

I've posted two very reliable and "no charge" computer security programs you can download on my Web Sites Work blog (in the sidebar, under "Your Computer's Health").

I put both of these programs on computers of my accounting clients also.

The programs are really easy to use, just a few menus and choices to deal with. But of course the programs won't do any good if you don't use them.

Not everyone uses a firewall or has their browser set correctly to avoid nasty intruders.

The AVG program will take care of that for you; it runs as a resident while you are connected to the web.

Double row of byzantine weave,
lashed together into a bracelet
by Rita Juhlin

I'm going to take the opportunity here also to get on my soap-box about backing up your work, your jewelry business, your pictures, etc.

Poor me didn't do that before the lightning bolt hit a 100 foot tree next to my building a few years back.

Rena's suggestions about backup are excellent. We all need to take care of business!

Copper hoop de hoop earrings
by Rita Juhlin

Flash drives are great for back ups. (I keep mine in my grab and go bag - I live near Mt. St. Helen's, although I'm not sure where I would go!)

HP came out with a new flash drive for about $100.00 depending on how many gigs you want, 160, 250 or 320. That is A Whole Lot of memory, in case you aren't aware of it.

Like everything 'techie', the prices have come way down. The last 8 gig flash drive I bought was 79.00.

It's amazing how much memory we jewelers use when we take all those beautiful pictures. Especially me, I have to take 10 or 15 pictures to get one that is acceptable. "Photographer I am not!"