You Need Your Computer Today: Fill & Download for Free

Back in the eighties, we were lucky.A typical computer today is complicated and entirely geared towards content consumption. A kid’s first computer might be an iPad, which while you can learn to program on that, it also comes with the constant distraction of Facebooks, apps, games, notifications and all the rest of it.It’s kind of sad because I think the iPad Pro in particular could be a really great first computer and learning device.The eighties were different, you got an 8 bit microcomputer, and it really didn’t do all that much, so lots of people decided to learn how they worked.They often came with a programming manual in the box:Even ring bound so it lays flat on the desk!You can see this guide as a PDF here:https://www.retro-kit.co.uk/user/custom/Acorn/8bit/BBCMicro/manuals/BBCMicroUserGuide.pdfSo the computers came with everything you needed to learn how to program them. Not only that, they were massively simpler than any computer you’ll buy today. Even a Raspberry Pi is 100 times more complicated, at least.The computers were basic, non-intimidating, and perhaps importantly, they were sort of the “intellectual level” of a child, those 8 bit micros were primitive, but so is an 8 year old kid.So if you started learning in the eighties, the whole microcomputer scene was geared up for that. Magazines didn’t talk about colours of iPhones, they came with guides on how to program your computer.Today it’s different, the computer has matured into a complex content consumption device, and there is very little energy directed at getting kids to understand how to program them.The upside is that these days we have the Internet and huge amounts of tutorial content, but not much of it is directed at children, i.e. under 10 years old or so.

Me: Listen, today I have been given a task to complete this complex module. I have to code. Let's rock the world. :DComputer: So that means, I have to open innumerable tabs on Google Chrome and my Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V are gonna die out of continuous hit.Me: I hate you!Computer: No, I hate you more.Computer: Don't try to act over smart. You can't press Ctrl+Alt+Del with a single hand.Me: Shut up! I know that.Computer: Listen! We need to talk.Me: What's the matter?Computer: CPU is the acronym of Central Processing Unit. It is also called as the Brain of Computer.Me: I know that already.Computer: If you know that already then please take your foot off the CPU.Me: Ok. Don't overreact.

STOP. Turn off the computer. Do it now. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200. Turn it off now and continue reading this answer on your phone or something.Your son was actually talking about a Key logger, not a key “clogger”.A key logger is a computer program that runs in the background, records every key you press on the keyboard, and sends it to a third party. What this means is that some hacker somewhere now knows everything you type, including account passwords, financial details, credit card and debit card information, and anything else you may or may not have typed after opening that email. Chances are he'll either use this information directly to steal your identity or parts there of, or he'll sell this information to someone who wants it for money.So, here's what you need to do:Stop using the infected laptop entirelyThank your son for warning you about the email , explain to him what you've done for the computer, and apologize profusely for it. Then, ask him for help with reinstalling Windows (or Mac OS if you use a Mac) and doing what's necessary to purge the infected laptop. It seems sorta like he knows what he's doing, given he was able to warn you not just that the email wasn't safe, but also how it wasn't safe and exactly which one it was. Tell him he has a bright future as a cyber security specialist or systems administrator if he continues to research and learn more about how people attack computers to gain information or hange things. In fact, offer to reward or pay him for making absolutely sure your computer has been purged of the virus. Just make sure to back up your important data.Take a day off from work. Your job today is to take back control of your information and accounts and all that. Its cyber pearl harbor you're facing right now, and if you want your stuff to be safe, you need to act now without any distractions.Take a mental note of every sensitive piece of info you typed into the computer after opening the infected email. These are all the things you need to go about protecting today.For each credit/debit card number you typed in, call the bank and tell them to freeze that account because it is compromised.Change ALL your account passwords, not just the ones you typed in. It never hurts to change the password occasionally. This includes email accounts and all that. Make sure the passwords are unique and long, so that they're difficult for a computer or person to guess.Enable 2-step or 2-factor authentification on every account you can. This is where, to log in, you type your password, get a code on your phone via an app or text message, and type in the code to log in. Now attackers would need your password and your phone to break your accounts.If you ever typed in your social security number, it’s exposed now.Your son can probably advise you on the rest. He lives with you and knows you well, while I don't. Seriously though, he deserves a reward for his foresight and efforts as a security warrior.