If you’ve been downloading programs and stuff from the Internet, you must have come across the term shareware and freeware at one point in time. Most of us don’t know the difference between shareware and freeware. Freeware is pretty easy to explain…it’s free to use, that’s all there is to it. Freeware is developed by an individual or a small company for the free use of others. Freeware and shareware are often downloadable from the Internet from sites like www.download.com.

Well, a shareware is actually a software developed by an individual or a company for a public domain that is available for use for a small fee. This small fee that we’re talking about is usually a very small, one-time-fee that won’t be more than what your dinner would cost. Depending on the developer of the shareware, usually sharewares are pretty funky and efficient. Because most of these shareware developers are not restricted with stringent rules and boundaries (and red tapes) like large software development companies, they are free to develop the shareware to meet with the demands of people like them. And often times, sharewares are pretty good.

Sharewares, unlike freewares, are protected by copyright laws. Usually, you can download the shareware from the internet for free use for a short period of time. This is called the ‘demo’ or ‘evaluation’ period. If the evaluation period is 15-days, you can freely use the shareware for 15 days without paying anything and when the 15 days is over, the shareware will automatically be disabled. You’ll need to pay the registration fee to continue using the shareware program. Once you’ve paid and registered the shareware, you’re eligible for technical assistance and upgrades.

You can copy and share the shareware with your friends and family but they would have to go through the same thing you have. Sharewares, remember, are not free. If they don’t register the shareware, they won’t be able to use the shareware when the evaluation period is over.

Sharewares are generally safe to use but there are those who embed harmful files into their download folders. When downloading sharewares, take a good look at the developer and check their background. The shareware developer should have a good reputation and a long history of developing shareware. Some unscrupulous people actually place adwares, malwares, worms, and spywares into the shareware. So, be careful.

Dakota Caudilla, journalist, and website builder Dakota Caudilla lives in Texas. He is the owner and co-editor of http://www.software-and-everything-else.com on which you will find a longer, more detailed version of this article.

"Pfishing", sometimes spelled "Phishing", is a word that’s used to describe a method of identity theft where con men use fake e-mail that looks like it comes from legitimate sources. This e-mail is designed to hoodwink you into giving out personal and financial information. Once the scammers receive your information they use it to either clone your identity or to empty out your bank accounts and run up your charge cards. Here are some tips on how to avoid becoming the next victim.

1. Never respond to an e-mail that looks like it came from your bank or any of your credit card issuers no matter how official it appears. Phishing scam e-mails will tell you that there is some problem with your account and that you have to click on an embedded link to correct that problem. They may threaten to close your account, or report you to the credit bureau, if you do not respond. DON’T DO IT. Don’t call the telephone number that appears in the email either. Get out one of your old bank or credit card statements and call the number that appears there. Explain what the email says and follow the directions that you receive from the actual employee. Chances are they’ll tell you its a scam.

2. Never give your bank account information, credit card numbers, Social Security number, passwords, personal identification numbers (PIN), or Date of Birth to anyone who asks you for that information by email. No legitimate company will expect you to reveal sensitive information via email. Also, no company that issues you a PIN will ever ask you to reveal that PIN to any of their employees.

3. Never respond to any offer to buy anything by clicking on the link in the e-mail. Even if the e-mail looks like it comes from your favorite department store it might be a scam. To avoid being hooked by Pfishing, type in the URL to the department store by yourself. Go to Google.com to look it up if you don’t already know it.

4. Forward copies of any Pfishing email to the actual company or bank that is being imitated by the scammers. You can usually send any email to postmaster@ and then the bank or company name.

5. If a Pfishing e-mail seems particularly threatening or worrisome to you, report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (www.ifccfbi.gov), a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center.

6. If it’s too late and you already provided any of your personal information, account numbers, or PINs then you should immediately contact your banks and credit card companies to make arrangements with them to protect your financial interests. These companies and institutions are familiar with these scams and they know what needs to be done.

7. If you receive evidence of identity theft, such as unauthorized charges on your credit card bills, or unexplained transactions in your bank account, contact the police and file a report. Be sure to get a copy of the report for your own records and to send to the companies that are involved in the transactions. You also need to contact all three major credit bureaus (Equifax at 800-525-6285, Experian at 888-397-3742 and TransUnion at 800-680-7289) and tell them that you need a fraud alert placed on your credit file.

8. You can get information on ID theft and Pfishing at the Federal Trade Commission Web site at www.ftc.gov or calling toll-free 877-382-4357.

Copyright © 2004 Cavyl Stewart. Discover 52 Ways To Do More With Software by signing up for my exclusive Free ecourse. Get resources, tips, reviews and recommendations you can use right now to help you achieve more, easier, and cheaper! 100% Original content. Visit: http://www.find-small-business-software.com/52ways.html