STAYING PROTECTED

The Future Of Mac Computing

James Flynn, Milborne Port Computers

passwords that include a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. Consider using a password manager to help generate and store strong passwords for all your accounts.

Use two-factor authentication

This feature is very handy and sometimes a pain when you’re in a hurry to access either a website or computer but well worth it. Two-factor authentication is an added layer of security that requires you to provide two forms of identification to access your account. This feature can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorised access to your accounts, even if an attacker has your password.

Avoid suspicious emails and websites

We all get those emails that come through from popular companies or shopping websites but cybercriminals often use emails or websites to distribute malware, spyware, or viruses. To avoid falling victim to these scams, never click on links or download attachments from unknown sources. Always verify the sender of an email or the URL of a website before clicking on any links.

Back up your data

Regularly backing up your data is a crucial step in protecting yourself from data loss due to a cyber-attack or system failure. Ensure you regularly back up your files to an external hard drive or cloud storage service, so you always have access to your data in case of an emergency.

We all live busy lives but keeping your PC secure requires a combination of tools, software and best practices. By following these basic steps, you can significantly enhance your PC’s security and reduce the risk of cyber-attacks and data breaches.

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Rest In Peace

Bill Bennette, Sherborne Scribblers

It was a miserable, cold and windy day as Phoebe made her way to Euston station to take a pre-booked high-speed train to Edinburgh to attend her father’s funeral. When she heard the news of his unexpected death, her first thoughts were relief that her painful relationship with him was over.

How well she could remember returning home some ten years earlier to find her mother in a state of shock and red-eyed.

‘What on earth is the matter, Mum? You look terrible. When I left this morning, we were both so excited to be going to the Adelphi tonight to see your friend Flora in The Corn is Green.’

‘It’s that cruel father of yours. He had the cheek to turn up here without warning and announce that he was marrying that tart of a secretary of his and wants an instant, no-fuss divorce. Not that I have any feelings left for that swine, it’s what he spluttered in the process.’

‘Well come on Mum, out with it.’

‘I was told that if I made the slightest objection, he would take you out of his will and serve notice on me to vacate the house for which I paid more than half, during our unhappy marriage. It was also laid down how we would be expected to treat that little madam – to always be friendly and affable.’

All these thoughts and many others raced through Phoebe’s mind as she arrived at Euston early enough to buy a newspaper and coffee before she boarded the train. The service and cremation were at 4.30pm that afternoon and she had timed her trip so that she would have no time to engage in any meaningful conversation with her evil stepmother. Her return trip was at 7.12pm.

It was important that she pay her last respects to her dad, having felt ambivalence towards him most of her life. She had found herself in the middle of terrible arguments, but never took sides. Mother had died only a year previously, so was spared any additional trauma with his passing.

Then Phoebe spotted the departures display.

‘Due to an incident near Birmingham, the 11.47 to Edinburgh has been delayed.’

She raced to the ticket office to make enquiries about other routes she might take to reach Edinburgh in time for the service. There was a huge queue and the many flustered and irate passengers added to the tension. When it eventually became her turn, it was soon clear that there was no way she could make it.

She nervously dialled her stepmother.

‘Hello Mildred, I am so sorry, but I will not make it to the chapel and crematorium by 4.30pm. My train has been badly delayed and I will get there after it is all over.’

‘Oh, don’t bother dear. That dreadful dad of yours didn’t want you to come. On his deathbed when he had been given a short time to live, he was emphatic that I should call you to tell you not to come. He always completely ignored me and was an arrogant pig, so I left it and hoped it would annoy him to see you there if he could. One never knows how much the dead know. To wind him up, I am taking my new bloke to the funeral; serves the selfish so-and-so right.’

‘I am sorry for your loss,’ said Phoebe as she hung up. She wondered how her father’s relationship with Mildred had turned so sour and if she would receive anything in his will. Not expecting anything herself, she was surprised to be called to a meeting at a lawyer’s office in Gray’s Inn a few days later.

Dressed demurely, on arrival she found herself alone in a large beautifully furnished room. Whoever ‘Edwin Pope’ was, he must have cost Dad a fortune. She did not have long to consider her destiny.

A dashing, tall man entered, introduced himself as Ed Pope and before reading the will in detail told Phoebe, ‘You are a very rich woman.’ In brief, her father had left her everything and a sealed envelope. In a complete state of shock, she opened the letter and almost immediately, felt tears running down her cheeks.

Dearest Phoebe,

You will know that your mother and I never really worked well together, nor as good parents to you. She was always overprotective of you and we both used you as a pawn in our constant fights, whenever we disagreed, which we always did.

My marriage to Mildred was an utter disaster. We should never have met, let alone become married. She tricked me by saying she was pregnant. I tried many times to meet with Mum to see if we could mend our rift, but she wasn’t having any of it. I never stopped loving you and have left you everything I worked for over so many years. Please try and forgive me for the pain I have caused you.

I wish you only joy and happiness.

Much love,

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ACROSS

1. Card game (8)

5. Appendage (4)

9. Flatten on impact (5)

10. Loving deeply (7)

11. Disregarding the rules (5,3,4)

13. Of inferior quality (6)

14. Connective tissue (6)

17. Act of sending a message (12)

20. Cigarette constituent (7)

21. The beginning of an era (5)

22. Utters (4)

23. Common insect (8)

Down

1. Burst or break (4)

2. Volcanic crater (7)

3. Branch of astronomy (12)

4. Changes; modifies (6)

6. Nimble (5)

7. Gets brighter (8)

8. Vagrancy (12)

12. Written laws (8)

15. Decline gradually (4-3)

16. Japanese robe (6)

18. Monastery church (5)

19. Dairy product (4)