Technology and You

Beware of 'fun' Web surveys

Tell me 10 things about your favorite pet ... or answer these 20 fun questions about yourself.

You might think this kind of email or Web form is a fun way to communicate with friends, but beware. Unscrupulous people could well use these forms to solicit personal information about you or your children.

A question about your favorite color might pose no problem, but a question asking your pet or children's names is dangerous.

Part of the problem is that people forward these surveys, leaving lots of email addresses in the text of the email. Once a criminal has an email address and matching personal information, he or she can experiment with your bank account password, or even lure your kids into a private chat based on the information.

Best bet: Don't fill out personal surveys on a Website or an email and never forward them.

PCs for the third world

Engineers have developed simple computers that can be purchased for about $200. They are designed for use in the world's poorest countries.

While most computers call for a reliable and clean supply of electrical power, the Jhai Foundation computer uses less than a third of the power of modern computers. It can be hooked up to whatever power supply happens to be available, like a guy on a stationary bike pedaling to power a generator.

Because flooding is a problem in many countries, the machine is waterproof and contained in a sealed metal box.