There are several ways we can keep an eye on the safety of the computer we are using. One of the most noticeable signs is a frozen or slow computer. Another sign is a software program such as Word will not open despite clicking on the document or installed application. Other possible signs to watch for include missing files, frequent system crashes, unexpected pop-up windows, new applications that were not installed, or a slow web browser that redirects. When noticing these signs, an antivirus program should be used to scan the computer for viruses and remove them. There are many ways that computers have made the world safer. The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that many books, texts and periodicals are now available online. This has a number of benefits: saving trees which help the environment; knowledge is easier to access; and textbooks are easier to obtain and purchase for students. Another huge improvement to life that computers bring is quick communication. Before computers became widespread, communication was limited to telephone and in even earlier days people were dependent on snail mail. In today’s computer age, it is easy to message instantly which people value both personally and professionally. Online banking and bill pay help us daily as we can easily access an account balance or deactivate a lost credit card. Setting up automatic bill pay relieves us from the worry of due dates or the limitation of snail mail. In healthcare, the use of electronic medical records has facilitated patient care because the records are readily accessible and hospitals/physician practices do not have to employ individual staff to organize and locate patient charts. There are also ways computers can make the world less safe. With so many disciplines storing valuable data online, a data breach is always possible. In recent years, foreign players have hacked the US Department of Defense as well as the Department of Personnel and obtained information that could pose a threat to national security. Our dependence on computers and mobile devices also affects our individual health such as eye strain and early head, neck, or shoulder arthritis. Lastly, computers can be a safety concern as it is fairly easy to find a person’s contact information online which could lead to stalking and harassment. The FBI has a warning on their website that sex traffickers are operating on dating websites.