Ever wonder how an anti-virus software could be downloaded for free, with no service charge? AVG has built its business by offering its security system for free. The problem is, the company is now looking to make money by selling your Internet browsing history to third parties.

Before you get upset about “Big Brother” creeping into your lives and computer surfing habits, keep in mind, most security software companies do state in their terms of service that they can collect this data. But AVG doesn’t specifically mention in their policy that they will sell your browsing history to third parties, so this is where there’s a bit of a gray area.

What makes this especially concerning is that security software typically has access to more private information than other technologies – such as browsing and search history – in order to do its job of protecting your information. Collecting this information and then selling it seems to cross an ethical line, as AVG is taking advantage by sharing the information it is supposed to protect.

As with all businesses you will find companies that offer claims which seem to good to be true, and web hosting is no exception. Claims can range from outright lies, exceptions listed in small print, too just minor annoyances. The main thing to do to protect yourself is to read the Terms and Conditions, and Terms of Use policies, and to understand them. Most hosts display links to these policies at the bottom of their web pages, and on the shopping cart page where you actually sign up for a hosting plan. Other names exist for these policies and there may be a separate legal page for them as well.

I would like to stress that most Web Hosting providers are honest and supply excellent services but it only takes a few bad apples to sour an industry.

With the below list of gotchas I will explain a few things to watch out for when choosing a web hosting service.

Ever had to deal with a computer virus? If so, you know the stress and labor involved with making sure your files are safe and sound – which may mean paying a lot of money for an expert to come in and help you get rid of it.

Keeping up with technology updates is important for the security of our personal data, but can be a little overwhelming, especially when it comes to making sure your computer is safe from harmful viruses. There are plenty of security options available – the real key is understanding the terminology so you can make an informed decision about what is happening should you encounter a problem, and what to do about it.

Following are some terms to get to know, gathered from McAfee security’s website:

Are you ready to start a new diet and exercise plan in January, but worry that your good intentions will slowly fizzle out by the time Valentine’s Day rolls around?

The New Year is a great motivation for us to make changes. We assess our bad habits and make plans to change things over the course of the next year to live happier, healthier lives. The problem is often consistency – we set goals that aren’t realistic, and then we end up falling short and sabotaging our efforts.

Following are some tips for setting fitness goals that stick, so you can see real results:

We all make resolutions about getting fit and staying healthy in the new year, but most of us forget about our promises during the first month of the challenge. By the time Valentine's Day rolls around and delicious chocolates are everywhere, our weight loss goals have been long forgotten.

Well, not this year. This time, things are going to be different, and you can use some of these tips to make sure you stay on track with your goals in 2016:

The New Year is upon us, and that means making resolutions. Whether you want to make a new career move, clean out the garage, or start on a new diet and fitness regime, you aim to accomplish some goals, which is fantastic! But how do you do it, and maintain your dedication past a few weeks?

We all start out with good intentions, but often as the year progresses, we find ourselves going back to our bad habits, giving in to sweets, carbs and other treats that might not be so healthy. Or maybe we talk ourselves out of getting up early to go to the gym. Not to mention – sometimes it feels impossible to lose the weight gained during holiday season, which can really be de-motivating!

So what can you do in the New Year to confidently move forward and stick to a new diet regime, so you can really lose the weight and feel healthier in the process? It’s all about accountability – and seeing your progress.