Access Kenya connecting people to internet

ACCESS Kenya has intensified its efforts to improve internet accessibility to home users so as to connect the east African nation with the entire world.

Apart from working to ensure that the majority of Kenyan residents become proud owners of internet services, Access Kenya’s head of engineering, Raymond Macharia, said his company was also embarking on awareness campaigns to contain spam and viruses.

Among other serious concerns Access Kenya hope to address, especially with the home internet owners, is the issue of internet security following numerous reported cases of hackers, immoral messages and in some cases, pornographic material.

In an interview, Macharia said it was important for home internet users in Kenya and east Africa as whole, to always guard against exposing their children to undesirable information.

Macharia noted that cases of internet security concerns were increasing in most parts of Kenya, arguing that the users should be educated about the internet dangers and solutions to the problems that come with accessing emails and internet.

“Yes, internet comes with its own challenges such as spam, viruses, hackers and pornography, but browsers such as Microsoft Explorer and Mozilla Firefox have their own security measures too.

“Users must ensure that they have updated anti-virus and anti-spam software to keep their computers safe. Home users should make sure that the antivirus is up to prevent invasion since manufacturers of computer software keep on looking for new threats, and they send updates of their antivirus,” said Macharia.

The information and communication technology (ICT) expert also urged the Kenya community not to open suspicious messages from strange sources, as they would normally carry viruses.

“Take action whenever you see a notice on your screen that your files are not safe from infection. In terms of children accessing the internet at home, I would like to urge parents to monitor what their children are browsing,” said Macharia.

He urged information technology companies to engage internet security experts to protect their computers and other devices.

BRIAN ADERO in Nairobi, Kenya