Q: For some years I have used a user friendly UK software program for my personal domestic accounting called HOME ACCOUNTS.  It is not Y2K compatible but I put up with that by knocking 10 years off the date.  However I no longer want to put up with it as it will not send output to a USB printer and I don’t wish to run two printers any more. Could you recommend a suitable program?  I have looked at a few but they all want to include GST and Payroll Tax.  Is there a program anywhere without these?  I hope you can help me.

A: There are dozens if not hundreds available but as I use the basic MYOB program for my consulting business I have not investigated the others. When I selected my program over a decade ago, it was what my accountant was using and it made it easy for me to e-mail the data file to them, after teaching them what to do with attachments in mail. This was at the start of the Internet.

I have looked at what is available by typing into Google: home accounting program +free
and on the first page you will find references to sites that have multiple programs, some with user comments and ratings. My suggestion is that you put in the effort to try two or three to ensure that they have all the features that you need as changing a database system can involve a lot of effort in the future. If GST and tax records are a concern then US programs may not be appropriate.

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Q: Can you tell me what is the difference between a Virus, Trojan, malware & spyware?

A: A Virus is a program that can replicate itself and transmit itself to another computer usually by e-mail but it can be via a floppy, CD or USB drive. It is common for the virus to make some other undesirable effect to your computer at some time in the future.

A Trojan is a program that purports to have done some function that caused you to download it but it can perform some other unwanted function. The main difference between the Trojan and Virus is that the Trojan cannot replicate itself.

Spyware is specific software that resides on your computer and sends information back to some server about your computer contents or surfing habits. It can be delivered by a virus or Trojan.

Malware is a general term to cover all unwanted software and this includes viruses, worms, Trojan horses, rootkits, and spyware.