About me

My name is Bill Hely and I’m a technologist, consultant and author living in Brisbane, Australia. I assembled my first computer in a plywood case almost 30 years ago (that’s it at left), long before there was any such thing as a “PC”. That was the beginning of a fascination with computers and information technology that morphed into a long and successful career.

After gaining a wide range of experience with various IT companies, I went freelance for 2 decades, advising and supporting small business operators in Information Technology and Office Productivity issues.

Today I limit my 1-on-1 consulting work to security and the Internet, and to a small, select group of long-term clients.

But my main interest now is in creating, maintaining and supporting educational materials for the people who need help the most. They are the individuals and small business operators who don’t have the luxury of on-tap professional computer support staff.

In recent years I have translated my knowledge and experience into several very special eBooks. Some would classify them as “technical” books, but in fact they are quite the opposite. My goal is to make important technical topics understandable to the non-technical reader, so in that context I guess you could call them “non-technical books”. I’m proud to say they have been well received by all types from beginners to professionals.

My best known publication is “The Hacker’s Nightmare“, first published in 2003 and repeatedly enhanced and updated since then. It now stands unchallenged as the #1 plain-language guide to computer and Internet security. Together with its companion guide “Seven Steps to a Clean PC” they are a must-have resource for every user of a Windows computer.

This website, Computer and Online Security, is maintained as a general information resource, early warning system and support centre for “average” computer users — for people who neither know, nor need to know, all the industry jargon, but who need or desire to keep abreast of developments. It is also an extension of the services I offer through several of my publications.