Q:Are smart phones vulnerable to the same kinds of security problems that plague PCs, and if so, what can users do to avoid them?

A: Android phones are becoming fertile ground for viruses and other malware. So far, iPhones have not been particularly vulnerable, partly because the iPhone operating system is harder to crack than the Android system, which is built on open-source software. And until recently, Apple did a better job of monitoring new apps for its App Store than Google did for the Android Play Store.

While PCs are infected mainly via e-mail attachments or nefarious websites, phones are at risk mostly from apps that carry malware surreptitiously. Installing such an app sets the malware loose, whereupon it may do nasty stuff like stealing passwords, harvesting contact information, even hijacking online accounts.

Fortunately, Android users can download security apps from the Play Store that offer some protection from malware. Good free choices include Avast Free Mobile Security, and Zoner Anti-Virus Free.

Common sense also can help. If you download apps or programs from third-party websites, you could be asking for trouble. Stick to the App Store.

Q:I'm starting a small business selling custom-made handbags and other fashion accessories, and I need to get a website to showcase and sell my wares. What's the easiest, least expensive way to do that?

A: There are several ways to get a website for your new business. You could pay a designer to build you a professional-looking site, but that can be expensive. You could build your site with inexpensive Web-design software such as Web Easy Professional ($49.95 from avanquest.com) or Visual Site Designer ($49 from coffeecup.com). In my experience, those programs, and others like them, make a lot of compromises to enable beginners to use them, and in the end, they aren't that easy to use, especially if you want to veer away from stock templates.

Big Web-hosting sites like GoDaddy.com, FatCow.com and Hostmonster.com offer free tools for building websites, but they usually end up looking amateurish.

The best option may be a new breed of online services that flip the script: Instead of touting themselves as hosting companies, they put the emphasis on making it easy to build an attractive website, while also offering hosting and domain registration. This gang includes Weebly.com, 1and1.com, and Websitebuilder.intuit.com. You should be able to get a basic e-commerce site, including domain and hosting, for around $30 a month.

Q:I would like to print photos that last a very long time without fading or discoloring. Is there special long-lasting ink or paper that I can use in my HP all-in-one printer?

A: Printers targeted at consumers, including all-in-ones, don't usually accept archival ink cartridges. However, you can use archival paper, which would help preserve your photos. Regular photo paper contains acid, which causes the paper to turn yellow and become brittle over time. Archival paper has a neutral PH level or is slightly alkaline, making it less likely to degrade.

That said, you don't really need special ink or paper to create long-lasting photos. If you use manufacturer's ink cartridges and premium photo paper, you can count on photos framed under glass and out of the sun to last a lifetime, and if you keep photos in an album away from light, they could still be in good shape in 200 years. Then your descendants could take them to "Antiques Roadshow" in the 23rd century.

Q:I heard that Microsoft will offer Windows 8 upgrades to Windows 7 users for $14.99. Is that worthwhile?

A: You're going to be disappointed by this answer. First, the $15 upgrade will be available only for Windows 7 computers purchased between June 2 and the end of January 2013. If you bought your Windows PC earlier than June 2, you'll have to buy the regular upgrade after Windows 8 comes out later this year. The price for that hasn't been announced.

It remains to be seen whether the upgrade is worth even $15 to a current Windows 7 user. Windows 8 is a radical departure from Microsoft's traditional approach to the operating system. It resembles the new Windows system for mobile phones, but on steroids. And it's geared toward tablets and touch screen laptops, not conventional desktop PCs.

There are elements of Windows 7 that remain in Windows 8, but they're not front and center. Microsoft appears to be betting the company on mobile computing and the cloud. Not a bad bet, but perhaps not a good deal for Windows 7 users.

Got a question about computing? E-mail David Einstein at Einstein.dave@gmail.com.