Computer Tips & Tricks

• Install windows updates
• Select Start, All Programs, Windows Updates
• Allow it to scan your PC for necessary updates, and choose Express install.
• Turn on automatic updates
• Right click My Computer
• Select Properties
• On the Automatic Updates tab, select Automatic
• Use antivirus software that updates automatically
• www.mcafee.com
• www.symantec.com
• Use a spyware blocker
• Ad-aware - www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/
• Spybot Search & Destroy - www.spybot.info/en/spybotsd/index.html
• Microsoft Defender –

www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

• Enable your Windows firewall.
• Right Click My Network Places, select Properties
• Select Change Windows Firewall settings
• Select On
• Use an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS).

Basic troubleshooting:

• Always reboot before calling tech support.
• Check your physical connections – disconnect and reconnect them.
• Take the time to think about what has changed that could have caused the problem.
• System Restore – allows you to undo changes to your computer.  It does not undo changes to personal files.
• To make sure system restore is turned on, Right Click My Computer, select Properties, and make sure “Turn off System Restore” is unchecked on the System Restore tab.
• To restore to an earlier time, choose Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Restore, and follow the instructions provided.
• Backups!!!!!
• Windows XP backup – Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Backup Utility.
• Pay attention to error messages.  Write them down, or retrieve them by right clicking on My Computer, Manage, Event Viewer, look at logs.
• Remember to read your screen.  Don’t indiscriminately click OK.

Things not to click on:

• Spyware

• Spyware, or adware, are programs that are installed on your PC that will cause multiple popups, redirect your Internet browser, and can slow your PC down to a crawl.

• How does it happen?  It usually happens by browsing to an unsavory site.  Peer to peer sites, adult-oriented sites, etc…  Be careful where you browse.  Have you seen the window that pops up and you have to click something on the window to close it?  You may actually be prompting a spyware install, when you click on the link that says “Close”.  Close the window with the X.  In some cases, the X is faked.  If the cursor looks like a hand when you hover over the X, it is a link, not actually the close button.  In this case, right click on the window in the taskbar and choose Close.

• Malicious emails
• Do not click on links in suspicious emails.
• Do not respond to requests for information via emails from someone you don’t know.
• If you think an email is a scam or hoax, it probably is.  Check with your IT staff, or research it online.  Put a few words of the email in a google search.

How do you KNOW it’s safe to buy something online?

• Shop at reputable companies.  Amazon, Best Buy, Barnes & Noble, buy.com, etc…  If you absolutely must buy something at a place you’ve never heard of, use common sense.

• Make sure the URL says https://    The ‘s’ signifies it is a secure connection.  Another way to know you have a secure connection is if you see the golden padlock in the bottom right hand corner of your browser.  See below

                                    

• Use secure passwords.  The most commonly used passwords are:
• God
• Secret
• Password
• Child or partner’s name
• Birthdays
• Sports team
• Celebrity or band

• Don’t use the same password for all sites… they are not created equal.  Remember, if you use the same user name and password for your online banking, as you do for your subscription to the XBOX cheat code site.  The hackers at the XBOX cheat code site now have your banking name and password.  Also, consider setting up an alternate free email account to cut down on spam.

• Pay by credit card.  If you do, your transaction is covered by the Fair Credit Billing Act.  In the event of unauthorized use, you are generally only liable for the first $50 in charges.

Great sites, some fun, some useful:

• www.switchboard.com – look up phone numbers.
• www.webopedia.com – easy to understand information on technical terms.
• www.howstuffworks.com  – hundreds of articles detailing how things work.
• www.urbandictionary.com  – definitions of slang terms.
• www.gasbuddy.com  – current gas prices throughout the United States.
• www.noslang.com  – translate instant messenger acronyms.
• www.ehow.com  – thousands of articles on how to do anything.

Useful utilities:

• Google toolbar – allows you to run a Google search without going to google.com.  Also blocks popups, enables auto fill, and easy searching within a site.
• www.download.com – extensive repository of shareware and demo applications.
• Google Earth – satellite imagery map system.

Eny qution conect my mail!
lavan17.1.1992@gmail.com