"Do's and Dont's" of
Internet browsing
(to help keep your
computer healthy)
updated April 16,
2011
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Attention! You can have the
best anti-virus and firewall program available and still get infected. How? You
have heard the adage, "a computer will do what you tell it to
do". Okay, so you look at me funny
and say, of course I am not going to install a virus, and all that questionable
stuff, I expect my security software to take care of. That is wishful thinking.
Virus programs do not typically pop up on your screen and say, "hey, I'm a
virus!", they do the opposite (thus the term Trojan). If you click on
something, even to close it out, your security software has possibly just
received an "okay" to let it through.
Following the following
advice will help greatly in keeping your computer safe.
All toolbars are parasites. Some you may choose to live with (ie; eBay Turbo Lister) but if you can live without it, do not install it (or uninstall whichever the case)
Most toolbars are spyware... why risk it - Choose not to have any toolbars.
Do not click on the "Congratulations! You are the Millionth Visitor! Click Here to receive you FREE 42" Plasma HDTV!" The end result will very disappointing and can mess your PC up.
Stay away from FREE; screen savers, simile central (free smiles), wall papers, freeze, mouse coursers, coupon printers, etc. Most of these will install Trojan Viruses or Malware (sometimes just poorly written software) that can cripple your computer or put a strangle hold on it.
Chat ROOM's
(vs. private messaging), where anyone can enter can be bad and your PC can be
completely disabled within 2 minuets of connecting if the wrong person is in
that room. People do it for fun.
Computer running slow? Did you install "Microsoft Updates"? There is a big difference between "Windows Updates" and "Microsoft Updates". Computers with less than significant CPU power and excess RAM, will find their computer choked ~ even to a crippling crawl at times if "Microsoft Updates" are installed. Want to find out? There are a couple ways to check and change settings based on the Windows operating system you have. Just Google; "Microsoft Updates (and your operating system)" and you will find advice on how to check and disable this feature.
If you
download FREE music, videos, games or files using a P2P (peer to peer) system
like; Torrents, Limewire, Bearshare,
Frostware, Aries, etc., you WILL get viruses. Even if
you "purchase" the "pro" version of the software. Don't do
it.
If you "hack" and "crack" (methods and software that helps one cheat or pirate software), using downloaded software, you will most likely get the nastiest viruses.
Know the name
of your installed anti-virus and spyware programs. The most common (we see and
get calls about it every day!) and damaging Trojan Virus out there (known as
the Smitfraud) Masks itself as legitimate security software. If you EVER
experience a window popping up telling you that your computer is
"infected" or at risk of being attacked, starts doing some type of
scan and tries to sell you the fix, DO NOT TOUCH IT! DO NOT EVEN "X" IT OUT!
Enter "Task Manager" (ctl+alt+
Guess what
sites are used aggressively for spreading viruses? Myface and Spacebook (you get the idea.. ).
Be ye careful when deciding to watch a movie sent from a friend, downloading
and installing any application or clicking on any link. The site owners
themselves are not the culprit, but bad guys that use these sites to exploit
the "friends list" to spread viruses.
It is wise to
keep only one Windows account. Why? One account can be clean, the user doing as
necessary to keep it that way, but the other account(s) can have viruses and
bugs that effect the whole computer (all accounts) and the clean account cannot
clean it with installed software.
If you decide
to change that account name, proceed with caution. After you change the account
name, be careful NOT to delete the original account name or any part of it. If
you "add" an account, again, please don't delete the original account.
Windows can get terribly confused because it and all previously installed
programs were installed by the previous account... that was deleted. Confused
Microsoft Windows = frustrated Microsoft Windows user.
Update and
scan with your spyware removers and anti-virus programs relative to your
computer usage. Scan at least once a month for light Internet use and perhaps
once a week for heavier Internet use. Tip: Scanning in "Safe Mode"
will generally give better results in infection removal. To access "Safe
Mode" poke the "F8" key right after you push the power button.
Continue to poke until the "Safe Mode" menu appears. If the Windows
welcome shows up.. you missed it.
It is my opinion that...
·
Those that do many "searches" on the internet run
higher risk of encountering the Smitfraud virus. Review your search results
before clicking.
·
Those that communicate through social networking sites run
higher risk of encountering viruses.
·
Those who click on links and open attachments in emails run
higher risk of encountering viruses.
·
Those who download all the neat stuff they encounter while
browsing the Internet will install adware (pop-ups that NO popup blocker can
stop), malicious software and potentially viruses.
·
Those who are super nice and let anyone use their computer
are prone to have a messed up operating system. Take a collection for the
inevitable repair.
Laptop?
ALWAYS place your laptop on a hard surface that will not smother the breathing
and fan ports. NEVER use the laptop on a bed, carpet or in your lap on top of a
comforter.
Spill on your
laptop? Immediately remove the power plug and mobile battery! If liquid did get
into the laptop DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TURN IT ON and get it to a qualified
technician.
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Allied Computers, Inc.
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