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The following information is offered in good faith but
no responsibility is accepted for "bad outcomes" as a result
of its use.
Always seek professional help if you are in any doubt.
Keep detailed records:
The first step you need to perform is to take an inventory of your computer system. This information will be vital if you later have to seek technical support or have your system serviced.
Start by noting your serial number and model number. With this information, your system manufacturer can determine the components of your system. If you've added components to your system, note the model and version numbers of the components. You'll find this information in the documentation that accompanies add-on hardware.
Beyond these basics, you need to get details of your system's configuration. On Windows PCs, this means copying and printing a few important system files that will come in handy if you later have a problem or need to speak to a tech-support person.
The simplest way to preserve your system configuration files is to run the Sysedit program. With Windows 95/98/ME, click on Start, RUN, type SYSEDIT in the blank window, and click OK. It will bring up all your system files -- from AUTOEXEC.BAT to SYSTEM.INI -- in Wordpad windows. From there, you can save them to a floppy disk and print them out. In Windows 3.1, you'll find the Sysedit icon in the Main group. With Windows XP/2000, you can go into Accessories, System Tools, System Information to find and print this important data.
1. Upgrade your operating system. The newest version of any operating system is generally the safest.
* Microsoft Windows Vista is ideal but Windows XP
with Service Pack 2 is good.
* Windows 2000 is okay.
*
Windows 95, 98, ME or NT should be upgraded.
2. Switch to Firefox. You probably heard of the Firefox browser released by Mozilla. If you are currently using Internet Explorer, you are probably wondering if Firefox is better and why is it better. In order to answer these questions it is necessary to take a look at all the benefits that Firefox offers you as a user.
First of all, Firefox is free, which is definitely a plus. It is an open-source web browser based on the Mozilla code foundation and will work for Windows, Linux and MacOS X operating systems. These are the technical specification, but what is more interesting to you as a user is that Firefox is very fast, secure, and is easy to use and navigate. The user interface is straightforward and uncomplicated.
There are numerous benefits that Firefox has. One of them is the popup blocking capability. You no longer have to see all those frustrating popup windows since the browser will take cake of them. You also don’t need an alternative popup blocker program. Firefox also allows you to use tabs to open new web pages instead of using a new window. This feature is similar to the one that Netscape offers. However, with the Firefox, you can also open web pages in the background.
If you are trying to download some file, it will be automatically saved to your desktop. If you are using Google search engine for your search needs, you will appreciate the built in Google toolbar. Your Firefox toolbar will also include usual features like bookmarks, history, and text size and is customizable to include additional tools and features. If you would like to have an access to an email client you will need to download the Mozilla Thunderbird mail client software.
You don’t have to be a computer professional to install this new browser. The installation and setup are very simple and straightforward and were designed to minimize the amount of work that needs to be done by the user. All your settings will be imported into Firefox. For example, you will see the same favorites as you saw when using Internet Explorer. Firefox is also available in several languages so if you prefer to use some other language then English, you can just install your language version of this browser.
In addition to all the benefits described above, Firefox browser is also offering you a higher level of security. For example, spyware and adware programs cannot automatically install in the Firefox browser.
3. Get a firewall. A firewall protects you against bad hackers, some viruses and some spyware. It can also stop your computer being hijacked and used to infect other machines or send spam emails.
* In Windows XP, switch on Windows Firewall.
*
If you use a broadband internet connection, consider getting a router that has
a built-in firewall.
* For older operating systems,
get a commercial firewall from a reputable company.
4. Use anti-virus software. Anti-virus software continually scans your computer for viruses. It also checks incoming email and web sites for viruses. It is not included in your operating system so you will need to get and install a copy. Anti-virus companies include Symantec and McAfee.
* Make sure your anti-virus software is automatically
updated to identify new threats as they emerge.
*
Keep your subscription current. An out-of-date virus scanner is no use at all.
*
Don’t open attachments in emails from people you don’t know.
5. Stay up-to-date. Because the "bad guys" discover new ways to attack computers on a regular basis you also need to update your computer’s operating system (the Windows software which makes it work). This helps stop worms attacking your computer but can also deliver other performance and security improvements.
* Go to Microsoft's Windows Update site and install
all the recommended patches.
* Keep anti-virus software
and other applications up-to-date.
6. Prevent spyware. In most cases a firewall and anti-virus software will not prevent spyware. You need additional software to keep it at bay.
* Be careful about programs you download and install.
Are you certain that they won't harbour unwanted extra programs or advertisements?
*
Don’t install software from an unknown or untrustworthy source.
*
Be careful about which websites you visit. Are they trusted? Are they reputable?
* Get an anti-spyware program and keep it up to
date. Products include: Microsoft Anti-spyware, Spyware Blaster, Spy
Sweeper, Spybot Search and Destroy and AdAware.
7. Secure your wireless network. If you have a Wi-Fi (wireless) network, check the instructions that came with it and do the following:
* Switch on the built-in WPA or WEP encryption to
prevent casual eavesdropping.
* Rename the network
(the SSID) and switch off SSID broadcast so people can’t find your network too
easily.
* Use MAC filtering to restrict access to
trusted computers.
8. Filter out unwanted 'spam' email. There are a number of tactics which can reduce the volume of spam you receive.
* Don’t click on anything in a spam email, even to
“unsubscribe.” If possible, don’t even open it.
*
Use a throwaway email address for trivial online registrations.
*
Consider using an email client with a built-in spam filter or buying an add-in
spam filter program.
* Don’t fall for online hoaxes,
check suspicious claims carefully.
9. Backups. Make a regular backup of your important data, store it in a different location and check that it is actually backing up the right data by doing a trial restore from time to time.
Manually Install Backup in Windows XP Home Edition. The Backup utility is not included in the default installation of Windows XP Home Edition. The Backup icon is not present on the Start menu in Windows XP Home Edition, nor is Backup listed in Add/Remove Programs for Windows XP Home Edition. The backup program is found on the Windows XP Home Edition CD in the Valueadd folder.
To manually install Backup
* Double-click the Ntbackup.msi file in the following
location on the Windows XP Home Edition CD to start a wizard that
installs Backup: CD-ROM Drive:\VALUEADD\MSFT\NTBACKUP
*
When the wizard is complete, click Finish.
10. Physical security.
* Security mark your computers and other valuables.
*
Keep a note of all the serial numbers.
* Think about
locks, window locks, alarms and so on to make your home safer.
*
Don’t leave discarded computer boxes outside your home – it’s an advert to burglars.
*
Use a security lock for laptops.
* Keep laptops in
a nondescript but padded bag.
Online crime comes in many forms:
1. Avoid identity theft
* Never give anyone your user ID, PIN or password,
even if they appear to be a representative of a trusted firm.
*
Be particularly wary of emails that appear to come from banks, credit card or
other trusted companies asking you to update
your security information.
* Always type the web
address of trusted websites into the browser yourself. Don’t click on links
in emails.
* Don’t enter personal or financial information
unless the web address starts with ‘https://’ and there is a small padlock
in the frame of the web browser window.
*
Use "strong" passwords.
2. Avoid fraud
* If an email offer sounds too good to be true, it
probably is don’t let conmen trick you.
* Don’t give
out personal information unless you initiated the contact and you are sure you
know who you’re dealing with.
* Be wary of anything
that tries to alter your dial-up internet access.
3. Buy and sell online safely
If buying from an online auction, ask the seller questions, check feedback on the seller from other users and consider paying via a reputable escrow service if the value of the sale justifies it.
Use a trusted means of payment that will give you some recourse in the event of fraud.
Relevant for: PC REPAIRS UK, PC SUPPORT UK, PC SERVICE UK, COMPUTER REPAIRS UK, COMPUTER SUPPORT UK, COMPUTER SERVICE UK
We soon hope to offer service providers in: Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, Cleveland, Cornwall, Cumberland (Cumbria), Derbyshire, Devon,Dorset, Durham, East Ridings Of Yorkshire, Essex, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Herefordshire, Hertfordshire, Huntingdonshire, Isle Of Man, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, London, Middlesex, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Northamptonshire, Northumberland, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Rutland, Shropshire, Somerset, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Surrey, Sussex, Tyne and Wear, Warwickshire, West Yorkshire, Westmorland, Wiltshire, Wirral, Worcestershire and Yorkshire.
Page design and directory concept copyright 2009 Radical Solutions (Bristol)