Try these useful tips:

• Install a battery backup.

  •     Surge protectors are great for protecting your computer against voltage SPIKES, but they do nothing to protect you against brownouts and interruptions.  Brownouts can damage your system and power outages can lead to corrupt files.  A good battery backup system can prevent all of that, as well as protect you against power spikes.  Just don't plug your laser printer into a battery backup.  They draw too much current, and can damage the battery.  Two widely-trusted manufactures of battery backups: APC and Belkin.

• Use a firewall

  •     Firewalls block unwanted traffic from the Internet from reaching your computer, and some can block programs that are running on your computer from sending information TO the Internet.  Firewalls are extremely useful in decreasing the threat from hackers and viruses.  Windows XP SP2 has a pretty good firewall built into it, and you should use it if you aren't already using another firewall.  Additionally, there are plenty of other firewalls available, some for free.   Some other options can be found on the Links page.

• Use Antivirus software.

  •     Our staff  recommends Symantec Antivirus and Security products, which includes Norton Antivirus.  Periodically check your antivirus software to make sure it is running and up to date.  As computers evolve, so do the threats from viruses, worms, and other forms of destructive code.  The software you bought several years ago probably isn't capable of detecting all the viruses that are out there today, even with the latest "definition" files.  There is good news for home users that can't afford to buy antivirus software.  There are several companies that will GIVE you software for home use, as long as your computer isn't used for business.  One company with a great product I will recommend is Avast, and their Avast! 4 Home Edition software.

• Patch your system.

  •     Even with the latest software, your system might not survive the next virus attack.  Antivirus software alone is not enough.  In this day and age, you need to protect your network or computer with some type of firewall and you need to make sure your operating system is up to date with the latest patches.  If you're running Windows, you're in luck.  Just point your Internet Explorer to the Windows Update site for an automated list of Windows patches.  If you're a Microsoft Office user, visit the Office Update site.

• Upgrade your computer.

  •     Windows 95, 98, ME and 2000 just can't offer the security you need in your business.  Consider upgrading or replacing your old desktop systems to Windows XP, or replace them if they aren't capable of being upgraded.  Not only do the new systems offer more features and speed, but they are also more secure and tend to be far more stable.  This means fewer crashes, and that means you're a lot less likely to lose data.

• Delete that spam.

  •     Never reply to spam with "Remove Me" or similar messages, and don't bother clicking on that link that says "Unsubscribe".  Even if you do manage to unsubscribe from that particular junk E-mail list, and you probably won't, you will confirm to someone that your email address is a good one.  You will probably just get even MORE spam from then on.  If your ISP has spam filters, make sure you set them up.  If they don't, you might want to consider investing in some spam filtering software for your PC.  (Outlook 2003 and Thunderbird both have built-in spam filters!)  None of these are perfect, but the good ones will make a huge dent in the amount of spam messages you have to wade through.

• Don't forward that chain letter.

  •     Nobody is going to give you ANYTHING for forwarding email to a bunch of people.  There won't be any free kidney dialysis for any poor little kids, either. You also shouldn't believe any of the bad-luck nonsense.  Chain letters are 100% garbage.  They are just a waste of time to read, and a waste of space in your mailbox.  Do yourself, and everyone else, a favor and just delete them.  For some interesting reading on the topic, check out this site: http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org/  They have just about all of them.

• Create a new "disposable" E-mail address just for spam.

  •     Save your regular email address for your friends,  family and work.  Create a free Hotmail or similar E-mail account for things like when you're surfing the web and a site asks you for your E-mail address.  This way, if you ever get more spam than you want to deal with, you can simply stop using that E-mail address and sign up for another one.

• Don't open that attachment.

  •     A friend or family member sends you an unexpected file.  Since it's from someone you know, it's safe, right?  WRONG.  The truth is, you don't know either way.  It could very well be a virus masquerading as something useful, and the sender might not even know they sent it.  In fact, it might not even be from the person you think.  Check with the person that sent it.  Ask them what the file is supposed to be.  If everything appears to be on the level, make sure you save the file to your hard drive and scan it for viruses before you open it.  If you don't think it's worth that trouble, just delete it.  If you run a file directly from your mailbox you might activate a virus that your antivirus software won't be able to stop.  Don't take any chances.  Be safe.

• Install software to block/remove spyware.

  •     Spyware can get on your computer via something you downloaded from the Internet, or secretly installed with another piece of software that you thought you wanted to use, but wouldn't if you knew what it came with.  Sometimes you can get spyware on your computer just from visiting a "malicious" website, even if you don't think you downloaded anything.  These little programs tend to be buggy, and can crash your computer.  They can slow your computer down, or use up all of your Internet bandwidth.  Some spyware will install other programs on your computer without your knowledge, and can be difficult to remove or even detect.  Spyware can be just as dangerous to the health of your computer as a virus, but unlike a virus, your antivirus software usually won't protect you.  You need something else to protect your computer.  Consider purchasing anti-spyware software from a well-known vendor.  Alternatively, a good FREE program that I highly recommend is Spybot Search & Destroy.

• Beware of IMITATORS!

  •     Lately, I have noticed a LOT of my clients getting spyware or viruses from what seems like unlikely sources: antivirus and antispyware software.  People, be careful out there.  Stick to software from well-known and trusted sources.  If you aren't sure, ask your friendly neighborhood computer geek for his/her recommendation.  I have some good software sources posted here, too.  There is a lot of bad stuff out there, mixed in with the good.  If you don't know the difference, sooner or later you will run into problems.  Oh, and don't assume that just because you paid for a piece of software it won't hurt your computer.  I know of more than one company that sells antivirus and antispyware software that does a lot more harm than good.  These are wolves in sheep clothes, and will bite you.

  (Last updated: Tuesday, September 12, 2006)

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