I'd like to talk about the
5 golden computer rules. If you follow these,
you'll find sailing is much smoother when you sit down at the keyboard.
1.
Back up your data. This is No. 1 for a reason.
If your hard drive crashes and you lose your stuff, you'll be pulling your hair.
Hard drives are much more reliable than in the old days. But bad things still
happen.
Windows includes backup
software. Or you can just copy your My Documents folder. You really only need to
back up your personal data. There isn't much point in backing up to your main
hard drive. If it fails, it will take the backup with it. The safest medium is
something you can remove, like a disk from a Zip Drive. You also can use a CD or
DVD burner. Put the disc in a safe place. If you don't want to go to that
trouble, use a second hard drive, either internal or external.
2.
Install anti-virus software. You can get a free
personal copy at AVG.
Programs are also sold by McAfee,
Norton and
Panda. All anti-virus programs need
to be updated regularly.
Install a firewall, too. If
you use a broadband connection to the Internet, you're at great risk without a
firewall. These programs will hide your computer from intruders.
Zone Alarm has a
very nice, free firewall. Firewalls are also sold my
McAfee and Norton.
3.
Never open attachments you weren't expecting. I don't
care if the return address is your mother's, she may well have not sent the
attachment. Quite possibly, it's a virus. A self-replicating virus could pick up
your mother's address in someone else's address book, and use it as the return
address. Or, it could infect her computer and e-mail itself to you. Either way,
your anti virus software should catch the virus. But why take the chance? If you
get an attachment you weren't expecting, ask the sender before opening it.
4.
Sign up for broadband, if it is offered in your area.
If you're older, you remember the switch from black and white TV to color. Take
it from me, broadband will give you the same feeling. The slowest broadband is
five or six times faster than dial-up. True, it's more expensive. But sometimes
you can get a deal. Besides, the cost is worth it. Once you get a taste of
broadband, you'll never go back.
5.
Don't forward the lame jokes that circulate on the Internet.
The same goes for virus warnings and urban legends. They're all hoaxes. People
are busy. They don't have time to wade through this nonsense. If the joke is a
real howler, fine, forward it. But first, clear out the 10,000 addresses that
already received it. As for virus warnings and weird stories, check them if they
worry you. Nearly all are hoaxes. Why look like an idiot? There are many sites
on the Web that debunk hoaxes. Some are: (click on an icon)
5 Star Personal Computer
Services, LLC
