Education in Safe Computing Avoids Costly Repairs

I fix computers.  My customers are the end users of Windows based PC’s.  From home computer repair to educating people on computer use, those are the things I love to do.  Now more than ever seems to be a growing need for safe computing education.  There are constant threats online and bad things can happen instantaneously even to good people.  A little paranoia will go a far but the proper education will take you even further.

Computers have become more of a necessity rather than a luxury.  Children seem to come out of the womb with some sort of digital device and master using laptops as quickly as they can completely cripple them with viruses.

I have worked with many parents and the laptops or desktop computers that they have given their children to use. Some parents are lucky and able to teach their young child or teenager the best and safest way to use the Internet and preserve their windows based PC.  Some parents come to me asking how they can keep their kid off of really popular sites like Facebook.  Ummmm…. that’s probably next to impossible!  Still other parents are at their wits end because their teenager has completely ruined the best laptop in the house for the 3rd time straight due to visiting questionable websites that just download Trojans and other malware as a welcoming gift.

There are times when computer privileges must be revoked all together.  But in today’s digital age, we all know that is just a bandaid on a gushing wound.  There are great software programs out there that can implement Parental Controls to aid with monitoring your child’s online activity.  But really, the absolute best way to keep your children, yourself, and your computer systems safe from online threats is EDUCATION.

Look, this stuff isn’t going anywhere.  It is advancing at warp speed.  A simple click of a mouse can do amazing things these days.  But, if we teach our kids safe computing than we have a fighting chance.

Some things that can keep you and your children safe online are:

• When using social networking sites such as Facebook, check your privacy settings to make sure everything about you is not disclosed to every random searcher online.
• Create limited user accounts for your children and password-protect your administrator account on the computer.
• Don’t install every toolbar for your browser that you encounter.  Some toolbars are really just spyware or adware.  They can slow down your internet surfing speed and collect information on your browsing behavior.
• Maintain a good Antivirus program.  One with Parental Controls will help.  I recommend Bit Defender.
• Keep your Antivirus program active, updated, and run system scans daily.
• Read every pop-up message you get from your Antivirus program and click the appropriate action buttons when necessary.
• Keep your operating system updated with critical security patches.  Windows XP is up to SP3 and Vista is up to SP2.
• If you are using Windows 2000 consider an upgrade since Microsoft is not even supporting it anymore.
• Use browsers other than Internet Explorer.  Try Firefox, Safari, Google Chrome, or Opera.
• Practice clicking the red “X” in the upper right corner of dialog boxes when unsure about a pop-up box.
• Avoid Limewire.com and BitTorrent.com.  Those sites are at the root of every crippled computer or laptop that a teenager once used.  They are file sharing sites that just download viruses to your system.
• The most important updates for your computer will come from Microsoft and your chosen Antivirus program.  Beware of imposters.  There is a fake internet protection program that will look completely legitimate as if it is coming from Microsoft or another valid Antivirus program.  There are more than a dozen different names for this thing and most of them start with the letter “A”.  If it pops up on your computer do not interact with it.
• Read every pop up message carefully.  Don’t become complacent and blindly click OK with anything.
• When installing a new software program always read through the setup screens.  Programs will often bundle other unwanted software and install it by default.  Reading through setup screens will help keep those unwanted programs out of your system.

When all else fails, consult a qualified computer repair technician sooner rather than later.  One that will take the time to help you avoid future problems is ideal.

Today is Sponsored by the Letter B

A positive thought worth sharing that came my way today…

I have always believed that success is when opportunity meets preparation. That’s why the effort we put forth today is not wasted, even if it seems to yield no immediate results. It’s part of the preparation stage that puts you at the door when opportunity knocks! It’s winners who see these opportunities, when losers see only problems. It’s winners who say, “I’ll find a way,” when losers say, “It can’t be done.”

–Rich Dad Global 9/9/2009

Today I decided to move from the “S” quadrant to the “B” quadrant.  You can find out what that means by reading Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki.

I am very passionate about the work I do as a PC Repair technician, a budding SEO artist, and website designer.  But, the reality of my future non-funded retirement plan is looking down on me.

My current “secure” state job just demands more and pays less.  It pays less by not just giving raises but by handing out pay cuts.  I look around me at work and see so many people that seem to have no other choice but to take what they can get.  What they get is a J.O.B. that is turning more and more into a volunteer position.  The employer has these dedicated educators by the throat.

I refuse to remain in that situation.  Not only do I refuse, but I am taking action to rise up out of it and move steadfastly forward.  Today’s workshop could not have been timed better.  For months I have been talking about writing a business plan.  For months, I have been telling people that I hope to let go of that day job by the summer of 2010.  And, for months, I have had this little voice in the back of my head asking, “Just how will you pull that off?”

Today, I learned how.  I am going to invest in myself and my noggin.  I am going to make a concrete plan and I am going to implement it.  So watch out!!