Ten Things You Should Do to Your Computer Today
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Transcript of Ten Things You Should Do to Your Computer Today
Ten Things You Should Do to Your Computer Today
Don Yarman & Jim MannOLC IT DivisionSmall Libraries ConferenceMay 2006
The First Four Things
1. Automatic Updates2. Firewall3. Antivirus4. Adware/Spyware Removal
That’s the bottom line; you may go to another session.If you want to know more or want to argue, please stay.
Our Objectives
Doing anything is better than doing nothing. Any recommendations may not be the absolute
“best” thing you can do -- that’s a moving target anyway.
We’ll present a baseline of what you must do, some recommendations of how to do it, and we’ll discuss what you can do above and beyond the minimum.
Credit where it’s due
OPLINTECH list, 30 June 2004“How to keep your PC spyware and malware free for nothing!”Jim Kenzig, Cuyahoga County PLhttp://www.thinworkplace.com/article_read.asp?id=62
WindowsSecrets.com“Security Baseline”
What I’m talking about
Personal computers (at home or library)
Windows operating system (esp. XP)
Any Internet connection (esp. broadband)
1. Enable Automatic Updates
Latest service packs and hot fixes To enable:
Go to your Control Panel Automatic Updates or Security Center Second or Third radio button
Second option? You have to install Third button not good choice if you don’t have
broadband at home
Older PC without Automatic Updates
Update manually through Internet Explorerhttp://update.microsoft.com
Scan for and install all critical updates Return repeatedly to get all updates New Microsoft Update includes Office
(Do you know where your Office disks are?)
2. Install a good firewall
If you have Windows XP, enable Windows Internet Connection Firewall.
[Automatically enabled in Service Pack 2]
Directions on Microsoft sitehttp://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/learnmore/icf.mspx
Not Windows XP?
Obtain good software or purchase router with a hardware firewall
Norton/McAfee firewall and antivirus WindowsSecrets.com recommends Linksys hardware
firewalls and ZoneAlarm Security Suite 6http://www.zonelabs.com
With software firewalls, the first time that you run any program that tries to access the Internet, a pop-up will ask if you want to allow it. (You will be amazed).
3. Maintain Antivirus
No excuses. Review leaders: ConsumerSearch.com says
“Smart Computing, PC Magazine, CNet.com” Best: McAfee Virus Scan 2006 (with complaints) Free: Avast! 4 Home edition
http://www.avast.comGrisoft AVG Free editionhttp://www.free.grisoft.com
Spend the money. Update definitions daily.
Opinions are like…um….
4. Remove Adware
Best: SpyWare Sweeperhttp://www.webroot.com/
Runner Up: Spyware Doctorhttp://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/
Free: Microsoft Windows Defender [beta]http://www.microsoft.com/spywareAd-Aware SE Personalhttp://www.lavasoft.com
ConsumerSearch again
A Joke and a Cartoon
How to prevent viruses: Board up the basements
Know Where to Get Help
Google WebJunction Hardware/software vendor sites Microsoft Join a user group
The Road Less Traveled
Firefox Open Office Gmail Apple Linux
Linspire Ubuntu
Work More Click Less
Email tips http://email.about.com/cs/tipsandtricks/tp/top_tips.htm
General tips http://www.psu.edu/studentcomputing/tips-preface.html http://www.csoonline.com/read/050104/briefing_tips.html
IE tips http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/enthusiast/topten.mspx
Keyboard shortcuts http://www.computerhope.com/shortcut.htm
Get Twice as Much of Everything
Buy more RAM Buy a bigger hard drive Go wireless Get a new monitor Upgrade your software Have a throw-away computer
Have a Plan C
Make regular backups Have an image of your computer Keep your disks, documentation and
licenses handy
Find Treasure inUnexpected Places
Disabled Women’s Network AARP http://www.komando.com/ http://www.pchell.com/
Be Aware Be Smart Be Honest
Ask yourself “Where am I? What do I see?” Take 2 minutes to troubleshoot your own
problem Is the caps lock on? Is it plugged in?
Being smart will prevent spyware and spam What is the last thing you did before you didn’t
do anything?
Updates Updates Updates
Critical updates to your operating system Access updates in your firewall rules Definition updates for your antivirus Definition updates for adware removal
Other things that help
Spam management MSN, Yahoo, AOL
Pop-up blockers Google advanced toolbar
Content filtering I’m not talking about patrons; I mean you. AdSubtract.com or userContent.css
http://www.mozilla.org/support/firefox/adblock
Questions?
Don Yarman ([email protected])OPLIN Library Services Manager
Jim Mann ([email protected])Technology CoordinatorGCPL
This presentation is available online at www.oplin.org/presentations/tenthings.ppt