Computers are an integral part of life today. We think nothing of buzzing around
the internet, downloading music and video, creating and sending greeting cards,
playing games, and searching for information. The things that most people use their
computer for, are the things that can create issues to safety and security. Email
is the most vulnerable point of entry on your computer. My Momma used to say, "Don't
put that in your mouth, you don't know where it's been". Does the term "virus" have
a correlation here? By employing the concept of best practices, you can protect
your computer and your data files.
Our recommendation is a solid Antivirus program. These will have email scanning
to look for virus and threat signatures (code). Windows has a built in firewall,
use it! Windows is constantly updated by Microsoft for security vulnerabilities,
you should always keep your Windows updated through Microsoft Update.
TIP:
Do not use preview panes for your emails, preview opens the email and releases any
malware which might have gotten past your antivirus.
Fancy Suites of security products with firewalls, adware, spy blockers, popup blockers,
etc. are mostly overkill. Employ the KISS principle! Keep It Simple Sweetie. Internet
Explorer has popup blockers, phishing protection, and excellant toolbars. Downloading
toolbars and search programs that aren't part of the browser, is an invitation to
adware and spyware. Downloading and installing any type of cleaner programs for
your computer is equally risky. Most won't clean unless you buy a subscription.
Many will install adware and you gave them permission!
Our computer services are informational. When we repair your computer, we endeavor
to find the cause and help you understand how to avoid the recurrence in the future.
Keeping your user files organized using folders, avoid saving files on the desktop,
maintain a clean backup are some of the best practices to employ. If your hard drive
crashes, recovering files from an organized location (My Documents) has a far greater
recovery rate. Try to keep your computer clean - from both dust and excessive temporary
files.
The internet has created a global communication environment. Email can come from
all over the world, bringing virus problems. Unless you use dialup service, you
have an always on or on demand internet connection. Our local area in South Carolina:
Walhalla, Seneca, Anderson, Clemson, and Westminster; is just as vulnerable as LA,
New York, Atlanta, etc. If you have an internet connection, you are on a network.
The DSL Modem and the Cable Modem are computers. They have an address, your computer
or computers share that address. We can help you keep that address safe.