I recently attended a discussion on security by a renowned security expert. He copyrighted the discussion, did not allow photography or video. I guess that is why he is a leader in the industry. Anyway, he brought up a couple of great points that I have felt for a while now since he gave credence to them, I thought I would share them with you.
Invest in a good anti-virus software and personal firewall. Learn how to use it. The better the firewall, the more annoying it is. Kind of like the security features in Windows Vista. If your firewall or anti-virus is not asking you if a program is okay or not, it is not a good program. It should bother every time something writes to the registry, a program is installed, a plug-in is installed. The more it prompts for you input, the more secure it will be.
As you and your computer become more stable, that is, you have all the programs and plug-ins you use on a day to day basis, you won't know it is there. And that is the point you are aiming for. Initially, very annoying... Later, very satisfying as you can surf in peace.
These aren't the experts points, but mine, the expert drove it home when he put it into perspective for me. To paraphrase, he said everyone drives a car right? Do you complain when you put gas in it? Do you complain when you spend $30 for an oil change? No, because you know it is a necessity when driving a car. Well, don't complain, because you have to pay $50 a year on good anti-virus software. That is the cost of computing in these here the aughts.
Buy the software, learn how to use it. Can't say it enough.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Monday, January 7, 2008
First Blog
I am new to this, but I hope to give tech tips and provide everyday users some advice to make computing more fun and less frustrating.
Here are my tips to you.
1) Don't be afraid. Most of the people I help with their computer, know what the problem is, they are just afraid they will mess things up by trying to fix it. Uninstall that application, remove that drive, just be careful not to delete any system files or monkey with the registry but everything else is fixable.
2) Google is your friend. If you have an error, get a screen shot or a piece of paper and write it down. The type it verbatim in Google. Chances are very good someone else has had the same problem. Don't try to remember it, you won't. Write it down, or better yet, print the screen.
3) If you are going to buy a new computer, especially a laptop/notebook, get the extended warranty. It is a small price to pay down the road, when the hard drive crashes, 13 months after you bought it.
Well that is it for now, check back often for my tips and suggestions, and don't be afraid to ask me questions you might have about your computer.
Here are my tips to you.
1) Don't be afraid. Most of the people I help with their computer, know what the problem is, they are just afraid they will mess things up by trying to fix it. Uninstall that application, remove that drive, just be careful not to delete any system files or monkey with the registry but everything else is fixable.
2) Google is your friend. If you have an error, get a screen shot or a piece of paper and write it down. The type it verbatim in Google. Chances are very good someone else has had the same problem. Don't try to remember it, you won't. Write it down, or better yet, print the screen.
3) If you are going to buy a new computer, especially a laptop/notebook, get the extended warranty. It is a small price to pay down the road, when the hard drive crashes, 13 months after you bought it.
Well that is it for now, check back often for my tips and suggestions, and don't be afraid to ask me questions you might have about your computer.
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