1. Backups -To avoid the lonely, disabling pain and regret that accompanies the loss of computer data, pictures, emails, school work, you MUST BACK UP, NOW!!!. ALL hard drives eventually fail. So will yours, usually randomly and arbitrarily, and (in our modern world of making everything as crappy as possible,) much sooner than you'll expect. I see this a couple times a month.
If you would be devastated by the loss of something on your computer like family pictures, burn them all to a DVD, label them well and put them somewhere safe. External hard drives are good for back ups but remember, they fail too. Online back ups are also fine. Any of those options are prudent, but when it comes to your most precious data, also make your own DVD hard copies. If you need help doing this, give me a call.
2. Upgrades - If you frivolously upgrade hardware or software you are tempting fate. Upgrade only if you are compelled to do so! Essentially, if it ain't broken don't fix it. Software updates are sometimes worse than the older one. It happens all the time. This is especially true of Microsoft operating systems. When a new one comes out, wait 12 months and then search online reviews of the operating system to make sure they haven't released another multi-million dollar loser. Same goes for any software. Restrain yourself.
Don't, d, da, don't believe the hype!
3. Teenagers - I am not talking about your teenage son, but if some other teenagers are sharing your computer you should virus-protect that computer like it is the shared computer in the prison library. You can't stop the sun from rising, but you can wear sunscreen. Better yet, give them your old computer and buy one that only you use. Also, installing more than one anti-virus causes problems. Just use one good one.
4. Anti-virus - You cannot just use any anti-virus program. You must use the best at the time, and what is "the best" changes about every two years. You don't have to surf like a teenage boy to get viruses. No anti-virus prevents all viruses, but from year to year your goal is to install the one that is most effective that year. The efficacy of these programs varies wildly, and some are even viruses themselves. Knowing someone who removes viruses all day long like myself or other reputable local computer repair people is the best way to keep current and stay protected. Do not trust Best Buy, Comcast, Qwest etc. They strike huge partnership deals with large companies like Norton. Everyone makes money and you get a bogus program -- for free. Then you have to pay me to clean your computer later.
If anyone recommends Mcafee or Norton/Symantec write those people off as suspicious or confused. I could spend pages telling you all the ways these programs can screw up your computer. Suffice it to say this, these programs are bloated, slow, expensive, and get this, DON'T REMOVE THE VIRUSES!
"But the huge Internet provider Comcast and Qwest recommends it and gives it to me for free!"
My friend, file these programs under keyword "bogus." Norton is trying to make a comeback. Even if Norton/Symantec shaped up and decided to quit riding the gravy train of their name recognition and produced a effective, lean product, I would wait for 5 years of positive feedback from the streets before even giving it a try.
AOL is also trying to make a comeback, but they have also ripped people off for too long with their bloated ad-scape. Neither deserves a second chance until they put 5 years of reputability in the record books. For the amount of money people have paid me to fix Norton-caused damage to their operating system they should have had a class action suit brought against them. In the past 8 years there has been no worse name brand software you could have installed on your computer. Every computer I have ever fixed with Norton installed has been infected with viruses.
5. Service plans - Extended service plans from companies like Best Buy, Staples, etc., are mostly a misrepresentation and a scam. Service plans from computer manufacturers are less so. Here's how it works. The salesman will promise that your extended service plan will do everything including cook dinner for you when you grow old, just to get you to buy it. Whatever service scenario you propose, he'll swear it is covered. They know you want to believe him so you don't have to read the legal document that is the extended warranty. A year later when you bring your computer in, you will find that the guy no longer works there (he's now working at the T-Mobile kiosk at the mall) and everything he promised including stuff that reasonably should be covered is not. They will show you where it says so in the small print. If lightening strikes and your problem is actually covered then you'll receive the unique experience of having your computer "fixed" by the Geek Squad. Look their reputation up online and experience a community of people besides themselves with contempt. Are there some honest people at these companies? Not if they try and sell you a service plan.
True story, I have an older customer who showed me the actual Geek Squad receipt for $525. I didn't believe her till I saw it. She was charged for the removal of a virus. Instead she got a detour into THE TWILIGHT ZONE!
Second true story. A woman told me she went in with hard drive problems and they told her that not only was her hard drive broken but her second hard drive was also bad and the cost would be $450. Her laptop did have two hard drives, but you could only have them both fail together if you lifted the laptop over your head like Godzilla and threw it on the ground. The Geek Squad stories would be more hilarious if they were featured on a hidden camera show. Smartly, she could smell a scam. She sent it in to HP support who also laughed at the two broken hard drives suggestion and confirmed that one drive was bad and fixed it for $200.
Note: any repair shop who wants to charge you more than $300 and doesn't mention that you can buy a new computer for close to that is a bit on the shady side.
6. Fear - Fear mongering about "privacy and identity theft" is largely industry hype designed to break into your wallet. I am not saying that identity theft doesn't occur, but that it occurs in ways that aren't made safer by using software products that protect your privacy. Relax. Here's all you need to do:
a. Make sure your anti-virus and firewall is current and effective (see above.)
b. Give out your personal information as little as possible online. (this is key)
c. Learn how people voluntarily give their identity away.
d. Reject fear and paranoia. Use common sense, relax and you will be fine.
Realize that it takes a certain amount of computer savvy to "break" into your computer. Those who have this skill don't care about what is on your computer. In 15 years I have never heard of someone having their computer "broken into." I hear people worry about viruses that monitor your keystrokes. I don't doubt there are viruses that do that, but I have never actually seen one on someone's computer. It is so much easier to just steal your garbage for you credit card number, or trick you into giving it away by spoofing one of the websites you trust (see letter "c." above).
A note on passwords, they are a pain in the butt for everyone. You may want to keep a single file on your computer where you keep track of all your passwords. If there is anyone in your personal life who may remotely want to snoop on you and has access to your computer you may want to change your important passwords (Facebook, email) every 6 months just for good measure. Keep them as easy as possible but with little impossible to guess changes. The only people who care enough to try and break into your passwords are lovers, ex-lovers, siblings or parents.
7. Browsers - Browsers are the programs that allow you to interface with the internet. The top three are Internet Explorer, Firefox and Chrome. I recommend installing all three (there are more to try). It just takes a few minutes. The reason to do this is because as web developers build new websites they also have to make sure that the content shows up and works correctly on all the major browsers. Sometimes they don't succeed. When you are on a webpage that looks weird or has errors you can try opening it in Internet Explorer. It usually works on Internet Explorer because it is still the most popular for the simple fact that it is the only browser that comes installed on every PC Windows computer. Of course, that doesn't make it better.
I have rotated through all the browsers over the last few years because sometimes a browser will come out with an update that turns it south. This was largely the case with Firefox once it got up to about version 3.5., it turned god-awful slow. Presently, I use Google Chrome mostly because it is the fastest one, however there are still things about it that are stupid. Experiment and see which one you like at the moment, but don't be afraid to jump ship if your chosen browser starts consistently acting slow or buggy.
8. High Speed Internet - High speed internet is speed faster than 1.5 mbps or 1500 kbps (in my opinion.) You can easily test your speed by closing all other programs and do a google search for "Internet Speed Test." Qwest in their deceitful wisdom markets people their "Heavy-Duty" internet. "Heavy-Duty Internet" is a non sequitur like fat-free Pepsi. Most of these plans assure firmly that you'll receive "up to 1.5 mbps." Of course this means nothing and it alerts you to the fact that you are dealing with a company that utilizes shady wording. I have seen people getting speeds all along the spectrum with this plan. Some of them are getting dial-up speeds. The internet only needs to be fast and nothing more, neither heavy, nor duty. If you are gonna use Qwest as a service you can save money, but you have to keep them honest yourself. Run an internet speed test occasionally and check your speeds. If you aren't getting at least 1 mbps, then I would say you are being taken advantage of for your $35/mo. Call Qwest and complain.
Another thing Qwest does is the old "you need to replace your modem," run around. This is how it works. Out of nowhere your internet connection will start to be flaky or very slow. You'll notice the internet light on your DSL modem will start turning yellow or not be lit at all when your internet goes out. 90% of the time the problem is in Qwest's line somewhere outside of your house, maybe down the street from some phone line work. 100% of the time when you call them they will tell you that they pinged your modem and everything is fine therefore you have to replace your modem. If your modem is over 5 years old this may be the case, but rarely. What you want to do is kindly ask the dingbat on the phone to speak to a supervisor. Ask that supervisor to check the signal quality on your phone line. They will give you a reading that will be a signal to noise ratio or a decibel reading. Take that person's name and ask them to confirm that the signal strength in your telephone line is within normal specs. Ask what those specs are supposed to be. Make them prove to you that the signal strength of your line is strong and steady. If you ask this question of the first level tech person they will think you are speaking Japanese. Try and time their signal strength test during the time when your internet light is off. If the person you are talking to sounds like they know what they are doing and your signal strength is fine, then buy a new modem and you should be fixed.
Truthfully, the average person should have a high-speed internet experience if they are getting 1mbps or 1000kbps. But I have often seen people's speed vary wildly on that Qwest Silver plan. If you are regularly getting under 500 kbps you may want to look for a better service. Speeds higher than 1.5 mbps are only utilized by gamers, intense video watchers, p2p file sharing, and homes with multiple robust users. Comcast speeds usually start around 3 mbps, but they are no angels either.