You Can Keep Your Computer Safe

Having your computer be safe on the internet is a personal responsibility. There are so many nasty malware infections that are possible that it takes regular effort to keep your system top notch. Just like we take preventive steps to keep our cars safe on the road, like having our oil changed and checking our tires, we need to responsibly operate our technology in the public cloud of the internet. It is vital that you have any wireless network you are broadcasting secured. Be aware that on social networking sites like Facebook  you are presenting a public image and the things you share may not be private. Use passwords that are number, letters, and symbols combined and don't let browsers and sites remember your passwords and payment info. If you need help to learn how to do these things on a regular basis or prefer to have them done for you, we will be glad to set up an appointment.

Please know that Microsoft WILL NOT call you on the phone to identify your computer as being infected. Pop-ups and messages that are not coming from your known protection software ARE the rogue viruses trying to infect your computer.  If you see these come up, shut your computer down immediately by holding your lighted on/off button on the case and don't click on anything first to try to close the messages. 

Windows XP is now a very old program which has become impossible to update to a level that keeps home computers free from drive-by viral infections. In addition, when the OS degrades over time and normal use, it may need a clean install. If your machine is running Windows XP, these clean ups and fresh installs are not a good use of resources. At this point, almost any machine that is having trouble and is running WinXP is a candidate for replacement. It is just a more cost effective solution to get your data off and to a new, more energy efficient, safer, and faster Windows 7 desktop, netbook, or laptop.

Keep your operating system updated

Let your Windows Update do its job by leaving your computer on overnight. That isn’t always enough. Regular maintenance includes pushing the Windows Update occasionally to make sure that nothing got stuck behind a single update. Check the Optional updates for helpful updates from manufacturers that apply to your system. Always click and install updates when they are waiting.

You will be notified that action is required by a small yellow shield in the icons at the bottom right on XP and a blue-ish box same place on Vista/Windows 7. They are waiting for you to do something, so don’t ignore them.

Have the latest Service Packs applied. SP1 is now available for Windows 7.  Use your Windows Update to install this Service Pack. If you are on WinXP you should have SP3 installed and on Vista you should have SP2 installed for 32 bit or SP2 for 64 bit. If you are unsure if your serice packs have installed, click the Start button on the bottom left. You can check which you have by right clicking on the Computer or My Computer and left clicking Properties. That displays your Windows version with which service pack is installed.

Keep your antivirus program up to date

We suggest Microsoft Security Essentials. This is a free product that has gotten great reviews.  It is to install and it runs very quietly in the background. It also is very effective.  If you want to switch from more intrusive and less effective other programs that possibly came with your computer as free trials and then have either not been updated because you didn't pay or are charging you needlessly you will need to uninstall any antivirus program already running and then download this program by clicking here.

When the program needs to have you download an update to the MSE engine (program) it will ask you in the dialog box to "Upgrade" which you want to do.  There is never a cost with MSE so this is just an upgrade to their program to improve the ability to protect you from malware.

Microsoft Security Essentials is protecting your computer and fully updated when you see the little green castle with the flag in your system tray at the bottom right of your screen.  If it is there, you are protected.  If it is orange or red, click on it and Open to see what it wants to do (like update, upgrade, or scan) to make it go back to green.

Make sure that when you are given "free" offers for other programs like McAffee or Norton that come with your e-mail provider or with other downloads like Java that you uncheck wanting to add other programs.  More is not better.  They conflict with each other and you will have all you need with MSE-the green castle.

Newer browsers can be safer

Internet Explorer (the blue E) is still the most popular browser for looking at the internet.  The newest version IE9 has some great safety features.  In your Windows Update you will be offered it as an optional update.  If you are on Windows 7 or Vista, for safety and a clean interface I suggest you use this version of Internet Explorer. (Not compatible with Windows XP) If you would like to download it, click here.

(1) the url address line will also be your search and history bar as well--borrowed from another browser Chrome.  (2) The HOME button, the Favorites Star, the Gear for any setup and print functions have been moved over to the right.  This will take a bit of re-training but once you get the muscle memory in place to move to the top right instead of across the screen, I think you will like it.  (3) Finally, an added security feature is that all of your questions about downloading and saving files from the internet come up in one place on the bottom in a box that consistently looks the same. (User Account Sec. boxes will still pop up in front after you have enabled a program to install/run like they always have.)  This will help you spot the "tricks" that act like they are something you should react to when they pop up in the middle of your browser screen.  It will also help you download to specific places on your computer and install with a little more control.

Keep your Adobe Acrobat Reader up to date

To check if you have the latest update, open the program (red icon). With the reader open, click "help", then "check for updates," and install. If you haven't done this for a while, do it again until you get "no updates available."

Versions change rapidly, especially when there are threats in the wild for them to protect against. You should be on the latest version of Reader X (for ten). Click here to get the download. Adobe X will uninstall versions of 9.x and replace with the new one so no need to uninstall first. Always say NO! (un-check the box) to any free toolbars like Google Toolbar. Here is what you should expect to see.

Then it will begin to install and you should allow any Windows messages that ask if you want to install a program during this process. It will show you it is downloading and then ask you to ok the install.

Click the finish button when it has completed.

Then open the Adobe Reader program and Accept the new terms.

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Keep your Flash up to date

Visit the Adobe site and let the installation program run online. There are very good and specific directions on their site with pictures to follow on installing Flash. Again, un-check any boxes allowing free toolbars to install. Follow the directions that come up with pictures to guide you on what to click.  The newest version of Flash brings up an Adobe Downloader which is fine to install and then it brings up a box that requires you to agree (click I agree when asked) and then complete the install.

It may require you to close your browser.  Then it will install and you can click "done".

Keep your Java program up to date

The current version is 6.30 and it is important for scripting on web pages that you have the latest for your system. When you visit the Java site, it will verify your system and tell you that you have the latest or suggest you download the newest version with a red button.

Many machines require a complete download of the new Java program.  If the site doesn't quickly verify that you have the latest version, go ahead and do the new download and let the newest version of Java install in the default location. 

Make sure that you uncheck any boxes allowing free toolbars and any free offers for antivirus software.  It will bring up progress boxes from Sun/Oracle which is the manufacturer and is fine. They look like this. You will click on the "run" on the bottom or if it comes up in the middle.  Say ok to the windows boxes that ask permission to install.

Click INSTALL in the box that asks permission to install.