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Hints'n'Tips
Buying a new PC
Anti Virus
Firewall
Web Browsers
email
Internet Chat
Backing Up
Wireless Networking
Housekeeping
General
email etiquette
Buying a new PC?
** Consumers buying new PCs should force retailers to ensure that the machines are fully patched before purchase, according to Anti Virus Vendor Sophos .
Most computers in the shops will have operating systems that are months out of date, the security firm warned. While this will not affect basic operation, it leaves the PC without current security patches and thus vulnerable to viruses and hackers.
"Consumers need to ask about security," said Carole Theriault, security consultant at Sophos. "Does the retailer have Windows XP service pack 2 disks available, for example? Maybe if enough people ask we'll get shops taking security more seriously. That's my hope."
Theriault pointed out that if businesses are buying in PCs they can insist on having them fully patched before delivery. Consumers rarely make such demands but, with 1,300 new viruses detected last month, new PCs are acutely vulnerable.
** In tests earlier this year Anti
Virus Vendor Symantec found that an unpatched PC connected to the
Internet would be hit by viruses and malicious code in less than
one minute.
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Anti Virus:
** Keep Anti Virus software up to date and set scan the hard drive(s) regularly.
** Any infections can also affect / be saved in the System Restore points that are created in Windows XP/ Me. If you have a severe infection(s) then turn off System Restore and reboot the PC, this will remove all Restore Points, then turn on Restore Points and then complete a virus scan.
** Make sure your Anti Virus software is set to scan incoming AND outgoing emails.
** If you have broadband ensure you're anti virus program is set to automatically update on a regular, preferably daily, basis.
** It is now possible to be infected just by visiting a web site, be careful what web sites you casually 'surf' to. (For example typing www.googke.com instead of www.google.com will take you to a web site that will infect your PC -DON'T TRY THIS! -although site should now be offline)
** Infections can now be encoded into a picture, by viewing a picture in an email or on a web page you can be infected, be careful what emails you open and the web pages you view!
** Even if you have Anti Virus to update automatically, regularly check that it is updating.
** Regularly scan the Hard Drive for infections, better still set the Anti Virus software to automatically do it for you on a weekly basis.
**Mac Users: Although
the risks of being infected are much less (almost negligible in
OS X) with the increasing popularity of Mac's the risks are increasing,
it will only be a matter of time before Mac's are targeted similar
to the Windows platform. Don't be complacent, get protected NOW.
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Firewall:
** If you have Broadband Internet access
a Firewall is a must. For dial up users it is also recommended.
** Windows XP Service Pack 2 has a
Firewall as standard, for those with a previous version of XP or
other versions of Windows you can purchase a Firewall, like Norton
Internet Security Firewall, or download a good free Firewall,
like Zone Alarm Firewall.
** Regularly reset the Firewall removing all settings/permissions and reconfigure afresh, this will ensure that over time you have not inadvertently allowed malicious entry to your computer.
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Internet Explorer (and other browsers):
** With Service Pack 2 on Windows XP,
you may have to allow Active Content in order to see animation's
etc in Web pages.
** Temporary Internet Files and Cookies,
clean these out on a regular basis. Do note however that if
you have any web sites that you have set to save a password to gain
access (to save you having to enter a username/password) you may
need to re-enter these again.
To delete them regularly, with Internet Explorer open go to the
TOOLS menu, select INTERNET OPTIONS. Once there you will see 'buttons'
for deleting Temporary Internet Files and also for COOKIES.
(Or Download an 'Auto Password insertion/Temporary File/Cache'
cleaner...CleanUp)
Other web browsers and Mac's will have the same
option, but may be located elsewhere in their menu's.
** Be aware of what web sites
you visit, only go to reputable and trusted web sites. It is possible
to get a virus just by visiting a malicious web page.
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email:
** Emails from
people you do not know - Delete them without opening them.
** Only open newsletter emails
that you have subscribed to, do not be tempted by 'exciting'
subject lines, these are there to intentionally tempt you!
** Attachments - Unless you know what
it is DO NOT OPEN IT, even if it is from someone you know. Verify
what is contained in the attachment with the sender.
** Not all emails are from who they
appear to be! Right click on an email address and select Properties,
you can then see the email address of who is really sending it.
** DO NOT have the preview pane turned on (that
is being able to read the emails in the lower part of Outlook Express
or RH panel in Outlook), if an infection is received by email that
is scripted to infect the computer on opening the email you have
'run' the infection!
Go to View menu, open Layers and disable Preview Pane.
** Do not keep emails in the
In box, create subfolder(s) for emails you want to keep.
If a corrupt email is received that corrupts the In Box in Outlook
Express often the only way to resolve the issue is to remove (delete)
the in box and create a new empty one, this means losing whatever
is in the original in box.
Go to File Menu, open Folder and click on New Folder. (Do
not create these as subfolders of the In Box).
** Remember to regularly empty the
Deleted Items folder.
** Remember to check and empty the
Sent Items folder.
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Internet chat / IRC (MSN Messenger
and other chat programs):
** Many infections are spread by fooling
the user to receive incoming messages or files that are infections
** Do not accept a file transfer without
verifying it with the person sending it, even if it is from the
person you are chatting to. They may be infected and unknowingly
sending out infections.
** Do not accept chat requests from
anyone you do not know.
Safety online.
The following web pages assist in advising you about safety online
for children.
http://www.getsafeonline.org/
http://www.chatdanger.com/
http://www.virtualglobaltaskforce.com/
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Backing up Data:
For the single/home user.
**Windows XP - Copy the 'Documents
and settings' folder on the Hard Drive.
This holds all files, emails, favourites etc relating to all users
on the computer.
** Windows 95/98/Me - Copy the following
folders, providing you have not altered the default folders
for saving files/ emails etc:
- My Documents (Ensure you save ALL you files here!
- Application Data (in Windows Folder on Hard Drive)
- Profiles , if exists, (in Windows Folder on Hard Drive)
- Favorites (in Windows Folder on Hard Drive)
** Ideally save to another HD
or to CD, Flash Drives (Memory Sticks) are not recommended as these
are volatile.
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Wireless Networks:
** Ensure your Wireless Network is
secure, you do not want neighbours bringing your Internet connection
to a crawl by using up your bandwidth.
** Securing the network also ensures
that your connection is not hijacked for any illegal or illicit
downloading that could be traced back to you.
** You should at least....
Change the Wireless name from the default to something unique (but
not obvious to anyone that it is your network, i.e. do NOT use your name, house
number etc!),
'Hide' the SSID -network name (Turn Broadcasting OFF),
Set up encryption (WEP or WPA)
If need be, Hardware Address Access List
(some older PC's/laptops may not work with some or all of these
options implemented)
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Hard Drive Housekeeping:
** Keep the Hard Disk ( 'C Drive' on a PC or MacintoshHD on a Mac) for only the essential (installed automatically) items.
** Keep all your files/folders (word
documents, pictures, music etc) in the My Documents folder (or Documents
on a Mac). You will benefit from this should data need to be recovered,
it is easier if all in one place.
** Applications/programs should always be in the Programs folder on the C Drive, or Applications folder on a Mac.
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General:
** Keep all Operating System, Windows or Mac and applications installation disks to hand, these may be needed at any time.
** Keep a note of the Windows licence/installation
key (number). This can be used if another copy of the windows CD
has to be used.
Likewise with any licence codes for software.
** Passwords, Keep list of
all Usernames and Passwords, PC and online (i.e. computer User
logon, Internet connection, web site access/memberships etc)
** Use Windows Update regularly to
install the latest windows updates, the updates can fix minor problems
that Microsoft are aware about and also make your PC more secure
when on the Internet
NOTE; Microsoft in June 2006
did not release a patch for a critical flaw in Windows 98 and
Me, and are unlikely to in the future. This indicates it is
time to upgrade to Windows XP or Vista and a new PC if you computer is not
'fast' enough for Windows XP or Vista.
- Mac Users use System Update (from System Preferences or the Apple
Menu).
** Uninstal programs you do not need
or use anymore (In Windows - Start button/ Settings/ Control Panel/
Add Remove Programs or for Win XP Start button/ Control Panel/ Add
Remove Programs)
** Keep clutter on the desktop to a minimum. Programs should never be on the desktop, use a shortcut instead.
** Windows - Be aware of what is loading in the Task Bar (bottom RH corner of the screen). These items can use up base resources and affect the speed of the PC.
** Mac Users - Be sure to Quit programs
(File Menu / Quit) as you have finished with them and not just close
the window. This ensures memory is freed up for other programs. Programs
still running indicated by either;
OS 8/9 - Shown in the Finder menu (Top right of screen).
OS X - a black triangle under the icon in the Dock.
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For further advice on these and any other housekeeping
issues please contact Just Think I.T. by email: support@justthinkit.co.uk
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