Anti-Pharming and Anti-Phishing

Tips And Suggestions

Install anti-virus software to prevent web browser-redirecting viruses.

Install anti-pharming and anti-phishing software.

Install anti-spyware software to protect against known spyware.

Update your operating system to remove security vulnerabilities.

Presume that every e-mail you receive is bogus until proven otherwise.

Do not respond to e-mails asking for personal information.

Do not click on links within e-mails.

Presume that every website you visit is bogus until proven otherwise.
Do not enter personal information into a popup box.

Before providing personal information to a website, ensure that you are using a secure connection. A secure connection will start with https:// and will have an icon of a padlock at the bottom of the page in Internet Explorer.

Spyware Prevention and Removal

Tips And Suggestions

Install firewall software to block hackers from installing spyware on your computer.

Install anti-virus software to prevent backdoor viruses that might install spyware.

Install anti-spyware software to protect against known spyware.

Update your operating system to remove security vulnerabilities.

Do not click on links within the e-mail. This may download spyware from a hackers website.

Do not click on a link inside a pop-up window. Clicking on the link may install spyware software on your computer.

Use caution when downloading files from the Internet, especially freeware or shareware programs such as screensavers, games, and even anti-spyware software. Ensure that the source is legitimate and reputable.

Do not open email attachments before checking the source.

When installing software always read the End User License Agreement (EULA). It is perfectly legal to hide spyware within another program as long as they mention it in the EULA (Example: “You agree to install third party software”).

Never click on Agree or OK to close a window on your web browser, doing so may download spyware on your computer. Instead, click on the X in the upper right hand corner of the window or press the Alt+F4 buttons to close the window.
Sometimes you may be unable to remove spyware because it is in use. Usually the spyware can be easily removed by running your anti-spyware software in safe mode.
To access safe mode, restart your computer and immediately start tapping the F8 key to access the boot menu. Once you are at the boot menu, if necessary select Safe Mode by using the Arrow keys, then press the Enter key.
Once your computer has booted into safe mode run your anti-spyware software. After the spyware has been removed restart your computer to boot into normal mode.
Note: When booting into safe mode you may be asked for an Administrator password, unless you setup an administrator account just leave it blank and proceed.

Virus Protection

Tips And Suggestions

Install anti-virus software to prevent and remove viruses.

Install firewall software to block worms.

Update your operating system to remove security vulnerabilities.

Do not click on links within the e-mail. This may download viruses from a website.

Do not click on a link inside a pop-up window. Clicking on the link may install a virus on your computer.

Disable images in Outlook and Outlook Express to eliminate viruses that are imbedded within the e-mail message. With Outlook Express, click on Tools and select Options, click on the Security tab, and check Block images and other external content in HTML e-mail, then click OK.

Do not open email attachments before checking the source, even if it appears to come from someone you know. 97 percent of people who received a virus through an e-mail attachment got it from someone they knew.

Use caution when downloading files from the Internet, especially freeware or shareware programs such as screensavers and games. Ensure that the source is legitimate and reputable.

Never click on Agree or OK to close a window on your web browser, doing so may download a virus on your computer. Instead, click on the X in the upper right hand corner of the window or press the Alt+F4 buttons to close the window.

Sometimes you may be unable to remove a virus because it is in use. Usually the virus can be easily removed by running your anti-virus software in safe mode.

To access safe mode, restart your computer and immediately start tapping the F8 key to access the boot menu. Once you are at the boot menu, if necessary select Safe Mode by using the Arrow keys, then press the Enter key.

Once your computer has booted into safe mode run your anti-virus software. After the virus has been removed restart your computer to boot into normal mode.

Note: When booting into safe mode you may be asked for an Administrator password, unless you setup an administrator account just leave it blank and proceed.

If the virus was executed, it will usually damage your computer. If so, you will need to repair the damage that the virus did to your computer. Note the name of the virus and go to the McAfee or Norton website and download the virus removal tool for that virus. Double click on the removal tool and it should repair the damage.

If a virus removal tool is not available, you will have to manually repair the damage. Do a search for the virus at the McAfee or Norton website to receive instructions on how to manually remove the virus.

Computer Diagnostic

Tips And Suggestions

Note: The procedures listed below are for Windows XP, but should be the same or similar for other operating systems.

Some system file errors can be fixed by running Scan Disk. Double click on My Computer, right click on the hard disk (C:) and click on Properties. Click on the Tools tab, under error checking click on Check Now. Select Automatically fix file system errors in the pop up dialog box, click on Start, then restart your computer.

If Internet Explorer is constantly crashing, try updating ActiveX add-ons. Open Internet Explorer. Click on Tools and then Manage Add-ons. Click on the drop down list arrow and select Add-ons that have been used by Internet Explorer.
In the list of add-ons, click the add-on you want to update, and then click on Update ActiveX, then click on OK.
If you are having a hardware problem you can try running the Windows Hardware Troubleshooter. Right click on My Computer and click on Properties, click on the Hardware tab, then click on the Device Manager button. In the device manager click on the + sign next to the hardware that you are having problems with and double click on the device. If necessary click on the General tab, then click on Troubleshoot.

Computer Hardware Installation

Tips And Suggestions

Unplug the computer. Even when turned off, some computers deliver power to the motherboard. If you touch the wrong component, you could receive a shock and damage your computer.

Always ground yourself before working on a computer. Static electricity can damage the integrated circuits. Use a grounding strap or touch an unpainted, metal portion of the chassis before handling any electrical components.

Handle circuit cards and memory modules by the edges only, avoid direct contact with any chips or circuitry.
Do not use a magnet to pickup dropped screws or use a magnetized tipped screwdriver. The hard drive is very sensitive to magnetic fields and can be easily erased by a magnet.

Computer Tips

Tips And Suggestions

If you want to change your wallpaper (Image on your desktop), go to the control panel (Start, Control panel or Start, Settings, Control panel), double click on Display, click on the Desktop tab and under Background, select an image and click on OK.
Note: In most cases, select Stretch under Position.

For a sharper image on your monitor, increase the refresh rate.
Go to the control panel (Start, Control panel or Start, Settings, Control panel), double click on Display, click on the Settings tab, click on the Advanced button, click on the Monitor tab, make sure that Hide modes that this monitor cannot display is checked, and under Screen refresh rate select the highest setting, and click on OK.
To change your web browsers home page go to the control panel (Start, Control panel or Start, Settings, Control panel) and double click on Internet Options, if necessary click on the General tab and under Home Page enter the URL of the website you want for your home page, then click on OK.

For better search results, use a meta search engine like dogpile.com.

Computer Tune Up

Tips And Suggestions

Delete cookie files, history files, and temporary internet files.
Go to the Control Panel (Start, Control panel or Start, Settings, Control panel) and double click on Internet Options, under the General tab click on Delete Cookies, Delete Files, and Clear History.

Delete unnecessary files.

Empty the recycling bin.

Delete unneeded e-mails from your inbox and empty your deleted e-mail folder.
Remove unneeded icons from your desktop.
Uninstall unnecessary programs.

Run scandisk to fix file system errors.

Run Disk Defragmenter to improve system performance. Note: Delete all unnecessary files and programs first.

Do not use window cleaner on your monitor, this will ruin the anti-glair coating on your monitor.