Do's and Don'ts

Decisions, Decisions. Click this link or that, ignore some warning or accept the default. Because you are your own System Administrator, you need to manage your computer as if you were an IT professional in some corporate setting. Computers are not toasters. You need to manage your system. You need to pay attention and actively get involved in the decisions that affect your computers health. Because the bad guys seem to outnumber the good guys, you can't protect yourself perfectly. What you can do is develop habits and follow some simple rules to give you a better than average advantage. Saying "I don't know how" or "I can't do that" is not acceptable. You have to know. You have to learn. Yes, you can do it with our help. You can learn the major items, the basics. These are a few things that seem to come up over and over. Following these pointers will help you have a better experience with your computer. Yes, we know most of these because of personal experience.

The List, in no particular order

• Do NOT EVER view internet porn on your computer
• Do NOT EVER view any CD or DVD from Sony on your computer
• Do not use Internet Explorer
• Do not use Outlook Express
• Keep your operating system updated
• Check for security software updates regularly
• Run spyware checks weekly
• Update your cookies file weekly
• Clear your browser cache on exit
• Don't click on links you aren't sure about
• Only use plain text email (no html)
• Create a restricted user account and use that (only have administrator privileges when necessary)
• Create restricted user accounts for guests
• Use a router with a built in hardware fireawall even if you only have one computer
• Always lock your keyboard when you walk away from the computer if you have pets
• Lock (write protect) your BIOS
• Block flash
• Block ads
• Don't download programs without trusting the source
• Don't use AOL or MSN for an ISP
• We were serious about the porn
• READ and understand those dialogue boxes. DON'T just click "yes"
• Clean the dust out of your computer yearly
• Don't install the Kodak Easyshare software
• Get rid of anything Norton, Symantic or McAfee
• Create one email address for junk mail
• Back up your files regularly
• Immediately delete email from your bank, ebay and paypal (no, they are not from your bank, ebay or paypal no matter how realistic they look)
• On secure sites, make sure the lock is locked and the URL contains HTTPS:
• Learn all you can about social engineering and how it applies to your in-box
• If you drink coffee at the computer, keep a new in-the-box keyboard in the house
• Do not let your pet sleep next to the computer
• Wipe your hard drive with DBAN then reinstall the OS before you sell your computer
• Spend the few extra bucks and get the faster modem and router for your high speed internet connection
• Be careful about how you clean your LCD monitor