Tip #1. With Internet Explorer (IE), go to Microsoft's Windows Update page and make sure your computer is up to date. Windows Update has all the latest patches for the Windows Operating System (Windows 7, Vista, XP), Internet Explorer, Office, Outlook, etc. There are "Critical" and "Recommended" updates. The "Critical" updates are very important to download. They patch security holes and known bugs that could leave your computer vulnerable. The "Recommended" updates are patches and programs that make Microsoft products run better or add functionality. Some of these can be ignored. The "Driver" updates are software for hardware installed, like your video card, audio card, printer, etc. I recommend that you check with the manufacturer of these components for their drivers before downloading Microsoft's drivers. Drivers are what your hardware uses to communicate with Windows. Installing the wrong driver can cause hardware to stop working. Be sure you get the correct driver for your hardware. Typically hardware will come with a driver disk, which will work, but from time to time the manufacturer will update the driver and it should be downloaded from their website.

Having Windows check for updates automatically can be turned on in the "Security Center" section of the "Control Panel." Getting there and turning it on is different in Windows 7, Vista and XP. If you need specific instructions for your version, let me know, but keep reading, you might have more than one question.

Tip #2.  Get your computer secured.  Below are several programs that I feel are "must have" on everyone's computer.  Getting "infected" with adware/spyware/malware programs is a big problem that is affecting computer users today.  Spyware is a growing problem and I believe is now a bigger problem than viruses.

Tip #3. So, you've been getting a lot of junk e-mail a.k.a. "Spam" in your inbox!?!  One way to avoid this is to set up a web based e-mail account like GMail, YahooMail or Hotmail. They all offer free e-mail accounts that you can use whenever you need to give out an e-mail address to anyone other than family, friends, etc.  Use your primary e-mail for friends, family, work and use the web based one for everything else.  This will significantly reduce the spam you get.  As you may know I use the web based e-mail as my primary e-mail address.  They have built in spam filters that keep most of the junk out of your inbox. Also, if you change Internet Providers, you won't have to change your email address. "Gmail" is provided by Google, everyone's favorite search engine, and offers a lot of storage space, so you will never have to delete emails for fear of filling up your inbox. This works well as a back up solution. Just email yourself that important document or photos and they can be saved virtually forever in your email. I still use my Yahoo email as my primary "personal" (friends & family) email address but have Gmail for both a storage solution and as the email I can give out for when shopping online or when I don't want to give out my personal email address.

Tip #4. Consider switching your "Browser." If you're using Internet Explorer to surf the web, consider switching to FireFox
FireFox is an excellent alternative to IE because it is not vulnerable to the malicious programs and web sites that exploit known issues specific to IE. If you're thinking "Another program that I have to learn how to use?" Don't worry. FireFox is very similar to IE in the way it looks and the way it works. It's (in my opinion) better and I recommend without hesitation.
Check it out, it's worth trying, and the best part is that it's free.
You can't uninstall IE it is integrated into Windows. Also, it is used with Windows Update, see Tip#1, above.

Tip #5. Disable Javascript. There are plugins for your browser that can do this for you and allow you control so you can turn it on for trusted / known web sites that you need to have Javascript turned on to run. (which, unfortunately, are most web sites these days) It may be an annoyance to have to "allow" websites as you visit them, but better safe than sorry. The add on "NoScript" for FireFox is a very easy to use tool that I do not browse without.
The issue with Javascript is that there are known vulnerabilities that could allow the bad guys out there take over your computer. I explain more about the bad guys later when I talk about viruses and spyware.

If you find any of this info useful, help me keep this web site and info / links online by using this Ebay link when you shop on Ebay, thanks!

Some friends and family have asked what software I use. Here are links to some that I recommend:

Firewall software:  If you're using Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 then the firewall that is built in is adequate. To check and see if it's turned on and running, go to the "Start" button, the "Control Panel" and then "Security Center"  The firewall should be "On"

Anti-Virus software:.  I'm now recommending Microsoft's free "Microsoft Security Essentials." More info and download here.

I also recommend Avast. It's free too. A link directly to the free version to download is here. They require you to register, which provides a license for free personal use for 14 months. They just require you to re-register then to keep using it. It comes highly recommended by Steve Gibson, a tech security expert and founder of grc.com. See more about grc.com below. I did try it for a little while but find Microsoft's easier to use. The jury is still out on which is better.

I have recommended AVG in the past and their latest version 9.0 is but I have not tried it. I used it for years and recommended it exclusively, but when they went to version 8.0, it got bloated and was a system resource hog so I switched to Avast and then switched again to Microsoft Security Essentials.

Go ahead and try them and see which you prefer. ***Just don't try to run more than one antivirus on your system at a time, they can conflict with each other.***

"Adware," "Spyware or "Malware:" For Windows users, Microsoft now has their own free, anti-malware program, Window Defender. There are a couple of others: Spyware Blaster and SpyBot Search & Destroy
"Adware," "Spyware" or "Malware" (often used interchangeably) are programs that can track what you do and where you go on the net.  They can give others access to your computer and your personal information. At the very least they can slow down your computer and cause it to be unstable.
You can run more than one "malware" program at a time, unlike antivirus programs, mentioned earlier.

So...download, install, update, and run all these programs.  I know that it may take a while, but I feel it's important enough to do it.  I have these on disk, and would be glad to make you a copy or if you're local, I'd be happy to install them for you.  Just ask!!  I feel that strongly about these programs.
To keep your computer secure it is recommended that you check for updates and run these programs at least weekly, the jerks out there come out with new threats daily.

Remember, the programs I'm recommending are free but do have "Pro" versions that cost money, so if you're asked for payment info or are taken to shopping cart you may be installing the "paid" version. If you have question about what you're installing, stop, cancel and let me know so I can help you get the right one installed. Of course, if you want the paid version, for added features or support, I understand. But, while I have upgraded to some paid versions, some I have not and may not be familiar with that version and may not be able to help if you have any issues. Also, some of the download pages are cluttered with ads and I do want to make sure you're installing the right program.

Another thing to consider when installing free programs is that sometimes they have made deals with other parties like Yahoo or Google and one of the options when installing is to install one of their "toolbars" or other applications. Be sure to read each step when installing and if you are unsure, stop and cancel and let me know. I'd be happy to walk you through any of the installs of these programs.

Lock it down: Are you wondering..."Is my computer secure?"  "Is my computer at risk?"  "How would I know?"  Well there is a way to find out.  There is a web site that will test your computer to see if it is secure.  This is a free service and does not require you to give out any personal information, not even your email address.  The web site is grc.com and the test is called "Shields Up."  Click here to go there now. Scroll down to "Shields Up" link. Click on the link there and you will be taken to the Shields Up page, click on the "Proceed" button, you will see a pop up warning about encryption, it's ok, click "Continue" then click on the "All Service Ports" button. Your IP address will be displayed and the test will begin and "Test your shields and probe your ports."  It seems like a lot of steps and the test does take a minute but it really is quick & easy and nothing to download.  C'mon, go ahead, you know you're wondering if you're secure.  It is important. If you don't "Pass" let me know and we'll fix it.

Pop-Up Blocker: Hey, didn't you just say not to download "toolbars?" Well, not exactly...Toolbars are useful but I think you only need one. What can happen is that after installing a few different programs and if you missed the "toolbar" part on the instructions, the next thing you know is that you have more than one toolbar installed. And really, how many do you need. By all means, try them and if you like one over the other, then keep it. I have Google's built into FireFox, and therefore having the Toolbar is redundant, wastes space, uses computer resources and screen real estate. But, if you don't have it and want Google's toolbar then here's the link: Google Toolbar.

Income tax software:  I use TaxAct.  It is easy to use and it's inexpensive too. You can get the federal and state ultimate bundle for $19.95. This includes a free "e-file" option. This program will help take the pain out of doing your taxes.  I've been using this program for years and love it.  If you have any questions, just call or email me.

Office Suite: Your computer probably came with Microsoft Works or some other office suite. You may have paid $150-200 to upgrade to Microsoft Office. I hope you're reading this before you have done that, because I have found a free office suite that is completely compatible with Microsoft's Office, including Word and Excel. It looks almost identical and is so similar that you will hardly notice the difference. It is called OpenOffice. You can download it for free from here. Check it out. It wouldn't be on this page if I didn't think it was worthwhile. When you click on the link, you will be taken to their "please contribute" page. You can if you wish, but there is no obligation at all. All you have to do is click on their "continue to download" button, save the install file to your computer and then run it, following their instructions like any other installation of software. As always, if you have any questions call or email me.

Below is a link to a web site called giveawayoftheday.com Everyday they offer for free software that otherwise is available for a price. I don't necessarily recommend any of these particular programs or claim to even have tried them myself, but I like this idea and believe that the software offered is safe. That said, try it if you like, but it is completely at you're own risk. They make them available for 24 hours, so if you see something that looks interesting, check it out and install it before the offer expires.

Chicken Little said, "The sky is falling" and instilled fear in those around him. The above comments may seem to be similar in nature, but they are not. What I described above are real issues that we have to deal with regardless of how you feel about these issues and how you may or may not think they affect you. I don't mean to try and scare anyone, I just want to inform and help. If you have any questions let me know and I'd be happy to discuss with you further and/or help with any issues you may have with your computer, software and the Internet in general.

There are a ton of excellent (and free) programs and web sites that I didn't mention so if you're looking for a particular type of program or need a solution to a problem that is not covered here, let me know and I'd be happy to make a recommendation.

Questions? Need clarification? Step by step instructions? Call or email me. I really would be happy to help.

If you "Digg" the information / links I've provided above, feel free to Digg it, or share it on Twitter or FaceBook

home//pictures//tips,tricks,picks//email me
All content copyrighted 2006-2009 by Jim Siefert. Used by permission only.
Links above may take you away from this web site and to other independently owned and operated web sites.
They may or may not have any direct affiliation with Jim Siefert or JimSiefert.com
Their names and logos are their property and not of Jim Siefert or JimSiefert.com
There are no warranties implied or otherwise.
Use of these other services/products is at your own risk.
(Although they wouldn't be here if I didn't use and trust them myself.)