• Resolutions…shoulda woulda coulda

    Date: 2011.01.05 | Category: All, computer maintenance, password protection, technology and your student, usage tips, virus cure/prevent | Tags: ,,,,,,,,,

    With the New Year well underway now, there is likely no doubt that you’re getting tired of hearing about all the resolutions that you should have made or did make and perhaps by now, haven’t kept.  I understand.  My year too started off with such gusto and promise for a better tomorrow…I exercised, cleaned stuff, planned, read and was so sure that I would keep it up.  Well that was January 1st.  By January 2nd I was tired, overwhelmed and spent most of my Sunday as a couch potato.  So what if the Christmas decorations are up another week? Now, I’m not giving up on my resolutions but instead just added another.  I resolve to “accept my imperfections” and when I falter on resolution #2 (which is to not procrastinate) I will just try again tomorrow.  Sure, maybe that in itself qualifies as procrastination but hey…at least I’m trying to do better.

    When re-reviewing your New Year’s Resolutions for self improvement how about making some resolutions for your home or business computer?  These resolutions might actually be something that you CAN live with (since it doesn’t involve dieting or exercise) and will just make you feel better, more organized and help protect your identity. Thereby keeping your checking account balance AND sanity in place (well during 2011 anyway).

    Our advice? Follow these simple New Year’s Resolutions for your computer:

    Repeat after me.  “I RESOLVE…”

    1.  to purchase a top rated anti-virus for my computer AND take the time to configure it (or have a professional do it) AND keep it updated.

    2.  to NOT horde 10,000 emails in my in-box but instead will archive my old emails and delete what isn’t necessary.

    3.  to keep two separate emails.  One for family/friends and one for signing up on websites to cut down on spam.  Business should always be separate.

    3.  to be mindful of the websites that I go to and stick to known reputable sites whenever possible.

    4.  to NOT place my laptop on anything soft while it is on thereby blocking the fan (i.e. air supply) like my LAP, sofa, carpet or soft kitty.

    5.  to be careful about whom I allow to “fix” my computer (i.e. “armchair” experts, friends, family or salespeople at big box retailers).  I will also be wary of any television or internet advertisement that says it can “fix” my computer with one simple call or click of the mouse.

    6.  to not subject my computer to “free” anything (anti-virus, games, sweepstakes, ring tones, music, movies, software) as it might infect me and be illegal (sound familiar?).

    7.  to not click open attachments through my email or social networking sites without giving it careful consideration.

    8.  to never enter my credit card information on an unsecure site (look for the lock in the url and an https://).

    9.  to always use complex passwords and never write them down.

    10.  to not use my laptop as a plate and/or cup holder.

    11.  to have a professional checkup of my computer once a quarter (if I rely heavily on it) to look for malware/spyware/viruses and overall performance to avert disaster as much as possible.

    Copyright © 2011 Help Me!!® Tech Team, a division of HELP ME!!® Computers, LLC