Catching up on my reading, I ran across yet another article outlining how easily unsuspecting web users can be duped into infecting their machines and voluntarily giving up their own hard earned money. You MUST read this article, IF you want to keep yourself, your wallet, and your computer safe. Wired published the article I was reading today in their… Read More »Web surfing 101…again
A client today had a need to learn how to password protect PDF files on their iMac and MacBook Air. With OS X, the process is quite easy…here it is:
Adding to my new ongoing series of daily how-tos I write for clients is this one about registering the Free Avast Antivirus I now recommend. Occasionally the registration servers are not working when I install the program for a client, so I created these instructions for her to follow when the servers come back online. This should also help those… Read More »How to register for your Avast Free Antivirus License – Notes
I detest the phrase computer illiterate, but unfortunately hear it almost daily in my work. I think the better way for a computer user who feels inadequate around the technology and the terminology is to refer to themselves as time challenged. Since illiteracy can be thwarted with a healthy dose of education, that leaves making the time to obtain that education the… Read More »Must read article for ALL computer illiterate users
In January, this web site and my business will turn 13 years old. In that time, I have worked on thousands of computers ranging from the oldest DOS machines to the newest gaming and Mac monsters. My youngest client in that time has been 5 years old and my oldest was a 94 year old author writing a book for the first time on a PC. When your work in any field for a certain period of time, you start to spot patterns and consistencies.
After incubating the idea in my head for about six months, I want to share with you (and anyone you forward this article to) my opinion of how to use computer technology with the bare minimum of issues and cash. The following would be my advice to a computer user who truly wanted to follow my advice, no questions asked, based on my knowledge and experience.
I try to continually test and analyze what is available in the world of computers for my clients and web site visitors. Security tops the list of the testing, reading, and studying I do. Recently, AVG released yet another upgrade, and more bulk. As of today, I no longer recommend that users use AVG Antivirus. My current recommendations are as… Read More »How to download, install, and configure Avast Antivirus – Video Tip
I write about Internet security frequently because I see too many breaches of Internet security every single day. And by Internet security, I’m referring to keeping your computer free of spyware, fake security software and other annoying, time consuming, and expensive ailments that can strike your computer. THESE TYPES OF INFECTIONS ARE PREVENTABLE. First, I need to exempt Mac and… Read More »7 Internet Security Tips to Save You Time & Money
Last summer, I wrote an article about a senior citizen client of mine who constantly struggled with her older Windows XP machine. Updates would cause problems, the printer would stop working, security woes plagued her. She turned out to be my poster child for using Linux (in her case Ubuntu 8.10). Check out the article (by the way, she is still doing fantastic with her computer and Ubuntu).
Today, I visited another of my Linux clients. This couple came to me about six months ago (they are both seniors as well and self-described computer newbies). They explained that computers frighten and intimidate them, but they felt compelled to have one so they could stay in touch with their kids and grandkids. They strongly desired to have a machine that was simple to use, maintain, and was safe. After much discussion, they decided to take my advice and dump their nearly 12 year old computer and Read More »Linux + Gmail = Computing Bliss
Internet Explorer has been the single largest factor in computer security problems over the past 10 years. Consumer education and awareness follows closely behind. Combined, these two factors create a security nightmare. This story outlines yet more evidence to problems stemming from Internet Explorer and its monetary effect on companies like Google. Remember that the AOL and MSN browsers use… Read More »Yet another reason why I recommend using anything but IE
I’ve written about this before, but it bears repeating on occasion with new visitors to our site and long time visitors who haven’t learned yet. The advice is simple: DO NOT DOWNLOAD FREE SCREENSAVERS, EMAIL PROGRAMS (Incredimail, etc), GAMES from the Internet. Unless you are WELL versed in the origin of these items, they can easily destroy your computer’s ability to compute.
The most common computer ailment (for Windows users) searched on the Internet is “slow computers”. Sadly, “slow computer disease”, SCD*, does not have to be the pandemic it is because it is 100% preventable. Here are my 5 simple rules to prevent SCD:
1. Install and keep Internet security software current. Recommendations: AVG Anti-virus, a software or hardware firewall and a good anti-spwyare program or two. Check our Links & Resources section for recommendations.
2. DO NOT DOWNLOAD FREE CRAP FROM THE INTERNET UNLESS YOU KNOW ITS ORIGIN AND SAFETY.
3. Use Mozilla Firefox or Opera as your primary Internet browser instead of Internet Explorer, MSN, or AOL. This tip alone can save your computer.
4. If you have teenagers or young adults who use your computer, forbid the downloading of free music through services like Limewire or any other shady site (refer to #2)
5. If you do suspect SCD, get it looked at immediately. Waiting for it to cure itself will only make SCD worse.
BONUS TIP: If your computer suffers from SCD, Defrag will NOT help it. No matter how many times you Defrag your computer, it will NOT help SCD.
© *SCD is a copyrighted term of Castellini on Computers, HelpMeRick.com and Rick Castellini. Use of the term SCD is strictly prohibited without the express written consent of Rick Castellini or administrators of HelpMeRick.com