Skip to main content

Computer Beginner

By

Computer Beginner




Not backing up important files

                    Computer backupOne of the biggest mistakes anyone can make is not backing up important information. Today, there are so many different methods of backing up your information that there is no longer any excuse for not backing up your information. Make sure to backup all important information before it is too late.

                 Everyone has become more impatient thanks to the instant gratification we all enjoy every day on the Internet. However, because of this impatience it is not uncommon for new users to click Ok or Next without reading what they are agreeing to and not making sure there are no check boxes still checked. Make sure you read every prompt before agreeing, or you may be agreeing to install new browser toolbars, a program you didn't intend to install, or other crapware.

Not saving work

               While working on a document either offline or online make sure that the program is automatically saving your work. If a program does not automatically save your work, you need to make sure you are saving your work every 10-15 minutes. If the computer loses power, Internet connection, or the program crashes everything is lost that hasn't been saved.
Turning off the computer improperly

                  With more users learning on Smartphones and Tablets before learning the computer, not all new users are familiar with the proper method to shut down (turn off) a computer. When you are done with a computer and want to turn it off make sure to save any work, close open programs, and shut down the computer properly.

Opening e-mail attachments

                  E-mail attachmentA common method of getting infected with a computer virus or malware is from opening e-mail attachments. Be extremely cautious and doubtful on all e-mail attachments you receive including any e-mail attachments you receive from friends, family, and co-workers. One of the most common tactics malicious users use to send viruses is from people you know to gain a false sense of trust.

Falling for phishing, spam, or chain mail
Phishing

                As computers become more secure, and users get more tech savvy, many malicious individuals have moved to attacking people using phishing tactics. Make sure you are aware of how phishing works and how you can make sure you do not become a victim of identity theft.

Spam

                   Almost all spam today is distributed by infected computers or malicious users. Replying to these spam messages will not unsubscribe you from any list and usually is never looked at or received. In some cases, a spammer may even use your reply as a verification that an e-mail works and send you more spam or share your e-mail address with other spammers. If you get spam, just delete it from your inbox.

Chain mail

                    You should also never forward your friends and family chain mail. If you find an e-mail hard to believe, make sure it is true before you forward the myth or rumor to anyone else.
Facebook to charge and Microsoft free money.

Downloading and installing bad software

                    Today, the most common ways a computer gets infected with viruses, malware, and other crapware is from downloading and installing bad software on the computer. Always be cautious of free software and who is providing you with the free software. To subsidize costs many developers include other bundled programs or toolbars, and if you are not careful, you may install them during the install. As mentioned earlier, always be sure to read what the program is doing during the install.
Unfortunately, reading is also not always enough and sites offering free things like cursors, fonts, wallpaper, emotions, and other small downloads may be bundled with other bad software. When downloading anything, keep the below suggestions in mind.



Where are you getting the download?

             There are malicious people who download valid copies of a popular download, modify the file with malicious software, and then upload the file with the same name. Make sure you are downloading from the developer's web page or a reputable company.

Don't install download manager

                    Many sites suggest or require you to install an installer or a download manager before allowing you to download a program you may be interested in downloading. These tools almost always cause your computer more problems and may even have malware or other spyware. Avoid any site claiming anything must be installed first before you can continue with your download.

Avoid advertisements on download pages

                 To help make money and pay for the bandwidth costs of supplying free the software, the final download page may have ads. Watch out for anything that looks like advertisements on the download page. Many advertisers try to trick viewers into clicking an ad with phrases like "Download Now", "Start Download", or "Continue" and that ad may open a separate download.

Cancel or deny any automatic download

              Some sites may automatically try start a download or give the appearance that something needs to be installed or updated before the site or video can be seen. Never accept or install anything from any site unless you know what is downloading.

Not keeping operating system and software up-to-date



                 The evolution of computers and the software that computer's use is always evolving. After a program is released bugs and security threats are almost always discovered by other users. Installing the latest updates for a program makes sure everything runs smooth and if security fixes are found fix those problems, so your data is kept secure.

How to update a Microsoft Windows computer.
Keep a computer on a surge protector or UPS

                If you plug your desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone into a wall outlet consider using a surge protector instead. A surge protector can help keep your computer protected during an electrical storm and make sure that nothing is damaged if a surge travels over your power lines. APC Battery BackupAlso, if you are using a desktop computer we highly recommend also using a UPS on your computer. Although these can be more expensive, a UPS protects your computer from a surge, brown out, and keeps the computer running if the power goes out for a minute or two.

Buying incompatible hardware or peripherals

                 Computers are becoming more diversified with Chrome books, hybrid computers, laptops, smartphones, and tablets. Although all of these devices are considered computers, not all hardware is compatible with every type of computer. Also, this is true with Apple computers vs. a PC, and computers running Windows or Linux, which are all running different operating systems. Before purchasing hardware or upgrading older hardware make sure its compatible with your computer, operating system, and meets the system requirements.


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

To Fix Memory Problem

By
To Fix Memory Problem Symptoms of a RAM Problem                     When you first turn on your computer it runs fine, but as you go about your business you notice that its performance diminishes. By lunch time, websites take minutes to load and local programs run at a snail's pace. This type of gradual deterioration of PC performance, especially with memory-intensive programs, may be caused by a RAM problem. Your computer randomly restarts while you are in the middle of something or freeze sporadically. It may also reboot almost immediately upon opening the desktop. This could be a sign of faulty RAM. A blue screen with white text flashes before restarting. Blue-screen errors are annoying because you don't even have a chance to read the error message. Bad RAM is one thing that cause them.Files—particularly ones you frequently access and save—seem to be inexplicably corrupted. RAM issues can lead to this problem, wh...
Post a Comment
Read more

10 practical software testing

By
10 practical software testing 1) Learn to analyze your test results thoroughly. Do not ignore the test result. The final test result may be ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ but troubleshooting the root cause of ‘fail’ will lead you to the solution on it. Tester will be respected if they not log the bugs but also provide solutions. 2) Learn to maximize the test coverage every time you test any application. Though 100 percent test coverage might not be possible still you can always try to reach near it. 3) To ensure maximum test coverage break your application under test (AUT) into smaller functional types. Then Just write test cases on such individual unit of types. Also if possible break these type into smaller parts. E.g: Lets assume you have divided your website application in modules and ‘accepting user information’ is one of the modules. You can also break this ‘User information’ screen into smaller parts for writing test cases: Parts such like UI test, security test, functional test o...
Post a Comment
Read more

Twitter Tips

By
Twitter Tips                  Below is a listing of our top 10 favorite Twitter tips and tricks. These tips help make your Twitter experience more enjoyable and can help increase your followers. Customize            Change your profile picture. Use a picture of yourself to make it seem more personalized if this is your personal Twitter account. Utilize as much of the 160-character limit Twitter BIO space allows. Include keywords your followers or potential followers may be trying to find.Create a background image. However, do not make the image too much like an ad or sales pitch. The background image must be less than 800 k and we recommend a size of 1600x1200 for a large image or smaller if you plan on tiling the image or just having it on the left-hand side. Finally, keep in mind that smaller resolutions and monitor sizes hide much of the background. Third-party tools     ...
Post a Comment
Read more