Dok's Tips & Tricks

Dok’s Top 10

1. Create a Secure Environment for your Computer

There are multiple areas in a computer where you can set up, configure, and tighten the system security. In Windows, check the control center and make sure you have one (and only one) active, updated Antivirus program, a firewall, and Windows updates. In your browser, turn on pop-up blocking, enable enhanced security if this is an option, remove your cookies and temporary internet files on a regular basis, and configure your junk mail and spam filter.

2. Strong Passwords

It’s really easy to create a super secure password! Think of a short unique phrase that you can easily remember, use only the first letter of each word, add some punctuation, a capital letter and a number, and you’re all set! Keep your passwords safe and use different passwords for your accounts, especially bank passwords, shopping accounts, Paypal, etc.

3. There is No Such Thing as Too Many Backups

To minimize the possible loss of information due to infections or system crashes, you should make regular backups to an external hard drive or the Cloud. Some services, such as Google Drive, provide access to all previous versions of a text document. But be careful, if a new backup simply overwrites the old one, or just syncs it into the Cloud, you may have a problem if data was deleted accidentally, encrypted, or blocked by a virus. If you can recover a previous version of this file, you might minimize the loss. I highly recommend using backup software that archives dated backups automatically without overwriting. There’s nothing sadder than to receive a “lightning fried” computer with irreplaceable photographs and documents that were never backed up.

4. Be Savvy with Social Media

It’s convenient, fun, and business savvy to keep in touch and share content through Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Linkedin, Tumblr, Instagram, Flickr and other networking sites. But make sure you set privacy settings carefully to tighten security. Update them from time to time. Use different passwords for your accounts. If everything is linked, and one account becomes compromised, it’s like dominos. Be wary of clicking on games, ads, etc. that lead you outside the social media platform. Also be aware of lottery scams and hijackers (posing as someone you know!) who try to get information out of you.

5. Email Security and Phishing

Phishers use the internet to steal your personal information. They often target you through emails. Speaking of emails, be wary of clicking on an e-mail, even from your best friend, with no subject or an unlikely subject and with an attachment. Their account may have been compromised by a virus and it has spread to you through their contact list. Then it can go from your email contact list to the next set of victims, and so on. You can “train” your spam filter by sending unwanted or suspicious email senders to the spam or junk folder. If you just delete the annoying posts, they’ll keep coming back to haunt your in-box.

6. Beware of Scareware

If you see a sudden pop-up telling you that your activity has been reported to the FBI, don’t panic, don’t click, and don’t even think of paying. Any action on your part may lock your computer. The hackers that create these types of infections are just trying to infect or hold your computer ransom, and then scare you into divulging personal and financial information, or even into paying them an untraceable fee via cashier’s check. The worst type even encrypts your file! If you see a scary pop-up, it’s best to shut down your computer immediately and bring it to the Dok for a deep cleaning.

7. Employ Safe Browsers

Some browsers are better than others. Edge, Firefox, and Safari are very good. But I prefer Chrome. It is very fast, synced with Google, visually uncluttered, easy to use, offers an enhanced security option, and has many useful extensions. Tabs are separated, so an error in one doesn’t bring down the rest. By the way, when trying out new software, it’s best to use web browsers with sandboxing capabilities. A sandbox can contain malware and bad programs, which keeps them from entering your unit.

8. Safer Shopping

It is always better to use https:// websites; the “s” means that it is a secure site. Check certificates for trustworthy sites (your computer should warn you if a site is suspicious). Again, make sure you have strong, differentiated passwords! Paypal is safer, because you have more protection and you don’t have to give out your credit card numbers. And with paypal, it’s easier to get your get money back if you were taken in by a fraudulent seller. If they don’t accept paypal, pay with credit cards, not debit cards. They have more fraud protection.

9. Caution When Using Public-WIFI

The NSA advises you to “Exercise Caution when Accessing Public Hotspots.” When using public internet access, avoid any shopping, banking, etc. that requires personal, credit, or bank information. You never know who is spying on you.

10. Don’t Mix Business and Pleasure!

If users go to lots of social, gaming, “free” streaming portals, ads, inappropriate, or questionable sites, their devices are more likely to pick up damaging viruses and spyware. Wise users restrict personal use of their business units.

Published Articles

Summer Storm Advisory for Desktops and Anything that Plugs In

Jul 12, 2022

Too often when a storm hits, lightning strikes and too much electricity surges through cables across the house - frying unprotected devices in its path. This can hit desktops and other power cables for your IT equipment However, if your devices are plugged into a UPS...

Warrenton Lifestyle Magazine July 2022

Jul 11, 2022

Dok Klaus Computer Care Celebrates 20 Years Click Here.

In Real Estate, It’s “Location, Location, Location”, In Technology, It’s “Back up, Back up, Back up!”

Jun 21, 2022

Because it is so easy to take photos with a Smartphone, people are taking and sharing more photos than ever. On my phone, I have 21,000 photos taken over the last 10 years. That is a lot of digital data! In addition, I have almost 4,000 songs, 1,000 videos, and tons...

Spring Cleaning: Computer Care Tips

May 5, 2022

Whether you own a desktop computer or a laptop, your computer probably has most of your work and personal life on it. It’s important to care for them and clean them regularly so they don’t quit on you! Here are some tips from my techs and I to keep your computer in...

Introducing Windows 11: Pros and Cons

Feb 9, 2022

Windows 11 is here to stay. Windows 11 desktops and notebooks are already flooding the market, and if you own a Windows 10 system, you’ve probably seen a popup saying it is time to upgrade to Windows 11, or “Sorry, but your system cannot be upgraded to Windows 11.”...

Why Windows 11?

Jan 6, 2022

All computers run with some kind of operating system, and, unless you have an Apple computer, your computer probably runs with Microsoft Windows. Microsoft has just released Windows 11, which has some people apprehensive about switching. So why does one need to...

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The Dok says…

WWW = Wild West Web

Sep 12, 2022

Don’t be quick to click By Klaus Fuechsel Hardly a day goes by without checking in a hacked computer at our shop. Many of these clients say, “I don’t know how this could have happened.” It’s easy on the Wild West Web. All it takes is one click on a malicious...

Back to School Tips for your Computer by Jacob Eberly

Aug 15, 2022

Ah yes, every student’s favorite phrase. “Back to school time!” If it actually is your favorite phrase, I envy your enthusiasm. One of the things I do look forward to during the school year is using my computer. I find it very fun and satisfying to use such capable...

Summer Storm Advisory for Desktops and Anything that Plugs In

Jul 12, 2022

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Mini Tutorials

Hairy Fan!

If you have pets, did you know that your notebook fan could be covered with hair? Yikes! A fan in this shape can't work properly, which causes your computer to overheat and possibly more damage. Dok recommends a regular check-up and cleaning of notebooks used around...

Broken Power Jack

This is a very common repair problem. I can't tell you how many times I see a laptop being taken out of the carrying case with the AC adapter still plugged into the unit. Most of the time, if the client did not have a problem with either the AC adapter or the input...

Business and Pleasure

Business and pleasure shouldn't mix on your computer. If you go to personal or questionable sites on your business computer, your unit is more likely to pick up nasty viruses and spyware. Same goes for allowing kids to play on it. You don’t want them messing up your...

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