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, 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; 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. Be Wary 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. Internet Explorer 6.0 had lots of bugs and holes viruses can exploit. Internet Explorer 11 is much better than the earlier versions. Firefox, Opera, and Safari are very good. But I prefer Chrome. It is very fast, synced with Google, visually uncluttered, easy to use, 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, inappropriate, or questionable sites on your office computer, your unit is more likely to pick up damaging viruses and spyware. Wise users restrict personal use of their business units.

Published Articles

Smart and Secure Internet Use During COVID-19

Apr 1, 2020

COVID-19 has changed our world dramatically, and the impact may last for years to come. But life has and will go on, and we will have to adapt and perhaps change the way we do things. For now, we’re all trying to practice healthy “social distancing”. Read More at...

Coronavirus challenges: Social distancing, telework, technology and helpful tips

Apr 1, 2020

We’ve been told constantly that the less we interact personally, the less chances the coronavirus will have of spreading. But social distancing doesn’t include the internet, which has become the best means of staying productive and in contact with family, friends,...

Computer repair is like detective work

Mar 15, 2020

Recently, I gave a presentation to a group of Fauquier High School students who wanted to know about my business and what qualifications are needed for computer repair. Besides some necessary certifications and practical experience, I told them that they need, “good...

Enjoy the Outdoors with Technology

Feb 27, 2020

You might say gardens are for healthy exercise and visual enjoyment, so what need would a gardener have for technology? Well, for starters, it can help you enjoy and share your garden. My wife and my 85-year-old mother-in-law love to take photos of their gorgeous...

The kindness of strangers inspires attitude of gratitude

Jan 12, 2020

Tis the season to be jolly and thankful. It’s also the flu season. So, when a few weeks ago I came down with bad headaches and a fever, I decided to just snuggle up in bed and tough it out. I had had my flu shot, so I thought I was immune. But when the headaches,...

Seniors, Are You Ready to Surf the ’Net?

Dec 31, 2019

Technology for Independent Senior Living While collecting thoughts for this article, I remembered Dr. Robert Iadeluca, who was living on his own until a few weeks before he passed away last summer at the age of 98. Every day he did a handful of things on his desktop...

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The Dok says…

Ransomware

Aug 13, 2018

Be aware of Ransom-ware. You might not have heard about this breed of viruses that get into your computer. And there’s a new computer virus out that can even encrypt your data files.

Windows Update and Its Problems

Aug 12, 2018

Let’s use this blog to inform periodically about important windows updates for windows 10. Especially when huge updates are coming that can eat up all you paid for bandwidth.

Telephone Scams

Aug 11, 2018

Almost every week a client comes in or calls about some suspicious phone call the got. This blog tries to spread the news about those scams via phone so hopefully you will not fall for them.

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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 super common repair problem. I can not 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...

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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