Computer Concepts is a locally owned, neighborhood source for computer consulting in Fishersville, Virginia. You can contact us by email at: cconceptsinc@gmail.com.

Tips to keep your computer running smoothly:

FOLLOW THESE 5 COMPUTER COMMANDMENTS:

1,  Don't open email attachments  This is the number one way people get viruses. Even attachments from someone you know. Know exactly what the attachment is and who it came from before opening it. 

2,  Don't click links in email  Html email can hide the actual link, causing you to go to a spoofed site, possibly asking you for personal information. To open a link in your email copy and paste the link into your browser.

3,  Don't download files from places you don't know are safe  File sharing sites i.e.: music, software, gambling, porn, free stuff etc. are notorious places to get infections.

4,  Update Regularly  Not only update Windows regularly but other software such as Antivirus, Antispyware, Office, Firefox, Adobe Reader etc. Holes in these programs can allow a hack to attack your computer.

5,  Use a Hardware Firewall / Router  A broadband router is the best type of firewall to protect your computer from the Internet. Also enable the built in Windows XP Firewall.  Plugging a computer directly to the Internet will cause you to be hacked within 10 minutes. 3rd party software firewalls alone are not as effective as a router and can slow your computer down by as much as 20%.

Setting Up a Wireless Network

1,  Change the Router Password  All routers come with a default password which all hackers know. Change this password immediately to something that is easy for you to remember.

2,  Turn Off Remote Admin  This feature allows you to administer the router over the Internet on the WAN side. 

3,  Turn Off Universal Plug and Play  This feature allows other software to automatically configure your router to allow access to network resources.

4,  Use WPA Encryption  Wep encryption has been broken, use WPA whenever possible.

Keep Your Computer Functioning Smoothly With These Tips

Antivirus Software

WE DO NOT RECOMMEND SYMANTEC OR MCAFEE ANTIVIRUS PRODUCTS!  For a commercial Antivirus we recommend NOD32, which can be downloaded at: http://www.nod32.com.
For a free Antivirus we recommend AVG Antivirus, which can be found at: http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1. 
Remember to update your anti-virus software on a weekly, even daily, basis.  This usually is automatic with most Antivirus software.  Also, make sure you only have one anti-virus software package installed.

  Spyware

Remove any Spyware from your computer. Our recommended free programs to use are:

1) AdAware by Lavasoft:  http://www.lavasoftusa.com.

2) SpyBot, Search & Destroy:  http://www.safer-networking.org.

3) Microsoft Antispyware Tool: http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/default.mspx

4) eEYe Digital Security:  http://www.eeye.com

Once these programs are installed, be sure to check for any updates regularly. Anything either program finds can be safely removed.  Note: Any free software that requires Spyware to run will no longer function once the Spyware portion has been removed; if you really want the program even though it contains Spyware, simply reinstall it.

The best way to keep Spyware off your computer is to practice safe surfing.  Music downloading sites, Gambling sites, Porn sites, Free Software sites etc. are the best places to get Spyware.

Tip: You can change your computer's HOSTS file (The HOSTS file tells the computer which IP address to use for a particular website). You can download HOSTS files that contain the names of most bad websites. This file will cause the computer not to connect to these websites. A recommended site for downloading a HOSTS file and finding out how to do this is at: http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

For most Web surfing you can use another web browser such as Firefox: http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/ or Opera: http://www.opera.com/.