Reminder

    First and foremost, it is important not to let things overwhelm you, as that will be the deal-breaker and you'll hate the computer forever. Take it one step at a time. Don't expect to learn everything overnight, it won't happen. If you have questions, don't hesitate to ask, that's how you'll learn.

Anti-Virus

    For safety and security sake, please remember to get updates for your antivirus software. If you do not have antivirus software, get it! It's incredibly important in the prevention of viruses and hard drive failure due to viruses. If you want a free and reliable antivirus, go to this site. There are no hidden costs or catches.

      Recommended anti-virus programs:

You Need To Know

    It is highly recommended that you download a firewall. It creates a barrier between you protects you from hackers, trojans, viruses, worms, etc. (but will not substitute antivirus, as they should work together to protect against threats). Firewalls also allow you to monitor your computer's activity on the internet. Think of it like a traffic cop. Antivirus and Firewalls are also important when working with a 56k modem (dial-up).

      Hardware and software firewalls

      Recommended software firewalls:

Good Ideas

● Web Browser Cookies (use IE Privacy Cleaner)

● Temporary Internet Files (use IE Privacy Cleaner)

● Clearing Your Internet History  (use IE Privacy Cleaner)

● Spyware (use Ad-Aware or Spybot Search & Destroy)

● Dead registry keys (use TweakNow RegCleaner)

Computer Health

Run Windows ScanDisk. Be sure to do a thorough check. It will take awhile, so be ready to go get a cup of coffee or a snack. Be sure to have any screensaver turned off while performing the ScanDisk or defragmentation, or it may interrupt the scanning process and cause your computer to hang.

● Run Windows Update

● Keep Programs up to date

● Disk Defragmentation

● Keep Spyware defintions up to date and Scan For Spyware

● Keep Anti-Virus up to date and Scan For Viruses

● Use A Firewall and keep it up to date

Online Scanners

In addition to keeping your computer-based anti-virus and anti-spyware programs up to date and scanning with them regularly, it can certainly provide additional peace of mind to have a second opinion from an web-based scan.

Anti-Virus

● Trend Micro Housecall

● Symantec Security Check

● Panda ActiveScan

Anti-Spyware

● Ewido Online Spyware Scan

● SpywareInfo Online Spyware Scan

● CounterSpy Online Spyware Scan

Spyware

  Spyware are small files or programs that automatically download themselves to your computer, while you are on the internet. Some are floating around the internet and make their way onto your computer, others install themselves, and are included with some programs that are downloaded without your knowledge. Some spyware simply "phones home" to their creators over the internet to report your computer habits, others cause the operating system to hang or crash, or cause latency (slowness) in computer operation. You can download for FREE spyware detection and deletion programs that are reliable and easy to use. These are located on the Free Programs page.

Anti-Spyware Tools

● Ad-Aware

● Spybot Search and Destroy

● Spy Sweeper 90 Day Trial

Anti-Spyware Online Scanners

● Ewido Online Spyware Scan

● SpywareInfo Online Spyware Scan

● CounterSpy Online Spyware Scan

● Understanding Spyware, Browser Hijackers, and Dialers

● View The Download.com Guide to Spyware

● Spyware, My Pet Peeve Du Jour

● Spyware: Sneaky, annoying threat

Windows Update

    The reason to get these updates is because computer software is never perfect. This is seen by the fact that new versions of software are released all of the time. These updates fix bugs and other glitches in the program, and along with that, they also add new features. An operating system like Windows XP is a gigantic piece of software. It only makes sense that new improvements will be made, and problems will be fixed. In order to obtain the benefits of these brand spanking new features, you have to install the updates.

    One of the primary reasons for downloading these updates is because of security holes. It's no secret that Windows contains a hefty amount of security problems that can be exploited by people with malicious intentions. New problems are constantly discovered, and subsequently, patches are released to fix the issues.

    In order to download the personalized list of updates available for your computer, visit the Windows Update site:

http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

    Once you scan your computer, the list of updates for your OS, software, and hardware will be displayed. You should pay particular attention to the updates that are marked as critical. These should be applied as soon as possible. If you want more information on a certain update, just click the "Read more" link. Once you're ready to update, select what you want to install under "Review and install updates" and then click "Install Now." The download and installation process will begin, and you may be asked to restart your computer when finished. You're ready to go now... until the next batch of updates is released.

    Running Windows Update can be likened to car maintenance. There are certain routine things that have to be done to your car in order to keep it running smoothly. This is also the story with Windows. If you upgrade the tires on your computer regularly, the ride will be much smoother and safer.

File Sharing

    There are many napster-like clones out there, but make sure you know what you're getting with each before downloading them, as some of them are more bad then good, such as 'Kazaa'. A list of the best, and friendliest file-sharing programs is located on the Free Programs page.

LimeWire and Grokster are trojan horses. DO NOT download them!!!

Kazaa (not "K++" or "Resurrection") is the most well-known, but only because it came onto the scene first after the demise of Napster.

DO NOT install Kazaa, as it contains many pieces of spyware and other intrusive add-ons that are installed along with the program without your knowledge.