Keeping your Computers Healthy & Safe. John Lorens Program / Project Manager Computer Support Engineer

Transcription

1 Keeping your Computers Healthy & Safe John Lorens Program / Project Manager Computer Support Engineer johnlorens@gmail.com

2 Topics Basic Computer components Operating Systems Surfing the Web Computer Protection Software Network systems for home & business Password management Backups & Upgrades Best Practices to keep computers running well Pirates, Ransomware, Scams Additional material new hardware review Q & A 2

3 About John Lorens Worked with computers since 80 s Build, repair, update PCs; setup small networks Strong PC (IBM clone) background some with Apples these Best Practices do apply to all computers Professional Project & Program Manager for various global companies with Hardware, Software, & Building Automation system. 3

4 Your computer is not feeling well Symptoms Runs slower over time Programs lock up Pop-ups constantly while surfing the web Computer runs very warm Many error messages 4

5 Do you really need a new computer or does it just need some TLC? Following Best Practices you can fire your IT guy, i.e., Geek Squad Keeping the same old habits, your new PC will soon run as poorly as the old one. 5

6 Basic computer components CPU (i3, i5, i7 or dual core processor) Memory RAM 4GB Win7, 1GB XP, 2GB Win10 Hard drive Storing documents & pictures (100+ GB), more for music, videos (500+ GB) Operating System Software Programs Anti-virus & anti-spam protection Peripherals (printer, scanner, camera) Network connections (wired & wireless) 6

7 Balancing hardware for performance i.e. having the right amount of batter, bowl size, and mixing power to make enough cookies Mixer CPU Memory size is key factor to overall performance Mixing Bowl RAM (memory) Refrigerator Hard Drive 7

8 Different O/S Operating Systems Win95, 98, 2000 Me XP (Home, Pro) still supported Vista Win 7(Starter, Home, Pro, Enterprise, Ultimate) Win 8 (basic 8, Pro, RT) or 8.1 (hotfix for 8) Win 10 Threshold & 10S 8

9 Windows over time Bad Very Bad Very Bad Bad Fair tied to M.S. focus groups Do you see a pattern? 9

10 O/S which is best for Reliability, Ease, & with the least bugs? 10

11 O/S which is best for Reliability, Ease, and with least bugs?? 11

12 Internet Browsers means to surf the Web Internet Explorer I.E. by Microsoft Firefox by Mozilla Chrome by Google Safari by Apple Which one is least secure? 12

13 Internet Browsers to surf the Web Internet Explorer I.E. by Microsoft Firefox by Mozilla Chrome by Google Safari by Apple Which one is least secure? Internet Explorer 13

14 Add-On s & Plug-In s for Internet Browsers Applications that personalize your browser Weather Backgrounds Search engines Add Features with SW programs Java Shockwave Adobe Reader Adobe Flash Player Choose wisely - many will slow down your PC i.e., Weather Bug, Ask me, etc. run in the background 14

15 Anti-virus & Anti-Spam programs Purchased versions McAfee Norton Kaspersky Free ones you can buy Malwarebytes Avast AVG Which ones work best depends on the security level you need at home or business 15

16 Anti-virus & Anti-Spam programs Most effective ones are Malwarebytes - anti-spam & antivirus End Point Protection Avast AVG Keep the database current Update weekly if not automated Remain active if you purchased one When to scan your hard drive Set to run scan weekly unless automatic Quick scan when you sense the computer is slowing down 16

17 Software Office Suite 2003, 2007, 2010, 2013 & 365 VLC video media player (free) Adobe PDF Reader (free) Try FoxIt PDF reader - more secure Adobe Flash Player (free) Java (free) Music Avoid if possible itunes (free) Windows Media Player (free) WinAmp (free) VLC media player (free) safe site to download freeware

18 Home Network setup Wireless networks Don t share with everyone Keep secure with WEP, WPA passwords Wireless coverage Locate broadcaster at highest point for best coverage Wired Routers with Ethernet cables Joining network in Win 7, 8, 10 Choose Work (not Home or Public) when at trusted site Choose Public at questionable sites (coffee houses) Use Power surge protectors Not the cheap ones as they do nothing for power surges. Whole house surge protectors ($100) in the C/B Panel are best 18

19 Basic Network setup 19

20 Passwords 8 or more characters consist of letters (small & capital) digits special characters $%! something you ll remember don t share with anyone save them somewhere accessible lock box, on-line Dropbox password protect your home wireless Don t give it out to visitors Instead provide them a guest account 20

21 Password Managers Good password manager generate, manage, and store all those long, complex, and unique passwords better than your brain ever could. Further, instead of writing everything down in a notebook, it includes extra features like random-character generation and other tools. Passwords are saved in a database encrypted behind a master password Some are accessed on-line, others capable of off-line use. Efficient Password Managers to consider LastPass KeePass DashLane 1Password RoboForm Refer to additional material that compares the features of each program 21

22 How do I setup my PC Organize your docs in My Docs (Not on your Desktop screen) Documents Pictures Music Videos Favorites Make it easy for Backups One place to collect all your personal docs for your backup SW. If you use some files often, create a desktop shortcut to them 22

23 How do I keep it running well? Backing up your computer Personal files only not operating system or programs Methods external hard drives DVDs flash thumb drives on-line services like Carbonite most reliable Ext drives & on-line services How often does one backup personal files depends on the content & your usage what are you willing to lose since the last backup 23

24 Which Updates to accept or decline Anti-virus programs (accept database updates) No need to buy them unless you own a business Adobe Reader & Flash Player (accept) Be careful of McAfee bundled in update uncheck it Java, itunes, (accept) Microsoft (accept) What s in MS updates?? 24

25 Which Updates to accept or decline Anti-virus programs (accept database updates) No need to buy them unless you own a business Adobe Reader & Flash Player (accept) careful of McAfee bundled in update uncheck it Java, itunes, (accept) Microsoft (accept?) What s in MS updates?? Bug fixes to the O/S, not new features! Therefore accept MS updates except the auto update migration to Windows 10 unless you are ready for potential issues. 25

26 Restore Points Benchmarks your O/S & Software before each major upgrades Name each Restore Point for easy lookup Allows to you to go back in time to a Point with all was going well Does not affect your Docs Refer to additional material that steps you through the Restore Points procedure 26

27 Keep it running well Defrag your hard drive Reorganizes files in orderly fashion Schedule weekly Not required for Solid State hard drives Limit how many programs are in Startup not Skype, WeatherBug, chat, itunes helper, etc. Cleaning out cookies left while surfing Internet Options, General, delete History Programs like CCleaner (free) great for getting rid of cookies, temp files, broken links, missing files Note: a recent 32 bit version of CCleaner was hacked. Use the latest version 27

28 Keep it running well Control who uses your PC it s your tool for Banking, online buying, networking not a toy for the family Download safe programs thru Games some risks with those free ones s do you know this person before opening If you are using Outlook, turn off the Preview Pane 28

29 Pirates on-line How do they get in Random phone calls & Pop-ups I m from Microsoft and I m here to help you We ve been monitoring & your computer is running slow Unsolicited alerts from software you don t own You shared your wireless Didn t keep your PC clean of viruses & spams Opening s from people you don t know Bottom-line > Microsoft & no one is monitoring your PC, offering to help you. It s a SCAM! 29

30 Some examples of Scammers posted to You-Tube 30

31 What you should do if you ve been scammed Don t take the bait Hang up on them (repeatedly) Don t give them any information on your PC Run your anti-virus, anti-spam programs and delete, remove, or quarantine the bugs. If you are hacked or your PC is compromised notify your financial institutions - Immediately change your Passwords - Immediately run your anti-virus & anti-spam programs 31

32 Ransomware a form of malware in which the data on a victim's computer is locked, typically by encryption, and payment is demanded before the ransomed data is decrypted and access returned to the victim. The motive for ransomware attacks is nearly always monetary, and unlike other types of attacks, the victim is usually notified that an exploit has occurred and is given instructions for how to recover from the attack. Payment is often demanded in a virtual currency, such as bitcoin, so that the cybercriminal's identity isn't known Recent examples WannaCry GoldeEye Cryptolocker Locky Crysis 32

33 5 simple Do s & Don ts 1. Don t pay the Ransom 2. Don t click on unknown attachments 3. Do keep software up to date (O/S & programs) 4. Do use security software 5. Do back up your personal files 33

34 Share your files Safely! Dropbox Google Docs Clouds external Servers join by invitation & password protection Tech Support with only secure remote connections i.e., TeamViewer changes the ID & password each time 34

35 In Summary Best Practices to be Safer Make sure Windows is updated with the critical updates Quality Anti-Virus (Kaspersky, Avast, Malwarebytes End Points NOT NORTON, MCAFEE) Use secondary "spyware" scanner like Malwarebytes or Spybot S&D Try not to use Adobe Reader at all (I recommend FoxIT) Don't have Java runtimes installed if you don't need them, if you do, make sure it stays updated. DO NOT install software you don't recognize. NEVER click on s, social media sites, from unknown soures If your PC has software you don't use anymore, get rid of it (through Uninstall, not just the icon). 35

36 more Best Practices Reduce using Flash Drives They are the mucous and cough of the computing world. Try to keep a good current image of your main OS drive, with a current backup of personal/business files so when in question, you can just re-image the drive in a few minutes, and be on your way again without having to worry. Use proper passwords, changed at least every 4 months or use a Password Manager program Update the firmware on your router/gateway. If you know how, find someone who does). Use an pop-up blocker try UBlock Most infections are simply due to bad administration and the fact 99% of PC users don't give any of this a thought, and are completely unaware. 36

37 So if you still feel you need a new PC Brands to consider ASUS Dell Lenovo (Thinkpads) Toshiba Sony Choose O/S - Windows 7 vs. 8 vs. 10 Style - Laptop / Tablet / Desktop 37

38 Printers Types Ink jet Laser All-in-One Brands HP, Brother, Canon, Epson Connection methods USB, Wired (Ethernet), Wireless Which are best based on maintenance cost ink replacements $$ print quality documents vs. photos most reliable connection USB & Ethernet wired 38

39 Printers to consider Brother laser B/W ~ $ 80 Wireless- Networking/dp/B00450DVDY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid= &sr=8-1&keywords=brother+hl-2270dw Brother color laser ~ $ Networking/dp/B00BR3VZCG/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid= &sr=1-1&keywords=brother+color+laser+printer Brothers are easy to install (and remove), do Duplex printing, and have excellent customer support And Laser printers have dropped in price and produce reams of paper per toner compared to ink jet printers. 39

40 Tools for On-Line interviews & conference calls Webcams $35 Headsets $30 Conference programs Skype free version only Go to Meeting 30 day trial basis 40

41 Recycle the old PC Remove personal data Hard drive erase reformat destroy the old hard drive Donate the Hardware Community recycling days for electronic units Motorola semi-annual drop-offs Lorens recycling Finding new users (students, Vets, low-income families) 41

42 Closing Tips Be careful what you let in Be careful who you let in 42

43 Thank You John Lorens Program / Project Manager Computer Engineer johnlorens@gmail.com

44 Questions? 44