Ten Things You Should Do to Your Computer Today Don Yarman & Jim Mann OLC IT Division Small Libraries Conference May 2006

The First Four Things 1. Automatic Updates 2. Firewall 3. Antivirus 4. Adware/Spyware Removal That’s the bottom line; you may go to another session. If you want to know more or want to argue, please stay.

Our Objectives Doing anything is better than doing nothing. Any recommendations may not be the absolute “best” thing you can do -- that’s a moving target anyway. We’ll present a baseline of what you must do, some recommendations of how to do it, and we’ll discuss what you can do above and beyond the minimum.

Credit where it’s due OPLINTECH list, 30 June 2004 “How to keep your PC spyware and malware free for nothing!” Jim Kenzig, Cuyahoga County PL WindowsSecrets.com “Security Baseline”

What I’m talking about Personal computers (at home or library) Windows operating system (esp. XP) Any Internet connection (esp. broadband)

1. Enable Automatic Updates Latest service packs and hot fixes To enable:  Go to your Control Panel  Automatic Updates or Security Center  Second or Third radio button Second option? You have to install Third button not good choice if you don’t have broadband at home

Older PC without Automatic Updates Update manually through Internet Explorer Scan for and install all critical updates Return repeatedly to get all updates New Microsoft Update includes Office (Do you know where your Office disks are?)

2. Install a good firewall If you have Windows XP, enable Windows Internet Connection Firewall. [Automatically enabled in Service Pack 2] Directions on Microsoft site

Not Windows XP? Obtain good software or purchase router with a hardware firewall Norton/McAfee firewall and antivirus WindowsSecrets.com recommends Linksys hardware firewalls and ZoneAlarm Security Suite With software firewalls, the first time that you run any program that tries to access the Internet, a pop-up will ask if you want to allow it. (You will be amazed).

3. Maintain Antivirus No excuses. Review leaders: ConsumerSearch.com says “Smart Computing, PC Magazine, CNet.com”  Best: McAfee Virus Scan 2006 (with complaints)  Free: Avast! 4 Home edition Grisoft AVG Free edition Spend the money. Update definitions daily.

Opinions are like…um….

4.Remove Adware Best: SpyWare Sweeper Runner Up: Spyware Doctor Free: Microsoft Windows Defender [beta] Ad-Aware SE Personal

ConsumerSearch again

A Joke and a Cartoon How to prevent viruses:  Board up the basements

Know Where to Get Help Google WebJunction Hardware/software vendor sites Microsoft Join a user group

The Road Less Traveled Firefox Open Office Gmail Apple Linux  Linspire Linspire  Ubuntu Ubuntu

Work More Click Less tips  General tips   IE tips  Keyboard shortcuts 

Get Twice as Much of Everything Buy more RAM Buy a bigger hard drive Go wireless Get a new monitor Upgrade your software Have a throw-away computer

Have a Plan C Make regular backups Have an image of your computer Keep your disks, documentation and licenses handy

Find Treasure in Unexpected Places Disabled Women’s Network AARP

Be Aware Be Smart Be Honest Ask yourself “Where am I? What do I see?” Take 2 minutes to troubleshoot your own problem  Is the caps lock on?  Is it plugged in? Being smart will prevent spyware and spam What is the last thing you did before you didn’t do anything?

Updates Updates Updates Critical updates to your operating system Access updates in your firewall rules Definition updates for your antivirus Definition updates for adware removal

Other things that help Spam management  MSN, Yahoo, AOL Pop-up blockers  Google advanced toolbar Content filtering  I’m not talking about patrons; I mean you.  AdSubtract.com or userContent.css

Questions? Don Yarman OPLIN Library Services Jim Mann Technology Coordinator GCPL This presentation is available online at