Tips for a relative noob with first computer

[Zepper]

I made up this list to help a relative in her 70s to set up her new laptop with the help of an at least semi-computer-literate son-in-law. They are 1200 mi. away or I'd be doing it myself. Some of you may find it useful.

Let the picking commence...

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Hi J & J,

Here is my new computer prep list for commercial computers and laptops
(Dell, Compaq, Gateway, HP, etc.).

Do Not Go On the Internet Until Good Anti-virus and Firewall Software Is
Installed (the firewall that comes with Windows XP is INADEQUATE -
disable it and install a good one)! You will need to download them (if
necessary) to another safe computer and burn their installation files
and signature file updates (if any) onto a CD for transfer onto the new
machine.

1- Uninstall any pre-installed software that you know you won't use.
Also remove the installation files for any included software that you
won't be using. This all takes up disk space you can use for other
things.

2- Install any software that was provided with the computer but that was
not pre-installed that would be useful to you: antivirus (but only if it is a
current version), etc.

3- Install a good anti-Virus software if not already installed.

4- Install a good Firewall program if not already installed.

5- Get your internet software set up and tested.

6- Go online and do your Windows updates.

7- Install anti-Spyware software.

8- Install any other application software as needed.


List of Recommended Security software:

1- Anti-Virus software that I would use in preference to Norton or
McAfee because they are equally effective and have less overhead:
Free: Antivir, AVG
Paid: Kaspersky or Trend Micro's PC-Cillin

2- Firewalls
Free: ZoneAlarm (it's the best, but can be difficult to uninstall or
update - follow directions exactly), Sygate, Outpost

3- Anti-Spyware
Free: AdAware, Spybot Search & Destroy, Microsoft - I have all three
installed as one or the other may catch what the others miss.

4- Alternative Web browsers/eMail clients as Internet Explorer and
Outlook Express (that are integrated in Win XP) are inherently insecure.
Free: Mozilla is an all-in-one browser/email/newsgroup/web page
editing software.
Opera is also a multitool that includes at least browsing and
eMail.
Firefox - separate browser that is very popular
Thunderbird - email client that goes with Firefox
Eudora - a very popular email client
Pegasus Mail - a very competent email client

Choose your browser and email client carefully as once learned, you will
not want to change for love nor money! At least to this point, Mozilla,
Firefox and Thunderbird work very similarly as they all sprung from the
same roots.

"Free" means that the software can be downloaded off the internet,
installed and used at no cost to the user - usually for personal use only.
Business users may need to license some of the software/

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One important security tip re. eMail: The email you will get now is a
different animal than what you were used to doing with the Mailstation.
They can have attachments (files that can be many different things like
pictures, video clips, executable programs, file archives (often called
Zip files), etc.). Do not open or view ANY of these attachments unless you are
ABSOLUTELY sure of their source. Even picture files can contain web
nasties.
. It is important to know that eMail addresses can be "spoofed" which
means that the name in the "From:" line can be EASILY falsified. So set
up a way that you can know who is really sending you email. Perhaps have
them add a "tag phrase" in the subject line such as the "from Bill" that
I often use in my Subject lines. Spoofed email subject lines will ALMOST
never have specific personal info on the sender in it like that.
. You will also need to know what "Phishing" is (usually attempts to
gather personal financial info via email) and how to protect yourself
from it (basically, NEVER include personal info in an email that you
send or click on links within an email that involve a financial institution
that you are doing business with). There is a decent description and
avoidance tips on http://www.komando.com (careful on the spelling
as being off just one letter in the "komando" part can get you to a site
that you don't want to visit!) and other locations. Most good internet
providers should have such info available from their home pages too.
I think there is a new term called "pharming" that I don't have a
definition of on hand. I'm sure when you look up Phishing, you'll also
find info on Pharming (but the analogy is planting seeds and gathering
the crop (personal data))...
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.bh.

 

[shawn130c]

Taken from the Consolidated Security Thread by Schadenfroh in the Software Forum other good stuff there that you might want to check out Security Thread

Never click on pop up boxes. Many times you see a little box pop up in Internet explorer that asks if you wish to install something or set your home page to something new. If you see a new addition in your task bar, right click on it and click close. If no new windows are in your task bar, click no. The reason for this is sometimes the popups are not the actual 'is it ok to install' and is instead a popup window that looks like it; where yes=yes and no=yes. They will also sometimes remove the X at the top right corner of the screen. Result, the only way to handle 100% of these windows is to close it from the start menu/task bar.

Do not install any rogue anti-spyware tools. These programs are harmful. A list of bogus anti-spyware tools can be found here.

Create limited user accounts. If your computer is running 2K/XP, then create limited accounts for people that use your computer besides you. If the user is not allowed to install anything, then spyware cannot install. Always have your account as administrator so you can install things if necessary, but if you have a spouse or a child that is computer illiterate, give them a limited account.

Avoid peer to peer programs. Many programs such as Kazaa contain malware. They can also spread malware thru things you download. Just installing kazaa puts many pieces of malware on your computer that can be difficult to remove. Alternative peer to peer programs that are spyware/adware free include Shareaza and Azureus.

Avoid warez sites. Many warez sites, such as porn sites, pirating sites, etc. are known to contain many dangerous malware programs that can install by just visiting the sites. Avoid these web sites as best you can.

Avoid "Free" programs. Many free programs contain malware. The reason they are free usually means that they are getting you to be subjected to their adware. However, there are freeware programs that do not contain malware. If there is a program you need that you do not wish to pay for, visit SourceForge. The community at SourceForge creates many free applications for the public to use and it is all free of malware.

Unprotected means compromised A PC can become compromised in as little as 20 minutes if unprotected while online.

 

[Zepper]

Besides SourceForge, all the software at majorgeeks.com is tested to be spyware and malware free - but occasionally one slips thru. I doubt that in her 70s she'll be wandering to porn or warez sites, but I'll send this along to her as well. Installing P2P software is unlikely too - no teenagers in the house except as occasional guests - but good to be aware of. Thanks.

.bh.