Brian Gongol
Urgent this week:
- The spring storm season is coming. If you haven't installed surge suppressors on all of your computers, doing so should be your highest computing priority before the spring storm season arrives.
- Take care not to destroy your computer with static electricity. Wear rubber-soled shoes (if possible) when using your computer, try to discharge static before touching the machine, and isolate your CPU from the ground if at all possible.
- Microsoft says the March "Patch Tuesday" update will be a tiny one without any urgent security upgrades, so perhaps it won't be the klaxon-alarm-ringing event that Patch Tuesday usually is.
Important to do every week:
- Run a backup of your important computer files and store it in a safe location.
- Update your anti-spyware software and run it. If you need free anti-spyware software, download Spybot Search and Destroy.
- Update your anti-virus software and run it. If you need free anti-virus software, download AVG Anti-Virus.
Other recommended security measures:
- Set up a limited-access user account on your computer and use it for most purposes. Only use administrator mode when installing and uninstalling programs.
- Use Firefox, Opera, Safari, or another web browser other than Internet Explorer. They're easy to install.
Online crook of the week:
- Check out this ridiculous scam:
If you don't have a record of entering a lottery, you probably didn't. This is just a scam intended to get you to turn over your bank account number to a crook. - For the record: 65 spam messages received in one hour on Friday, for a Spam Index of 10,920
Other helpful links:
- Listen to the WHO Radio Wise Guys Saturdays from 12:00 to 2:00 Central via streaming audio or on 1040 AM.
- Get a professional website for under $500 at NorthernRepublic.com.