RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES
for Windows PC Users

7 Steps to safer computing with Windows.

1. Avoid Malware (Viruses, Key-loggers, etc. etc.)

DO NOT Click on attachments and links in emails! - #1 cause of problems!
DO NOT Click on links on web pages (UNLESS you are certain they are ok - do a MOUSE-OVER and CHECK first!)
DO NOT DOWNLOAD software off internet UNLESS you are certain it is a ‘safe’ website (i.e. Microsoft, etc.)

REMEMBER - just because a website has the name of a reputable company in the website ‘name’ (URL),
that does NOT mean that website belongs to that company: i.e. :
support.microsoft.com is OK, microsoft.com is OK, download.microsoft.com would be ok (will refer)
microsoft-support.com is NOT OK. (the .com [or .net, etc.] MUST FOLLOW the business name
{the domain name is the name immediately preceding the DOT in .com, .net, .org, etc., etc.}

2. Have Microsoft Updates set for Automatic and make sure System Restore is ON (default)

Sometimes a bad update download or even a malware infection can be removed by simply doing a System Restore (not to be confused with a backup - System Restore Point / System Restore does not affect files, etc. - just system settings.)

3. Be careful what you share!

Share ONLY those files and folders that you would not mind others seeing unless you are password protected. By default, your ’Shared’ folders can be seen by others on your network.

4. Use a Firewall

Have the Microsoft Firewall turned ON - unless you have a physical Firewall - and know what you’re doing. Most Routers have a built in firewall these days. But if you are have others on the same network - as is the case with unprotected or public Wi-Fi, then everyone is behind (on YOUR side of) the firewall - which means there is no firewall between you and them.)

5. Password protect your accounts

Use a LOGON password on your computer - use passwords on the internet on websites and with your email accounts.
But, by all means, use SECURE passwords! There are a lot of ‘automatic’ programs out there than can ‘crack’ passwords - and things like “mollie2” and ‘sugarloaf’ , etc., etc., are some of the easiest to crack. It happens every day. Use a SECURE password - write it down if you have to.
For more on Secure, or ‘strong’ Passwords, see:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/tips-for-creating-a-strong-password
and: http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/passwords-create.aspx
Also, use Microsofts ‘Password Checker’:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/security/pc-security/password-checker.aspx

6. Set up and additional login account!

Have another account set up on your computer that you normally do NOT use - such as “User” or “Extra” or whatever name you want to give it. Oftentimes a malware infection can prevent you from scanning/fixing the problem - but many times we have found you can login in the ‘unused’ or ‘extra’ account (set as Administrator) and FIX the problem(s). This is because some malware only infects the user account that was in use at the time of the infection.

7. RECOMMENDED FREE SOFTWARE - that works! - with LINKS -

REMEMBER - many will try to ’spoof’ you to a similar looking website, so if you are going to download the software shown below, use the links that are shown - do not Google or Yahoo (etc.) search - that COULD get you onto a ‘bad’ website.

Many websites that offer ‘free’ downloads - even if it is ‘standard’ software, will also try to ‘trick’ you into installing other software, such as registry scanners, fixers, toolbars, and so on.
We recommend NOT installing TOOL BARS, SPEED UP programs, “FIXERs”, “SCANNERS”, etc., etc. - AT BEST, they slow down your computer and usually offer nothing extra you don’t already have available.

Office Software (Word Processing, Spreadsheet, Presentation and more)

Open Office (Oracle):
http://www.openoffice.org/

THIS IS IMPORTANT - be SURE to got to the .org website -  NOT the .com
plus - you can read a lot more about Open Office, and have questions answered, etc. - and/or Download your free copy.
This software will read/write in its own format - OR can read/write in Microsoft Office formats if desired (recommended).

Email:

Thunderbird - Mozilla (Email Client Application Program):
http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/

Internet Browsers:

Firefox - Mozilla (Internet Browser  - many think FIreFox is better than Internet Explorer):
http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/

Safari - Apple ( Internet Browser) - a very good browser
http://www.apple.com/safari/

Anti-Virus / Internet Security:

Malwarebytes: (again - it is the .org website )
get the FREE one to use as a Manual Virus Scanner - that is, it will only scan when you actively click on it and launch it.  
Malwarebytes seems to 'catch' infections that others miss.
https://www.malwarebytes.org/

Microsoft Security Essentials, or "MSE”:
- Why pay for anti-virus and internet Security when you can run Microsoft’s version? - which works well and is not as resource ‘hungry’ as some others!?
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/products/security-essentials

There is other ‘free’ and/or inexpensive software available - just be sure you download from a reputable source!

Read more detail info on various and related subjects at:
http://www.DayComSolutions.com/Support/