How to be a responsible computer user, Part One


Microsoft has made it fairly easy to keep up with 'Critical' updates. Some of the updates in the past have been fairly large and if you are using Windows XP, Microsoft has made available a free CD that you can request and they will mail it to you, free postage and all. Can't beat free! The current CD available is Windows XP SP2. It contains all of the critical updates ever issued for Windows XP, both Home and Pro editions. If you are using Windows XP, get the free CD available here!
Or open Google and type in 'Windows XP SP2.' It is the first entry at the time of writing this article.

If you are using an earlier version of Windows, all you have to do is click on the 'Windows Update' that is on the menu of every Windows based computer. The update feature will scan your computer and then show you what is available for your computer.
(Please note: This is for the more 'paranoid', Microsoft does not care what you have on your computer and will not steal any of your confidential information. It is safe to use the update feature!) See more about using Windows update!

Just about every computer comes with a number of programs. Some of these programs are 'trials', meaning they are only good for a short period of time. Generally, the virus scanner that comes installed on your new computer is a trial version. In order to keep the virus scanner up to date and working to keep your computer free from new and nasty virus, you have to pay for the
program. Most of the commercial virus scanners on the market also require you to pay an annual fee for what they call the subscription for the virus update or 'dat' files. When you pay for the program the first time, you get the first year's subscription. This is also true if you buy a boxed version of the program.

Ok, did you pay for your virus scanner after the trial period? Maybe you intended to pay for it, but just got busy and forgot about it. No big deal, right? Wrong! If you are extremely lucky you don't have any viruses on your computer. Chances are, you have more than one! Maybe after buying your computer and paying for the other programs you really want to use, you are a little short of money, so the virus scanner program can wait a while longer. Wrong! The virus scanner should come first! If you get a virus that destroys all of your data, how are you going to justify no virus scanner?

You don't have to buy the program that came on your computer. There are several very good and free virus scanners you can download and use indefinitely! The companies that provide the free scanners hope you will upgrade to their paid versions, but you don't have to upgrade. For free virus scanners, look at this page.

Next,  How to be a responsible computer user, Part 2




Home
Lesson Plan
Responsible Users
Responsible Users Part 1
Responsible Users Part 2
Windows Update
The Virus Problem
The Spyware Problem
Getting More Spam?
Spam in Your In-Box
Who is the Spammer?