Over the years I've learned a few things and I'm frequently asked share what I've learned, so I decided to place some of them here.
- Go to the Windows update site choose the option to use Microsoft update which will update all Microsoft products, not just Windows.Do a custom update and install all recommended updates (exclude hardware updates).
- When installing a program, use the custom feature to avoid unwamted toolbars and changes to your home page.
- For every program you can pay for, there is a free equivalent if you know where to look. Add the words open source and/or GPL to your keywords for the search.
- Once a system has been compromised it should never be trusted again. Format it and start with a fresh install after recovering any data needed. Making a full backup after a fresh install will make this easier.
- Use a Live Linux CD/DVD to do your online banking, especially if your a business. Consumers are protect from fraudulant activity while businesses are not. This makes it very important use computer that is known to not be compromised. If you don't know it, assume it is compromised.Read this.
- If you run programs in a sandbox they are less likely to screw up your system. When a problem does occur, just delete the sandbox and create a new one. Try Sandboxie
- There's always a different way, and a better way to do something.
- The best PC Tech admits when they aren't sure about the situation. If their ego prevents them from admitting to not knowing something or having made a mistake, they are not a very good tech because that's how we learn.
- It is extremely important to make sure you can undo any changes that may go wrong. Create a restore point. Make a backup. Make tecious notes of settings before you changed them and what you changed them to. Or, accept the consequences.
- Check for updates frequently. At least once a week for Windows and all security software. When you use a program that you haven't updated recently, open the program, check for updates, then open the file you need to work with.
- Adobe Reader is one of the biggest security holes on your system. Use Foxit Reader instead. It's smaller and loads a lot faster too.
- Adobe's Flash Player is also one of the biggest security holes on your system. Check for updates frequently.