Almost every home now has one or more computers and are online. I would like to share with you a few tips for staying safe on line, and to help those that don't already know how to keep their computer running smoothly.
To begin with, for people running Windows 98, it is now becoming obsolete. If for some reason you have to redo your computer and have 98 installed, you are no longer able to get the needed updates you need to properly install it. So you may as well plan on spending some money and getting XP or higher. (I think you can still get the updates on Windows 2000 but that most likely won't be for long.) For around $100.00 you can buy the XP program - if you choose to go to the new Vista that is around $300.00 or more. There are still a lot of "bugs" in that one, so my advice is not to jump into it.
The main thing in internet safety to keep from getting attacked by some unforeseen virus is to have an anti-virus program installed and keep it regularly updated. I use Norton, it seems to be easier to update and use than some of the others. Also keep your web browser updated. Sign up for the Automatic updates from Microsoft. Also NEVER open up an email that has an attachment from someone you don't know, - even though you have kept your Anti-Virus program updated, sometimes a virus can sneak thru.
I sometimes use Outlook express for my email, it has a handy feature for cutting down on the junk mail. You can block the sender by clicking "message" and block sender. If you do this from the get go it keeps the spam to a minimum. You can also use the "read receipt" to know if the person you sent it to got your email.
With Yahoo Mail you can send the unwanted mail to the Spam pile, so the next time something is sent from there it won't reach your inbox.
A good FREE program for freeing up your computer when it starts to bog down is AD-AWARE SE. You can find it at www.lavasoft.com It will get rid of all the Spyware tracking cookies that have automatically attached to your computer when you surf the net. Another program that I use when my computer starts to bog down is Window Washer by Webroot. A good place to order this program is thru www.worldstart.com. It costs about $12.00 through them with free shipping. I run it about once a week to keep my computer running smooth. The first time you run it, it may take a long time, but after the first time, it goes thru the program in just a couple of minutes. Will free up space taken up by incomplete downloads, cookies or what ever.
World Start has many computer tips and tons of good buys on software, hardware and about anything else you could want. They are reliable and many times you will find programs in there dirt cheap. You can sign up for free their newsletter that they put out 5 days a week.
Have you ever received an email, or are just trying to read an article that the print is too small to make out?
Here is a handy trick to enlarge the print-
You hold down the CTRL button on your keyboard, and spin the wheel on your mouse while clicking on the article you want to enlarge. This gives instant enlargement without having to go to your control panel to adjust the settings. It is great for people who are sight impaired- or for us old geezers who need glasses.
Has your computer ever seemed "possessed"? The homepage that you had, for instance, Yahoo or MSN isn't the page that comes up?
That means your Start Page has been hijacked. It is caused from Spyware that has attached to your computer while either surfing, or sometimes if you have downloaded a new program. This can be very annoying - You go into your internet options and re-set the homepage. Thinking you have it fixed, but the next time you close out and come back, your selected homepage isn't what comes up. Now there is a free program to deal with this, it is called HIJACK THIS to get to it, go to http://merijin.org/downloads.html. Install this and solve the problem of Homepage Hijackings.
Keep an eye on what your kids are doing on the internet. Set your computer so you are the administrator so only you can OK any downloading. That way, your kids aren't going to go into some site and download something that may mess your computer up BIG time. If your kids uses MY SPACE make sure that you have the parental controls set. There are a lot of weirdoes out there in internet land that love to prey on the youngsters. Just watch the horror stories on TV. They pretend to be something that they aren't and suck the kids in, often ending tragically. It is always better to be safe than sorry.