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Protect Your Computer & Personal Data

 This page gives recommendations to protect your computer against common hardware and software problems.

 I've learned (the hard way) that it's better to protect your computer and your data before, not after a catastrophe occurs.  (And it will -- I'm a born-again believer in Murphy's law.)

Plug your computer into an UPS:  Get an Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) for your computer, monitor, and external drives. (A UPS is NOT a surge suppressor!!  A surge suppressor only protects you when the voltage momentarily gets too high, a UPS provides a.c. power from an internal battery if the power fails AND protects you from surges.)  Get one large enough to run your system at least 30 minutes if the power fails (to give you plenty of time to shut off your computer -- ask the dealer -- check costco, staples, office depot, best buy - 50-150 dollars, depending on size).  

If power spikes or fails without a UPS, there is a possibility that it will erase your computer's hard drive, or damage one of it's electronic components.  WARNING:  Never plug a laser printer into an UPS (see the UPS instructions -- printer heater draws too much power).
I lost everything on a 500 MB external hard drive when I accidentally turned off the power strip it was plugged into while data was being written.  The same thing can happen to your internal system drive if power fails at exactly the wrong time.
Plug your router into an UPS:   If your router is in a different room than your computer (in many computer-ready homes, it's in a closet) you'll need to buy another UPS.  If they're in the same room, just plug the computer, router, monitor and any external hard drives into the same UPS.  A spike or power failure can kill the router.  Sometimes, you can reset it by unplugging it, waiting 30 seconds, then plugging it in and waiting 2-3 min. for it to reset.  Repeat twice if needed.  It that fails, you'll have to call your ISP and get them to send a tech to reset it.  (This happened to me.)  Avoid this problem with a UPS!
Purchase a commercial internet security program:   This will protect you against viruses, and many other types of malicious software.  Don't rely on a free program.  Those are worth exactly what you pay for them.   For years, I've relied on Norton 360 & the only problems I've had have been due to my stupidity, not Norton's failure.  Check the CNET website for other good programs.  A friend had a free program, and wound up getting a "trojan" that slows down her computer, and replaces all searches with a list of companies that "kick back" money to the trojan's author.  Trojan's can be removed with some effort, but it's better not to get them in the first place.  Norton provides "trojan" removal downloads on their website (for purchasers of their security programs).

Back up your files frequently:  If you never make a mistake when working with your files, you can skip this (yeah -- right!!).  You can subscribe to a automatic backup service like Carbonite or Backblaze for approx $50/yr (I recommend Backblaze). Or you can backup your files to another device such as an external hard drive (I use 2 4-TB external drives for storage/backup).  Warning - Carbonite may not backup your external drives. When using a program that has an automatic backup feature (e.g. MS Word or PowerDirector), make sure you enable it!

 Check before downloading/upgrading software!!! Most malware (viruses, trojans, worms, search engine hijackers, etc.) infects your computer when you are downloading or upgrading programs (especially the free ones).

If you try to open a website, or play a video on a website, and a popup demands you either install or update a program (e.g. a video player) before proceeding, DON'T respond to the popup.  If you're not familiar with the program, google for info on it.  If you already have the program, open it and check it's "about" page for updates.  If you don't have the program, go to the program website (or CNET) to download it.  If you can't determine whether the requested program is legit, quit visiting that website!

 Be very careful while downloading/updating a program!  While downloading/updating, you may get numerous requests to accept "freebies" that will clean up your computer, speed it up, "make the world safe for democracy", etc.  I STRONGLY ADVISE YOU TO DECLINE ALL "FREEBIES".  But be careful!  The "snake-oil" salesman are clever.  Sometimes you check a box to "reject" a freebie, sometimes you uncheck a box to "not accept".  Sometimes you answer yes to "decline", sometimes you answer no to "not accept".  Many times I've answered one of those trick questions wrong, and I've had to use "Windows System Restore" to unwind from the mess.

 Please watch this related video tutorial:  Playlist:  Solve Computer Problems , video "How To Run System Restore To Solve Computer Problems".

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