1. Turn it off, turn it back on. “Nine times out of ten, rebooting your computer-and any equipment that connects to it-will solve the problem,” says Aaron Schildkraut, who owns a home tech-support service in the New York tri-state area.2. Just because we're “buddies” at work, don't expect me to come running every time you've got a problem. I've got a slew of IT problems to fix.
[Note: Yes, we are willing to help you, but please remember, just don't expect us to drop everything we are doing to save you. Call and ask if there is a time we can schedule you in.]
3. We're like Santa: We know if you've been bad or good. Fessing up to what really happened right before the system crashed is going to save time-and I'm going to figure it out anyway.
4. Use “strong” passwords. Geek Squad agent Derek Meister suggests combining letters and numbers-but not your birth date-to create a “base” password, and adding a unique suffix for each site you use. If your base password is your spouse's initials and your anniversary date (say, SP061789), your Amazon password might be “SP061789AM.”
Note: Use numbers or symbols in place of letters. This type of lettering is known at '1337', or 'leet'. For example, for the world "hello", try, "h31lo" or "h3ll0".
5. Make sure you have current antivirus and anti-spyware protection, and set it to update at least once a day and run a full-system scan at least once a week.[Note: Also, make sure your firewall is running too.]
6. There's no free lunch. Downloading free music, movies, and games from file-sharing sites can open holes in your system for others to exploit. Play it safe and use established services like Rhapsody, iTunes, and Netflix.
7. Remember: Public Wi-Fi is public. If you don't have a compelling reason to check your e-mail or bank account while sipping a latte at the mall, don't do it. While you're on a public network, even one that's encrypted, a nearby hacker can capture your passwords.
8. Give it a rest. Turning off your computer when it's not in use saves energy and clears out the RAM, or temporary memory, which would otherwise slow your machine over time.
9. If you can't get online, call your Internet service provider first. Connection problems can often be checked and fixed-free.
10. If you want to see less of me, get a Mac. That's what we use. “Macs are actually a little bad for my business,” says Schildkraut.
11. No, you can't use your cell phone to pop popcorn. Next time an Internet rumor drops into your inbox, don't just pass it on-check it out at snopes.com first.
12. Sometimes we talk about you-in code. If you hear “HKI error” (for human-keyboard interface) or “PEBCAK” (problem exists between chair and keyboard), we're insulting you.
13. If you don't understand me, I'm not doing my job. Confusing tech jargon is a sign of insecurity, not intelligence.
[Note: If you do not understand what we just said, please tell us that you didn't understand or that you "don't follow". We will be glad to explain it and show you what is going on. Also, if you want to know how to do something, please let us know so we can show you. Otherwise, we will simply do our job at a fast pace.]
14. Keep it clean. On a PC, run Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter at least once a month. This will store files more efficiently so your system doesn’t slow down. After about four years, your computer is elderly. If you’re shelling out for a blazing-fast Internet connection, pony up for a new model.
15. Check the cables. “People are always shocked that a cable came loose,” says Geek Squad agent Derek Meister. Of course, everything that needs power is plugged into an outlet, right?
16. Got neighbors? If you do, protect your home wireless network with a password. “If a person knows what he’s doing, getting into a computer on a non-encrypted net-work is easy,” says Schildkraut.
17. You backed up your data, right? External hard drives with lots of memory now sell for under $200, and automated programs like Cobian Backup or Apple’s Time Machine make regular backups a no-brainer. Secure online backup services save your data offsite should anything happen to your home.
[Note: Remember, if you didn't back it up-- It wasn't important.]
18. If you travel with your laptop, get a lock. A 2007 survey by the Computer Security Institute found that 50 percent of respondents had a laptop or other mobile device stolen in the past year. A simple cable lock (starting at about $20) lets you physically secure your laptop anywhere you go.
[Note: Also, don't forget to put a strong user password on your account (as mentioned in #4) when traveling.]
19. Remember: If your company owns the computer, they own what’s on it, too—even your email in some cases. Act accordingly.
20. Please remember: We didn’t create the problem; we’re just trying to help you fix it.
21. NEVER open e-mail attachments unless you are expecting it. This is the best way your computer can and will be infected.
22. Even if you 'deleted' the files/files in the Trash Can, the files can still be retrieved at a later time (unless they have been over written by another file).
23. Google, Yahoo! & MSN's Bing are always there to help you out if you have questions.
24. Please don't tell us that you are "computer illiterate" or "I don't know what I am doing". We hear this all the time and it will not make us feel sorry for you. Some technicians will even use this to their advantage. Instead, try saying, "Maybe you can help me out here..."
Note: If you want to learn the basics of using a computer, feel free to take a class or course. The saying, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" does not apply to using a computer.
25. Just because a software program promises you that it can fix or prevent something, doesn't mean that it will... Very rarely, it can cause more of a headache for you. If you need a second opinion before you purchase something, ask a technician. If they have never tried or heard of that software, they will probably recommend something else that is just as good.
26. Always keep your disc! Store them in a safe place that can be located at a future time... Even if they are never used again.27. Sometimes a salesman at a store will push for an extra sale. If you don't need it right then, don't bite. If the extra sale includes a rebate (such as a new PC bundle- PC, monitor, printer, etc.), ask if you can come back to get that offer at a later time (before the offer expires).
These are just a few things your computer person won't tell you. If you have some more secrets, feel free to post them here for others to read.
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