Backup and Secure-Checklist

Select the media you are going to use . Media can be either an external hard drive, CDs, DVDs or large Memory sticks .

CD´s take 700 Megabytes, DVDs 4.7 Gig but check first your burner is for DVD

Establish the location and size of your personal Data

Use Windows Explorer, on My Documents right click and request properties. This will give you the size of that main folder which should contain all your personal data. Checking on each Folder within My Documents will highlight how the data can be easily split into type for creating a backup.

If using CDs or DVDs make a note of how many you will need and how you are going to organise the backup

It is usual that My Pictures will be the biggest element and these can be backed up in a seperate sequence of CDs or DVDs

Check that you still have the Master Program disc of all the programs installed or that they can be downloaded from the Internet

You should have with your system a batch of recovery discs that came when purchased. Make sure you know where they are.

EMail - Address Book and Messages

Notes are on this page on how to Extract the Address Book from Outlook Express. If you are using any other EMail program then check the HELP files. If you are using web based GMail then the easiest way is to keep mail archived and also download to your computer into Outlook Express.

Sylvia April 2008

Securing your Outlook Express Address Book

First, you will need to format your contacts as a CSV file.

From Outlook Express: Open the Address Booko Select File > Export > from the main menu.

Select Other Address Book and then Text File (Comma Separated Values).

Browse location to Save File and Name it. Good temporary location is on the Desktop
Select ALL the fields (even if you have no data in them)

Click Export.

PC Health Check

1. Delete Temporary Internet Files.. – Tools . Internet Options – Version 6 & 7 are a little different but just delete Temp Files

2. Anti-Vurus Software – Ensure the Data file is updated regularly. ADSL users keep option on AUTO update.. dial-up users can also use auto OR Manual update. If usig Manual suggest at least twice a week. RUN FULL SCAN AT LEAST WEEKLY

3. Anti-Spyware programs: Many free versions available
MS Defender – Free for licenced users of Windows- Auto update and works in background.

SpyBot – Free Version and can auto update and guard in background

AVG Anti-Spy – Free version will give auto updates for 1 month and guard in background. After one month then manual updates and no background guard.

Spyware Docter – Free version with Google Pack – guards in background

Lavasoft Adaware – Free Version does not auto update or guard in background.

Run Full scan using at least one of the spyware programs on a weekly basis and take the recommended action. Can be Ignore , Remove or Quarantine

After Full Scan and clean system Set a restore Point.

Sylvia April 2008

Spyware

What it is spyware or adware and how can I remove it

Spyware is Internet jargon for any data collection program that secretly gathers information about you and relays it to advertisers and other interested parties. Adware usually displays banners or unwanted pop-up windows, but often includes spyware as well.
You can unknowingly install spyware when you install new software, most commonly freeware or shareware (e.g., LimeWire, BearShare, KaZaA, iMesh, WinMX,). Many of these programs are intended to track your Internet browsing habits, such as frequented sites and favorite downloads, then provide advertising companies with marketing data.

How to remove it

Unfortunately, you cannot fully remove most spyware and adware programs by using the uninstall option in the Windows Add or Remove Programs control panel. To completely remove spyware from your Windows computer, use one of the recommended programs - Windows Defender- Spybot – Lavasoft Adaware – AVG Anti-Spyware – Spyware Doctor .
Run FULL Scans using one of the recommended programs on a weekly basis and take the recommnded action to either remove or quantine the infections

How to avoid it

Do not install file sharing applications may contain adware or spyware unless essential. If you do then ALWAYS run an immediate Spyware and Virus Check afterwards. Before opening a downloaded file request a Virus Scan. Under Windows Explorer.. right click on the file name and select Scan with (your Anti-virus program) Follow the same proceedure with any new CD´s , memory sticks etc
Reduce your use of cookies
Avoid Advertisements
Avoid clicking links in Instant Messaging
Frequently scan your computer with spyware detection software

Sylvia April 2008

Good and the BAD

Viruses: The Good and Bad

Some information about viruses, spyware and other malware.
The number of malware programs on the Web today is predicted to increase to one million this year. But there is actually some good news!
With antivirus, anti-malware and anti-rootkit software doing better and better as time goes by, the chance of a new threat ever reaching your computer is dwindling down. Malware programs written faster in order to keep up and few programs actually get the chance to infect a user's PC.
According to stats by Sophos, 85 to 90 percent of malware families have a fix created almost immediately. Also, e-mails with viruses attached have less of a chance of getting through to your computer. In the past, one out of 40 attempts would successfully infect your computer. Now, that number is one out of 1,000. That is great news for all of us and more of a reason to keep your protection up to date.

April Calendar 2008

Time of Lessons
Beginners class will start at 10 a.m until 11 am½ hr coffee breakMoving-on Group 11:30 a.m until 12:30 prompt
La Lloma Restaurant - BenidoleigSummer - 9 April - 2 July
Autumn - 10 September - 10 December

9th April 2008
Beginners
Trouble shooting & Revision on the Basics of Sending an EMail
Moving-on
Trouble shooting – Review the Excel Projects

16th April 2007
Beginners
Email Basics and Options Revised
Moving-on
PC Health Check

23rd April
Beginners
MS Word Basics & Options Revised
Moving-on
Securing your Data

30th April
10 am – 12:30
Photography Group
First Session
Hope that some members will take some photos using the options on their cameras. An example would be to take a landscape using the Auto Mode and then change to the landscape mode. Most cameras also have options for strong sunlight situations. Please try and Email me the samples using Picasa so that we can look at them as a group. We will also discuss taking photos in low light situations and view some samples.
Second Session
Hopefully Vernon will show us some more tips and tricks using Elements

Sylvia 2008