Be kind to your laptop

Take a little time to take care of your laptop or PC. There are a number of simple things you can do to minimize problems, protect your information and let your laptop continue to do all that you want it to do and keep all your information safe. Your laptop is your faithful companion but needs to be protected from a variety of threats...

1. Perform basic computer safety maintenance
Before you surf the Web, you should take steps to help improve the computer's security:
Use an Internet firewall.
Keep your computer operating software up to date.
Install anti-virus software.
Install anti-spyware software.
Keep anti-virus and anti-spyware definitions up to date.

2. Don't open files and email attachments from strangers
E-mail and instant messaging (IM) can bring viruses and worms to your computer if you aren't careful about opening attachments and files. Most e-mail viruses are spread when a person opens an infected file or attachment. Never open a file attached to an e-mail or delivered by instant messenger unless you trust the sender and you are expecting the file.

3. Fight spam and online scams
Use built-in or add-on e-mail filtering software to intercept junk messages sent to your mail box. Filtering programs use lists of known senders or key phrases to determine which incoming messages to delete or divert to a quarantine folder. You can even create a list of trusted email addresses for the programs to check to avoid deleting email from friends.

Phishing is a popular technique of using email to bait you into entering personal information that can allow the sender to steal credit card numbers, passwords, account information, or other personal data. Con artists send a variety of fraudulent e-mail messages, appearing to come from trusted sources like bank or credit card companies, to lead the recipient into entering personal information. Never enter personal information like your social security number, credit card numbers or logins and passwords unless you are using a trusted, secure website where you are required to enter them to connect to your account or place an order. Make sure a banking or ordering website is secure by checking to see characters like "https://www.websitename..." on the address line at the top the browser window when you are about to enter sensitive information.

4. Protect yourself from spyware
If your Web browser has been taken over by pop-up ads, or there are new toolbars on your browser screen that you didn't intentionally install, your computer may have been infected by a spyware program. Spyware is malicious software that collects personal information from your computer without letting you know it is being collected. Many times spyware can be installed without your knowledge if you download music or file-sharing programs, free games from un-trusted websites, or other software from suspicious websites.

Install and run up-to-date antispyware software to locate and remove spyware and protect against further infections and protect your computer.

5. Take precautions when using wireless connections
Many school and college campuses provide wireless networks so you can connect to campus networks to use library websites, access campus services and class information and to connect to the internet. Such wireless networks are convenient, but do come with some potential security risks.

Consider a few minumum precautions:
Don't connect to unprotected wireless networks—it is possible for someone to monitor your Internet usage and even record your login and password information and other sensitive information. If you do not know if a network is secure - ask!
If you choose to connect to an unprotected wireless network, don't visit a website that requires a password unless the website is encrypted. To determine if a website is encrypted, look for a "lock" symbol in the lower-right corner of your browser window.
If you are not surfing the Internet or sending e-mail, but are using your computer near a public wireless network, disable your wireless connection to prevent intrusion to your computer from others. If you're using an external plug-in WiFi card you can simply unplug it. If you're using an internal WiFi card, right-click the connection icon in the lower portion of your laptop screen and click "Disable" to temporarily turn off wireless access.

6. Password protect your computer—and lock it
Passwords are the first line of defense in protecting your computer from criminals, pranksters, or a careless roommate. If you don't use a password to log on to your computer, anyone can walk up and access it and look through your information or use the computer to connect to services you use. A password should be at least 8 characters long, and should include a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols that make it difficult to guess by an unscrupulous user. And... don't share your password with anyone!

7. Back up your files and data
One of the most important things you need to do is to make backup copies of your files and data. This is one of the first things a you should learn to do, but often does not get done until all of your data has been lost during a crash or disk failure.

Stories of computer users losing all their records and documents because they did not backup work are commonplace. Even after living through a computer failure many won't take time to backup vital information and will unfortunately have the same problem again and again.

8. Pretect your computer from extreme heat or cold
Laptops are vulnerable to temperature extremes and should be used under normal conditions that are comfortable to you. Don't leave them in the trunk of a car during hot or cold times. Excessive heat can destroy the display or damage other internal components. Leaving one in cold, damp places can cause internal moisture condensation and short or damage components. Don't place one in precarious situations where it could fall off a table or slide off a bed. Laptops are tested rigorously and are built to be mobile, but they are still easily broken or damaged from significant shock from a fall.

9. Keep your laptop with you or lock it up when you are not around
Laptops are a popular item for thieves that want to sell them or take them to gain access to account logins and other personal information you might have stored in them. If you leave an area after using your laptop and don't have a friend that can keep an eye it, take it with you.

When traveling, keep your computer with you at all times. If you sit down to take a break, socialize or do anything that does not involve your computer, keep the carry bag strap over your shoulder or in your hand. Laptops are an easy target for someone passing by and one can be picked up in a heartbeat and gone forever.