First of all, my thanks to Pete Johanson for sharing this space and thank you to the Guadalajara Reporter for allowing me to share my thoughts and experience here.
My name is Dave Clingman, and I have been using computers since 1985 and setting up, repairing and testing computers since 1991. On alternate weeks I would like to share with you good folks some of my experience and knowledge, so that you can use your computer more efficiently and enjoyably. I will tell you how to play some of the games that are already on your computer. I will explain how to use your computer to make very inexpensive and even free calls to your friends and family anywhere in the world, including being able to SEE them while talking with them. I can also answer some of your questions in this column. Most importantly, I will help you to keep yourselves and your computers safe.
So let’s get started. Everyone needs to have some internet security on their computer to protect their computer and its data. (You’d be amazed at the information your computer knows about you.) You will want some sort of antivirus software. AVG is a good program that is free. (Search www.download.com for AVG FREE.) You should also have a firewall. Zonealarm is a good one that is free. (www.zonealarm.com, click “Compare all products”, then download the FREE one.) These two programs will go a long way in keeping you and your computer safe.
Once you have downloaded the programs, either click on RUN (if this option is available to you) or double click on the appropriate icon on your desktop. This will start the Setup program. In setting up a program, you mostly just click on the button that says “Next” until it is finished. However, you do NOT want to click on anything that says “Upgrade” if you do not want the costly add-ons. Since these are free programs, the company that makes them is going to want to sell you their other products. If you only want the free programs, avoid all of the options that are going to lead you to buy something. During the Setup process, allow each program to run its scan to check for programs it needs to know.
Even with these two programs running, you will still want to be careful about what you do online. AVG will stop malware (unwanted nasty programs) from running on your computer, and Zonealarm will keep the nasty programs from getting into and out of your computer. But you still should be careful about where you go on the internet. Try to stay in mainline websites and away from the shadier side of the world wide web.
I am not a huge fan of updates on some programs, but the two programs you installed today do need to be kept up to date. Allow these two programs full access to the internet for their updates.
Next time: How to talk with your friends and family (voice and video) via the internet, for no cost.
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