Dragnskull
Retired Staff
There are quite a few people out there that have computers wihout any type of saftey, and they think they are completely safe. I know this because I work with geeksquad (No, I'm not proud of it, but gotta start somewhere right?) and I get to see this sort of thing on a daily basis. Not only that, but it amazes me how badly people treat there computers. They think they buy it, and they can treat it like dirt and it'll keep kicking. This isnt true at all.
Every day, people talk to me and it's always the same thing, "I've got a virus!", "My computer wont boot up after I downloaded ______", "my monitor wont come on...yes, i do keep it on 24/7"
Whats worse is they accuse me (being that I work with geeksquad) of planning this so they spend more money on computers. That we make the computers so that they will break soon after purchase (funny, because bestbuy handles that, not geeksquad unless its a custom build)
Well I've decided its time for a change, the following are simple steps any user can follow to give there computer a little more security and keep it safer a heck of a lot longer:
1. Antivirus - I cant stress this enough. You just spent 600+ dollars on a new computer, and you DIDN'T get antivirus?! ARE YOU A MORON!? this is the most popular thing i hear: "I have a virus, why aren't you going to fix it for free" well duh, because you didn't buy antivirus even when we warned you, and then you decided to go to that great porn site that showed up on your screen...moron.
Get the antivirus. And for you old people, no, norton is not the best thing since donald trump. I recommend AVG if you want to be cheap. do some googling and youc an find it, its free and effective. If not that and you ARE willing to spend money, get Avast! Pro, or at least Trend micro.
2. Adaware/spyware - Yes, antivirus is important, but it doesnt hurt to add a little extra protection. There are multiple FREE items you can purchase. I recommend Spybot and Adaware, but if you're the type that thinks stuff that cost money is better, then go with Spysweeper.
3. Defrag - If you're computer is 3 years old, and you dont know what the word "Defrag" is, then start googling.
Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter.
Learn it, use it, and use it often. This can seriously help your computer. Theres so many things this helps with its unbelieveable. It speeds up your computer and keeps it from crashing, sure, you may not notice that the new videogame you installed on your computer is actually scattered all over your hard drive, but your computer sure does.
4. Firewall - Now, this Isn't always necessary, but it can help. Windows firewall is fine, but if you want to buy one thats fine too, just do your research. If you have a router, your also already behind a firewall, which is a good thing. No, fire is not bad in this case.
5. Yearly service - If you're one of those people who doesn't know a thing about your computer, find someone who does. Find someone that knows what a virus is. It doesn't have to be a huge headless corperation, it doesn't even have to be a licensed Tech. Just find someone that knows how to operate virus/adware/spyware removal tools, and give him a few bucks to clean it out. This is worth doing once or twice a year. It'll save you 249 + tax from geeksquad, i can gaurentee it.
6. BUY THE WARRANTY! - Why would you spend over half a grand, and not spend an extra 50-200 bucks for the warrenty? If you don't buy warranties for big purchases ($300+) then you deserve what you get. About 20% of people who buy computers manage to break something physically or have a part go out, they are then charged with the cost of the new part(s) and the "Hardware instillation service" which can go anywhere from 79 - 159 bucks, depending on if you want them to come out, bring it to us, or have us guide you through it over the phone (Which is funny, everyone likes that one, then they break something else because they didn't do what we said, and get to go through the same thing all over again)
7. KNOW THE WARRENTY! - Most warranties with computers are ONLY for hardware issues. Why? because if a virus is on a computer, it's not our fault, its you're 15 year old sons fault for googling "Free porn."
Hopefully someone out there will read this, and stop bringing your complaints to us claiming we broke your computer. We didn't break it. We just fix it.
Good luck.
Every day, people talk to me and it's always the same thing, "I've got a virus!", "My computer wont boot up after I downloaded ______", "my monitor wont come on...yes, i do keep it on 24/7"
Whats worse is they accuse me (being that I work with geeksquad) of planning this so they spend more money on computers. That we make the computers so that they will break soon after purchase (funny, because bestbuy handles that, not geeksquad unless its a custom build)
Well I've decided its time for a change, the following are simple steps any user can follow to give there computer a little more security and keep it safer a heck of a lot longer:
1. Antivirus - I cant stress this enough. You just spent 600+ dollars on a new computer, and you DIDN'T get antivirus?! ARE YOU A MORON!? this is the most popular thing i hear: "I have a virus, why aren't you going to fix it for free" well duh, because you didn't buy antivirus even when we warned you, and then you decided to go to that great porn site that showed up on your screen...moron.
Get the antivirus. And for you old people, no, norton is not the best thing since donald trump. I recommend AVG if you want to be cheap. do some googling and youc an find it, its free and effective. If not that and you ARE willing to spend money, get Avast! Pro, or at least Trend micro.
2. Adaware/spyware - Yes, antivirus is important, but it doesnt hurt to add a little extra protection. There are multiple FREE items you can purchase. I recommend Spybot and Adaware, but if you're the type that thinks stuff that cost money is better, then go with Spysweeper.
3. Defrag - If you're computer is 3 years old, and you dont know what the word "Defrag" is, then start googling.
Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter.
Learn it, use it, and use it often. This can seriously help your computer. Theres so many things this helps with its unbelieveable. It speeds up your computer and keeps it from crashing, sure, you may not notice that the new videogame you installed on your computer is actually scattered all over your hard drive, but your computer sure does.
4. Firewall - Now, this Isn't always necessary, but it can help. Windows firewall is fine, but if you want to buy one thats fine too, just do your research. If you have a router, your also already behind a firewall, which is a good thing. No, fire is not bad in this case.
5. Yearly service - If you're one of those people who doesn't know a thing about your computer, find someone who does. Find someone that knows what a virus is. It doesn't have to be a huge headless corperation, it doesn't even have to be a licensed Tech. Just find someone that knows how to operate virus/adware/spyware removal tools, and give him a few bucks to clean it out. This is worth doing once or twice a year. It'll save you 249 + tax from geeksquad, i can gaurentee it.
6. BUY THE WARRANTY! - Why would you spend over half a grand, and not spend an extra 50-200 bucks for the warrenty? If you don't buy warranties for big purchases ($300+) then you deserve what you get. About 20% of people who buy computers manage to break something physically or have a part go out, they are then charged with the cost of the new part(s) and the "Hardware instillation service" which can go anywhere from 79 - 159 bucks, depending on if you want them to come out, bring it to us, or have us guide you through it over the phone (Which is funny, everyone likes that one, then they break something else because they didn't do what we said, and get to go through the same thing all over again)
7. KNOW THE WARRENTY! - Most warranties with computers are ONLY for hardware issues. Why? because if a virus is on a computer, it's not our fault, its you're 15 year old sons fault for googling "Free porn."
Hopefully someone out there will read this, and stop bringing your complaints to us claiming we broke your computer. We didn't break it. We just fix it.
Good luck.
