Dan Kitwood/Getty Images If a student needs a computer to tote around campus, Best Buy's Geek Squad agent Gerard Gonzalez recommends looking at models with smaller screens.
Buying a laptop can be a great step toward staying connected with friends and family - in addition to enhancing your productivity at work or at school. But being connected on the Internet also has its pitfalls if it's not done safely.
Security threats, including viruses, lurk around every click of the mouse. Hackers intent on prying away personal information are plying their trade on computers and smartphones. Here are tips from Best Buy's Geek Squad to stay safe and connected:
Step 1: Buying a laptop
Think about how you will use the laptop. That will help narrow the selection by brand, size and style. Will the laptop be carried from location to location or will it remain stationary on a desk? If a student needs a computer to tote around campus, for example, Best Buy's Geek Squad agent Gerard Gonzalez recommends looking at models with smaller screens.
What software is important to you? That also will affect laptop choice. Gonzalez recommends students ask their professors what software they will be using in class.
Protect the laptop.Often people choose cases with cool designs, but this does not mean it will protect the computer, Gonzalez said. Choose a case that fits snugly and is well padded. In addition, keep the computer in a secure and locked place when not in use to guard against theft.
Consider a warranty. Examine the laptop warranty before leaving the store to know exactly how long it is good and what it covers. Extended warranties and warranties that include accident repairs should be strongly considered, Gonzalez said.
Step 2: Deflecting security threats Create strong passwords. Do not use as a password anything predictable, such as your birthday or a child's name. Stay away from common password choices such as "1234" or "ABC123."
Be alert to identity theft. Do not put personal information, such as your birthday, address or phone number, on the Internet because everything on the Web can be read, stored or republished.
Use privacy controls on social media. Limit access to your information to only people you know and trust.
Look out for "bots:" "A bot is essentially a network virus," said Eric Percival, deputy Geek Squad agent. "Once this virus is on a computer, it can use that computer and the information on it to send out more viruses to other network contacts. It is a virus that doesn't just attack you, but it uses your system to attack others." To prevent bots from hijacking your computer, don't click on links or open e-mails or attachments from anyone you do not know.
Install anti-software and anti-virus programs."The ones we sell the most of are Webroot and Trend Micro Titanium," Percival said.
Beware smartphone hackers.Avoid threats to your smartphone by not opening e-mails from strangers or clicking on any links.
Step 3: Using social media, other programs
Get closer to friends and family. In July, Facebook reported it hit the 500 million mark in users. It's no longer an exclusive place for young adults; it's a connecting place for people of all ages. If you haven't done so, start a Facebook account at facebook.com. But be alert. Sites such as Facebook are the equivalent of playgrounds for cybercriminals, experts say.
Get on Twitter. Follow friends and family who may be using the service, and follow other people and organizations of interest. Twitter, at twitter.com, defines itself as "a service for discovering what's happening right now."
Use Skype to keep connected in long-distance relationships. Skype is an Internet program used for video conversations. "It's personal, over the Internet, and it doesn't cost any extra money," Percival said. "It's very easy to set up. It does require that the computers at each end have a webcam."
by Bambino, Tara Burns and Brittany Watts Special for The Republic Nov. 12, 2010 04:37 PM
Staying connected . . . and safe
Buying a laptop can be a great step toward staying connected with friends and family - in addition to enhancing your productivity at work or at school. But being connected on the Internet also has its pitfalls if it's not done safely.
Security threats, including viruses, lurk around every click of the mouse. Hackers intent on prying away personal information are plying their trade on computers and smartphones. Here are tips from Best Buy's Geek Squad to stay safe and connected:
Step 1: Buying a laptop
Think about how you will use the laptop. That will help narrow the selection by brand, size and style. Will the laptop be carried from location to location or will it remain stationary on a desk? If a student needs a computer to tote around campus, for example, Best Buy's Geek Squad agent Gerard Gonzalez recommends looking at models with smaller screens.
What software is important to you? That also will affect laptop choice. Gonzalez recommends students ask their professors what software they will be using in class.
Protect the laptop.Often people choose cases with cool designs, but this does not mean it will protect the computer, Gonzalez said. Choose a case that fits snugly and is well padded. In addition, keep the computer in a secure and locked place when not in use to guard against theft.
Consider a warranty. Examine the laptop warranty before leaving the store to know exactly how long it is good and what it covers. Extended warranties and warranties that include accident repairs should be strongly considered, Gonzalez said.
Step 2: Deflecting security threats Create strong passwords. Do not use as a password anything predictable, such as your birthday or a child's name. Stay away from common password choices such as "1234" or "ABC123."
Be alert to identity theft. Do not put personal information, such as your birthday, address or phone number, on the Internet because everything on the Web can be read, stored or republished.
Use privacy controls on social media. Limit access to your information to only people you know and trust.
Look out for "bots:" "A bot is essentially a network virus," said Eric Percival, deputy Geek Squad agent. "Once this virus is on a computer, it can use that computer and the information on it to send out more viruses to other network contacts. It is a virus that doesn't just attack you, but it uses your system to attack others." To prevent bots from hijacking your computer, don't click on links or open e-mails or attachments from anyone you do not know.
Install anti-software and anti-virus programs."The ones we sell the most of are Webroot and Trend Micro Titanium," Percival said.
Beware smartphone hackers.Avoid threats to your smartphone by not opening e-mails from strangers or clicking on any links.
Step 3: Using social media, other programs
Get closer to friends and family. In July, Facebook reported it hit the 500 million mark in users. It's no longer an exclusive place for young adults; it's a connecting place for people of all ages. If you haven't done so, start a Facebook account at facebook.com. But be alert. Sites such as Facebook are the equivalent of playgrounds for cybercriminals, experts say.
Get on Twitter. Follow friends and family who may be using the service, and follow other people and organizations of interest. Twitter, at twitter.com, defines itself as "a service for discovering what's happening right now."
Use Skype to keep connected in long-distance relationships. Skype is an Internet program used for video conversations. "It's personal, over the Internet, and it doesn't cost any extra money," Percival said. "It's very easy to set up. It does require that the computers at each end have a webcam."
by Bambino, Tara Burns and Brittany Watts Special for The Republic Nov. 12, 2010 04:37 PM
Staying connected . . . and safe
