July 4th, 2002 #145... The Top Ten Rules for Safe Computing     1. Keep Software Packages Safe Keep all your back software packages, serial numbers, install disks, etc., safely stored. There will be occasions when you may need to reinstall and utilize serial or password codes again. You should also keep your receipts, model numbers and registration numbers of computer, peripheral and software purchases safely stored as well. In the event of unrecoverable damage to the computer, or insurance claims, that information will be your best friend. These days, your software is worth more than the computer.     2. Protect your computer connections Keep cables and power cords up and away from children or pets. Keep them out of walkways and out from under the desk where feet go. A sudden loss of power or peripheral loss can crash the hard drive and/or cause unrecoverable data loss. Use a good, quality surge protector, and preferably a UPS. (A battery device providing power if your regular source is interrupted.) Unplug power cables AND modem telephone lines during electrical storms. (I've fried two modems because I forgot to unplug the phone line!)     3. Don't loan your computer One famous case tells of teenagers who routinely exchange laptops to get into mischief. Don't do it. In the wrong hands your computer can commit crimes that YOU would be held accountable for. If a guest uses your computer make sure you know what they're doing. Keep your file sharing permissions locked and password protected or turned off until you need it. Do not agree to any "time sharing" computer schemes.     4. Use impossible passwords Chances are there are several passwords in your computing life. Whether it's for email, server access, the local network or the OS, make your password impossible for someone to guess. Use at least 8 characters, and randomly mix upper and lower case letters with numbers. Never share passwords, never use the same password in two places, and change that password often.     5. Keep the doors locked With the popularity of fast internet, DSL and others, your connection is always on. When your computer is running, there's an open port that hackers can detect. They use those ports to help themselves to your computer and its contents. Shut it down during hours of non use. Utilize firewall software all other times -- it lets you filter unauthorized types of data and block it before it gets you.     6. Use "anti-virus" protection software All computer platforms have anti-virus software. It's designed to intercept incoming software programs and code and prevent it from damaging your programs or operating system. Most commercial programs are very good and publish regular updates. Buy it, install it, and keep it up to date.     7. Don't open email from strangers This one seems to be hard to learn for most people. If you don't know the person who is sending you an email don't open it. Read the subject line and sender line carefully. Turn OFF html viewing. We're finding that more and more spammers are sending destructive code and scripts embedded in email. With HTML off, those programs can't run, graphics can't load. (* Note: since this article was posted a number of people have written for instructions to turn off html mail.)     8. Never open attachments If there's an attachment to that email, definitely don't open it unless you're very sure what it is and who sent it. Tell your friends and other email acquaintances you won't open attachments. If it's something very important let them ask first, or send only a link to it.     9. Print a Dummy Sheet Keep a printed sheet of tips and instructions for other family members who might use the computer. Go over the information with the others to make sure they know where the sheet is, and how to use it. Be sure to include email and virus prevention and recovery instructions, as well as lock-up and crash recovery. Make sure only your most trusted "other" knows your password, and can act on it in your absence.     10. Back up, back up, back up. Establish a folder or directory on your computer to hold the sensitive data which changes frequently. Discipline yourself to back up that directory weekly, or at least monthly. Save multiple backups -- use removable media or CD-ROM and keep sequential backups. Backups are the best defense against all the evils that could attack your computer.     If you practice this kind of safe computing, your computing experience will be a happy one! Got questions?

Fred Showker is a designer, consultant, writer and speaker. He has published 60-Second Window and DT&G Magazine online since 1990, and is director of The Graphic Design Network which includes The Design & Publishing Center at www.Graphic-Design.com. (1994) He was a co-founder of both The User Group Forum on America Online (1987), The User Group Network at www.User-Groups.net, (1994) and the Designers' Bookshelf (1996) He originally founded Showker Graphic Arts & Design in 1972, has been an avid computer activist and supporter since 1984. Got Comments??? back to the 60-Second Window Index, 60-Second Lobby . . . or: The Design & Publishing Center. / . The User Group Network. / . Design University. / . The Designers' Bookshelf. / Would you like to carry the 60-Second Windows column in your newsletter or web site? Ask us about our syndication program... join hundreds of others who now publish 60-Second Windows! Thank you for visiting http://www.60-second.com/ DT&G: The Electronic Journal for Design, Typography & Graphics c/o Showker Graphic Arts 15 SouthGate, Harrisonburg, VA 22801 TAD, Voice, FAX: (540) 433-8402 Thank you for visiting 60-second.com, graphic-design.com, user-groups.net, and all of the sites including The Design & Publishing Center, The User Group Network, The Graphic Design Network. We bring you 100% spam-free content for designers, illustrators, publishers, photographers, and visual graphics arts professionals from all corners of the world. http://www.graphic-design.com/DTG/ -- Contents Copyright (c) 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001. 60-Second Window is trademark, copyrighted since 1990. DT&G Magazine, and The Design & Publishing Center invite you to visit Photoshop Tips & Tricks at: http://www.graphic-design.com/photoshop/. Reproduction or reuse of parts or all of this manuscript without prior written permission is expressly forbidden.

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