Get a basic understanding of
programs and files. Simply stated, you need a program to open
every file on your computer. Two file types commonly encountered are zip
and PDF, as in mydownload.zip and
mydownload.pdf.To open these files, you will need
compression software, such as WinZip®, and a pdf reader, such as Adobe® Acrobat Reader®, respectively.
If you
have not already done so, install an antivirus application. The
default installation of Norton Antivirus® activates an Automatic
Live Update feature that regularly checks Symantec’s servers for new
antivirus definitions. Don't disable this feature. When you connect
to the Internet, Automatic Live Update will run. Don't abort
installation of new anti-virus definitions. If you abort
installation, you may have real problems thereafter with this
feature. Norton Antivirus®, also, includes an Auto-Protect feature
that provides real-time scanning for viruses. Don't disable this
feature unless you are installing software that requires it to be
disabled. Even if you have Automatic Live Update activated, it is
advisable to run Live Update on a weekly basis to ensure that Norton
Antivirus® components and virus definitions are fully updated. Don't
neglect to renew your subscription
E-mail
Be very careful with e-mail.
If you open your
mail program and see a message that
looks like this 
you are looking at e-mail with an
attachment, which is denoted by the
paper clip icon. (Your e-mail program
may use a different icon.) If you don't
know the sender, delete the message.
Even if you do know the sender, it is
possible that the sender's e-mail
address has been "spoofed." Before
opening an attachment, call the sender
to confirm the attachment's legitimacy.
Hoax e-mail scams are on the rise. A scam
message
will spoof a legitimate e-mail address and
sender. For example, the message may appear
to emanate from PayPal with a subject field
reading "Account verification required." You
click on a link in the message and go to a
knockoff PayPal site that looks authentic. You
enter personal data, including credit card details. You hit the Submit button and
your identity has just been stolen.
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Download freeware
Don't download any program unless you fully and
completely understand what the program will do.
If you download freeware, read the EULA
carefully. You may agree to the installation of
Adware/Spyware programs (also known as "Foistware").
Consider the following extracts from the EULA
for Xupiter, a search agent that offers
freeware: To further enhance your media
viewing experience, Xupiter reserves the right
to run advertisements and promotions based on
URLs and/or search terms users enter when
navigating the Internet. Our software license
requires that users browser start page be set to
Xupiter.com in order to continue use of the
Xupiter toolbar, from time to time we verify
that users start page url is set to Xupiter.com,
if it is not we reserve the right
to alter it
back. If you install an Xupiter sponsored
program, don't be surprised if you are
overwhelmed by pop-up and pop-under
advertisements. Quite a few users have
downloaded and installed freeware that is
supported by GAIN (Gator Advertising &
Information Network), an Adware agent. Precision
Time and Date Manager are two GAIN supported
applications. GAIN can't be uninstalled
directly. You must uninstall all GAIN supported
programs in order to purge GAIN from your
system. Don't be fooled by programs that promise
to accelerate your Internet connection.
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Get organized with folders
All of us have temporarily (or permanently) lost
items and likely have spent considerable time looking for them. To
lessen the likelihood of losing a program or a file, you must know a
bit about folders.
Folder defined
A folder is nothing more than a container used to
organize and store files and programs. A folder can also serve as a
container for other folders. You give folders names that will help
you find what you are looking for.
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Install a Adware/Spyware program and keep it updated and do regular
scans
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