I often have people say to me, "I just bought a new computer. What should I do now?" All journeys begin from a departure point and with a first step, and purchasing a new computer can look like the beginning of an impossible journey. Don't be alarmed- we all started somewhere. Yes, there is a lot to learn, but it does get easier as you go along.

      Over the years I have helped a lot of folks with a lot of different problems, and some problems just keep popping up, over and over, and the same solutions are applied over and over. So, here, assembled in one place, and the ones that I have most often applied or recommended to folks, and the ones I have personally found most useful.

      I will assume you are already connected to the Internet (for, after all, that is where you most likely got this article!). Based on that, let's begin:

      1) Be sure that the Operating System is Up to Date. Don't take for granted that it is so. I just found out that my own computer was not updated and should have been about two years ago!

      If you are using Windows XP, click on "START" on the tool bar at the bottom of the main window, and then click on "Windows Update." This will connect directly with the Microsoft website. On the first page click on "Scan for Updates" in the large window. This will begin the process to check to see if any updates are available. On a dial-up connection it might take a few hours to get them all the first time, but after that it is less painful. These are important because some contain important security update that patch over holes that Microsoft left in the the system that could allow a malicious person to access your computer. Be forewarned that on a slow dialup connection this might be one of the most frustrating things you ever do on a computer!

      2) Get An Up-To-Date Anti-Virus program. If you don't want to buy one feel free to try one of the free applications available on the Internet. One I can recommend is AVG Free Edition from Grisoft. It has virtually all the capabilities of the commercial versions, and the paid version (with more up-to-date features and enhanced user controls) comes with a two year registration. The commercial offerings (like those from McAffee or Symantec) can also be effective, but whatever you use just be sure that it is installed, operating properly (read the instructions!), and kept up to date with automatic updates (read the instructions!). Be aware that McAfee cannot be easily removed from the computer once installed, and I have heard that it is even more difficult to remove Norton. Getting a computer with one of these pre-installed with a "free" trial period may not be all that it seems.

      3) Install a Firewall – For the home user, a firewall is a software application that you install that 'resides' between your computer and the outside world. It keeps outsiders from looking in, and keeps your computer from getting out unless you give it permission. "ZoneAlarm" from Zone Labs is not only the best (in my opinion), but it is also free. They do have an advanced version, but the odds are that you won't need it- the basic free version functions just fine for the average home user.

      Think you don't need a firewall? Go to the GRC website. Place a bookmark and plan on spending a day or so reading because it will be an educational process for you to learn how vulnerable your computer can be. For now, click on "Shields Up" where you can actually test your computer's online safety. When you get there, be sure to run the first three tests by clicking on the buttons in the blue window: File Sharing, Common Ports, All service Ports. Prepare to be shocked and amazed. See Computing 204 at the FRCN University for more details.

      Do you really need to have a firewall and anti-virus application? No, but a recent outbreak of a worm (W32.SASSER) was said to be able to infect a brand new, unprotected computer within the first ten minutes of it being just logged onto the Internet with no other user activity necessary! ZoneAlarm would have been all you needed to stop it! A little knowledge and a little (free) prevention now can save a lot of trouble later.

      Should you be frightened about being on the Internet? Not at all. Just protect your computer with ZoneAlarm, and then run the GRC Shields Up tests again and be prepared to be impressed with ZoneAlarm! Not only will you be protected, but it also protects others who might become infected from your computer's activity.

      4) Before you become accustomed to Internet Explorer, I HIGHLY recommend going over to Mozilla.org and download the newest version of their browser- Firefox. It's free and you'll never go back to Internet Explorer once you use it. It is open source software at its best. Open Source software is just that- a software application that anyone can have and modify at will (but not necessarily distribute in the modified form). It is a collaboration and done with the intent of it never being sold. Be sure to read the Help file about tabbed browsing. That alone is worth the time it takes to download.

      5 ) Call your ISP (if necessary) and get an alias or two- these are additional E-Mail addresses that you can use on your one account, and the messages sent to them will come to your "regular" E-Mail address. Why? Because you can use your main E-Mail address for friends, family, and such, but use the alias for shopping and other Internet uses. If the alias starts getting a lot of Spam, then it can be easily deleted with little loss to you- that is to say, you don't have to inform all your friends that you changed addresses.

      6) GOOGLE!- This is a search engine. It will find things on the Internet for you. What things? ANYthings! Type in a breed of dog, a hobby, a place, an error code, a type of fabric, or even your own name and be ready to be amazed at what comes up. Using a search engine effectively takes a bit of practice, but Google is a great way to become accustomed to the Internet.

      7) FROOGLE! - This is the shopping arm of Google. Here you can shop for just about anything, and limit the price range of what you are looking for. Before actually shopping, I would suggest reading My lesson on safe Internet Shopping a the FRCN University (lesson 105). How well does this work? I transposed two letters in the name of an item I was shopping for, and Froogle returned ten hits from pages that also misspelled the same word in that way!

      8) Learn "Cut and Paste" and "Copy and Paste" - These two, very powerful tools can be extremely helpful. I have lessons on both in the FRCN University (courses 104a and 104b). The lessons are written for beginners, and learning these functions will serve you for many years to come.

      9) Learn To Type - If you can't touch type (or type quickly with more than two fingers) this is the time to learn. Thee are software applications that will teach you typing, that modify the lessons to assist you in the areas in which you need the most help. Use Froogle and shop for a typing tutor.

      10) Delete E-Mail Attachments - NEVER open an attachment to an E-Mail unless you specifically requested it be sent to you, and even then, be suspicious. Many attachments are now being cleverly sent with messages that are meant to gain your confidence like, "That E-Mail you sent me had a virus. Open the attached file for instructions on how to clean your computer." Don't get suckered in! Be wary. Be suspicious! An anti-virus program may not always protect you from malicious attachments.

      11) Don't get caught by a Phishing scam - Phishing is a term to describe an E-Mail message sent on order to get you to type in something like a user name and password to a bank account or credit card number and password or PIN. The message will look like it comes from your credit card company or bank, and the link will appear real, but it takes you to a fake, lookalike website. It might say something like, "We have just monitored an access to your account by an unauthorized user. We have locked your account. To access your account it will be necessary to go HERE and change your user name and password." You should always manually open your browser and physically type in the link to such sites, or use your own pre-existing bookmarks or favorites to open the site. NEVER click on such links that come in E-Mail mesasages.

      12) Learn How to Help Yourself - When you need help with an application, hit the "F1" key on the keyboard. This will open the help file in just about every program you will ever use. There you will find assistance on most everything you will need to operate that program.

      For help with some basic Windows functions, try clicking on "Start" and then selecting "Help and Support." For more complicated problems it isn't mush help, but for the basics it is a place to start. Also remember that there are lots of resources on the Internet. Use Google to find help as well!

      13) Right Click - There are many times when right clicking can being you an alternate menu. For example, right click on the desktop and select "Properties." There you can adjust the look of the desktop, change the screen saver, and a lot more. It works in your browser as well. Right click on a link and various options will appear depending on the browser you are using.

      14) CTRL+ALT+DEL - This is a key combination that you should know. If the computer locks up or freezes, hold down the Ctrl key (control) then hold down the Alt (Alternate) key, then hold down the Delete Key, then release them all at once. It will either bring up Windows Task Manager where you have the opportunity to shut down the offending application (in Windows XP), allow you to restart the computer (in other versions) or hitting it twice might reboot. If not, then you have a serious lock-up and need to reboot (hit the reset switch on the computer).

      15) RTFM - This stands for "Read The Freakin' Manual!" If you are having a problem take the time to read. Virtually all applications on your computer have some sort of manual, whether printed on paper or in the form of help manual in the program or stored in the file folder with the application. Although it will contain a lot of information you may not need, TAKE THE TIME to read it. It may not make sense now, but will help you in the long run.

      16) Protect Your Computer Electrically - Get a line filter to protect your computer from electrical spikes and be sure it has modem protection. I recommend one of the UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supplies) that not only protect against voltage spikes and irregular changes in the sine wave '60 cycle' but also protect against voltage dips as well as brown outs. Some will even automatically shut down your computer if the power goes off.

      17) Get GetRight - I have reviewed GetRight in a past issue. It is a program that monitors your downloads and if the connection fails for just about any reason, GetRight can continue the download whee it left off, and can ever redial the phone if you get disconnected. It may not sound like a big deal, but if you have a slow connection like me, a large application like OpenOffice can take five hours to download! Don't want to wait around that long? GetRight can be set up to begin downloads at the time of your choice.

      18) Need an Office Suite? An office suite is a set of related applications that are used for letter writing (word processing), working with spreadsheets (accounting and other numeric and financial worksheets), creating presentations and basic graphics, basic desktop publishing (like making a sign or brochure) and more. You can spend a few hundred dollars on "Microsoft Office" but why should you when OpenOffice is available free? This excellent open source application even opens all Microsoft Office Suite application files, and saves in those formats as well.

      19) Rid your Computer of Spys - No, this is not some left-over warning from the 50's Communist scare. Spyware are applications added to your computer from various sources that watch what you do and send information back to another location. It might be innocent information, like a list of websites you visit, but it could be malicious such as typed user names and passwords. My attitude is, if you want information from me, pay me.

      To find out if any of it exists on your computer, get SpyBot Search and Destroy . This free application not only finds the Spyware on your computer but also tells you quite a bit about each entry it finds.

      Be aware that some spyware is necessary to keep certain free applications running, so delete carefully. Fortunately, Spybot makes recovering any removed item an easy matter.

      Following all of these hints and tips might take some time- even weeks, but when completed they will make you life with a computer easier, safer, and less frustrating.

      It won't be long before you are asking your friends things like, "You DO have a firewall installed, don't you? Well, I recommend ZoneAlarm." And the best part? You will actually know what you are talking about!