Triona's Tech Tips

Internet Safety For Kids and Internet Safety For Teens and Tweens are the next classes in my computer series for the Cary Park District. As both a computer professional and a parent myself, I’ve designed these seminars to help families understand the risks and rewards of using the Internet. Parents are welcome to attend in order to share and learn alongside their children*.

Internet Safety For Kids
We will learn how kids can use the Internet safely by covering age-appropriate skills and talking about online stranger danger.

Internet Safety For Teens and Tweens
Teens and tweens will become Internet experts with this online safety class. We will review basic skills, talk about ways to use technology with less risk, and take a quiz to test your knowledge. Parents are welcome to attend.

* class fee is per participant; please see the Guidry Consulting web site or the Cary Park District for details.

One of the great mysteries of computers is the admin account. In the past computers were standalone; that is, used by only one person. Today’s computers assume multiple people will be using them, even PCs with a single owner. This means having an overriding account to manage the others. Referred to as administrator, owner or root, it has complete control over your computer.

In reality your computer has two account types, administrator and standard (or limited). Limited users don’t have full control; they can’t alter system settings or make other changes. Unfortunately, in a holdover from the standalone days, that often means they can’t do real-world tasks like burning CDs or updating antivirus either. For this reason most folks simply use their computers under the admin account. Indeed, computer stores configure consumers to use the admin account by default. When folks do use multiple accounts (say for themselves and their kids), those accounts often have full administrative rights.

Why is this important? Because every virus and Trojan horse wants admin access. It’s why they will do anything to get you to click on bad links, including trick you into thinking your computer won’t work properly if you don’t. (We’re going to talk more about how to spot fake links in May’s Tech Tip Of The Month.) And some viruses don’t require you to do anything at all. If you browse the wrong Web page and are using an admin account, your computer is, in the vernacular, pwned.

Your best bet is to use limited accounts when you can, administrative ones if you must, and security software to keep tabs on what your computer is doing at all times. To create limited accounts, go to Start, Control Panel, Users and Groups (Windows), or Apple menu, System Preferences, Accounts on a Mac. In my experience Windows Vista limited accounts work better than those in Windows XP, and Mac limited accounts work better than PC ones.

In May we’re going to talk about the dollar figures behind Profiting From Cybercrime. If you have any computer questions click Comments below this article, and don’t forget to subscribe to the email version of Tech Tips for bonus tips and product reviews.

What on earth is that Java thing that keeps wanting us to update?

Java is a programming language for the Web. Like ActiveX, its powers can be used for good or evil. Mostly good, if you like interactive Web sites with lots of menus and options. Evil, when Java is exploited by viruses seeking to take advantage of its versatility.

You can check your version of Java in Windows by going to Start, Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs. On Macs, Java is built into your operating system, so you will receive updates through Software Updates under the Apple menu. In general you want to use the latest non-beta version. While you may not run Java directly, the web sites you use may want it, and outdated versions are a pathway for viruses and spyware.

If you want to be geeky like me you can tune into the US-CERT news bulletin service, which provides information on new patch versions for Java and other software from major vendors including Microsoft and Apple. I keep an RSS feed to US-CERT at the bottom of the Tech Tips blog. Or, if you want your computer news less geeky, subscribe to Triona’s Tech Tips to receive email bulletins about security warnings that pertain to small businesses and consumers.

Next month I’ll explain the fine art of How To Spot Bad Web Links. If you have any computer questions click Comments below this article, and don’t forget to subscribe to the email version of Tech Tips for bonus tips and product reviews.

The second of my spring computer classes, Computer Housekeeping, begins April 27, 2009 sponsored by the Cary Park District.

Learn how to avoid computer problems by keeping your PC or Mac in shape. We will discuss housekeeping steps, troubleshooting tips, and ways to protect your computer online. Computers are not required for this class, but you may bring a laptop for hands-on instruction.

Don’t forget about How To Protect From Cybercrime, also in April, and Internet Safety For Kids and Internet Safety For Teens and Tweens, coming in May. For class times and information, please see my upcoming class schedule. If you’d like to receive updates on these and future classes, subscribe here.

Don’t miss my upcoming computer class, How To Protect Yourself From Cybercrime, sponsored by the Cary Park District. Sessions start April 27, 2009.

Learn how to keep your PC or Mac secure from the latest Internet threats. We will review the four steps to protecting your computer, discuss the do’s and don’ts of the online world, and take a quiz to test your skills. Computers are not required for this class, but you may bring a laptop for hands-on instruction.

Don’t forget about Computer Housekeeping, also in April, and Internet Safety For Kids and Internet Safety For Teens and Tweens, coming in May. For class times and information, please see my upcoming class schedule. If you’d like to receive updates on these and future classes, subscribe here.