Common sense can prevent computer mishaps

MARBLE FALLS — Rely on common sense as much as anything else to make sure your home desk or laptop computer operates efficiently. 

Otherwise, your home computer may crash or break down, according to an experienced local computer technician. 

“A lot of common sense is the most important tool you have,” Computer Business Associates owner Bill Featherston recently said. 

Speaking from expertise developed during the past 30 years, the computer expert for several local businesses and public entities made his comments during his “Computer Safety and Security” presentation Oct. 17 at the Marble Falls Public Library, part of the library’s “Leisure Learning” series. 

Assistant Library Director Betsy Engelbrecht and Assistant Librarian Amanda Rose introduced Featherston to more than 30 visitors. 

Computers are “inherently very, very reliable,” Featherston said. 

However, the computer is not foolproof, and when your machine is connected to the Internet, exercise all due caution, he added. 

“It (going online) is like letting your children play on the median of a four-lane highway,” Featherston quipped. “The minute one of your children steps off the median, you could have problems.” 

Be careful when you browse the Internet at home on your computer, especially while reading electronic mail, and beware of e-mail sent by suspicious or unknown senders, often called “crackers” or “hackers,” Featherston said. 

They often go “phishing” through computers, meaning they transmit fraudulent e-mail messages, hoping to rob users of personal financial information, including bank account and credit card numbers, he added. 

“If it (unread e-mail) looks weird, just delete it, don’t even open it,” Featherston said. 

No bank, credit company or legitimate business will ever request computer passwords or financial information from customers through an e-mail with a link to a Web site, Featherston added.

“They will contact you by other means if the message is really important,” Featherston said. 

Other “bad guys” go “pharming” through cyberspace, meaning they list links to phony Web sites as they try to steal financial data or other personal information, Featherston said. 

Internet browsers on your computer often provide “Web site checkers” as an antidote to the pharming ruse, he added. 

Also, any computer operator can read the Uniform Resource Locator (the global or “www” address of a Web site) on a computer window to determine whether the Web site is safe for viewing, Featherston said. 

“If you look at the URL, you can tell a lot,” Featherston added. “Make sure it goes where you want it to go.” 

Common cyberspace pests sent through e-mail or put up on Web sites include “malware” and “pop-ups,” Featherston pointed out. 

Hackers often attempt to load computers with malware (short for malicious software) to slow down computer processing, Featherston said.

“Malware is the No.1 problem that comes into my shop,” he added. 

Generally, malware designs do not disable computers, “but they will cause lots of pop-ups,” Featherston said. 

Pop-ups are “unannounced, uninvited graphic messages” on Web sites that interfere with computer operations and make “online viewing less enjoyable,” Featherston noted. 

Inexpensive, commercial software is available to remove malware and help control pop-ups, Featherston said. 

Otherwise, unless the offer comes from a reputable site with firm guarantees not to harm a computer, avoid downloading allegedly free software over the Internet, because the program may contain malware, Featherston noted. 

“Don’t do it,” Featherston added. “Nothing is free. Nobody is going to take their time to design software and put it on the Internet for free.” 

Other computer nuisances include “spam,” “worms” or a “virus,” Featherston said. 

Spam is unsolicited electronic junk mail that can retard computer speeds. A worm (short for write once, read many) or a virus is a potentially dangerous program that can erase memory within a computer network and cause computers to shut down. 

Most computer systems or reasonably priced software programs can fight spam, worms and virus threats, Featherston said. 

“Be very careful of what you download,” he added. 

Other simple measures operators can take to extend the life of a computer include cleaning the device, controlling voltage to the machine with a surge protector and letting it warm up for a while after turning it on, Featherston said. 

“Your computer is the most sophisticated electronic device in your house,” Featherston added. “It is very dainty.” 

Also, he recommended computer operators who connect to the Internet through a wireless system should make sure “some form of encryption” is included on their system to “protect you from the bad guys.” 

Many “mainstream stores” own Web sites that offer “acceptable shopping” online, Featherston said, adding some credit card companies offer buyers numbers for one-time use over the Internet. 

“Don’t be afraid to shop, just shop responsibly,” Featherston said. “Something online that seems too good to be true —  leave it alone. It may cost you thousands of dollars.” 

raymond@thepicayune.com