"RoseGarden" - - - - - - - from - nscave

Today on a more serious note, simply because I keep seeing computers loaded with foistware and other things worse than that.

The mouse is a tool - use it wisely!

1)      Clicking on everything your friends send you in emails.

Just because your friend sent it doesn't mean it legitimate. Maybe your friend didn't send it. Even if they did, put your mouse over the link, don't click. Read at the bottom of your browser or email program where the link is directing to.

If the maze of letters and numbers look suspicious, don't click it. You may end up with some added enhancements on your computer that you didn't depend on.

Even if you know the email came from your friend, do they know what they are forwarding? Who sent it to them? What's included besides the funny cartoon or the must see video?

2)      Liking what your friends like in Facebook.

You may think you are agreeing with your friend when you like something they like. That may or may not be true.

You could be sharing contact information so that you are able to receive more and more "stuff" that you can't do without.

"Likes" often get shared more than you think.

3)      Sharing everything your friends suggest.

Speaking of sharing, this one goes along with #2 above. "Share this important information with all your friends."

This is usually something that infers important information about your health, or safety and security when out and about.

Every one I have run across so far is a hoax. If this was such important information, don't you think it would be on other media as well? And on other internet outlets?

You use Google for searching for other things don't you? Why in the heck can't you use Google or your other favourite search engine to see if this information is correct.

All you have to do is type it in and read the results.

4)      Clicking next, next, next, when installing anything.

I know I have mentioned this before but things are getting worse. Whether you are installing your favourite program, or trying a new one, take your time.

Read each page carefully one at a time. Look for what is being offered. And if any boxes are checked, do you want what they are offering? Not if they are toolbars and special home page search engines.

Even programs you may have used faithfully before are doing this. So read.

Do a custom install if possible, which is sometimes named "advanced," or "options."

One example where you can save space and time is look at the languages being offered. If you speak only English, you don't need 17 other languages downloaded in a folder. Select only what you and your users need.

5)      Saying yes to every update that pops up.

Updates are important, and often we want them as soon as they are available. It could mean security improvements or improvements to the program itself.

Don't just click Yes, next, next, next.  Sound familiar?

Take your time. What is the update for? Which program? Is it offering any extras, like tool bars, computer checks, or search engines?

Many of my favourite programs that didn't do that before, are now sneaking in those kinds of unwanted enhancements.

Following these simple suggestions just might keep those advertisement pop ups and emails  down, and the tool bars and search engines will be only the ones you wanted in the first place.

Following these simple suggestions just might keep your computer running at its normal speed with no interfering advertisement pop ups and emails. The tool bars and search engines will be only the ones you wanted in the first place.

This work by NSCAVE is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License