Here you can find useful tidbits of information organized by category. This section will be expanded and updated regularly, so bookmark this page and check back every so often for new advice!

Computer / Internet Security

• No antivirus is foolproof - be careful on unknown websites and never install unknown software.
• Make sure you practice safe browsing habits.
• Never click/open popup advertising or unsolicited email advertising.
• Never click on any "opt-out" button or link in unsolicited email. This will actually cause you to receive more SPAM.
• Never use any website or software that claims to clean or speedup your computer, Internet connection, or registry. At best these products are negligible in effectiveness, at worst they may contain malware or viruses.

Computer Maintenance

• Ensure all your data is backup up in case of hard drive failure. This can be done easily by purchasing an external hard drive or subscribing to an online backup service.
• Regularly defragment your hard drive. If you use Windows Vista or 7, this is done automatically. See Tutorials for more information.
• Run CCleaner or similar program to clean unnecessary temp files from your hard drive.
• Run your antivirus and antimalware scanners at least once a week. See Tutorials for more information.
• Uninstall any unneeded software from your system. See Tutorials for more information.

Purchasing Hardware

• Avoid overpriced computer cables sold at major retailers. These can be marked up several times their actual value. Cables can be purchased on the Internet for very reasonable prices at sites such as NewEgg.com. Despite the gimmicks or sales pitches to the contrary, expensive cables are rarely better in quality than cheaper alternatives.
• Beware of cheap hardware sold on sites such as eBay. Many items such as power adapters may not be UL certified, or may carry counterfeit credentials. Such items can be a potential fire risk and should be avoided. Pay extra for quality and peace of mind.

Purchasing Software

• Be careful purchasing software online, especially from sites such as eBay. To avoid buying counterfeit software, purchase software directly from the publisher's website.
• Never purchase antivirus or security software from an unknown source. There is a list of free antivirus products on our Software Downloads page. Click here for a explanation of rogue security software and a partial listing of fake products.
• Never purchase software making bold or outrageous claims, such as speeding up your computer or Internet connection. Also avoid registry cleaners, as they are much more likely to cause harm than do good. Follow safe browsing practices, defragment your hard drive, uninstall unneeded programs, and keep your computer free of viruses and your computer will continue to perform optimally.

Computer Equipment Disposal

• Always take your old computer equipment to an approved recycler. You may also consider donating your equipment to charities such as Computer Banc.
• If you have sensitive data on a hard drive you are disposing of, you may physically destroy the drive to ensure the data cannot be retrieved. If you plan on donating or selling the drive, we can provide a data wipe service for $20.