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Without a doubt, the most dangerous way to surf the Internet is with Microsoft's Internet Explorer. While Internet Explorer has gotten safer over the years, because it is still the most popular browser, it is also the most targeted by the bad guys. The solution requires two free pieces of software.

The first is Mozilla Firefox. Firefox is a web browser, just like Internet Explorer, but it is less likely to be attacked and hijacked. Click the link above to get it. Once you have Firefox installed, use it instead of Internet Explorer. Internet Explorer is still on your computer should you ever need it, but if you make a habit of using Firefox instead, the web will be a safer place.

NoSCRIPT

Once you have Firefox, use it to come back to this page and install NoScript by clicking here. Scripts are small programs than run inside your web browser at the direction of the site you're looking at. Scripting can be very useful, and many sites will not run properly without it, but if you stumble across a malicious web site and they run a script on your computer, that's very bad. The solution is to disable scripting for ALL web sites unless you choose enable it and that is what NoScript does. With NoScript installed into Firefox, no web site you visit can run a script unless you enable scripting for that domain (ie. yahoo.com, msdcomputer.com, google.com, etc), which it will remember. Using NoScript is slightly less convenient but infinitely safer than surfing without it.

Click here for a tutorial on how to use NoScript.

ANTI-VIRUS / ANTI-SPYWARE

Viruses, worms, trojans, rootkits, spyware and adware are all collectively known as malware because they are malicious programs that get into your computer. The most effective anti-malware tool you have is your own index finger because the vast majority of infections occur because the user clicked on something they shouldn't have. If you are careful what you click on, don't believe everything you see, and don't visit web sites containing adult material, illegal download sites (i.e. pirated software or movies), etc., then your odds of getting malware are quite low. Click the links below for more information on viruses and spyware.

HowStuffWorks.com - Viruses - Spyware

An antivirus or antispyware program should work quietly in the background and not slow your computer down or annoy you with constant popups. The most popular programs that you'll find in any store fail on both counts. As such, I recommend the programs below

Unfortunately, despite all of the manufacturer's claims, NO anti-malware product is 100% effective. The computer user is the first line of defense in protecting a computer from the bad things out there on the Internet. Think of anti-malware software as a backup in case you accidently click something you shouldn't have. Hopefully the software will protect you or at least remove the infection after the fact, but don't treat it as an impenetrable shield.

Microsoft Security Essentials

  • MSD Computer Services' preferred program
  • Very lightweight anti-virus and anti-spyware program that won't bother you with a million pop-ups
  • Based on Microsoft's business grade security software
  • Very simple and easy to use
  • Free for owners of genuine copies of Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7.

AVG Free Anti-virus

  • Good choice if Microsoft Security Essentials won't install even after updating Windows or you operating system is very old
  • Free for home users
  • AVG, like any antivirus, runs all the time and scans files as you open them. You'll be alerted if you attempt to open a malicious file.
  • Automatically updates itself daily
  • I recommend JUST the anti-virus product, not the Internet security suite or the firewall
  • Version 9.0 combines anti-virus and anti-spyware scanners in one product
  • Business users, go to www.avg.com for the paid product

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware

  • Very effective FREE tool for removing malware
  • The free version doesn't run unless you launch it from the desktop icon so there's zero impact on your computer unless you're running a scan

Plugin Check

  • Plug-ins are programs that extend the capability of your browser. For example, many web sites have content on them written in Adobe Flash. Without a plug-in from Adobe installed in your browser, your browser cannot display any Flash content.
  • Plug-ins must be kept up to date just like Windows because bad guys are always finding ways to exploit problems with them and infect your computer.
  • Click the link above to check the status of your browser's plug-ins and update them.
  • Visit the site with every browser on your computer (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari) as plug-ins may be different on each browser

BACKUP SOFTWARE

Regardless of the brand, age, or amount of use, your computer's hard drive can fail at any time and often without any warning. The only thing you can do is prepare so that when it does happen, it's an inconvenience instead of a disaster.

I recommend two backup methods: Disk imaging and data backups.

Image For Windows

  • Creates an exact image, or snapshot, of your entire hard drive including Windows, applications, settings, and data.
  • Images are best saved on an external (usually connected by USB) hard drive
  • Restoring your hard drive from an image is much quicker than reloading Windows, applications, data one at a time
  • Click the link above for a free trial
  • Go to the shopping page to purchase a hard drive to hold your backups. I recommend the smaller Western Digital Passport drives if your data will fit as they're more convenient to use than the larger drives

The most important part of your computer is the data in it. Computers can be replaced, Windows can be reloaded, and software can be repurchased but data is irreplaceable. Documents, pictures, music, financial records, etc are what needs to be protected most. In addition to making an image of the entire hard drive, I recommend keeping another backup of just your critical data. Depending on how much data you have, it may fit on a flash drive or you may need another hard drive. So even if your hard drive died and the image backup were unreadable, you'd still have your data.

Second Copy

  • Copies files or folders of your choosing to a second hard drive
  • Can copy files hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, or manually
  • Optionally keeps older versions of files you've changed
  • Optionally archives files you've deleted
  • Click the link above for a free trial

The best way to protect your data is to keep it off-site to protect it against natural disasters, fires, or theft.

Jungle Disk

  • Automatically copies the files you choose to the Internet
  • Inexpensive and easy to use
  • Backed up files can be accessed from any Internet-connected computer
  • Unlike some other online backup programs, Jungle Disk will backup everything you tell it to regardless of file type.

ONLINE FILE STORAGE

Dropbox

  • Easy, convenient online file storage
  • 2GB FREE storage space, $9.99/mo for 50GB, $19.99/mo for 100GB
  • Creates a folder on your computer that is automatically synced with your Dropbox account
  • Multiple computers can sync with your account, so you can keep files on home and office computers in sync
  • Easily share files with other Dropbox subscribers (friends, business partners, etc)
  • Perfect for sending files to others that are too large for email, even if the recipient doesn't have a Dropbox account
  • Files are accessible from anywhere you can access the Internet
  • Click the link above to create a free account and get a bonus 250MB of storage

COMPUTER SHOPPING TIPS

  • Desktop vs. Laptop vs. Netbook

    • Desktop

      • Best performance for the dollar

      • More easily repaired, upgraded, or expanded than laptops or netbooks

      • Ideal for applications where the computer needs to stay on 24/7

      • Best choice for most people unless portability is absolutely required

      • Small form factor desktops are about 1/2 to 1/4 the size of a typical desktop while retaining many of the benefits of a desktop

    • Laptop/Notebook

      • Screen sizes typically range from 12-17" and weigh 4-8 pounds

      • More expensive than a desktop for the same quality level and performance

      • Typically has an internal optical drive (usually a DVD burner), except for smallest models

      • Battery life is usually in the 2-6 hour range

      • Good for applications where space is limited, such as a kitchen or RV, or where portability is required

      • Many laptops overheat easily so they're not ideal for applications where the computer must stay on for extended periods

    • Netbook

      • Smallest, lightest, slowest, and least expensive of the three

      • Come from the factory with 1 GB of RAM but can usually be upgraded to 2 GB

      • Screen sizes range from 8-10" and weigh about 3 pounds

      • Battery life ranges from 3-10 hours or more

      • Ideal for connecting to the Internet and performing light computing tasks while travelling or around the house away from your desktop PC

      • Not designed to be your only computer since they are not very powerful and the small keyboards on the smaller models can make typing tedious

      • Lacks an optical drive so reading or burning a CD or DVD requires a separate drive connected to a USB port

  • Operating System:

    • For home use, Windows 7 Home Premium is sufficient.

    • For business use, get Windows 7 Professional. Do not buy computers with "Home" versions of Windows, especially if you have a network server.

    • Click here for a comparison of the different versions of Windows 7.

    • Click here to see what's been added or improved in Windows 7 since Windows Vista or XP.

      • 32 bit vs. 64 bit

        • 32 bit versions of Windows only support up to about 3GB of memory.

        • Lower-end PCs with 2-3 GB of RAM will automatically come with 32 bit Windows 7.

        • Mid level to high end PCs with 4 GB or more of RAM will automatically come with 64 bit Windows 7.

        • To the end user, 32 bit and 64 bit versions of Windows look and operate the same.

        • 64 bit Windows tends to have a few more compatibility problems with old hardware and software than 32 bit Windows although Windows 7 Professional's XP Mode largely tackles those issues.

  • Processor (CPU)

    • Don't waste money on the fastest processor available. Get a couple of notches down from the top. Save your money or put the difference into more memory instead. The Intel Core i7 is the top of the line, followed by Core i5 and Core i3. The Core 2 Duo and  Core 2 Quad are older chips but still work fine for most tasks.

  • Memory (RAM)

    • 2 GB is the minimum recommended for a new PC running Windows 7

    • 4 GB or more is ideal

  • Hard Drive

  • For most people, the smallest drive available (typically 250-500 GB) is more than sufficient

  • If you have large media collections (movies, music, pictures) then get 1 TB or larger

  • Optical Drive

    • DVD-RW (DVD burners) drives are standard today and have replaced CD-ROM, CD-RW, and DVD-ROM drives.

    • Most computers will come with just one optical drive. Get two drives (in a desktop)  if you plan on copying a lot of discs.

  • Video

    • Most computers come with the video function built into the motherboard. This is fine typically called integrated or onboard video and is for basic applications such as Internet, email, Word, Excel, etc

    • For playing games, you need a video card since the performance is much better than integrated video

    • Video cards will have a chip made by nVidia or ATI and have their own dedicated memory

  • Sound

    • For sound, the same rules as above apply: Integrated audio is fine for anyone who doesn't play games.

    • Gamers should get a card or at least an upgraded on-board audio.

  • Monitor (For Desktop PC)

    • Bigger is better

    • Get at least a 20" wide screen

    • 22" wide screens typically have the same resolution as a 20" but the text will be slightly larger

    • 24" wide screens are great if you have the space for it

    • Dell's UltraSharp monitors have USB ports conveniently located in the side and support the SoundBar (see below)

  • Speakers (For Desktop PC)

    • Dell's SoundBar is an option that attaches to UltraSharp monitors and greatly reduces clutter by eliminating separate speakers along with their cables and power supply

    • The SoundBar sounds better than speakers that are built into other monitors

    • Those desiring higher quality sound should get at least a 3 piece speaker system (left, right, subwoofer)

  • Brand

    • Dell Computers tend to come with less pre-loaded garbage that slows down your computer, also known as bloatware, than most other mass-market computers

    • HP and Sony come with the most bloatware

  • As with many things, you get what you pay for so avoid the lowest-end models as the quality is usually poor

  • For business use, spend the extra money on a business class machine like the Dell Optiplex over a home PC

  • A survey of laptop reliability by brand is here.

  • Click to see why you should never pay big stores to "optimize" your brand new PC.