I get a lot of email from people asking me what I run on my pc’s.  It’s a very good question, and it’s one that i would probably ask – but you need to be careful because people in my line of work that use and work with computers for a living tend to lose sight of the fact that this ALL NEW to someone, and in some cases that someone is you.

Here are some thoughts before I get started:

• Just because it’s FREE doesn’t mean it’s EASY To USE – Typically it is often the other way around
• Sometimes it’s better to BUY software than to struggle with Free versions – Especially if you value your time.
• DON’T DO ANYTHING WITHOUT A GOOD BACKUP!!!
• You need to make sure you update your software regularly – Very Important
• You need to AUDIT your software regularly. – I will give you more info on this in a later post!
• If you start reading the text below and it doesn’t make any sense – You should WATCH THIS VIDEO on Taking Control of your PC!  It’s FREE when you sign up for the Newsletter!

OK, OK, OK – What do I run on my PC?

I will break down the crucial software that I run and WHY?

You can download all of these apps using this link.

1. AntiVirus Software – Avira AntiVirus Software (Free Version) – Avira Link
I have gone back and forth between Avira, AVG FREE, and CA eTrust. Avira does a nice job (as do most of the others), but it doesn’t seem to slow my computer down like the others apps do. This is imporant because what good is an antivirus program when it consumes all of the computers resources and slows down your computer?
I typically will review this every 6-8 months, and if there some BUZZ on a new app or upgrade – then I’ll at least take a look at it.
Note: Rarely will I ever use a FIRST VERSION of a virus software under normal circumstances.

2. AntiSpyware Software – SuperAntiSpyware, Spybot Search and Destroy, & AntiMalwareBytes
Why Three? Well, I don’t run them all at the same time, and each one has it’s own set of benefits. Spyware is such a HUGE BEAST to deal with, that I personally don’t trust cleaning it up to only one app. Now I go through Spyware apps like my kids go through Hershey bars! I change these very often, and I typically have 5 or 6 installed and only run 2-3 on a periodic basis. Some others that I use are Ad-Aware, and A-squared trojan remover has a built in spyware remover as well.

3. Trojan Software – A-Squared
I think that A-squared is the only software that I have some sort of allegience to. I really do love this app! It is easy to update, simple to run, and it does everything I want it to. I have run into more problems in the past with Trojans that with viruses and spyware combined, and A-squared has been superb in finding those problems and removing them.
This is the #1 app in my arsenal and I use it very often.

4. Firewall – Comodo
What is a Firewall? A firewall in simple terms is a protective “wall” between your computer and the internet. Now Firewalls do a lot of different things, and much of it is way too technical. Here is an example of why you need a firewall.

My daughter went looking on the web for a song that she wanted. She finally found it on some obscure website. When she got to the site, her Comodo firewall started BLOCKING some unidentified app that was already installed on her computer from trying to get internet access. What? Yeah, the seemingly innocent song site actually had a viral program that was instantaneously installed on her computer without her knowledge and then tried to contact another computer/spammer/hacker to let them know it was there. The firewall stopped it from transmitting that information! A quick run of the virus software found the culprit and it was removed. Had she not been running the firewall software, she would have been infected with a couple of viruses, a few trojans, and a serious case of “Daddy fix this!”.
Firewalls are great if you have kids that like to “wander” around on the web, or if you like to do that.

Now I used to use Zone Alarm firewall software, and I still like it, but I ran into some snags with the software conflicting with some other apps and I had to switch.

That is sometimes the case when dealing with these software packages.  I have talked about this in earlier posts as well as on the videos that some of these applications MAY NOT WORK CORRECTLY on your pc for one reason or another.  It doesn’t necessarily mean that they are crappy, it just means that you have something on your computer that conflicts with the software.  This is why you always get the FREE VERSION of the software and TRY IT BEFORE YOU BUY IT!

What’s the FIRST STEP – Make sure you have a good backup because it anything can happen that will force you to loose that data FOREVER.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Mike

I am a Dad.

That is a simple statement that brings a lot of responsibility with it. So I understand the concern when parents ask me what they can to do when it comes to their kids and the web.  I can see it in their face.  The knee-jerk reaction is always to “stifle” or “prevent” kids from surfing the web, but that is not what I do with our kids, and that is not the advice I give other parents.

Now I am a Christian, but I make it a point not to be a moralist.  What that means is that I don’t force my moral values upon other people, but that being said I do allow my moral compass to direct me in all aspects of my life including the advice that I give.  I won’t get into OUR “style” of parenting, but I can say that we are Parents to our children, not their friend.

Kids get curious.

Whether it’s the web, cutting class, alcohol, or drugs, etc., they get curious.  We did it as kids, why would we expect anything different from our kids?  When I talked to my kids about it, I told them 2 things:

• I explain to my two girls that there is good stuff and bad stuff on the web.
• In that discussion, I let them know that I can see EVERYTHING that they do on the computer.

Once those two statements are drilled into their mushy little skulls, I tell them that they may come across bad or scary stuff on the internet – and if so, they need to tell Mom or Dad.  If it happens, it happens…just tell us.  The circumstances of not telling us are NOT GOOD!  I want them to feel free to explore, but I don’t want them HIDING anything from me.

Now little kids (4-10yrs) are easy, typically you can just setup a shortcut to Disney.com or Cartoon Network.com and that will keep them pretty happy.  Those sites are very “kid-centric” and I consider them pretty safe.  Older kids (starting around 9 or 10 years old) like to EXPLORE the web.  They like to get into chat rooms or social sites like Facebook and MySpace and interact with their friends and meet new friends.  They also like to download music and videos regardless of whether it’s free or stolen.  (Note: This is how computers get completely screwed up with viruses, etc.  Click here to learn how to protect your computer from bad stuff)  Now we have RULES that we impose, and they are NON-NEGOTIABLE with our kids. You may need to modify these depending on your kids and your parenting style.

Here are the RULES that I recommend:

1. Search the kids surfing history.  KNOW how to search the history on the computer.  It’s easy, it only takes a little time to learn, and once your kid see’s that you know how to check…it firms up their belief that they can’t just surf without accountability.
   • “I don’t know anything about computers…” DO NOT USE THIS EXCUSE!!! This isn’t Voodoo! Take a little time to learn!  It’s all on the web.  Go to GOOGLE, search for “How To Find Windows History” and start reading.
   • Try this link for starters http://www.webwisekids.org/
2. If your child joins a site like Facebook, you need to join it as well and make them add you as a friend.  THIS IS NOT A LICENSE TO SNOOP! Your job as a parent is PROTECTION, not digging in your kids privacy.  If your child feels like you are, they will just open another account that you don’t know about and keep you out of the loop.
3. I set designated times for the kids to be on the computer/internet.  Any other access must go through me or my wife.

My kids understand the consequences for not following the rules.  It is important to hold your kids accountable!

As a parent, you need to learn about SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES.  Learn how sites like Facebook, MySpace, etc. work.  Learn what the dangers are.  Make it your job to understand what your kid is getting into!  This is the toughest part, because there is always a new one out there.

The Key is to know the dangers to your children, and to take the necessary steps to prevent them.  No excuses.  If you care about your kids, take the time to learn and understand the threats that are out there and how to protect them.

From a Parent, to a parent.