★ When someone calls from Microsoft alerting you that you have viruses on your computer, just hang up. Never allow anyone remote access to your computer when you get that call. (Microsoft does not care about you or your viruses).
How could they possibly know what you have on your computer unless you allow them access and then they will know everything you don't want them to.
And besides, generally speaking, the person on the phone probably doesn't even know your zip-code so don't educate them.

★ Be wary of everything and everyone online.

★ Be vague in profiles when signing up for online services or websites. People do not need to know your address, real name or where you're from.

★ Never click links in emails. They can be spoofed or lead to malicious sites.

★ Do not respond to text messages or emails you know nothing about-even to unsubscribe.

★ Avoid using public computers or hotspots to access your email or banking institution.

★ Make sure your antivirus software is up to date. Scammers can install malware or unwanted browser toolbars on your computer if your security is lacking.

★ Create a dummy email account. Use it when signing up for one-time things online. You want to avoid subscribing to shadywebsite.com's email lists and later having that email address sold to someone else.

★ Setup Parental Controls For Kids. Controlling how and when your kids are online can protect your computers and network from hackers and scammers.

★ Don't Friend everyone. While Friending everyone makes you look more popular to others, granting everyone access to your social network gives scammers a foothold into your life.


Trial Programs Are Evil

When people buy a new computer, it is usually loaded with free trial software, making it sound like it is really valuable and essential for your computer use. At first it seems okay and the programs are usually pretty good, but then the trial runs out and they start to bug you.

You see pop-ups asking you to buy their software every time you turn on your computer. So our advice is to not allow trial software on your computer in the first place. It is nothing but crap and a sneaky way to sell you software.



Avoid Potentially Unwanted Programs

The first point is that the majority of these PUPs are installed by you. Inadvertently, yes, but that's little consolation after the fact. Piggybacking these unwanted programs with genuine software has become pretty much standard practice so the first step in avoiding them is to proceed on the assumption that
everything you are about to install comes bundled with something.
The second step is to be vigilant during the installation process and not just click through without checking every single screen.

There are some instances where unscrupulous developers surreptitiously bundle toolbars and other crap without providing any indication or options to decline, making these PUPs nearly impossible to avoid, but, they are generally the exception rather than the rule.
The vast majority of developers will provide the end user with the necessary options to avoid any bundled extras, although, in many cases, they will still do their very best to obscure them. Some of these PUPs can hook deep into the system and be a real pain to get rid of completely, so avoidance is the much preferred option.

✔ First Rule: when installing software NEVER accept the default "Express' or 'Standard" installation setting, even when it is labeled "Recommended".
If this setting is available then it will generally be accompanied by a "Custom" or "Advanced" installation option as well, this is the one you need to enable.
Using the Express/Standard installation option will skip the screens offering decline options and just go ahead and install everything, including any bundled PUPs.
Enabling the Custom/Advanced installation option will, in the vast majority of cases, ensure that you get to pick and choose exactly what is installed and what isn't.

What you'll need to do in these instances is enable the Custom installation option and you'll then be able to deselect any additional programs you do not want.

Here is another example where the opposite applies; rather than simply deselecting the unwanted program's installation option, the user has to tell the installer they do not want it:

CLICK HERE to read the entire post from Dave's Computer Tips.
CLICK HERE to read another post from How-To-Geek.
CLICK HERE for another report from EMSISOFT.