Abby Stokes

Author:Is This Thing On?: A Computer Handbook for Late Bloomers, Technophobes;the Kicking;Screaming [Is This Thing On?: A Computer Handbook for Late Bloomers, Technophobes;the Kicking;Screaming]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Hardware, Reference, Computers, General, Personal Computers, Internet, Mathematics, Handbooks & Manuals, Operating Systems
ISBN: 9780761168829
Publisher: Workman Publishing
Published: 2012-01-01T06:00:00+00:00

CLICK AND GO

1. Click Tools.

2. Click Options.

3. Click Privacy.

4. Click Remove Individual Cookies.

5. Click Remove All Cookies.

Explorer

• Here is how to delete cookies with Firefox.

CLICK AND GO

1. Click Tools.

2. Click Internet Options.

3. Click Delete.

4. Click Delete Cookies.

Safari

• Here is how to delete cookies with Internet Explorer.

CLICK AND GO

1. Click Safari.

2. Click Preferences.

3. Click Security.

4. Click Show Cookies.

5. Click Remove All.

Below the Temporary Internet Files portion of the window you’ll see History. History is where the computer stores the websites you’ve visited in the past. This is all well and good unless you’ve traveled somewhere on the Internet you’d rather not have others know about. No confessions necessary. If you don’t want someone to see the websites you’ve visited, click on Clear History. This won’t protect you if the Feds confiscate your computer and want to investigate past behavior, but it will prevent a curious spouse or grandchild from tracking your Internet activities.

Keep on Your Toes

Don’t forget the old-fashioned techniques used by would-be thieves… their keen eyes and sticky fingers. When typing a password in a public place, try to have all of your fingers in motion over the keys to make it more difficult for someone to see what you actually type. If you have a laptop and you’re in a public space, in order to protect the information on it from curious eyes, do not walk away from your computer when it is on. Frankly, when in a public place I wouldn’t walk away from my laptop at any time for fear that someone would steal it and make it their own.

What a terrible note to end on! But if you learn the potential pitfalls, it’s easier to avoid them. There was also a lot of computer jargon to absorb in this chapter. Don’t worry. I don’t expect you to remember it all! You can always come back and review. Why not treat yourself to a few cookies (the edible kind) and a cooling drink and take a break before you journey to the next chapter?

Q: Is the Internet safe?

A: Yes. It is as safe as any other place you visit in the “real” world. You just have to use the same precautions and common sense when you’re visiting the Internet as you would traveling someplace you’ve never been before.

Q: What is spyware?

A: Spyware is software installed on your computer without your consent. Spyware can monitor your computer behavior, sending that information back to advertisers, along with diverting you from a desired website to another. One way to avoid spyware is not to download (or add) any programs onto your computer without being sure of the source and certain that you need the software offered. You can install anti-spyware software on your computer. This is a topic best dealt with by asking friends or relatives in the know or a computer professional who can help install anti-spyware software and/or help remove any spyware that was found on your computer.

Q: I use a laptop computer, not a desktop. Do I need to connect wirelessly?

A: Not necessarily.