Keeping the door closed and locked

Hello everybody! EXAMS ARE OVER hahahaah...

I'm really excited with the lineup of activities eunice and me have planned for the holidays... cant wait to do all of them!

I have wanted to write this post for a damn long time, but haven't really got the chance to do it. This article is more for people who are not so aware of how to keep their Windows PC (especially XP and older) safe and sound. For those who are more aware, maybe you can exchange ideas with me, and I can add them in here.

I have thought to myself a long time ago, why do people's PCs keep getting bugged down with viruses, spyware and other malware? Is it because they surf alot of porn? What could be the reasons? After many experiences of troubleshooting infected PCs (some FUBAR-ed...), I have come to realise the 3 grave mistakes people make, which led to their PC's horrible deaths...

1. Performing daily tasks using an administrator account, especially web surfing. Most people don't even know what is an administrator account.
2. Windows not updated. Most people simply don't care or don't know how to do it.
3. No anti-virus software installed, or not updated. Most people have a few months of trial period on their anti-virus and just leave it there to rot after it expires, because they have to pay to renew the license.
   

Now I shall share with you how to do things the proper way. This is how I have kept my computers safe for years without ever needing to reformat my disks.

1. Use the admin account only for installation of programs and other admin tasks. Create a limited account for your normal work (especially web surfing). If you have to download files for installation, use the limited account. Trust me, the little amount of trouble from switching accounts is worth it.
   
2. Set your Windows installation to update itself automatically. This will allow your Windows installation to be patched with security fixes regularly. The malicious software removal tool which is updated monthly will also be provided automatically through Windows update.
3. Set your anti-virus software to update its virus database regularly. If you can afford to, then pay for an extension of licenses. If not, just simply download a free anti-virus solution from the internet. e.g. AVG free

Take note that these are simple solutions for common day-to-day security problems people face at home, and should be rather easy to practice once you get used to them.

Many users are simply not aware of what to do, and a little education can help alot. Do not be ignorant about these matters, knowing what you should practice as a user can help save alot of your precious time. You do not want to keep reformatting your hard disks right?

Tips to save money #2

Here is the second entry, and this time I shall share some knowledge about...

*** Saving Electricity ***

1. Switch off lights / fans / aircon / appliances when not in use. (You can keep your fridge switched on...) Keep a habit of turning off these things everytime you leave a room for sometime.
   
   
2. Try not to use the aircon so much, use a fan to cool yourself. Aircon is the killer as they REALLY consume alot of electricity. Yes, I know... sometimes it gets really hot in Singapore, but try to cut down.
   
   
3. Appliances on standby mode consumes electricity too, keep the power socket switched off if possible.
   
   
4. Try to multi-task: download huge files when you are doing your work on your computer to avoid having to leave them on overnight. Computing power in home PCs for today's standards can easily accomodate this, even for gaming or watching streamed videos at the same time. If you do not like to wait for your computer to boot up, you can put it in hibernation mode instead of leaving it on for a few hours, this can reduce power consumption. Hibernation mode consumes less power than standby mode.
   
   
5. Learn to shower with cold water, you save power by not having to turn on the water heater. Plus, its refreshing!
   

Tips to save money #1

Hello people... times are hard, so I thought of sharing with people some tips to save money. On this mini-series (hmm... "mini-something" sounds like a sensitive word nowadays), I will have a few posts on saving money, each will cover different aspects...

If you have any more that isn't here, please let me know and I will share it here too!

*** Saving Water ***

1. When bathing, shampoo and soap your body before washing off everything. You can also wash your face with facial foam (if you normally do that at all) too and wash off everything together. Position the shower head above your head, as the water will wash everything down, for a more efficient bath instead of holding it in one hand and moving it around your body.
   
   
2. Do away with aquatic pets... changing of water in tanks means using up alot of water.
   
   
3. Don't you dare fill up that bath tub!!!
   
   
4. This is a little extreme... flush your toilet only after a few times of pee-ing. If you are thinking of shits too... you are sick.
   
   
5. Put a filled water bottle in your toilet cistern (away from the moving parts) and you can save quite alot of water.
   
   
6. Eliminate bad habits like letting the water run while you brush your teeth, while you soap / shampoo etc.