How Can I Stay Super-Safe Online? Our Napa Tech Guy Explains

By DAVID MERCER

I’m sure you’ve all heard this before:

• Use a different password for each service you use

So I’m not going to say that stuff again to you.

Instead, I’m going to try and help you to actually DO those things people like me are always telling you to do

First: "David’s Rule of Safety"

Don’t do anything a pop-up window or person who called you tells you to do on your computer. Period. No matter how official it looks, no matter who they say they are, no matter how totally awesome that video or game or other thing looks. Don't do it. Period.

Second: Make life easier on yourself by using software like LastPass (http://lastpass.com), or 1Password (http://1password.com, my favorite).

These things automatically fill in passwords for you, and will even generate secure passwords for you.  I myself was late to this party, but I’m very glad I saw the light.

It also keeps things like my AAA info., bank account info. and more. And I don’t need to worry about their safety, since my data is never stored with them.

Next: Keep that computer updated, including things like Adobe Flash (http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer) and Reader (http://get.adobe.com/reader).

As computer operating systems have become more secure, hackers have increasingly turned to things like Flash, Reader, and Java, to hack your computer.

So please pay attention to those little annoying things that you see on your task bar letting you know there are updates; and if your computer wants to restart to finish updates, go ahead and let it do it. 

If in doubt about the legitimacy of a warning, refer to David’s Rule of Safety, above.

If you have trouble  -- or more often, if your kids have trouble staying out of trouble -- I suggest using a Mac.

Now, I know that this will start a big kerfuffle, assuming anyone actually reads these things, but the simple fact of the matter is that they are much less vulnerable to all these things, and have great built-in support to help your kids stay safe online.

Not fool-proof, but fool-very-difficult.

Some other factoids to help out:

• Microsoft has not, and does not, call you to tell you anything about your computer.

• The old adage, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” is true in the online world as a rule. While there are great and free pieces of software out there, many say they are, but come with unfortunate side effects. If you’re not sure about the site you’re getting it from, don’t do it: consult with someone who knows. This includes toolbars, smiley faces and more.

• There are more FAKE antivirus programs out there than there are real ones. Do yourself a favor and know what antivirus program you have, and if something else pops up, you’ll know its up to no good.

Got any other ideas -- or disagreements? Let me know in the comments.