New PC? - Who do I trust?
When it comes to PCs and the internet, you need to be suspicious of most everything. Positek.net recommends you create your own short list of "Trusted Entities". These are companies, programs, individuals, or websites that you count on for good advice or that you trust to keep your computer safe. Everyone else is NOT trusted. That includes your doctor, your friend, your neighbor, any incoming email, popup messages that appear on your computer (that are not from a Trusted Entitiy), etc.
Once you've got your list, you need to ensure that anyone using your PC pays attention to information, messages, guidance, or instructions from a Trusted Entity, and never acts on such from anyone else. If you are unsure whether something is legit or not, consider it as NOT legit. Your Trusted Entities are 100% legit, and everyone and everything else is 0% legit. There's no middle ground - why? Because the bad guys who are out there routinely capitalize on the chance that someone will assume the opposite (that everything's legit unless you know it isn't).
Ok, now let's start with a simple generic list that you can copy and customize for yourself:
- Your computer manufacturer: For example, if you are using an IBM computer you can trust IBM (telephone tech support, their support website, and IBM branded programs they provide on your PC). Don't trust another computer manufacturer. If you have more than one computer brand in use at your business or home office, each computer trusts its own manufacturer.
- The manufacturer of your computer's Operating System (i.e., Microsoft, who made Windows). Since this is the primary piece of software your computer uses, you have to trust Microsoft.
- The manufacturer of your computer's primary commercial software (i.e., Microsoft, who made Office). Since you depend on this software to do your work, you have to trust the manufacturer, especially to provide updates and security patches.
- The protection programs that you have installed. If you follow our setup instructions, these are:
- Norton Antivirus
- Zone Alarm
- Pest Patrol or Spy Sweeper, and Ad-aware or Spybot Search & Destroy
- The manufacturer of any networking equipment you use, such as Netgear or Linksys.
- Your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
- Your contracted technical support (if you have such)
- We hope (humbly) this website
- And lastly, trust yourself!
Now each of these trusted entities isn't necessarily given full trust over everything, but each can be trusted for the services or functions they provide. For example, you can trust your ISP for internet access, but don't necessarily trust them to deal effectively with your networking equipment (unless you've contracted that support through them). And don't call Microsoft if you're having a problem with a non-Microsoft program, call that program's manufacturer (or visit their website for support).
If you're having problems with your computer, look to your technical support avenues depending on what's happening. For example, if your computer won't turn on, it's time to call the computer manufacturer, not Microsoft. If you can't access the internet, first call your ISP to make sure your service is working. And we advise that you figure out your computer repair options before you need them. We can help here.
Not quite done yet, there are a few entties on the internet that you can trust for what they provide. Some are:
- Gibson Research Corporation for computer and network security advice
- Hoaxbusters for research on computer myths and hoaxes
- Google's excellent Google Toolbar
- Macromedia's helper programs Flash Player and Shockwave Player
- Adobe's Acrobat Reader program
- PC Pitstop for miscellaneous system advice
- ZDNet for consumer electronics advice
- SANS for security advice
- Internet Fraud Watch
This is just a partial list, we maintain a full list in our helpful links section. So whether you are setting up a new PC, maintaining an existing PC, or trying to fix a PC that isn't operating correctly, please consider the Trusted Entities concept to guide how you operate.