Virtual IT Dad

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Computers, and computer adjacent devices like smartphones and tablets, can be very confusing and a bit scary for the uninitiated.  Here's the best advice I can muster while being sleep deprived.  I hope you find it useful.  

1. Back up your computer regularly. Apple’s iCloud and Microsoft’s Onedrive clients make this easy to do.  But you have to be on top of it. This shouldn’t be your only backup. External USB hard drives are cheap and can be backed up too regularly. Cloud services are lovely but if you lose access to them (payment or forgotten password) you lose access to your files. Back up often to two locations. 
2. Use a password manager and a new password for each website or service. I know it’s hard to come up with new ones, but a password manager can generate complex ones easily. And then you just have to remember one password for your manager. Just make sure that’s complex too. 
3. Encrypt your devices; phone, laptop, and any storage devices. Losing these without encryption means anyone with a 6th grade IT experience can read your files. You don’t want that. Encryption is easy. Microsoft Bitlocker for PC and apple FileVault for Mac. 
4. Don’t send nude pictures. The very nature of digital means that a copy can be made infinitely and you’ll never know. Trust the guy?  I’m sure he’s great, but what happens if he gets mad?  Sounds like a risk to me. It’s not worth it. Even apps that purport to avoid screenshots or sharing can be circumvented. There’s no way to ensure your digital safety. 
5. Online, anyone can be anyone. Scams are infinite. Trust no one. Validate everything. Get a text about a problem with a business or financial institution? Look up their number outside of the text and call them. 
6. The padlock next to a site only means that it is using a certificate to validate the site name is what it claims to be. It does not mean it’s not a bad site. Be careful. Make sure you know what you’re clicking. 
7. Macs take a lot of grief for how expensive they are, but their longevity, lack of bloat, resell value, and ease of service make up for a lot of that.  Consider that when buying a computer. 
8. Try to avoid disreputable sites.  Poorly secured sites can mean problems down the road due to viruses or unwanted programs.  Use a good antivirus. 
9. Don't let other people use a computer out of your sight.  Could mean they're rifling your files, installing spyware, or stealing data.  
10. Microsoft and Apple will never call you to tell you that you have a virus.  Despite their huge sizes as organization, they don't have the resources to do that.  If you get a call, it's a scam.  
11. Run Windows Updates when prompted.  There's usually a good set of security related fixes and postponing these could mean that your computer is vulnerable to a virus attack. 
12. Buying computers from a club like Costco or Sams club can pay off big if you have a warranty issue, or just decide you want to return.  Understand your options before you make a big purchase.