Computer Smarts

 Some truck drivers are very savvy when it comes to surfing the web and running their computers.  Others are just at the start of their journey or someplace in between beginning and experienced.  Everyone has to start some place.  You didn’t suddenly overnight or by reading a book or seeing a movie know how to drive your truck.  It took practice and some time driving to gain the experience you have.  Same is true with learning the computer.  Give yourself a break and some time to learn.

In this article I’m going to cover some basics for those that are needing the help.  The rest of you are welcome to read along just in case there is something new to learn.  

I’m not going to get into how to turn your computer on, I’m pretty sure you already know this.

ANTIVIRUS PROTECTION

An antivirus program will protect your PC and data from any virus coming into your machine and messing/erasing/scrambling your data and possibly wreak havoc with your  hard drive on your PC.

Always, always, always have your antivirus program turned ON!  I can’t stress this enough.  Especially if you are out on the internet and surfing from one site to the next.  You can pick up or open the door for a hitchhiker  to enter into your computer and cause all sorts of problems.  Don’t take a chance, keep your antivirus program running at all times and update your program as updates become available.

When you purchased your computer it probably came with Norton,  McAfee or some similar antivirus program.  If not, beat feet to your nearest big box store of someplace selling computer programs and get yourself an antivirus program and install it.

SPYWARE

Spyware protects your PC from downloads (bugs) coming into your computer spying on your buying habits, websites you visit etc.  This is something invisible running in the background as you surf and not something you can see but you do need to protect yourself from.

Do a search on the internet for Free Spyware and pick one.  Download it and run it weekly.  Unlike an antivirus program, the spyware filter isn’t always engaged, you will need to run a scan of your PC manually by opening the program and running a search.

The first time I downloaded spyware to my PC and ran a scan, I had hundreds of spyware bugs that were removed by my spyware from my PC.  After that, I ran my spyware on a weekly basis and had fewer problems with my PC running slow or getting locked up.  It also cut down on spam to my email too.  

SAFE ON-LINE BUYING 

When you are surfing on the internet and giving out your information to make an on-line purchase be absolutely sure that the website you are on is secure.  How do you know this?  Look in the browser window at the top of your screen for the web address and find where it begins http://   If your site is secure it have the “S” in the https://.  You will also see a padlock in a locked position in either the upper right corner of the page or lower right.  Look around the page just to make sure you see it.  Do this before you give out ANY personal info like your credit card number.  Protect yourself as much as possible to avoid identify theft.  Your personal information should be given on on a need-to-know basis ONLY.

If a website you want to order from does not show you the https:// in the browser window and have a locked padlock on the page, DO NOT enter any of your personal information for a purchase.  Any reputable company doing business on-line will have this information displayed.  Anyone else, get off their website ASAP.  There are other vendors out there to do business with that do have a secure web ordering site.

For some of you truckers this information is all pretty basic but not for others.  I hope this has helped and safe surfing!

Easy Truckin is brought to you by Easy Trucking Software. We hope you enjoy it.