Webaholics

I observe all the time with my home pc customers. Their computer, for whatever reason, has been rendered unbootable and they are suddenly (and understandably) worried about the contents of the hard drive. Whether it’s hundreds (or thousands) of rupees/dollars worth of downloaded music and movies, software that was purchased and paid for online, countless hours of work on personal or business documents or the unthinkable loss of all their family photos, the sudden realization that you have never safeguarded these things can be a very unsettling prospect.

One of the first questions I ask when someone calls and tells me that their pc won’t start is if they have a recent backup of their data. It’s very rare for anyone to answer that question in the affirmative. Usually, after a moment of silence, the customer will sheepishly admit that they always intended to start backing up but never did because… [insert your favorite excuse here]. I always hate to hear this because backing up your data is vitally important and (here’s the BIG SECRET) it’s not at all difficult.

There are backup utilities and services available to consumers now that make the process so simple and automated that anyone can do it easily and quickly. And the best part is, there are so many competing products you will easily find one to fit your budget if you shop around. One word of caution, though. Don’t use the built-in backup utility in Windows. Yeah, I know, it’s already there and it’s “free”.

Trust me though, it’s cumbersome, featureless and not very dependable. You won’t like it so you won’t use it and then the next time your hard drive crashes (it will happen sooner or later), you won’t have a backup. I’ve seen it happen too many times! Third party software is definitely the way to go.

Anyway, whatever backup application you decide to use, It’s important to understand what needs to be backed up. Following is a list of things you should DEFINITELY include in your backups:

The ‘My Documents Folder’ - This is hands down the most critical folder for most people in terms of data backup. This is where all of your personal and sometimes irreplaceable data is stored. By default, it contains all of your photos, music, documents, videos, etc. In some cases, such as photos and home videos, if these items are lost or corrupted, they are gone forever and cannot be replaced. (Imagine telling your wife that all of the baby pictures are gone!)

Your Accounting Data - If you use personal or business accounting software on your pc, backing up the data file on a regular basis is an absolute MUST! Enough said.

Your Email Address Book - You have a lot of important contact information that you have gathered over the years. Backing up this data is especially critical if you are a business person and you utilize email in your daily business schedule.
 
A couple of things you may want to consider backing up even though they aren’t critical are:

Your Internet ‘Favorites’ Folder - Although it’s not the end of the world if the contents of this folder are lost, trying to remeber the url’s of your favorite websites can be a daunting task.
 
Your Windows User Settings – These are the setting that ‘personalize’ your user account. Desktop backgrounds, screensavers, etc.

Things you don’t need to bother with backing up include:

Windows – You should already have a copy of your OS on disk.

Any programs that you installed from disks – You need to back up the data files, but not the program itself. Reinstall that from the disk.

 

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Is online banking safe?

To those who fear being ripped off by cyber-thieves, the answer is a resounding “no.” There are criminals lurking online just waiting for an opportunity to steal your banking information, they will tell you. Yes, it’s true, there are cyber thieves waiting to retrieve your information. Just as there are thieves waiting to steal your mail and retrieve your vital information, or thieves waiting to steal your credit cards and rip you off.

But, if you fear doing your banking online there is one thing you need to know. Online banking can actually HELP keep you safer, IF you follow simple safety tips.

How can online banking help keep you safer? By allowing you to monitor your account between statements. How many times have you received your statement only to find something was amiss? Perhaps you find a check you remember writing, only it’s for an amount greater than what you wrote it for. Or you find ATM purchases and withdrawals you didn’t make. If you’re able to spot problems quicker, you’re able to avert a disaster down the line.

Online banking can be safe if you follow certain safety rules:

Be very careful when choosing passwords for online accounts

Use some common sense. Don’t choose your birthdate. Don’t choose pets’ names if you carry those names around with you in your purse or wallet, or if those around you are familiar with your pets’ names. Thieves are smart enough to try birthdates and pet names. Use strong passwords – that means a combination of upper- and lower-case letters, symbols and numbers that can’t be easily guessed. Some experts suggest long words, or two long words broken up with symbols or numbers.

Do not share your passwords with anyone

Well, that certainly seems simple enough. However, are you inadvertently sharing your password with strangers? Do you have passwords written down in your purse or wallet that could fall into the wrong hands if lost or stolen? And, remember, it’s not just strangers you have to worry about. According to one survey done by www.idtheftcenter.org the victim respondents indicated that 43% of them thought they knew the thief; 28% said the thief had done this to other family members as well.

Don’t have a file on your computer with your passwords

Again, a computer, particularly a laptop, can be stolen, along with all your sensitive passwords. And, if you ever get rid of your old computer make sure you take out the hard drive and destroy it, along with all sensitive data.

Use different passwords for different accounts

If you only use one username and password for all accounts and that information is compromised for one account, it’s then compromised for all accounts.

Don’t respond to emails asking for personal information

No matter how official the email looks, don’t give out your personal information. If you receive an email saying your account is going to be suspended, call the bank yourself, with a phone number from your bank statements, not a phone number provided in the email. And, never click on a link in such an email.

Don’t give personal information in unsolicited phone calls

If you receive a phone call purporting to be from your bank and they ask for personal information, don’t give it to them. Again, call your bank with a phone number from your own bank statements and see if the phone call is legitimate.

When using an ATM, don’t allow anyone to see you keying in your code

So you look a little paranoid when you cover the keypad with your body or hand. It’s your money and information you’re protecting.

Pick up your mail as soon as possible

Don’t let your mail sit in your box overnight. There may be a banking statement just waiting for a thief. And, if you can, purchase a locking mailbox which will thwart a future thief.

Check your online account regularly

Monitor your account to check for any unusual activity.

Online banking can be a wonderful timesaver. It can allow you to write bills online, transfer money between accounts and avoid long lines at the bank. And, if you follow basic safety rules it can also be a stress-free endeavor.

 

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