Ease of accessibility is the main reason people start to save documents on their desktop. We have all done so at some point in time. Some of the desktops I look at on a daily basis look like a warped treasure map of locations that may never be visited again. There are times the reason I am there is that there was a computer malfunction that have caused all the files on the desktop to disappear as well, turning the treasurer map to a wasteland. The lesson to be learned…avoid saving files on your desktop.

If your computer malfunctions you have a higher risk of losing desktop saved files. If there is a computer malfunction a number of things could happen. Firstly, it is important to note that if you are using Windows XP and have to use the System Restore feature, the files may be gone after the restoration process is complete. Secondly, any files saved to the desktop are saved directly to your “user profile.” If your user profile becomes corrupt you will lose all of your desktop files.

Keep in mind the caveats of saving your file to the desktop next time you feel the urge. Besides, you will cover-up that wonderful desktop image you worked so hard to find on your lunch break! I encourage you to use the “My Documents” folder. You can always create a shortcut or a toolbar and place it on the desktop if it is a file you will visit often.

Quick Tips:

• Do not put any files on your desktop are security sensitive. They are easy to quickly access.
• Files put on a desktop can easily be inadvertently deleted.
• If memory is an issue in your computer keep in mind that files in the Desktop folder load into active memory, while the files in My Documents do not. It makes a huge difference in terms of system resources.

So you have recently updated to either Windows Internet Explorer 7 or 8 and now ActiveX control keeps popping up and driving you crazy. Don’t worry it is normal and an added security feature put in to help protect you and your computer. ActiveX controls and web browser add-ons have been utilized for a long time on the internet. Their purpose is to make your browsing easier, the most common you will notice being toolbars.

The extensive use of these small programs can malfunction at times causing issues with your computer (i.e. a toolbar updater not working properly and causing other computer hang ups while it attempts to run). Be careful what you allow to run on your computer if a warning pops up when you navigate to a website that is unfamiliar. It is possible that their purpose is to collect information from your computer (potentially damaging information in the process) or installing software on your computer (without your consent.)

For those who would prefer the manager be disabled to avoid the interruptions and popups, it is possible, it is possible but not recommended. For more detailed information about the Add-on Manager visit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/883256

Helpful Quick Tips:

• You can activate and disable add-ons by going to “Tools” then “Manage Add-ons.”
• If an ActiveX control is not essential to your computer activity, try to avoid installing it.
• Only install ActiveX controls or add-ons if you completely trust the publisher and the website offering it.

We all have passwords, and many of them (or we should anyway), as we discussed on last week’s blog. Not only is having unique and strong passwords important, but answering the question of where to store them is also equally as important.

The Hand Written Method

How many of you have resorted to creating index cards or file folders with your login and password information and kept it directly next to your computer for all to see? We are all guilty of this at some point of our computing adventures.  If you must have a written record of your passwords make sure to save it in a secure location that only you or someone you trust knows.

The “Password” Document

Many of us have gone through creating a password document and saved it in our My Documents or right on our desktop as well. Needless to say not the best idea, especially if you get “hacked.” A file of this type will be one of the first things that will be looked for by your invisible attacker. Anything to allow them to get in and out without being noticed and still get the maximum amount of information. If you create a document that has all that information in one place call the file something besides “Passwords” and enable a security feature in the program you are utilizing to require a special login password to open (make sure it’s something you can remember.)

Avoid Removable Disks

Do not put an important password file on a removable disk drive as they are easy to lose! If you must insist on saving them on a removable disk remember that the life of removable disks can vary based on how much they get beat up and moved around as well. Once it is damaged it may be hard or impossible to recover.  They should only be considered temporary file transport devices.