Self-help Resources
Security | Windows | Other OSs | Software/Hardware | Internet | Web Design
About these Resources | Before Contacting Me

Health & Medical
Computer & Internet Security
Security Basics | Staying Safe Online | Internet at Risk | Privacy | Securing Your System | Recovering Your System
Phone calls from a “technical support” person saying that you have a problem with your computer are all SCAMS. There are many varieties of scams, all designed to steal from you. Just hang up.
Security Basics
See basic computer terminology and Windows terminology for explanations.
- Security basics: preventing unauthorized access
- Security strategies: preventing infections
- Security policies: protecting your computers & network
- Data inheritance
- Passwords: protecting your electronic signature
- Password managers
- Multifactor authentication
- Computer & device cleanup
- Safely disposing of computers & devices
Staying Safe Online
- Spam: unsolicited emails and mailing lists
- Identity theft — obtaining information by deceit
- Vishing: scamming by phone
- Computer “tech support” scams
- Phishing & email scams
- Safer browsing
- Mobile security — vulnerabilities in mobile devices
- The “Cloud”
- Social media
- Virtual meeting software
The Internet at Risk
Privacy
- Your privacy at risk
- Data breaches reveal personal data
- Encryption: protecting your data
- The surveillance economy
- Restoring your privacy
Securing Your System
- Firewalls: your first line of defense
- Security software: evaluations & solutions
- Malware: detection & removal
- Ransomware: holding your digital life for ransom
- Vulnerabilities in Internet software
- Windows vulnerabilities
Recovering Your System
- Backup & recovery strategies
- Recovering Windows
- System Restore — revert Windows settings
- Clean install
- Troubleshooting hardware issues
Microsoft Windows
Windows basics | Current (supported) versions | Upgrading Windows | Legacy Windows
Windows Basics
- Windows: an overview
- Windows basics — general concepts & terminology
- Troubleshooting Microsoft services
Current (Supported) Versions
- Windows 11*
- Windows 10 (October 14, 2025)
*Windows 11 has no official end of support. Each major release has its own “end of service” (24 months for consumers).
Upgrading Windows
Legacy (Unsupported) Windows
Support has expired for these versions and they are unsafe to use.
- Windows 8.1
Legacy
- Windows 7
Legacy
- Windows Vista
Legacy
- Windows XP
Legacy
Note: Pre-XP information has been removed from the site.
Other Operating Systems
The following pages on this site deal with alternatives to Windows:
- Linux — distributions, desktops & documentation
- Mac — information & software
- Chromebook
- ArcaOS
- eComStation
- IBM OS/2 pages
Legacy
Running Multiple Operating Systems (Advanced)
Running more than one operating system on a single computer:
Software & Hardware
Concepts & Terminology | Software Recommendations | Networking
Concepts & Terminology
- Computer basics & terminology
- Windows basics
- How to do a screen capture
- Is the desktop PC dead?
- Safely disposing of computers
Software Recommendations
- Recommended software: useful & reliable programs
- Internet | PDF | Graphics | VLC Player
- Office Suites | Editors | Utilities
- Updating your software
- Able2Extract Professional 12 review
Legacy
- Web browsers
- Browser extensions
- Browser plugins are vulnerable
Legacy
- Email software
- Shareware & freeware: definitions & sources
Networking
- Home networking: securely sharing resources between computers
- Sharing files between computers
- Firewalls: your first line of defense
Internet Issues
The following pages on this site deal with issues of using the Internet and Internet software. See Software & Hardware for downloads of Internet software.
Connection Issues | Finding Information | Email Issues | Web Browser Issues
Connection Issues
Finding Information
Email Issues
- Email troubleshooting
- Safer email
- Email newsletters
- Correctly Using To, CC & BCC
- Spam: unsolicited emails and mailing lists
- Phishing: email scams
Web Browser Issues
Website Design
Building a Website | Design Issues | The power of CSS
The following pages deal with website design:
Building a Website
- Web design basics
- HTML5 technologies
- Web design tips & tools
- Web graphics & stock photos
- Cut 'n paste HTML editing
Design Issues
- Can't see new website content?
- Designing for multiple screen resolutions
- Web design ethics: responsible e-commerce
The power of CSS
These are two identical pages except that CSS is disabled in the second example:
- Alice with CSS
- Alice without CSS (the display issues are intentional)