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60 - Traveling with your computer

What to take with you

Unless you have some items at home, take the following items with you:

• AC adapter and power cord.

Special considerations

Follow these guidelines to protect your computer while traveling to and

 

from work:

• Minimize the effects of temperature changes by keeping the

 

computer with you.

• If you need to stop for an extended period of time and cannot carry the 

computer with you, leave the computer in the trunk of the car to avoid

 

exposing the computer to excessive heat.

• Changes in temperature and humidity can cause condensation. Allow

 

the computer to return to room temperature, and inspect the screen

 

for condensation before turning on the computer. If the temperature 
change is greater than 10° C (18° F), allow the computer to come to

 

room temperature slowly. If possible, leave the computer for 30

 

minutes in an environment with a temperature between outside and

 

room temperature.

Setting up a home office

If you frequently work on your computer at home, you may want to

 

purchase a second AC adapter for use at home. With a second AC

 

adapter, you can avoid carrying the extra weight to and from home.

If you use your computer at home for significant periods of time, you

 

might also want to add an external keyboard, monitor or mouse.

Summary of Contents for BOOK RS

Page 1: ...User s Manual ...

Page 2: ... it Important This manual contains proprietary information that is protected by copyright laws The information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice Some features described in this manual may not be supported depending on the Operating System version Images provided herein are for reference only and may contain information or features that do not apply to your computer Acer ...

Page 3: ...ess network 40 Connecting to a wireless LAN 40 Bluelight Shield 43 Securing your computer 45 Using a computer security lock 45 Using passwords 45 Entering passwords 46 Fingerprint Reader 47 How to use the fingerprint reader 47 BIOS utility 52 Boot sequence 52 Setting passwords 52 Power management 53 Saving power 53 Battery pack 55 Battery characteristics 55 Charging the battery 55 Optimizing batte...

Page 4: ...at is a Microsoft ID account 78 How do I check for Windows updates 79 Where can I get more information 79 Troubleshooting 80 Troubleshooting tips 80 Error messages 80 Internet and online security 82 First steps on the net 82 Protecting your computer 82 Choose an Internet Service Provider 82 Network connections 84 Surf the Net 85 Internet security software 86 ...

Page 5: ...g for your computer and your health Where to find the power button ports and connectors Tips and tricks for using the touchpad and keyboard How to create recovery backups Guidelines for connecting to a network and using Bluetooth Information on using Acer s bundled software ...

Page 6: ...to the internet you can download updates for your computer from http go acer com id 17883 1 The link will open the Acer Support webpage 2 Scroll down to Drivers and Manuals and search for your model by pasting in or manually entering the serial number SNID or product model 3 From this page you can also download and install the Acer identification utility that will automatically detect your compute...

Page 7: ...device or an Acer approved adapter to power your device Do not expose the computer to direct sunlight Do not place it near sources of heat such as a radiator Do not expose the computer to temperatures below 0º C 32º F or above 50º C 122º F Do not subject the computer to magnetic fields Do not expose the computer to rain or moisture Do not spill water or any liquid on the computer Do not subject th...

Page 8: ... pull on the cord itself but pull on the plug The total ampere ratings of the equipment plugged in should not exceed the ampere rating of the cord if you are using an extension cord Also the total current rating of all equipment plugged into a single wall outlet should not exceed the fuse rating Cleaning and servicing When cleaning the computer follow these steps 1 Turn off the computer 2 Disconne...

Page 9: ...abnormally low temperatures can cause battery deformation or damage The charging port must be clean and free from debris and should only be used with Acer charging equipment Use of a non Acer battery or charging equipment can cause damage to the product and will void the warranty If you plan to store the device for a long period of time turn off the device remove AC power and store the product at ...

Page 10: ...r corrosive environment Do not put store or leave your product in or near a heat source in a high temperature location in strong direct sunlight in a microwave oven or in a pressurized container and do not expose it to temperatures over 50 C 122 F Failure to follow these guidelines may cause the battery to leak acid become hot explode or ignite and cause injury and or damage Do not pierce open or ...

Page 11: ...r the connecting object The capacity and lifetime of the battery will be reduced if the battery is left in hot or cold places such as in a closed car in summer or winter Always try to keep the battery between 15 C and 25 C 59 F and 77 F A device with a hot or cold battery may not work temporarily even when the battery is fully charged Battery performance is especially limited in temperatures well ...

Page 12: ...ur new Acer computer Screen view 3 1 2 Icon Item Description 1 Microphones Internal digital microphone for sound recording 2 Camera Camera for video communication or taking photos A light next to the camera indicates that the camera is active 3 Touchscreen Displays computer output supports multi touch input ...

Page 13: ...8 2 Fingerprint reader Fingerprint reader for Windows Hello and security 3 Touchpad Touch sensitive pointing device The touchpad and selection buttons form a single surface Press down firmly on the touchpad surface to perform a left click Press down firmly on the lower right corner to perform a right click 4 Power button Turns the computer on and off ...

Page 14: ...mation USB 3 2 Gen 1 compatible ports are blue Compatible with USB 3 2 Gen 1 and earlier devices For optimal performance use USB 3 2 Gen 1 certified devices Defined by the USB 3 2 Gen 1 specification SuperSpeed USB USB Type C information USB 3 2 Gen 2 with transfer speeds up to 10 Gbps Supports DisplayPort audio video output Compatible with Thunderbolt 4 Delivers up to 3 A at 5 V DC for USB chargi...

Page 15: ... operate normally with one power adapter connected Wall mount type power adapter its ultra portable plug design making it an ideal travel adapter the plug type may vary by regions USB Type C power adapter it offers fast and efficient charging wherever at home in the office for convenient access to power ...

Page 16: ...set with microphone 2 USB port Connects to USB devices 3 Power indicator Indicates the computer s power status Battery indicator Indicates the computer s battery status Charging The light shows amber when the battery is charging Fully charged The light shows blue when in AC mode 4 Kensington lock slot Connects to a Kensington compatible security lock ...

Page 17: ...Ventilation and cooling fan Allows the computer to stay cool Do not cover or obstruct the openings 2 Speakers Deliver stereo audio output 3 Battery reset pinhole Simulates removing and reinstalling the battery Insert a paperclip into the hole and press for four seconds ...

Page 18: ...n Caps Lock When Caps Lock is on all alphabetic characters typed are in uppercase Num Lock When Num Lock is on the keypad is in numeric mode The keys function as a calculator complete with the arithmetic operators and Use this mode when you need to do a lot of numeric data entry Icon Function Description Sleep Puts the computer in Sleep mode Flight mode Turns on off the computer s network devices ...

Page 19: ...olume down Decreases the sound volume Volume up Increases the sound volume NumLk Numeric Lock Turns the embedded numeric keypad on or off Pause Break Pause Break Sends a Break Command Icon Function Description Hotkey Icon Description Fn F1 F12 Activates the F1 to F12 keys Fn F Switches fan mode between Silent Normal and Performance For more information on how to achieve optimal cooling efficiency ...

Page 20: ...tion key setting in the BIOS to open the BIOS press F2 when starting your computer then select the Main menu and change Function key behavior to Function keys Specifications vary depending on model Key Description Windows key Pressed alone it returns to the Start screen or to return to the last open app Application key This key has the same effect as clicking the right mouse button ...

Page 21: ...u are using Touchpad gestures Single finger slide Slide a finger across the touchpad to move the cursor Single finger press or tap Press the touchpad down or lightly tap the touchpad with your finger to perform a click which will select or start an item Quickly repeat the tap to perform a double tap or double click Two finger press Lightly tap the touchpad with two fingers to perform a right click...

Page 22: ...dow or swipe downwards to exit Task View Swipe down to minimize all open windows and show Desktop swipe upwards to restore the minimized windows Swipe left or right to switch between open windows Four finger press Lightly tap the touchpad with four fingers to open the Action Center Four finger swipe Swipe across the touchpad with four fingers Swipe up to open Task View Move the cursor over a windo...

Page 23: ...tings To change the touchpad settings to suit your personal requirements please do the following 1 In the icon tray in the lower right hand corner of the screen select the Notifications icon to open the Notifications pane 2 Select All settings 3 Select Devices Touchpad Note The touchpad is sensitive to finger movement the lighter the touch the better the response Please keep the touchpad and your ...

Page 24: ...ouchpad 4 Now you can adjust the settings to suit your personal needs You can switch off the touchpad if you prefer to use a mouse Or you can adjust the touchpad sensitivity to suit your needs Scroll down to see more settings ...

Page 25: ... data or create a factory default backup If you cannot access Acer Care Center click Settings in the Start menu select Update Security and then click Recovery Creating a file history backup Recovery Management allows you to quickly and easily back up your files and restore them if the originals are lost damaged or deleted 1 From Start select Care Center then Recovery Management 2 Select the Backup...

Page 26: ...ive Select the USB drive from the drop down list 4 Click More options to select back up options which best fit your needs such as schedule the backup interval how long you want to keep those backups default is Forever which folders to be backed up or be excluded Click Back up now to continue ...

Page 27: ... and LAN drivers if you install another operating system 1 From Start select Care Center then Recovery Management 2 Select the Backup tab and click Get started for Backup wireless and LAN drivers Choose a folder to save your drivers and select OK 3 You will be shown the backup progress on the screen Important Write a unique descriptivelabel on thebackup such as FileHistoryRecovery Backup Make sure...

Page 28: ...our operating system installed apps and data 1 From Start select Care Center then Recovery Management 2 Select the Backup tab and click Get started for Create backup to open the Backup window 3 If you would like to backup not only your files but also the entire system select Go to Backup and Restore Windows 7 ...

Page 29: ...Recovery 29 4 Click Security and Maintenance in the bottom left of the page and click Recovery ...

Page 30: ...30 Recovery 5 Select Create a recovery drive to open the Recovery Drive window 6 Make sure Back up system files to the recovery drive is selected and click Next ...

Page 31: ...he PC to detect the USB drive then click Next 8 Everything on the drive will be deleted Click Create to continue 9 You will be shown the backup progress on the screen 10 Follow the process until it completes 11 Unplug the USB drive and label it clearly ...

Page 32: ...es 1 From Start select Care Center then Recovery Management 2 Select the Restore tab and click Get started to open the Recovery window Important Write a unique descriptive label on the backup such as Windows Recovery Backup Make sure you keep the backup in a safe place that you will remember Note Since the recovery backup requires at least 8 GB of storage after formatting it is recommended to use ...

Page 33: ...your personal files Click Next to continue Important If you have apps installed on your PC they will be removed If you d like not to restore apps and setting that came with your PC go to Change settings and turn off the option to not restore preinstalled apps that came with this PC before proceeding the restore progress Click Confirm to continue ...

Page 34: ...reset progress on the screen The screen will turn off during the reset process 6 The screen will turn back on when it is installing Windows Your PC will restart several times during the reset process 7 Follow the process until it completes 8 When your PC has completed the reset process Windows will have been reset back to its factory default settings without removing your personal files Reset this...

Page 35: ...Recovery 35 2 Select the Restore tab and click Get Started to open the Recovery window ...

Page 36: ...ted to Choose an option Select Remove everything to reset your PC back to its factory default 4 Click Change settings to choose restore settings Data erasure and Data drives which best fit your needs Then click Confirm to continue ...

Page 37: ...s 8 The screen will turn back on when it is installing Windows Your PC will restart several times during the reset process 9 Follow the process until it completes 10 When your PC has completed the reset process Windows will use factory default settings Warning Turn on Data erasure will remove all of your personal files and accounts along with pre existing drivers that may affect your Windows insta...

Page 38: ...o the computer s USB port if no internal Bluetooth adapter is available Enable Bluetooth and add a device Every new device must first be paired with your computer s Bluetooth adapter This means it must first be authenticated for security purposes You only need to pair once After that simply turning on the Bluetooth adapter of both devices will connect them Bluetooth on your computer is disabled by...

Page 39: ...r the Bluetooth settings by selecting the Notifications icon in the lower right hand corner of the screen to open the Notifications pane From here you can enable or disable Bluetooth or right click on Bluetooth Go to Settings to enter the Bluetooth settings Note Some devices using older versions of the Bluetooth technology require both devices to enter a PIN In the case of one of the devices not h...

Page 40: ...net Connecting to a wireless network Connecting to a wireless LAN A wireless LAN or WLAN is a wireless local area network which can link two or more computers without using wires Once connected to WLAN you can access the internet You can also share files other devices and even your internet connection itself Your computer s wireless connection is turned on by default and Windows will detect and di...

Page 41: ...ess point and current internet connection through the ISP of your choice Make a note of the wireless network s name and password if necessary If you are trying to connect to a public network such as at a coffeeshop make sure you have the wireless network s name 2 Click Network icon in the notification area 3 You will see a list of available wireless networks Select the one you wish to use Note Ple...

Page 42: ...42 Connecting to the Internet 4 Once you select a wireless network select Connect 5 If required enter the network s password ...

Page 43: ... to fit your needs No Item Description 1 Low Reduction Reduces blue light emission from the LED backlit screen by 10 to 25 for basic protection 2 Medium Reduction Reduces blue light emission from the LED backlit screen by 26 to 45 to protect your eyes 3 High Reduction Reduces blue light emission from the LED backlit screen by 46 to 65 for maximum protection 4 Long Hour Mode Professionally tuned to...

Page 44: ...Keeping your computer and data safe In this section you will find How to secure your computer Setting passwords What you need to prepare when you re traveling How to get the most out of your battery ...

Page 45: ...authorized access Setting these passwords creates several different levels of protection for your computer and data Supervisor Password prevents unauthorized entry into the BIOS utility Once set you must enter this password to gain access to the BIOS utility See Setting passwords on page 52 User Password secures your computer against unauthorized use Combine the use of this password with password ...

Page 46: ... message appears Try again and press Enter When the User Password is set and the password on boot parameter is enabled a prompt appears at boot up Type the User Password and press Enter to use the computer If you enter the password incorrectly a warning message appears Try again and press Enter Important You have three chances to enter a password If you fail to enter the password correctly after t...

Page 47: ...he fingerprint reader to sign in and unlock your Acer notebook In order to use the fingerprint reader you must first configure the fingerprint reader to recognize your fingerprint to confirm your identity How to use the fingerprint reader Select the Start button then select Settings Accounts Sign in options to set up Windows Hello 1 Set a password ...

Page 48: ...48 Fingerprint Reader 2 Set a PIN code 3 In Windows Hello Fingerprint select Set up to configure the fingerprint reader ...

Page 49: ...Fingerprint Reader 49 4 In the Windows Hello set up window select Get started to begin the fingerprint configuration 5 Enter your PIN to confirm your identity ...

Page 50: ... Reader 6 When the Windows Hello setup window appears follow the onscreen directions Press and hold your finger on the fingerprint sensor and then lift Repeat this step until the fingerprint configuration is complete ...

Page 51: ...to sign in or unlock your computer by placing your fingerprint on the fingerprint reader You may select Add another finger to add another fingerprint to unlock the computer Note If the notebook has multiple accounts you can set up access separately and automatically switch between accounts ...

Page 52: ...layed Boot sequence To set the boot sequence in the BIOS utility activate the BIOS utility then select Boot from the categories listed on the top of the screen Setting passwords To set a password on boot activate the BIOS utility then select Security from the categories listed on the top of the screen Find Set Supervisor Password and enter a password to enable this feature Once you have entered a ...

Page 53: ...artup Your computer uses Fast startup to start quickly but also uses a small amount of power to check for signals to start These checks will slowly drain your computer s battery If you prefer to reduce your computer s power requirements and environmental impact turn off Fast startup 1 Press the Windows key or select the Windows Start button then select Settings System Power sleep 2 Select Addition...

Page 54: ...54 Power management 4 Select Change settings that are currently unavailable 5 Scroll down and disable Turn on fast startup 6 Select Save changes ...

Page 55: ...lug the AC adapter into the computer and connect to a mains power outlet Conditioning a new battery pack Before you use a battery pack for the first time there is a conditioning process that you should follow 1 Connect the AC adapter and fully charge the battery 2 Turn on the computer and complete setting up the operating system 3 Disconnect the AC adapter 4 Operate the computer using battery powe...

Page 56: ...y the faster it will reach the end of its effective life An embedded battery has a life span of more than 1 000 charge discharge cycles Optimizing battery life Optimizing battery life helps you get the most out of battery operation prolonging the charge recharge cycle and improving recharging efficiency You are advised to follow the suggestions set out below Use AC power whenever possible reservin...

Page 57: ...portant Connect the AC adapter as soon as possible after the battery low warning appears Data may be lost if the battery is allowed to become fully depleted and the computer shuts down Situation Recommended Action The AC adapter and a power outlet are available 1 Plug the AC adapter into the computer and then connect to the main power supply 2 Save all necessary files 3 Resume work Turn off the co...

Page 58: ...and other external devices 6 Disconnect the Kensington Noble lock if you are using one to secure the computer Moving around When you are just moving within short distances for example from your office desk to a meeting room Preparing the computer Before moving the computer close and latch the display cover to place it in Sleep mode You can now safely take the computer anywhere you go within the bu...

Page 59: ...ot have an electrical outlet reduce the drain on the battery by putting the computer in Sleep mode Press the Sleep hotkey or close the display cover whenever you are not actively using the computer Taking the computer home When you are moving from your office to your home or vice versa Preparing the computer After disconnecting the computer from your desktop follow these steps to prepare the compu...

Page 60: ...ture and humidity can cause condensation Allow the computer to return to room temperature and inspect the screen for condensation before turning on the computer If the temperature change is greater than 10 C 18 F allow the computer to come to room temperature slowly If possible leave the computer for 30 minutes in an environment with a temperature between outside and room temperature Setting up a ...

Page 61: ...ng it into the gate area What to take with you Take the following items with you AC adapter Additional printer driver files if you plan to use another printer Special considerations In addition to the guidelines for taking the computer home follow these guidelines to protect your computer while traveling Always take the computer as carry on luggage If possible have the computer inspected by hand A...

Page 62: ...passport Special considerations Follow the same special considerations as when traveling with the computer In addition these tips are useful when traveling internationally When traveling in another country check that the local AC voltage and the AC adapter power cord specifications are compatible If not purchase a power cord that is compatible with the local AC voltage Do not use converter kits so...

Page 63: ...In this section you will find Information on the ports and connectors fitted to your computer Ports and connectors ...

Page 64: ... to a single USB port Note Two USB standards are currently available on Acer computers USB 2 0 High speed USB and USB 3 2 Gen 1 SuperSpeed USB USB 2 0 ports on Acer computers have a black tongue in the port while USB 3 2 Gen 1 ports have a blue tongue For best performance USB 3 2 Gen 1 devices should always be plugged into USB 3 2 Gen 1 ports Consult your device s documentation to see which standa...

Page 65: ...B Type C ports support up to USB 3 2 Gen 2 SuperSpeed USB 10 Gbps Other USB devices with a USB Type C connector are supported but transfer speed may be reduced and certain functions will be disabled such as Thunderbolt video support Important When removing a USB storage device you should right click on the USB icon in the Windows task bar and select Eject device to tell the operating system to sto...

Page 66: ... can be connected to a single Thunderbolt 4 port If an adapter is used DisplayPort or compatible devices including HDMI DVI or VGA can be used Note Thunderbolt 4 ports support transfer speeds up to 40 Gbps and USB devices with a Type C connector at lower speeds typically up to 10 Gbps Other USB or older Thunderbolt devices with a USB Type C connector or adapter are supported but transfer speeds ma...

Page 67: ...ded wall outlet 4 Follow any setup instructions in the monitor s user s guide 5 Turn on power to the monitor then the computer 6 The correct resolution and refresh rate should be detected automatically If necessary change the display settings used by the computer Headphones and microphone One or more 3 5 mm jacks on your computer allow you to connect audio devices Use the headphone port to plug in...

Page 68: ... connect an external microphone connecting a microphone disables the built in microphone Note Some computers have a single combo port that allows you to use single pin headsets with a built in microphone These headsets are most commonly used with smartphones ...

Page 69: ...y compatible digital audio video source such as your computer a set top box DVD player and audio video receiver to any compatible digital audio and or video monitor such as a digital television DTV with a single cable The single cable keeps everything neat and tidy while ensuring easy connection and the best audio and visual quality ...

Page 70: ...uestion In this section you will find Frequently asked questions Tips for using Windows 10 Troubleshooting information How to protect yourself while online Where to find Acer service center contact information ...

Page 71: ...ugged into the computer and to the power outlet If power is being supplied to the computer check the following Do you have a USB storage device USB drive CD drive or smartphone plugged into your computer Unplug it and press Ctrl Alt Del to restart the system Nothing appears on the screen The computer s power management system automatically blanks the screen to save power Press any key to turn the ...

Page 72: ...es not respond Try attaching an external keyboard to a USB port on the computer If it works contact your dealer or an authorized service center as the internal keyboard cable may be loose The printer does not work Make sure that the printer is connected to a power outlet and that it is turned on Make sure that the printer cable is connected securely to a USB port and the corresponding port on the ...

Page 73: ...er and contains all you need to know about the ITW program A list of available authorized service centers is in this handy booklet Read this passport thoroughly Always have your ITW passport on hand especially when you travel to receive the benefits from our support centers Attach your proof of purchase to the ITW passport If the country you are traveling in does not have an Acer authorized ITW se...

Page 74: ...support we can reduce the amount of time a call takes and help solve your problems efficiently If there are error messages or beeps reported by your computer write them down as they appear on the screen or the number and sequence in the case of beeps You are required to provide the following information Name Address Telephone number Machine and model type Serial number Date of purchase ...

Page 75: ...ations so that you can leave your computer running but not be disturbed by notifications Tap the Windows Start button and tap Settings System Notifications actions From here you can enable disable notifications for all of your apps or choose which apps to enable disable How do I unlock my computer Swipe the lock screen upwards and tap a user account icon to unlock the computer If your account has ...

Page 76: ...o suit your needs How do I move tiles Tap on a tile and drag it to the place on Start that you want it to appear Other tiles will be moved to accommodate the tile in its new location Can I arrange tiles in groups Yes you can Tap and hold a tile until you see the screen dim Drag the tile to arrange Start to your liking Can I make tiles bigger or smaller Yes you can Tap and hold a tile until you see...

Page 77: ...ute 4 Choose which days the alarm should go off 5 Select the sound notification 6 Select the snooze time 7 Tap the Save icon in the bottom right hand corner to save the alarm 8 Select On or Off to activate or deactivate the alarm Where are my apps Tap search box and type the name of the app you would like to open using the pop up keyboard To view the complete list of apps tap the Windows Start but...

Page 78: ...ed to have a Microsoft ID to purchase and download apps from Microsoft Store I can t find apps like Notepad and Paint Where are they Tap search box and type the name of the app you would like to open using the pop up keyboard Alternatively open all apps list and scroll to Windows Accessories to see the list of legacy programs What is a Microsoft ID account A Microsoft account is an email address a...

Page 79: ... button Settings Accounts Sign in with a Microsoft account instead and follow the onscreen instructions How do I check forWindows updates Tap the Windows Start button Settings Update Security Windows Update Tap Advanced options to configure the settings Where can I get more information For more information please visit the following pages Windows 10 information www microsoft com Support FAQs suppo...

Page 80: ... be resolved contact your dealer Error messages If you receive an error message note the message and take the corrective action The following table lists the error messages in alphabetical order together with the recommended course of action Error messages Corrective action CMOS battery bad Contact your dealer or an authorized service center CMOS checksum error Contact your dealer or an authorized...

Page 81: ... O parity error Contact your dealer or an authorized service center Keyboard error or no keyboard connected Contact your dealer or an authorized service center Keyboard interface error Contact your dealer or an authorized service center Memory size mismatch Press F2 during POST to enter the BIOS utility then press Exit in the BIOS utility to reboot Error messages Corrective action ...

Page 82: ...ce Provider ISP which supplies the connection between your computer and the internet You should research the ISPs available in your region not forgetting to talk to friends and family about their experiences or to check reviews and consumer reports The ISP you select will provide instructions on how to connect to the internet you may need additional software or a special box that connects to your ...

Page 83: ...rnet connection As the connection is always on it is generally charged at fixed monthly rates Cable A cable connection provides fast and always on internet service via a cable television line This service is generally available in large cities You can use your telephone and watch cable TV at the same time you are connected to the internet Cellular A cellular connection allows you to use cellular n...

Page 84: ...s easy and allows you to share files peripheral devices and an internet connection What are benefits of a wireless network Mobility Wireless LAN systems allow you and other users of your home network to share access to files and devices connected to the network for example a printer or scanner Also you can share an internet connection with other computers in your home Installation speed and simpli...

Page 85: ... wireless module and Wi Fi button that turns the network connection on or off You may also turn your wireless network on or off or control what is shared over the network with the network management options Surf the Net To surf the internet you need a program called an internet browser Microsoft Edge provides an easy and secure web browsing experience As soon as you have your internet access insta...

Page 86: ...ends Staying ahead of cybercriminals Stay ahead of hackers and cybercriminals by understanding the tactics they use to access your private data Ensure your software is up to date Cybercriminals rely heavily upon software or platform vulnerabilities as they are the easiest way to sneak malware into a user s device unnoticed sometimes with little action on the user s part Immediately after a softwar...

Page 87: ...ell you your software or computer isn t working Never give your personal information like social security or credit card numbers to someone that you don t know over the phone Common threats cybercriminals use Now you know a few very common ways cybercriminals try to sneak onto your device or trick you into providing private information to them directly Here are a few of the types of malware they l...

Page 88: ... control of the person who created the botnet Most people who are infected with botnets aren t even aware that their computer s security has become compromised What to do if you re infected If you re infected you probably don t realize it as bots are notoriously quiet Your Internet Service Provider might send you a notification alerting you that they found a threat on your network and that you nee...

Page 89: ...programmed to listen in on transmissions intercept data that is specifically targeted as valuable and capture the data such as your login credentials and passwords Use a virtual private network VPN to ensure your privacy and anonymity are protected when you use public Wi Fi VPN services can encrypt all the data that you send and receive while using a public Wi Fi hotspot securing your information ...

Page 90: ...n improve your computing experience and help protect your computer against new viruses and attacks How do I know when my computer is at risk If the Action Center reports an alert or if your computer behaves erratically crashes unexpectedly or if some of your programs do not work correctly your computer may be infected by malicious software However do not blame every computer problem on a virus If ...

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