I am a fan of Best Buy. I actually think they do a fairly good job with their computer department and I think their prices are good. The last three PCs I have bought were from Best Buy: 2 Gateway desktops and, just recently, a new HP notebook computer. On all three, and definitely on my recent purchase of the notebook, I had the sales guy try to sell me a service where they will secure my computer for me. This is a “personalized” service from GeekSquad. I turned it down, telling him I’m not a moran and don’t need that “service”.
The thing is, I really don’t think anybody needs that service – as long as they can do a few very basic things. I actually think its a little funny that these guys offer it. The way they do it, they make the computer seem like a car. Namely, its complicated and only these experts can do the necessary and time-sensitive work of securing your computer “to ward off viruses and spyware”. And its so urgent that it HAS to be done before I even take the computer home. As if the computer will burn up the moment I plug it in to the wall.
Truth be told, you can secure your own computer easily and without spending a dime. There are three areas that you need to pay attention to:
- Computer viruses
- Spyware
- Yourself
Let me explain in more detail:
- Computer viruses can make their way into your computer (usually because of #3) and they can wreak havoc. There are commercial anti-virus applications out there such as Norton Antivirus. However, you can also install the free AVG Anti-Virus edition which does a very good job.
- Spyware is only going to make it’s way onto your computer if you are installing questionable CRAP to your new computer. However, even if you do screw up, there are free anti-spyware utilities as well. There’s AVG Anti-Spyware Free, Microsoft’s Windows Defender, Spyware Terminator and Ad-Aware Free.
- The biggest security hole to your whole computer is yourself. Regardless of whether we’re talking viruses, spyware, or browser hi-jacking, this stuff has a VERY small chance of making it’s way onto your computer if you just exercise some common sense when you use your computer. Don’t open unknown email attachments. Don’t download little known shareware apps and install them (these have a higher likelihood of spyware accompanying the application). Don’t surf websites from questionable people (sorry you porn and warez lovers). These are the actions that most lead to getting your PC infected by something you don’t want.
Considering the number of people out there who fail to do this stuff, Best Buy is offering a service which many people probably pay for. But, the truth is that you really don’t need it as long as you are willing to do a little bit of basic legwork on your own. Even my own wife recently screwed her computer up by responding to one of these emails which told her a friend sent her an electronic greeting card. This is one of the oldest tricks in the book, guys! To even find out which “friend” sent the card, she had to install something to her computer. A big no-no! Needless to say, I had to wipe her whole computer clean and restore it to original.
One of the main points to PC Mechanic is to show people that they CAN be boss of their own computers. There is nothing mysterious about these boxes. I think Best Buy, in a way, is taking advantage of the uninformed when they try to charge people $129 and higher for PC security. It can be done for free. Just stay tuned to PCMech – we show you how to do this stuff without spending a dime.
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