Whether you like it or not, you might be designated by your family (and friends) as the go-to guy or gal for computer-related problems. It’s because you’re tech-savvy, whereas your family can barely turn on the computer, let alone explore the nooks and crannies of the Internet without getting infected by malware. Indeed, being a geek can be a curse. Follow these tips if you want to survive as the family’s tech support.
Secure the Computer
You need to assume the worst because you’re likely dealing with novice users whose careless actions can bring down the whole computer and render it useless. You need to configure the computer so that the effect of any potential disaster is minimal.
1. Create User Accounts with Limited Privileges
Modern Windows operating systems feature two account types: administrator and standard. The former has full access to the computer and can change settings that affect all users. It can install new software and hardware. The latter account type can only run a limited number of programs and can only change its own account settings, except for its account name and type. It cannot install new software or hardware without permission.
As you can infer from above, anyone with administrator privileges can do everything they wish to do with the computer. You certainly don’t want novice users in the family to have such kind of power. They might delete crucial system files and important documents, or let malware do it for them.
Set up a password-protected administrator account on the computer that only you can access, and create standard accounts for everyone else.
2. Enable Parental Controls
If your family has kids, you might want to manage their Internet viewing and gaming habits via parental controls. Modern Windows operating systems, such as Windows 8 and Windows 10, have built-in parental controls that feature Web filtering, gaming time limits and activity reporting. If you need a more thorough approach in monitoring the kids, you may have to look for third-party solutions.
3. Regularly Schedule Backups
Your family probably doesn’t realize the worth of the documents and files on the computer until they’re gone. It’s up to you to run automatic backups to a network location, cloud storage or another disk drive. When the computer does go kaput, and stored documents and important files are beyond recovery, you can at least use your backup to restore the contents to a new Windows installation. The hassles of running backups are negligible compared to the frustration and disappointment you may experience when using file recovery software.
4. Install security software
Be sure the computer has a basic protection against malware in the form of an antivirus. Password-protect it so that your family cannot bypass its security measures.
5. Uninstall Outdated and Vulnerable Software
Get rid of every software program installed on the computer that has a bad security record. Examples include Adobe Flash Player, Adobe Reader and Java. These programs frequently suffer from zero-day exploits that cybercriminals use to compromise computers. The absence of these programs won’t probably have a huge impact on your family’s computer usage, and alternatives are available if your family actually depends on their functionalities. Also, uninstall outdated programs. Because they’re no longer supported by their developers, these programs tend to be less secure over time.
6. Install Remote Management Software
Problems can be more difficult than they already are if you’re physically unable to examine the computer. Think about it, you can’t always come over to the family house whenever a problem arises. What if you’ll be at a far-flung location because of work, vacation, and other reasons? Before you leave, install a software application that lets you control the family computer remotely from anywhere around the world. Example applications include TeamViewer, Join.me, LogMeIn and the native Windows tool Remote Desktop.
Remote control software may not be enough. You should install another software that can help replicate the issue, especially when your family cannot verbally describe the issue. Screencasting software is an excellent example. Novice users can use it to show what’s wrong, and you can use it to demonstrate how to do things on the computer.
7. Be Patient and Understanding
Being the go-to tech support guy in the family involves lots of patience and understanding. You’re bombarded with questions and problems on a regular basis, and many of which can be as simple as opening the email, clicking the Close button, connecting to the Internet and even using the mouse. Oftentimes, you’d wonder why your family and friends could not figure these mundane things out on their own. Testing your patience even further is the fact that your family keeps asking for help on the same problems again and again.
Remember, you used to be a computer novice yourself and probably needed outside assistance to help you learn. You probably needed quite some time and effort to master everything. Your own experience should be an indication that it’s not easy to assist people around computers and technology, especially when you’re dealing with the older generations and people who aren’t a quick study. When you’re helping out, do so without venting your frustrations or casting aspersions to avoid hurting feelings.
8. Teach Your Family the Basics of Troubleshooting a Computer
There’s a popular acronym that’s often used by people in tech support: PEBCAK. It means the “problem exists between keyboard and chair.” Indeed, many computer problems are merely caused by user errors. If you teach your family the essentials of using a computer and how to troubleshoot it, these errors should be less likely to happen.
Start with something easy, such as how to copy and paste, reply to an email and load a Web page. Your efforts to teach will be met with resistance at first (because they already have you to depend on for computer tasks, so they’d initially find no reason to learn), but with enough patience, you’ll eventually impart your knowledge to your family.
Encourage them to search for solutions to their problems online. Have them submit to Google the keywords that best relate to their problems. Chances are that article guides and suggestions are already available from other people who have had the same problem and solved it.
9. Learn to Say No
There will come a time when you’re unable to fix your family’s computer woes because of conflict with other arrangements. You just have to say no. The occasional denial should make them realize that you won’t always be present to provide assistance and that they should find solutions to their problems on their own.
In addition, it’s okay to say no when you yourself are stumped and can’t find a solution. Don’t worry, you can refer your family to tech support professionals here at HelloTech. We are just a call away.
