Growing up, you learn many of the things you need to know
about how to operate and care for a car by sitting in the back
seat while adults drive and care for their vehicles.
Similarly, you learn many of the things you need to know about
how to care for and maintain a home by watching what is done
to the one where you live. It is a slow, gradual process, so
slow in fact you are probably unaware that you are learning
the skills you need to do these same jobs yourself.
You don’t have that same luxury of time to learn how to
care for and operate your home computer. When you attach it to
the Internet for the first time, it instantly becomes a target
for intruders. You need to be ready right from the start.
As you grow up, you also learn that you need to spend time
and money to repair and replace those things around your
living space and your car that need your attention. You learn
that you have to spend more time and more money to tailor them
to meet your needs and to keep you and others safe during
their use. You accept these responsibilities and their costs
as part of the total cost of ownership of that car and living
space.
Your home computer is much the same. There is the initial
money that you pay to purchase that system. Then there are
additional costs to tailor it and to keep you and the others
who use your system safe. These additional costs are also your
responsibility, and they are part of the total cost of
ownership of your home computer.
This document helps you think about the problems you face
when you have a home computer and gives you advice on how to
address these problems. By taking the time to read this
document, you know more about securing your home computer and
the extra costs required to do this job. Do the tasks
described here and share this document with your friends. We
all benefit from a more secure Internet.
