Workshops

Safer browsing and online shopping with improved privacy and secure data transferring over the Internet 

All improvements are achieved by utilizing particular programs, small add-ons or making minor changes in the system configuration.

Possible solutions depend on the type of device you are using. It is indicated for which devices a solution is available.

Make browsing safer

- Start using a more secure Domain Name Service (DNS), that blocks malicious websites or sites with inappropriate content
- Switch to a safer web browser with an improved privacy
- Alternatively, make Firefox, Chrome or Opera safer using add-ons
- If you browse a lot and work with emails, execute the web browser in an isolated area (sandbox) of your computer. Practical hints are provided on what to consider when using a sandbox software.
- Checking indicators that might point to a fake online shop. Besides the review of certain indicators, check who is the holder of the website and when it was registered. Find available reviews of the online shop and run an automated check.	All types of devices

Improve your privacy

- For a better privacy get add-ons for certain browsers, that will reduce the tracking of your activities on websites
- Setting a more private search engine as the default in safer and popular browsers
- Reduce the sending of data to the vendor on Windows computers by adding a dedicated application
- Easily disable or enable Webcam and/or Microphone to prevent misuse

Transfer private data securely over the Internet

- For protecting sensitive information in files, you can secure these by encrypting them. For this, several free open source programs are available

Improve the security of your Windows computer

The following measures serve to improve the safety of Windows:

– Enable Windows to automatically update the system software

– Keep the additionally installed programs updated. Simply execute an application to achieve this

– Create an account with fewer privileges for your daily work. This will prevent you from accidentally deleting Windows system files. Likewise, malware cannot carry out changes to Windows system files

– You can install an antivirus, Firewall, or anti-spyware program to make your Windows computer more secure

– Get to know what file extensions are, their purpose and what to consider. To detect possible security risks, it makes sense to display the file extensions  

Make your Android phone or tablet more secure, browse safer and transfer specific data to other devices

A few words in general about the security of Android smartphones and tablets and what you should bear in mind.

– Add an antivirus app to reduce the risk of getting malicious software on your Android device

– By using a specific app, you can switch to a more secure Domain Name Service (DNS) that will block malicious websites or pages with inappropriate content. A description of the existing safer DNS categories is presented. This might be very convenient for the children’s phone or tablet

– Switch to a safer web browser that additionally provides a better privacy

– Check out how to keep the installed apps and the Android system updated

– Save your photos, videos, and call related data from your Android phone on an internal SD card or Windows computer. Also possible is to transfer specific data from one Android phone to another

Backup or synchronize your data  

To prevent the loss of your own data, backup or synchronise it to a secure place.  

At the beginning of the workshop, some practical tips about backup and synchronisation are presented.

Then we find out your needs for backup or synchronisation.

Next, we look for a suitable software for implementing a solution. In many cases a free program may be available.

The workshop is intended for private users and small businesses to backup or synchronise your own files of a Windows computer.

Advantages to save your data
A backup will keep all your data safe if it is corrupted or lost because of viruses, malware or ransomware.
When placing your files on external devices, e.g. USB sticks, it is possible to utilise your data on other computers with various operating systems.
It allows you to restore lost or destroyed files.

What is Backup?      

Backup is copying files and folders from one place or device to another.
It is the replication of files from a device, for example, a computer to any other device, such as hard disk, USB, the cloud service, flash drive, or another computer.
The Backup process works in one-way. 
Backup software often offers a restore function. This allows copying files and folders back to their initial location.

What is Synchronisation?  

Syncing is when two locations contain identical files at the same time.
When files are synchronised, data is stored in an authorised archive and accessed remotely from anywhere with appropriate permission.
It allows users to easily access data on various devices or share their data with others.
Syncing is a two-way copying process. You can utilise the files directly.

Protect your saved data  

When storing the data, you can improve the security by encrypting your files. This can be useful when the data contain sensitive information.

Get familiar with the Windows system  

In this workshop you will get fundamental information of the Windows operating system and its purpose. Learn how to execute certain tasks in Windows.

– Beside the purpose of Windows and the current versions, characteristic information about the operating system is explained

– How to react when Microsoft service contacts you

– Description what files are and often used file types with a security advice

– Meaning of folders, their purpose and the Windows default folder structure

– Essential functions of the Windows File Explorer application for handling files and folders  

– For more security make the file extensions visible  

– Learn to create and delete files and folders. Additionally you can see how to rename, copy and replace files. Including the possibility to restore a deleted file

– See how to install additional software. For this, several license types and suitable places to download are introduced. The general installation process is demonstrated

–  Delete files permanently using a file shredding software, so that the original contents cannot be recovered

Adapt Windows for easier usage

With some little effort it is possible to make Windows easier to use.
Depending on your needs, the following operation conveniences are possible:

• Have direct access to an own button for shutting down or restarting the Windows computer   
  
  
• With a separate button you can promptly lock the Windows computer 
  

For easy and fast access, it is possible to place the buttons on the desktop. Additionally, the Shutdown or Restart button can be placed in the task bar at the bottom of the screen.

• Automatic start of constantly used programs
  

Very often used programs can be started automatically when signing in. These could be, for example:
- Web browser
- Office software
- Calendar application
- Online video calling program
- Picture or text editor
- or other often used programs

For a faster start of Windows, it is possible to start additional programs delayed.

• Easier access to useful Windows features
  

Start certain Windows programs immediately. Select the program directly on the desktop, in the start menu, or from the task bar at the bottom of the screen.
Possible Windows programs are:
- Windows Update
- On-Screen keyboard
- Screenshot tool
- Magnifier (Lens)
- Calculator
- WordPad
- Windows Explorer
- Video editor
- Paint 3D

• Easy access to locations where the private files are typically stored     
  

Conveniently find your stored documents, pictures, music, and videos directly   from the desktop or in the start menu.

• Direct access to the Windows Settings
  

Utilize a separate button for directly accessing the Windows Settings on the desktop.

In Windows 10, the Settings icon can additionally be on the Start menu and the taskbar.

For administrating your Windows computer, you can get a list with all Windows settings. Therefore, a corresponding button is placed on the desktop.

After clicking on the icon, a list of all Settings functions is displayed.

For executing, most of the functions request the administrator privileges.

• Take the clipboard history into use
  

From Windows 10, version 1809 onward, it is possible to activate the clipboard history. This will provide a list of all your copied elements. It enables you to select an element from the list and then paste it.

Initial step is to enable clipboard history on Windows 10. Two ways are introduced how to enable the clipboard history.

• Increase the size of Windows text
  

In case the shown Windows text on the screen is too small, you can increase the text size. Another option is to make everything larger, including images and applications.

• Keyboard shortcuts in Windows
  

Keyboard shortcuts are keys or combinations of keys that provide an alternative way to perform an action. They allow a quick execution of certain actions and functions in Windows.
Example of a keyboard shortcut:
Pressing simultaneously the Windows logo key and '+' key turns on the Magnifier. This enables to zoom in or zoom out on parts of your screen in Windows 10.

Zoom in by continuing to press the Windows logo key and ‘+’. Zoom out by pressing the Windows logo key and ‘-’ (Minus key).

To turn off Magnifier, press the Windows logo key and Esc key.

More helpful Windows key combinations are presented and explained.

Do more by using free or open source software

Versatile free and open source software for various purposes can be found. This software makes it possible to perform certain tasks easier and faster.
In this workshop we concentrate on software that runs on Windows computers.

You can select suitable software from the following areas

• Office software package to create documents, spreadsheets, presentations, diagrams and more

• Specific image viewer programs that allow displaying photos from many formats. Quite often included are various image optimization features

• Photo editors that support the modification of your pictures. Suitable programs are available to make simple or complex modifications

• Compress files. This is primarily useful when sending large files over the Internet. For files with sensitive information it is possible to protect the content using encryption

• Easily take screen shots from separate parts of the computer screen. A good program also includes an image editor to carry out primary modifications

• With screen recording software you can capture what is on your computer screen. Most apps record the microphone and certain recording software can also record the system sound

• Make professional looking slide-shows of your photos. The selection of the program depends on the intended use, e.g. the slide show should be shown on the Internet or saved on a DVD