It's summertime and that means thunderstorms. Protect your computer from lightning and power surges with a Surge Protector. A good one costs $20 or $30. Don't waste your money on the $8 ones even though they are labeled "surge arrestors" or "protectors". Those glorified extension cords are next to worthless for surge protection. Still a direct lightning strike will blast through a surge protect or "off" switch almost as if it wasn't there at all. Physically unplugging the PC and the phone line from your modem (Dialup or DSL) or your coax cable from your Cable Modem is the only 100% sure method to protect against the worst thunderstorms. But a good surge protector will help against most lightning and routine power problems. You can find hundreds of vendors online.
July 29, 2014
