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Computers, no matter what kind you prefer to use, have become an integral part of not only business but our daily lives. Still, no matter how much technology advances nothing seems to overcome the temperamental nature of these machines.

Oh, you know what I mean — the blue screen of death (BSOD) Windows users have come to fear, the random power outages that come just as you’re about to save something but haven’t quite yet, or data that seems to go missing or become inaccessible like it’s playing a game of hide-and-go-seek right before your important meeting.

But it’s not a “game.” It’s war. And fortunately it’s a war you can win. Here are some tips to give you the edge, no matter what stunt your computer (or anything affecting it) pulls.

1. Have Backups.

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This is the single most important factor in ultimately winning a war with your computer. No matter what happens, you’re always prepared to “turn back the clock” and restore things to their pre-problematic state.

What should you backup? All of your files, programs, email, address books, browser settings (including bookmarks), and anything else you might miss if they were suddenly gone — all of it needs to be backed up. Keep installation discs with your hard backups (DVD-Rs, flash drives, external hard drives, or whatever you choose to use). While it might be a worst case scenario, this at least means you’re able to reinstall everything on your system if you need to wipe the drive completely for some reason. An online backup could come in handy if you need to restore things while away on a business trip.

2. Keep your antivirus, antispyware, and similar programs up to date.

One of the few things worse than getting a virus, malware, or other malicious material on your hard drive is finding out the software you thought was protecting you can’t do its job. Keep virus definitions up to date. You might want to enable the software to run automatic updates so you don’t even have to think about it. You’ll just always be protected.

3. Run full system scans often.

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Having up to date antivirus and similar software won’t fully help you. Yes, the software might catch malicious files coming in through email or from a website, but you never know what’s already on your hard drive. Let it run a full scan overnight while you sleep, or at least run a full scan weekly to catch any lingering little devils before they cause you serious problems.

4. Get familiar with support websites (and Google).

Many computer issues can be fixed fairly quickly. You’ll find the solutions in help manuals for your software or devices (often available online even if you lose the hard copies), or you can find solutions on tech forums and blogs where others with the same problem have already sought out assistance.

Learn how to find this kind of information. Better yet, bookmark a few favorite support tools — such as your computer manufacturer’s support area or driver downloads area.

5. Keep support numbers on-hand.

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Sometimes we get spoiled by the Web — we can access online technical support for many things, or at least quickly look up support numbers. What happens if your connection craps out on you or the entire system fails though?

One option is to have a second system available. If you do have another computer and / or another Internet connection available (or a Web-enabled mobile device) that’s great. If not, it never hurts to have a hard copy. Jot down main support numbers in an address book for example, or even on a sticky note kept near your computer or desk.

When it comes to winning a war with your computer, the best defense is to be prepared. Have those backups ready, be willing and able to reinstall things if necessary, and know where to go for help if you feel like you’re fighting a losing battle.

What are your favorite strategies for dealing with computer problems and preparing for the worst?

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You are on candid camera! No more messing around and getting away with it. Gone are the days when employees dared to pass on a company’s vital data to a competing firm. Bosses have proof of who has done it and when it was done.

This is the 21st century and “snooping at workplace” has become a fact of life, more so if you are using a computer.

It is no wonder that bosses have gotten smarter. Looking around us, we can see youngsters with changing loyalties and increasing need for extra money, whatever their earning may be or even need for power.

The current “technology aware” employers have various options in surveillance software that monitors everything – as if a camera is watching the computers employees are working on. This software is said to work perfectly and hidden without being identified, even by an anti-virus program.

A survey revealed that about three out of four US companies keep track of the sites their employees visit. More than half of them use surveillance software to check office email and even look for hot-button keywords like “sex.” More than a third of the companies monitor the time their employees spend on the computer and log every keystroke or log the downloads. The survey also revealed that one in four companies report firing an employee for improper email use.

What can such software actually do? The software can track and block various websites the employees visit and even log each and every keystroke, which means everything they are typing can be seen. Screen shots of what employees are doing are also captured and stored. There is software that even keeps a track of all the songs downloaded by employees to their iPod. There is in fact nothing that the software of today cannot do.

The use of this surveillance software is growing and activity that we think is innocent is getting caught. There have been instances of people innocently uploading files to their private emails, to be able to work from home, and having been caught for the same. This shows that you got to stay away from mails sent by friends, video clips sent by friends or even silly jokes. Remember! No gesture is innocent anymore. People lose jobs as bosses do not find these things amusing.

But then, can companies or bosses be blamed for things to have come to such a pass? Employers say they have valid reasons to monitor their employees’ computer use. The first one being productivity. Another survey found that employees waste a lot of time at work, and most of it online, doing things that are not related to work. This costs the businesses about $759 billion annually.

Apart from this major reason, there are several others. Improper usage of computers may at times lead to legal issues. Pirated music or movie downloads onto a computer at work can lead to a copyright infringement suit. Looking at pornographic pictures or sending such emails can cause trouble. Businesses are right in wanting to stay away from such unnecessary trouble. A company named Chevron had to pay $2.2 million to its female employees after their male employees circulated email that is offensive.

Another reason is the security aspect. Websites of pornography, music and games usually come with viruses and other malicious ware that secretly downloads onto a computer and this allows access of company-related information to outsiders. This could prove expensive in terms of security.

Technology has improved and companies are using two types of spying software. One is programs that are network based and can monitor all the traffic that passes through a system. It searches all correspondence and blocks if it suspects that employees are compromising on sensitive data related to the company. It is so advanced that it is said to detect even the tone of the email, and can figure out when an employee is not happy with his job or boss. The other software sits on an employees computer.

Now that it is here, technology will undoubtedly continue to creep into the workplace, whether we as employees like it or not. So, the next time you send a naughty email, flirt with someone on the net, search for a new job or abuse your boss online, just keep in mind that it is far safer to do it on your personal computer that you have at home.