Do I Need a Computer and an Internet Hook-Up?

Most mystery shopping reports are completed over the Internet; however, some companies require you to use Microsoft Word or Excel. Having those programs on your computer and knowing how to use them will be a big advantage. Many reports require data, tables and pictures in the formats these programs provide. Open Office is a similar program, which is free to download, and it provides a compatible format.

There are also several programs that can help ensure your PC runs smoothly listed below:

Registry Mechanic
This program makes correction to your computer’s registry, which is a series of codes telling your computer’s programs and operating systems what to do and how to handle data. The problem with Windows is its notoriety for leaving behind registry keys that are no longer used, incomplete or instruct your computer to unnecessarily execute files – all at the cost of performance. This program is available through a yearly subscription, but it ensures your computer runs at its optimal speed.

AVG/E-Wido
Available for free download, this antivirus program provides an active scan in the background, and has the added advantage of being able to work with other programs without coming up as a virus itself when scanned.

Avast
This is another program available for free download. The program comes with a standard shield, a web shield, an email scanner, a network scanner and another provider to monitor instant messaging. This program immediately aborts a connection where malware is present.

Lavasoft AdAware
This program is designed to find ad software and data miners on your machine. As a mystery shopper looking for work online, connection to these databases may present more frequent exposure to this type of malware. This program can be adjusted to scan removable media, various directories and custom controls within Windows.

PGP
If security happens to be one of your primary concerns, a company called PGP has created a wide range of products to answer a wide range of encryption needs. Highly recommended among its offerings is its email encryption software, which encodes your messages far in excess of MIL-Spec standards. It is so encrypted that neither the FBI nor the CIA can decode it. While excessive, it’s a vital asset to both the paranoid and those who wish to demonstrate their investment in the confidence of their clients.

If you do not own a computer, you may be able to get free Internet access at your local library. If this is not an option, perhaps a friend has a computer you can use.

If you’re serious about becoming a successful mystery shopper, you probably won’t be able to avoid getting a computer of your own, so this is definitely worth thinking about.

Comments

[Gale]

I didn't have a computer for a long time. I was using a public library to enter my reports.
It is not like you need to have a computer at home - you need to know how to use a computer.