When we used a remote desktop it was fine to have a common relatively insecure user account (Adviser). This is no longer appropriate – no secure information should be held within the Adviser account. If you are using Google Credentials Provider for Windows for PCs that belong to us; if this is installed you will be offered “Add work account” at start up. If not, follow these instructions. If you are using your own PC you don’t need to set up this software but you do need to ensure that your PC has a password and any work information is secured from other users.
Installing Google Drive for Desktop
If you need regular access to existing files using Microsoft Office suite on your PC or to scanned images for upload to casebook you should load Google Drive for Desktop. This will give you access to your google drive files as if they were stored on a network drive as per the remote desktop. The drive will be G: and you can choose whether you want files stored locally (e.g. if you have a slow internet connection or need to work offline). Once installed, change the default “documents” location to G:\. This should remove the need to change each individual program. To do this open Documents (botttom left, click Start and it should be visible). Right click documents, properties, location and change to G:\ It will ask whether to move existing documents – say yes and any documents in your existing document folder will be moved to Google. If this program has already been installed on your PC, it will appear when you type “google drive” in the search box on the bottom left. You can then enter your settings. Note: google chrome needs to be set as your default browser or you will need to re-enter your credentials in Edge.
Further information on Google Drive for Desktop (including Mac version) go to this google help page.
Handy programs for writing in Welsh
If they haven’t been already, install Cysill and the Cysill add-in for Microsoft Office (proof reading and dictionary for Welsh) and Tô Bach. These only need to be installed once for all users.
General Housekeeping and on-going security and stability
There are steps which every user needs to follow even after the above have been completed. These are summarised here.
The following points apply whether you are using a personal PC for work or a work PC for non-work purposes…
Ensure that you use Google Chrome with a logged in work account for all work purposes. If you need to do some personal browsing, create an additional profile in Chrome (click the icon just to the left of the three dots in the top right corner) and then you can have personal bookmarks and tabs separate from work stuff – and close them while working so it doesn’t overload your PC (Settings, On Start Up, Continue where you left off will bring back everything you had open).
Close any games or other programs while you are working. These can cause resource and stability issues for your PC, leading to calls ending prematurely or problems with call quality when using Navigate Pro.
If you want to use Microsoft Office for work, install Google Drive as explained above and then open work documents and save them within your G: drive. This avoids sensitive documents being stored on your personal PC. You can have a second (personal) account with google drive which again helps with keeping work and personal stuff separate.
Gwynedd Citizens Advice 