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Attaching the anti-static wrist strap to a metal area on the computer case is the best practice for preventing electrostatic discharge (ESD) when replacing computer components. This connection helps to ensure that you and the components are at the same electrical potential, thereby minimizing the risk of static electricity damaging sensitive electronic parts.

The metal of the computer case is typically grounded, meaning that it provides a direct path to earth, allowing any static charge you may have accumulated to dissipate safely. This is particularly important during sensitive procedures such as handling memory chips, circuit boards, or processors, which can be adversely affected by static discharge.

The other options do not provide the same level of safety in preventing ESD. For instance, a plastic surface is not conductive and cannot help in dissipating static charges; similarly, a wooden table does not offer any conductive pathway for grounding. Attaching the wrist strap to a shoe also fails to provide a grounding effect, as the shoe may insulate the charge instead of directing it away. Thus, securing the strap to a metal area of the computer case is the most effective method for ESD prevention in these situations.