Here are some tips to making your computer run its best!

  • Load AntiVirus software, such as Grisoft’s AVG Antivirus Professional
    • If you use email or the internet, you need anti-virus software on your computer.  Check it to make sure your virus subscription hasn’t expired!
    • Make sure your virus definition list is up to date.
    • Run weekly virus scans.
    • Ensure that the Auto-Protect setting is turned on, which intercepts viruses before they can infect your computer.
    • In this author’s testing, AVG Antivirus uses less system resources (memory) and is more effective than Norton Anti-Virus or McAfee VirusScan.
    • Many Internet Providers now offer free antivirus software.  Free antivirus is better than none!
    • In many cases, a full software firewall (such as those offered by Norton 360, Norton Internet Security, Mcafee Firewall, etc) may unnecessarily slow down your computer. If you have a good hardware firewall, that will offer much of the needed protection, without slowing down your system.  If you don’t use peer-to-peer file sharing, downloading of “free” screen-savers, smiley-faces, or icons, you are at a lower risk of infection.  On the other hand, if your computer seems to constantly show pop-ups, or other signs of infection, the added protection of a software firewall is worthwhile.

 

  • Load software to help eliminate Spyware:
    • Install Spybot - Search and Destroy, and Ad-Aware (they are both free, and can be downloaded from www.download.com, as well as other download sites).
    • Microsoft’s Windows Defender program also works wonderfully; you can download it directly from www.microsoft.com.
    • Run these programs weekly (or more frequently).
    • Regularly update their spyware definition lists.

 

  • Install Microsoft Critical Updates ... visit windowsupdate.microsoft.com, and follow the prompts.  These critical updates patch security “holes” in Internet Explorer, as well as Windows itself.

 

  • Install a hardware firewall, and a software firewall if necessary
    • Install a router with a built-in basic firewall (such as the D-Link WGR614)
    • If necessary install Zonealarm, a software firewall from Zone Labs.

 

  • Backup your files. Regularly. It takes so little time to backup your files. For a simple to use backup solution, try NTI Backup Now! 4.
  • Online Backup: A great, hassle-free way to automatically, securely backup your files. Carbonite is just $50 per year. Its so simple!

 

  • Run DEFRAG occasionally (every few months or so).


 

MORE TIPS COMING SOON

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