MAINTAINING AND PROTECTING YOUR COMPUTER
There are just too many threats out today which will cause your computer to fail and/or lose your data. The only way to protect yourself is to be better prepared. By running basic maintenance programs regularly, you will increase your odds for relatively trouble-free computing. YOU will get to choose the time to give attention to the computer, rather dealing at a crisis time, which is never convenient.
TURN ON THE BASIC DEFENSES AND KEEP AHEAD OF NEW THREATS.
1. TURN ON YOUR COMPUTER'S FIREWALL.
This is your first line of defense from hackers and invaders.
Users of older versions of Windows will not have a firewall unless they get the free one from ZoneAlarm, etc. off the Internet. If you have Windows XP and have installed the Service Pack 2, then you had the opportunity to turn it on, and you should. In order to do it manually, you have to find the Internet connection. Click on START, SETTINGS, and CONTROL PANEL. Look for and open Windows Firewall. Make sure it is turned ON and click APPLY / OKAY to exit. Your job is done.
2. GET ALL THE CRITICAL WINDOWS UPDATES - KEEP AHEAD OF TROUBLE.
These are important free updates from Microsoft that patch known flaws in the operating system (that runs the computer) and increases your security.
You can get these manually by clicking START and PROGRAMS and looking for “WINDOWS UPDATES” . You can set the computer to automatically download the updates for you and alert you to install them at your convenience. Here's how: Right click the "MY COMPUTER" icon and choose "PROPERTIES". Click on the tab "Automatic Updates" up top. Pick the setting that is right for you and exit with "APPLY" and "okay".
SET UP A FOLDER ON THE DESKTOP FOR MONTHLY MAINTENANCE.
Most of the work here is in
the setup. Once the programs are in place, all you have to do is run the
programs regularly. It gets faster the more often you run these programs.
It is just a matter of updating and running the programs weekly or monthly.
1. CREATE A NEW FOLDER ON THE DESKTOP AND NAME IT "MAINTENANCE"
Right click on an empty spot on the desktop and from the menu, click 'new' and then 'folder'. Name it "Maintenance".
2. MAKE SHORTCUTS TO
DISK CLEANUP and DISK DEFRAGMENTER INTO THIS FOLDER.
These are
basic maintenance programs that come with every computer. They help it run right and fix some
common operational problems.
Click on START > PROGRAMS > ACCESSORIES > SYSTEM TOOLS . Right click on Disk Cleanup and drag out to the desktop, release, and click on 'Create shortcut here' (or 'copy here' if that is not available). Do it again for Disk Defragmenter. Move them into the MAINTENANCE folder.
Disk Cleanup gets rid of the trash files, such as the Recycle Bin and temporary files. Clean up the C drive (the hard drive) and put checkmarks next to all of files it finds and remove all of their contents. Disk Defragmenter arranges all the files on the computer for faster operation. Defragment Drive C (the hard drive). This can take up to 1/2 an hour, so just start it and go to lunch. When it is done, just click 'close' and forget about it until next time.
ADD THE INTERNET DEFENSE PROGRAMS INTO THE MAINTENANCE FOLDER.
1. Add your Antivirus program icon and its updater if it has one.
Your antivirus program will probably have an icon on the desktop. Drag it into the MAINTENANCE FOLDER. If it has an icon for its updates, (such as Norton's "Liveupdate"), then drag it into the MAINTENANCE folder also. Run the update routine for your A/V before running any scans.
Your A/V program is important to guard against virus programs that can wreck your computer. There is usually an annual fee for subscribing to antivirus program updates and well worth the money. It is very important to keep a current subscription. Replace your antivirus program by buying a new one off the shelf every 2 or 3 years. (It is okay to renew your antivirus online, but never purchase an upgrade version off the Internet) If you are going to get a newer version, then go to the store and buy the CD and install it that way. If you don't have a current A/V program, then you are living on borrowed time and risk losing your data and even your computer. You can get a good free program from Grisoft at their website: http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/lng/us/tpl/v5#avg-anti-virus-free .
MAINTAINING AND PROTECTING YOUR COMPUTER, continued
2. ADD A SPYWARE REMOVAL
PROGRAM SUCH AS "SPYBOT".
Spyware is similar to
adware, in that they are programs planted on your computer without your
knowledge, usually from malicious websites, They drain computer resources by
spying on you and bringing you ads. One or two aren’t a big threat, but the
problem is that once they get started, they tend to multiply to the point that
you cannot use your computer. They can, in fact, spy on everything you do on
the computer and get your private information.
Go to www.safer-networking.org and download the free version installer. Run it and install Spybot program. Move the desktop icon into the MAINTENANCE folder so you can run it regularly. You can delete the installer. Update the program every time before you run it. (Insider secret: You can select the server from which to receive the updates. I’ve found the USA server or Xteq from Germany work fastest. Look for the drop-down arrow to the left of “download updates” button) After the scan, Spybot will checkmark select all bad guys it finds for removal. You will be surprised at the number of "bad guys" it finds lurking in your computer. I’ve found it is safe to remove everything that it finds. Spybot has a great feature to immunize you from future infections. On the left side of the window, click the 'Immunize' icon. It will give a report. Click "OK" and then click the green plus sign at the top of the window to immunize from known web threats.
Adware is not a virus, but they work to track your movements on the web and put ads in front of you. They are sneaky and will clog your computer to the point that you cannot use it! These programs are planted on your computer by just visiting certain websites or by downloading some files. Go to www.lavasoftusa.com and download the free version installer. Run it and install AD-AWARE program. Move the desktop icon into the MAINTENANCE folder. You can delete the installer. Update the program every time before you run it. Click its start button, and then check "FULL SYSTEM SCAN" and then “NEXT”. After the scan, click 'NEXT' again, then select every bad guy it finds, and 'NEXT' again. Click 'OK' to the standard warning. When finished, it takes you back to the start screen, so just close out the program.
RUN THE MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS ON A REGULAR SCHEDULE.
Weekly is best for the average person, but monthly is really necessary to protect yourself. If you see the seasons change and you haven't run these, then you are at risk and should make the time to do them. None of the programs have to be done in any order. The more you use your computer, especially online, the more it will help you to run these programs. They will become familiar and easier to work into your daily schedule and not really a bother. The big payoff is easier computing and you won't be interrupted by as many unexpected or catastrophic problems.
SET UP A REGULAR ROUTINE TO SAVE YOUR IMPORTANT FILES, PICTURES, AND MUSIC OFF YOUR COMPUTER ONTO AN EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE, ONTO A USB FLASH DRIVE OR BURN TO CD’S.
Now is the time to choose the files, pictures, or music that you most want to keep if the computer has a major meltdown. By regularly saving important documents and files, you will more easily recover from a catastrophic event or computer changeover. Keep in mind where computers are headed: in a few years, you will have a device small enough to fit on a keyring that will hold ALL your data and COMPLETE relevant information. Besides all your files, This will include your desktop display and emails and will work on any computer station. Now is the time to herd your work and entertainment onto some form of lifeboat. Organizing helps.
The easiest backup system is an External Hard Drive. Just copy all of “MyDocuments” onto the EHD on a regular basis. Another system is to purchase 2 sets of CD-RW disks for your data. The number of disks you need depends on all you have to store and how much digital space it will take and how you organize your files. For example, I have 2 sets of 4 disks. The reason for 2 sets of re-writable disks is to create 2 "layers" of backup to have something to fall back on should one fail disk. Use the first set for a backup, then next month use the second set. Then on the third time, erase the first (oldest) set and make them the current backup.
Ron Barron
2007