Clean

Suggestions for keeping a "clean" computer

Keep Windows up to date
Updates often patch security holes which are used by hackers to install adware or Spyware into your computers. The same patches may also fix more serious issues which can compromise security of your files.

Use Mozilla Firefox instead of Internet Explorer.
Programmers who design Spyware / Adware seem to be targeting IE and MS Windows flaws. Since IE is tightly integrated with MS OS, vulnerabilities of Windows can easily be compromised through IE. Certain features of MS OS such as Active X, and other plugins may also make IE more susceptible to infections. Microsoft will release updates to the OS to patch these security holes, be sure to check updates. There is also the option to alert you when updates are available for download.

Anti Spyware / Adware is suggested
SpyBot Search and Destroy has an immunize feature which patches known vulnerabilities

AdAware will sometimes catch bugs that Spybot does not catch.
Be weary of pop ups or spam with offerings of spyware, adware, and even virus removal. DO NOT subscribe to services of a company that generates the very problem that they claim to resolve.

Install AntiVirus
AVG Anti Virus is FREE and a light weight Anti Virus which gets a lot of attention from the programmers which means that Virus definitions are always updated. (Free is good)

Norton and Mcafee are not free but they are both effective with a large following of users who can provide support as well as the programmers themselves.
Keep definitions up to date. Do a scan on a scheduled basis or when virus infection is suspected.

Scan and Defragment disk
I may tell clients to do this if I suspect that it may not have been for some time. This helps the computers efficiency in finding and accessing files on the computer.

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Thank you!

Booga

Posted : June 18, 2006 - 03:02 AM

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