Be Your Own IT Department

If you use a computer, you need to know more than just how to use your email and surf the web. You need to know that you are protected. If there isn't someone responsible for the computers in your home or office, then pick someone, quick. Their job is to assure you that everything I've listed below is getting done on a regular basis so you can relax a little.

Antivirus

This should go without saying, but I still run into computers with expired Antivirus software quite often. In 2005, Antivirus software needs to be updated daily, and paid for yearly. If you haven't paid for a subscription, then you don't have current Antivirus Software.

Every month, someone should verify that your installed AV Software is running, and that is updating automatically, with current virus definitions. Sometimes they stop working or updating because they get attacked between updates. You must remain virus free.

Spyware

Spyware is EVIL software that is getting worse every day. Spyware is probably what's wrong with your computer. If you have not run spyware removal software lately then I guarantee that you have some on your system. It's that simple.

For you to remove the Spyware yourself, you must run an updated version of your favorite Spyware removal software at least once a month. Weekly is better. Just like Antivirus software, it needs to be updated all the time. However, unlike Antivirus software, most Anti-Spyware software will not update on its' own. Most have to be set to auto-update and protect you from further infection.

Windows Updates

Microsoft discovers and repairs flaws in their Windows Operating System on a near weekly basis. These "fixes" or "patches" are available for free at their website, and you should insure that your Windows updates are being done. Now that you probably have high speed internet, this step is critical for the security and functionality of your computers. Once you get some spyware, these security holes are being exploited.

In Windows XP, you can schedule this to happen automatically in the Properties of My Computer. I use auto update for myself, and all peer to peer networking customers. In a server environment, I don't recommend it. For other Windows versions than XP, you should update your Windows on a monthly basis at windowsupdate.com

Startup programs

There are dozens of software programs that can start up when Windows loads, slowing your computer to a crawl. These are usually apparent in the task bar by your clock, and by pressing CTL ? ALT ? DEL to see the services and applications. If you need a scroll bar, you're bogged down! By using a Windows utility called msconfig you can manage your startup items. Go to Start ? run and type msconfig ? then press Enter. Go to the Startup tab and you'll see the choices under the startup tab. Be careful in there, and pay attention.

Firewall

A Firewall keeps people from coming into your computer over the internet. Spyware and Trojan horse viruses make it easier for hackers to get into your computers, but even when your system is clean, the risk of attack is still there, if there's a Windows hole (and there is). You need a firewall, and if you have a wireless connection, you need secure password protection on the router to keep your neighbors out.

On a monthly basis, you need to be sure that your firewall, whether (software or hardware) is both turned on, and current. I can't tell you the number of times I find it intentionally disabled, with no malicious intent, but unprotected nonetheless. More knowledgeable users should review the logs for any abnormal activities.

Windows XP has a free firewall that is much better than nothing, and getting better every month with Windows update. To insure yours is on, go to Start ? Help and support ? and type firewall.

Disk Maintenance

Windows has two built in utilities called Scandisk and Disk Defragmenter. Scandisk checks the surface of your hard disk for flaws or errors that may be developing, and Disk Defragmenter rearranges the files on your hard drive for faster and easier access.

Depending on the version of Windows you're using, the names are a little different, but the utilities can always be accessed in the following way...

Reboot first, minimizing the amount of programs running in your Startup. Go to My Computer, and right click on your hard drive (usually the C: drive). Go to Properties and select the Tools tab and run Scandisk or "error checking" and Disk Defragmenter or "Defragmentation". In some computers, you'll need to reboot again.

It's well worth doing these once a month to keep an older computer running well, however, they are time consuming, and I confess, I do not run them. Ever. That's only because I have a good backup system.

Backup, Backup, Backup

You have to have a backup of all your important data. For some home users that means one folder (usually My Documents) and their email. For others, their data can be scattered all over a computer in different folders, or in some cases, a network. Just figuring out where the data is can be a problem. Get a handle on it right away and know what needs to be backed up.

You will lose data some day, and you'll either be inconvenienced or devastated. It's your choice. I prefer to use a convenient local disk copying program called Second Copy. However, to protect against fire or theft, everything from my kids' baby pictures to last night's spread sheet is securely backed up and archived over the internet.

Summary

These things above are not difficult, but they take time. Someone in the business or family needs to see these gets done on a routine basis. If you do them, your computers will not only be more secure, but they'll run faster and have fewer problems.

Scott Hendison lives in Oregon, and is the owner of Portland Technology Consultants. He is a computer and internet consultant, and has been in the industry since 1995. For over 75 other articles, visit his website at http://www.pdxtc.com

---

Taking Advantage of the iPod Experience

Music lovers have been carrying around radios and other bulky... Read More

The Benefits of the New Firefox Browser

You probably heard of the new Firefox browser version 1.0... Read More

The Best MP3 Players Under $100

You don't have to fork out $250 for a super-diggy-whizbang... Read More

Is Your Web Browser Putting You At Risk?

It's free, it comes with Windows and it's used by... Read More

Your Home is in Your Hands

I would like to tell you about a magic home.... Read More

How To Become A True CCNA

I've worked my way from the CCNA to the CCIE,... Read More

Keeping the Windows Registry Operational

The registry is where the computer stores information about the... Read More

4 Computer Money-saving Tips

Tip #1 -- Rebates: A rebate is not always a... Read More

Consumer Electronic Information: The Basics of the DLP Projector

Projectors have come a long way in the past few... Read More

Plasma TV vs LCD TV

For those seeking to buy their first flat panel TV... Read More

Faster Browsing Tips

IF WE say that it was mainly because of the... Read More

How to Buy a Plasma Television Set

Most people think that all you have to do to... Read More

COOKIES - What Are They!!

Cookies, not the kind that Mom makes, but the computer... Read More

Basic Computer Thermodynamics

That desk in front of you and everything else around... Read More

Freezing - Time To Warm Up Your PC

Freezing is also known as crashing or hanging. It's frustrating.... Read More

Mail-merging: The Principles

About mail-mergingMail-merging is the process of merging variable data and... Read More

What Does That Error Message Really Mean?

Surf the 'Net for about 10 minutes and chances rate... Read More

Protect Your PC from Viruses, Worms & Trojans

Each of the items in the checklist below is part... Read More

5 Ways to Speed Up Your PC

No matter how fast your processor and regardless of how... Read More

iPod users get the picture

iPod users start to get the picture and it's turning... Read More

Help, I Need a New HDTV! (Part 4 of 5)

Feeling overwhelmed in selecting a new TV? With all the... Read More

Improve PC Performance - 6 Tips You Must Know

Are you frustrated with your PC?Is it feeling sluggish or... Read More

Toshiba Wins Hollywood Support for the HD DVD format

What led them to this choice, as all four studios... Read More

Cisco CCNA / CCNP Certification: OSPF ASBRs Explained And Illustrated

When I first started studying for my CCNP, some of... Read More

Help, I Need a New HDTV! (Part 3 of 5)

Feeling overwhelmed in selecting a new TV? With all the... Read More

5 Steps to Removing PC Clutter

It's hard enough as it is these days to get... Read More

Upgrading Your PC for Non-experts

IntroOne of the big advantages of PCs over earlier types... Read More

10 Tips to Stay Safe and Secure Online

The Internet can be a dangerous place.While you're enjoying the... Read More

Setting File Permissions On A Unix Server

File permissions are one of the strengths that the Unix... Read More

Does Microsoft Show Hackers How To Attack?

After another security hole recently surfaced in Microsoft's Windows operating... Read More

Basic Problem in a PC

I have a p3 500MHz PC with 128MB RAM, 10.2... Read More

SOBIG.F Virus Promises Ill Be Back

On 21 August 2003 Symantec Security Response upgraded the W32.SOBIG.F... Read More

What are the Main Components of Any Computer, and Which are the Most Critical to Its Performance?

Computers are everywhere, and vary in specification, brands, sizes, shaped,... Read More