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Install a Virus Program

•      Prevent Viruses from corrupting your Computer Programs, Data Files

•      Prevent viruses from infecting friends & neighbors

•      Prevent viruses from corrupting your computer

•      Most popular: Norton or McAfee 

•      Panda Security -- www.pandasecurity.com

•      Online one time checkers

•      Trend Micro Housecall -- http://housecall.antivirus.com/

Virus Definition Update Schedule

•      Weekly - Norton usual schedule every Wednesday

•      Daily

•      On system startup

Install a Firewall

•      Critical for Cable and DSL internet connections

•      Keep hackers from invading your computer

•      Can steal your personal information

•      Can use your computer to propagate trouble

•      Can corrupt your computer

Firewall Programs

•      Several commercially available: Norton, Network Ice, McAfee

•      Zonealarm available free at www.zonelabs.com

•      TPF - Tiny Personal Firewall

Keep Programs Up-To-Date

•      Correct Security holes

•      Correct other program bugs

•      Manufacturers update programs regularly

•      How to update with Windows Update:

•      Start button è Windows Update è Product Update

•      Will analyze your computer and pick up applicable Microsoft updates

System Restore

•      Creates a “copy” of the Windows Registry at that point in time.

•      Manual or on a schedule

•      If trouble occurs, can restore back to prior

   operational point

•      Start=>Programs=>Accessories=>

   System Tools=> System Restore

Spyware Removal

•      Spyware installs itself on your computer to track your movements

•      Sends info back to home site

•      Removal tools available free

•      Recommend Ad-aware, Spybot

•      From Lavasoft.com  or PC World.com

•      From http://security.kella.de

System Inventory

•      Handy for Vendors or Club Mentors

•      Update when major programs and applications change

•      Identify source of program replacement (CD, Internet, etc)

•      Recommend Belarc Advisor

•      Download from www.belarc.com/download.auto.html

Belarc Advisor  

•      Website www.Belarc.com

•      Select Free Download option on 1st page

•      Then Select Download option on 2nd page

•      Select Open option in next window and download will proceed.

•      Select install button in next window and installation will proceed.

Recover “Leaky” RAM

•      Program RAM not freed up when programs complete.

•      Allocated RAM not de-allocated so other programs can use

•      Builds up over time

•      Restart computer at least once per week

•      Shut computer off each day 

Backup Data Regularly

•      Need to be able to restore if computer crashes and data is lost

•      Unintentional deleting of needed files

•      No need to backup programs if have source media (CD or floppy or can download)

What to Backup

•      My Documents, Favorites or Bookmarks, Address Book

•      E mail, Pictures, Music, etc, Other personal data files

Check Health of Hard Drive

•      Checks files, folders, Disk surface

•      Automatic on improper shutdown

•      Run on Monthly schedule

•      Use Scandisk in Windows

•      Norton Utilities or others

•      Windows 95/98/ME: Start=>programs=>accessories=>system tools =>Scandisk

Defragment Hard Drive

•      Puts scattered parts of files together

•      Speeds up access to files

•      Reduce wear & tear on hard drive

•      Use Defragmenter in Windows

•      Using Disk Defragmenter:

•      Start=>programs=>accessories=>system tools =>Disk defragment

•      Select disk and select OK

Defragmenting Schedule

•      Schedule based on change activity

•      Low activity - every other month

•      High Activity - every week

Preparation for Defrag & Scandisk

•      Set Screen Saver  to “none”

•      Unplug Cable/DSL modem or shut down firewall

•      Set system standby to “never”

•      Set monitor/hard drive turn off to “never”

•      Anything that writes to hard drive restarts the process

•      Restore options after Defrag completes