Computer Maintenance

You may not realize it, but your computer and your car have something in common: they both need

regular maintenance. No, you don't need to change your computer's oil. But you should be updating your

software, keeping your antivirus subscription up to date, and checking for spyware. Read on to learn what

you can do to help improve your computer's security.

Getting Started

Here are some basics maintenance tasks you can do today to start improving your computer's security. Be

sure you make these a part of your ongoing maintenance as well.

Sign up for software update e-mail notices. Many software companies will send you e-mail
whenever a software update is available. This is particularly important for your operating system
(e.g. Microsoft or Macintosh), your antivirus program, and your firewall.
Register your software. If you still have registration forms for existing software, send them in. And
be sure to register new software in the future. This is another way for the software manufacturer
to alert you when new updates are available.
Install software updates immediately. When you get an update notice, download the update
immediately and install it. (Remember, downloading and installing are two separate tasks.)

Computers are machines; they do not have moods. You should become familiar with its noises, hang-ups

and how it reacts. First stop should be the Add/Remove Programs section of your Windows Control Panel.

If you are unsure of what a program is, check it against spyware/security sites or by doing a Google

search. 90% of avoiding spyware is education and common sense.

Another form of spyware is a Trojan. Trojans do not replicate like a virus, but they do leave behind a

program that can be contacted by another computer. One of the first things you should do if you find a

Trojan on your computer is disconnect from the Internet. And not just my closing a browser session, but

also by pulling the phone line out of the wall or disconnecting the modem so your computer is not

connected to any network.

To recap, a few simple steps will help you keep your files safe and clean.

Further to that, I would recommend the following to avoid spyware infiltrating your computer:

Keep web browsers patched and up-to-date;

Now that you've done some ground work, it's time to start moving into longer term maintenance tasks.

These are all tasks that you should do today (or as soon as possible) to get started. But for best results,

make these a part of a regular maintenance schedule. We recommend setting aside time each week to help

keep your computer secure.

Back up your files. Backing up your files simply means creating a copy of your computer files that you can use in the event the originals are lost. (Accidents can happen.) To learn more read ourtips for backing up information.

Scan your files with up to date antivirus software. Use your antivirus scan tool regularly to search for potential computer viruses and worms. Also, check your antivirus program's user manual to see if you can schedule an automatic scan of your computer. To learn more, read our tips forreducing your virus risk.

Change your passwords. Using the same password increases the odds that someone else will discover it. Change all of your passwords regularly (we recommend monthly) to reduce your risk. Also, choose your passwords carefully. To learn more, read our tips for creating stronger passwords.

One of the best ways to help protect your computer is to perform maintenance regularly. To help you keep

track, we suggest making a regular "appointment" with your computer. Treat it like you would any other

appointment. Record it in your datebook or online calendar, and if you cannot make it, reschedule.

Remember, you are not only helping to improve your computer, you are also helping to protect your

personal information.

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