www.jstechs.com > Essential Maintenance
Tasks
1. Protect your PC with a Firewall
Explanation: A firewall is a device – hardware or software - that filters information being transferred through your Internet connection with your computer. If a packet of information is flagged by the filters, it is not allowed through. Simply, a firewall is a barrier to keep destructive forces away from your property.
Recommendation: Unless you connect through a router with a hardware firewall built-in, you definitely need to run a software firewall at all times.
The simplest option is to enable Windows Firewall by going to Start > Control Panel > Windows Firewall > select On > click OK.
If you'd like a little better security, and are willing to do a bit more configuration, I recommend you try the excellent and free: Sygate Personal Firewall.
But whichever you choose, it's important that you do not run more than one software firewall at the same time.
You can test your current firewall situation to see if you need additional protection by running a firewall test from one of the following sites:
http://www.auditmypc.com/freescan/scanoptions.asp
http://www.pcflank.com/test.htm
http://scan.sygatetech.com/
If you already have a firewall configured and in use, you should check it occasionally using one of the firewall tests above, to ensure that it is sufficient and still functioning.
Frequency: If you don't have a firewall in-place, you should set it up immediately. If one is already in place, it would be a good idea to check to ensure is effectiveness monthly.
2. Backup your data
Explanation: Hard drives fail more often than any other component on a typical computer.
When a hard drive fails it is normally impossible to recover any data from it without spending a small fortune at a data recovery service.
Therefore, if you have any data on your computer that is at all valuable to you, having a functional backup system in-place is absolutely essential.
Recommendation: If you already have a functional backup system in-place, make sure it's actually working! If you don't currently backup your data, have a look at Windows NT Backup for one option.
Frequency: You should backup as often as you create data that you would not want to loose. Also, if your backup procedure is automated don't assume it is working! Check it frequently.
3. Protect yourself from malware
- Viruses
Recommendation: There are quite a few online virus scanners available, such as HouseCall from Trendmicro. But it's better to run an antivirus program that offers added real-time protection, like Avast! Antivirus. Avast constantly scans for malware in everything that is downloaded. It includes automatic updates, email scanning, and is free for personal use.
Frequency: if your antivirus program does not update automatically, you need to update your virus definitions at least once a week. I also recommend a complete virus scan monthly.
- Spyware/Adware
Adware displays advertising, and/or tracks Internet behavior to target ads.
Recommendation: There are a number of useful programs that can be used to eliminate, and protect against spyware and adware. My advice is to install and run SpywareBlaster, and Ad-Aware. SpywareBlaster prevents the installation of ActiveX-based spyware, adware, browser hijackers, and other potentially unwanted pests; while Ad-Aware scans for and removes spyware and adware.
Aditionally, If you use Internet Explorer there is at least one important step you need to take towards securing it against ActiveX-based spyware.
Go to: Tools > Internet Options > Security > select Internet and click Default Level > drag the slider to Medium > OK > OK.
Or, for a more secure browser, you could use Mozilla Firefox.
Frequency: Update SpywareBlaster weekly and enable all protection. Run a scan with Ad-Aware monthly.
4. Keep Windows up-to-date
Explanation: Keeping your operating system current is vitally important to maintaining your computer. Microsoft commonly releases patches to newly exposed security holes and if your computer isn't updated regularly, you could be at risk.
Recommendation: To enable Automatic Updates go to: Start > Control Panel > Automatic Updates > Select Download Updates for me, but let me choose when to install them, click OK.
Frequency: If you do not use Automatic Updates you need to visit Windows Update weekly and check for critical updates manually.
5. Take out the trash
- Temporary Files
Recommendation: An excellent program designed for this is CCleaner, a freeware system cleanup and optimization tool.
I highly recommend CCleaner as it is easy to use and does a very thorough job, but if you would rather not install another program to do this, you can use Windows Disk Cleanup utility.
Frequency: It’s a good practice to clean these out at least monthly. Weekly would be better.
- Startup Programs
Only a few of these programs need to be started with the system – such as antivirus or firewall – almost all others can be started and stopped as needed. For more information on specific startup items look here, and here.
Recommendation: A tool included in Windows used to control these programs is the System Configuration Utility or Msconfig.
NOTE: If you are comfortable editing the Windows Registry simply delete the entree from the place specified in msconfig under Location. Otherwise, continue.
To use this tool go to Start > Run, type msconfig > click OK > Navigate to the Startup tab and uncheck any programs you wish to disable > click OK.
After you reboot you may receive a message saying "you have used the System Configuration Utility to make changes to your system....". When you get this message check the box Do not show me this message again > click OK.
Also, remove any unneeded items from C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup and C:\Documents and Settings\Current User\Start Menu\Programs\Startup.
Frequency: Again I would recommend cleaning these out at least monthly.
- Installed Programs
Frequency: Monthly.
6. Defragment hard drives
Explanation: Every time a file is deleted, the space it occupied on the hard drive becomes free for the system to make use of. The next file that is saved will fill that space and, if it's bigger, overflow to another part of the hard drive becoming fragmented. It is helpful after awhile to "Defragment" the hard drive so that when you open a file or program it can all be collected from one physical location on the drive.
Recommendation: It is a good idea to defragment your hard drive(s) at least once a month, or after you install or uninstall a large program or delete a lot of large files. To defragment your hard drive, go to: Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter > once defragmenter opens, click Analyze > if a defragmentation is recommended click Defragment.
Frequency: Monthly.
7. Keep an eye on your system
Explanation: There are always processes running in the background on your computer performing various tasks relating to the system, and to certain programs you are running.
In addition, these processes are interacting with various hardware components in your computer. (e.g., USB ports, video card, network card, hard drive etc.) And, as you know, sometimes things go wrong.
It is important to have a basic idea of what is going on inside your system so that you can catch a potential problem before it gets worse, or fix a problem once it occurs.
Recommendation: It would be a good idea to take a quick look at the Event Viewer on a regular basis in order to check for major errors in the system, as well as to detect smaller problems that could soon become larger ones.
To do this, go to: Start > All Programs > Administrative Tools > Event Viewer.
Then go to the Application and System sections and look down the list for red icons that could indicate a serious error and, less importantly, yellow icons that indicate a less immediate warning.
To view more details for any item simply double-click on its listing. For help on what a certain error could mean, click on the blue link inside the detail window.
If you’re still not sure about what an error or warning means, post it on the JS TechSolutions Forum for advice.
More information on the Event Viewer.
Frequency: weekly or bi-weekly.
