On this page, you will find some useful tips that everybody could (and some you should) do.
Always use some type of Antivirus software on your computer. The internet is a dangerous place, and it won't take long for your computer to become infected with a virus if you don't keep it protected. If you want a good free antivirus program, you can try AVG Antivirus. You can download this program from PCWorld.com or Download.com. If you want to pay for your antivirus program, you can try Norton Anti virus, McAfee, or Trend-Micro.
Spyware and Malware are also serious problems that plague internet surfing computers. They are not considered viruses so antivirus programs will not detect them. Spyware & Malware can send private information about you to other people, hijack your internet browser, bog down your computer, and basically bring your system to its knees. There are programs out there that will find and delete these types of malicious software and can also help in preventing the nasty program from ever being installed. Use Lavasoft's AdAware SE AND Spybot Search & Destroy to find and delete these bad programs. You can use Spyware Blaster to try and keep the spyware/malware from ever being put on your computer. All of these programs are free.
When using your antivirus and anti-spyware software, always remember to keep these programs updated. All of these programs use definition files which basically tells the programs what to look for when searching for the bad stuff. Since new viruses and spyware are hitting the internet practically everyday, it's important to keep these definition files up to date. If you don't, then the programs might not be able to detect these new threats. The antivirus programs will usually have an auto-update feature (remember to turn this on if it has it) that will automatically update itself when you connect to the internet. If it doesn't, then you should manually update it yourself every couple of days. The anti-spyware programs will have to be manually updated. Launch the program and click on the appropriate update button to do this.
Heat is your computer hardware's worst enemy. Try and keep the computer clean and dust free. Dust can settle inside on your computer components and act as an insulator allowing heat buildup. It can also clog your fans and vents, preventing good air flow inside your computer case. It is also helpful to try and place your computer tower where it will have good ventilation. If you have a computer desk with a cupboard for the tower, leave the door on the cupboard open while the computer is running. Also, don't put the backing on the back side of the desk where the tower is going to be. If you leave it shut and put the backing on, the computer will not be able to draw cool air in and the hot air being exhausted out the back will have no place to go.
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