Keep your PC safe and secure

by Fred Litt, Family Technology Associates

Step 1.  Prepare for a catastrophe

Make sure you have quick access to your PC software and important data. 

1. Store software CD-ROMs, documentation, and passwords in an easy to locate box. 

2. Save your documents, pictures, email, and music files in your My Documents folder. 

3. Backup your My Documents folder onto a CD-ROM/DVD-ROM (or portable drive) and save at another location.

Step 2.  Protect your PC from advertisers and intruders

Install software that keeps out intruders and regularly checks for break-ins. 

1. Install antivirus software and regularly check for virus definitions updates. 

2. When connected to the Internet via cable or DSL, install a software or hardware firewall. 

3. Install software that will remove ad-ware, spy-ware, and hijack-ware from your PC. 

4. Run Windows Update to download the latest security patches from Microsoft. 

5. Avoid gaming, music sharing, and pornography software unless you carefully read its terms and conditions. 

Step 3.  Manage your PC users

Carefully determine the privileges of those who use and maintain your PC. 

1. Make sure the person maintaining your PC carefully explains what actions they are taking.

2. When using Windows XP, set up only one Administrator account (with password protection). All other users should have Limited accounts. Children or employees should have Limited accounts.

3. Only Administrators shall be permitted to add software.

4. Publish a Rules & Responsibilities document and distribute to all users. 

Step 4.  Establish a maintenance program

Your hard drive will work best when it is free of unnecessary files and defragmented. 

1. Perform a Disk Cleanup on your hard drives to remove unneeded temporary and Internet files.

2. Use Add/Remove Programs within the Control Panel to remove unneeded programs. 

3. Defragment your hard drive to properly position data on your hard drive for fastest access. 

4. Vacuum inside and outside of PC to remove dust and animal hair. 

Step 5.  Regularly examine your PC’s health

You can prevent problems by performing a simple PC self-examination. 

1. Use Windows Task Manager to determine which programs are running.

2. Make sure your antivirus software is running properly and virus definitions are up to date.

3. Listen for loud hard drive noise - may denote need for maintenance or replacement. 

This article may be reproduced with permission of Fred Litt, Family Technology Associates. Contact Fred at 201-315-4943 fred@FamilyTechnology.com for details.