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10 Tips on Computer Maintenance and Security

Written by: William Gissen

Article Overview: Your computer system is one of the most crucial and fundamental tools for your business’ survival and productivity. This article provides 10 simple steps to prolong your computer’s life and security.

10 Tips on Computer Maintenance and Security

Your computer system is one of the most crucial and fundamental tools for your business' survival and productivity. Here are 10 simple steps to prolong your computer's life and security. 1. Install anti-virus software that provides an automatic update of virus definitions.

Viruses can cause some of the most pernicious attacks on your computer, and they are constantly updated and re-launched by nefarious individuals. Only by downloading updated definitions of these constantly changing viruses can you ensure your anti-virus software will remain relevant.

2. Run a disk cleanup, disk defragmentation and virus scan on your computer first thing every morning.

Keeping your computer in tiptop condition will extend its life from about three years to more than five. Disk defrags can be time consuming if you only run them once a month but are completed in a snap when you do them once a day.

3. Backup your computer system every day.

This is crucial to ensure business continuity and preservation of files that are indispensible for your business.

4. Run an offsite backup once a month and keep it in a separate location.

You can buy portable external hard drives for this purpose. Though the risk may be minor, it's worth it to have an offsite backup for your peace of mind.

5. Protect yourself from hackers by installing an external firewall.

You can purchase a router with an external firewall included.

6. Copy the files of your company web site.

Your web site is crucial for marketing and generating an independent revenue flow. You should be updating it every day with additional web pages and/or an internal blog. Why leave its security totally in the hands of your hosting company?

7. Create a login for your computer system and personal settings.

You probably don't want your boss or other employees rummaging through your computer files when you're out to lunch. A system login will prevent this.

8. Turn off your computer when you're not using it.

This should be common sense, but you would be surprised at how many people leave their computer on all day, and some leave it on all night, too. Like any appliance, computers go through an aging process, and the less they are active, the longer they last.

9. Stay away from web sites that are untrustworthy.

Usually, your anti-virus software will also protect you from dangerous sites, but you should also use your common sense to avoid risqué locations.

10. Do not open attachments from unknown parties or click on links that raise your suspicion.

This step goes hand-in-hand with the previous item. Even with all the protection mentioned above, a policy of moderation in your computer use will pay dividends by prolonging the life of your machine.

Diligent attention to the items above just take a little time each day and will save you from the exasperation of a computer that gets slower and slower in its basic operations. Once that process starts, it is generally irreversible.

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Article Tags: computer maintenance, computer operations



Related Forum Posts
secure my connection - I agree with Link's second post. Security is a personal sticky issue and possibly not the first service you should introduce yourself at the door. I'd suggest also the Back to School "In-Home" Computer tuneup (it's such a pain to take your computer in for servicing) and promise that they would see a smoother and faster computer. You can hand them a 2 page report on the benefits of having a computer tuneup -> this is critical. After you are gone this is the only piece of information that they will have to begin trusting you and want to have you in their home. You can sneak at the bottom of the report the benefits of having a wireless connection and the importance of Securing it. finish off the report with two dotted rounded rectangle boxes beside each other. One has a free Computer tune up assessment and the other a free wireless network security test. If they take you up on either you can test for the other. You now have two sources of possible income.
Business Tips - How about: Tips for managers to handle employees more effectively? Tips on how to deal with difficult customers? Tips on how to deal more effectively with suppliers? The only three I have in mind right now, but will try to come up with something else. Chris
Re: What's the best anti-virus/spyware software? - I use home AVG Internet Security and I'm pretty satisfied with it.
Protect yourself from Hackers - I received this from a newsletter from FXpro that I subscribed to. Please read and apply In the 21st Century internet is widely used for everyday job. Despite the "ease" and free time offered from internet use, one should be aware of the dangers and be prepared to avoid and safeguard him/herself from any attacks his/her computer may accept or even from the "unwanted" e-mails received. Golden Rules of Protection When using the internet make sure you have an antivirus program installed in order to avoid intrusions in your Computer, If you are using wireless internet connection make sure you have your connection locked, Do not save any official documents on your Computer, such as Copy of Passport, ID, Bank account numbers, copy of cards in case your Computer is hacked or even stolen, Keep all access codes/passwords in a safe place, Do not share an e-mail address with any person, Do not reveal any access codes, passwords to any person, If you are using a public Computer, ie in an internet cafe, make sure you log out any internet sites you have visited before leaving and deleting the cookies in order to minimize the risk of someone following your tracks, Regularly change your passwords on your e-mail accounts, or any other account that requires passwords, Be careful of e-mails received. Always check the e-mail address and in case you believe that this does not come from a person, Company, Organization you might be dealing with always send an e-mail to an e-mail address stated on the person's business card, Company's, Organization website requesting them to confirm that the e-mail address on the e-mail received belongs to them, before you reveal any information, Always have in mind that an established Company/Organization never uses an e-mail address such as g-mail, yahoo, hotmail etc thus always be careful when you are receiving such e-mails, even if it appears to be from a Company/Organization you are dealing with, Always remember that a Company or Organization will never require you to send them your login/password/access codes, When using a website that requires an access code, do not allow the browser to remember your passwords
How long can you stay away from your Computer? - David had just returned from vacation and he stayed away from his computer for 10 days. How long can you stay away from your Computer? If I don't touch my laptop in a day I might be sick. It is like food to me, which I can't do without for too long


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