Information
Appearing on this page will useful hints and tips about using and maintaining your computer and peripherals that we have picked up over the years!
Computer Security:
Make sure you are running a good Firewall - There are good free ones available as an alternative to the built in Windows one!
e.g. Comodo, Zone Alarm
Make sure you are running a good Anti-Virus application - There are good free ones available! Remember to keep it up to date with the latest available virus definitions, which will be available from the vendor website
Run a good Anti-Malware application - There are good free ones available! Again you must keep these applications up to date with the latest available malware definitions
e.g. Malwarebytes, Windows Defender, Spybot
Use strong encryption on your wireless router - choose WPA or WPA2 and use a strong password / passphrase.
Change the default admin password on your wireless router.
Computer Maintenance:
Back up your important data on a regular basis- preferably to an external hard drive.
- Operating systems and applications can easily be reinstalled after a problem- your data is far more vulnerable and valuable!
Regularly clean out any unnecessary files from your operating system.
- Use something like CCleaner to do this for you.
Check the start-up items for unnecessary applications that are being started when you boot up and disable them.
Keep up to date with operating system patches, hotfixes and service packs.
Keep your applications upto date when updates are available from the vendor.
Check for updated system drivers for your computer, use device manager in Windows to do this.
Defragment your hard drive on a regular basis.
Keep your computer clean! Clean out dust from the case - be careful to observe anti-static precautions when doing this!
Check all connections are being made correctly, outside and inside of the computer!