Sponsors
One of the most common issues that arise with computers is when it slows down, due to programs called Spyware. This page gives you information on how to remove spyware and maintain your computer. Computer maintenance is a very important part of keeping your computer running properly. Microsoft has recently made improvements with their Internet Explorer and their Operating System that help keep your computer up to date, and clean of malicious programs. They also have introduced an anti spyware program that is currently in Beta version and is cost free. Computer Maintenance and Computer Security work hand in hand. As long as you have programs that keep your computer secure, it should be easier to maintain.
A. Utilities: Utility programs are programs that help you keep your computer running properly and help you with the maintenance. Some companies that you click into their URL's plant cookies and programs on your computer that monitor your web-surfing. These programs cause Pop-Ups to appear for no reason, and slow down the performance of your computer. There are a few programs that can be used to eliminate these speed eaters.1. A computer has many different places that keep files that can be cleaned up. The system registry keeps entries of all of the programs that you have installed on your computer, and needs to be cleaned up occasionally. Internet Explorer and other web browsers keep files called Cache Files, and History Files and Cookie files. There are programs that you can download or buy that help you clean these files and the system registry. And there are some parts of the Window's program that help with these duties as well.a. Norton System Works: Norton System Works Professional1 has a program called Safe Clean Up, it deletes internet cache files and cookies. Plus it has Norton Anti virus, and Norton Windoctor.
b.Systweak2 has Advanced System Optimizer which helps clean up the registry files, and other system optimization tools. This program is free for a thirty day trial period.
c. PC Tools3 has many programs to help clean up your computer and keep it running smoothly.2. Spy ware Removala. Microsoft Antispyware program is currently free to download and can be found at Microsoft's Download Page.4
a. Ad Aware5 is another program that removes spyware installed on your computer by website's you visit that track your web usage. It too is free to download.
b. Spybot Search and Destroy6 cleans up Spyware too and is free to download. I suggest you try this program before you try using the other programs.4. Tracks Eraser 7 is a program that helps clean up all of the files you download such as cache files while you surf the web. A cache file is a file that a website downloads on a computer first and then opens it up from there. It is stored on your computer until you delete it. You can delete cache files without having to buy this program. Just open the Options tab on the Tools Menu and click on Delete Cookies.
5. A web page that has a listing of different spyware removal tools and internet cleanup tools is SpyAny.8
6. Online Virus Removal Tool: The people at Trend Micro9 have an online virus removal tool to help you remove any virus that you have downloaded. The URL for the online virus removal tool is: House Call.101. BC Wipe: BC Wipe11 software is very good at cleaning up your hard drive and freeing up disk space; up to fifty percent more free space is created when you run BC Wipe. This software scrambles deleted files making them unrecoverable.
2. Windows Washer at Webroot Software12 software is a program that cleans up your internet tracks.C. Windows Built in Utilities: You can use the programs Microsoft has installed with its Window's program to help you do some of the necessary clean up. You will need to go to the Start Menu, Programs, Accessories, System, System Tools and find the following programs:1. Disk Clean: Disk clean is used to clean up temporary files. When you delete any programs or files, ALWAYS KEEP ALL .DLL FILES. These files are called Dynamic Link Library files and can be part of the system and link to other programs. Ignore the part that says they are no longer used by any system programs, because they will be needed by some other program or the operating system, and if they are deleted will easily cause the system to become unstable. Disk Clean gives you a list of options available to help you clean up your computers files. If you click on the advanced tab you can also clean up System Restore files. I suggest you keep the Office Temporary Files because they are needed whenever you update your office programs.
2. Scandisk: Repairs Lost Clusters. Run before running Defrag once in a while. If your system is turned off, without proper shut it will automatically run. It is suggested that you let it run so that your disk will stay in good shape. If you run the program make sure and set the options to do a complete and thorough repair job.
3. Defrag: Run the defrag program in order to arrange files and folders in an order to make them start quicker. I suggest you you run this program at least once a month.A. Microsoft is working to improve the security for the Window's Program. They have launched a new website, Microsoft Security13 to help people understand more about computer security and keep their systems secure.
B. Protect your computer: To find out more information on how to protect your computer click on the following link from Microsoft Protect Your PC.14C. To find trial Anti virus and Fire Wall software go to Security at Home Resources15 found at Microsoft's website.
You can call 1-866-PC-SECURITY (1-866-727-2338) for virus and security related issues. Microsoft offers this service to computer users free of charge.
Computer security is important. One of the basic rules of computer security which is often overlooked is PASSWORD PROTECTED USER ACCOUNTS. Most all of the computers that are on the market today have the ability to create user accounts. Chances are great that those user accounts do not have password protections. You will need to set up each user for password protections, including the administrator and the guest account. In windows XP you need to go into the safe mode by pressing the F8 key while the system is loading in order to access the Administrator account. It is wise to set up a password protection in your BIOS too. You can access the BIOS on most computers by pressing the delete key on your keyboard when the computer begins to start. Some computers ask you to press the F2 button or the F10 button. Once you have accessed the BIOS go to the password section and put in a password. While you are there, it is also wise to turn on the anti virus program in your BIOS by changing the default setting to enabled, however Windows XP and some new programs will not work properly if you enable the boot virus protection. If you forget the password for the BIOS, you can use the BIOS reset Jumper on the motherboard to restore it to its original configuration. You will need to consult the motherboard manual to find this jumper.You also might want to disable any extra accounts on your computer or make them password protected. If you have Window's XP installed you can go to the Control Panel, and then to the Administrative Tools icon and then to the Computer Management Icon and get into that program. Once there you will need to go to the Local Users Folder and hit the Plus Sign and then open the Users Folder. You can right click on any user and go to properties to enable or disable a user. Be advised that there is software out there that can be inadvertently downloaded that will enable the guest user on your computer, thereby making it vulnerable to view its content.1. Fire Walls: Firewall's are software programs that you can use to help keep hackers out of your computer while you are on the internet. Two programs that are on the market today for free unlimited trial usage are the following:(a) SYGATE16(b) ZONE ALARM172. File Encryption If your computer has Window's XP Professional installed on it, you can password protect individual files and folders.
3. Password Creation When creating a password it is recommended that you should make it two words or names combined, with capitol letters and at least one number.
4. Share Files & Folders Set files and folders you don’t want other people to view to the Don’t Share setting.
| Main Page | Site Index | Links Page | BTX Computer | Budget Computer |
| Computer Advice | Computer Maintenance | Website Publishing | Computer Forensics | Contact Page |
| Warranty |