Computer Spring Cleaning Part 1

Andrea Mercado

Reference & Techie Librarian

Reading Public Library

The Plan

• Overview of Windows XP beginner maintenance techniques

• Basic information about keeping your clean computer free of internet scumware

• Brief demos

• Pointers to detailed information to get you started at home

Basic Maintenance

• Starts with keeping things tidy:– Save files to My Documents– Desktop is *not* storage– Organize your files into folders– Shortcuts for frequently used programs

only– Purge unnecessary files and programs

Organize Your Files

• Create folders in My Documents by topic: http://tinyurl.com/23qq9q

• Know where your stuff lives

• Search for files is faster and easier

• Back up is easier

• Tell programs to save to My Documents

Desktop Cleanup Wizard

• Delete unused desktop icons: http://tinyurl.com/yo2eqp

• Start > Control Panel > Appearance and Themes > Display Properties

• Unused Desktop Shortcuts folder

• New programs don’t always need shortcuts

Purge, Purge, Purge

• Frees up space, computer runs faster & better

• Delete unwanted files to Recycle Bin: http://tinyurl.com/2hjq6m

• Empty Recycle Bin = DELETE FOREVER

• For the paranoid: backup (next week!)

• Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs: http://tinyurl.com/237lde

Fill in the Holes: Defragment

• Deleting files/data creates holes in storage

• The bigger the holes between data bits, the slower the machine will function

• Solution = Defragment (a.k.a. Defrag):http://tinyurl.com/2ud6ct

• Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter

Keeping Out The Riff-Raff

• Firewall

• Automatics updates

• Antivirus software

• Antispyware software

• Details: http://tinyurl.com/2ytt2t

Firewall

• Protects computer from Internet evils, such as hackers, viruses, & worms

• Examines data, decides safeness, stops data or lets it pass

Choosing a firewall• How to choose, for the beginner:

http://tinyurl.com/2yxn6s• Software: protects each computer

– Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall (free): http://tinyurl.com/2fggbw

– Panda Antivirus+ Firewall 2007 ($49.95, up to 3 PCs)http://tinyurl.com/227r5h

– Windows Live OneCare ($49.95/yr, up to 3 PCs): http://tinyurl.com/yrnqmp

• Hardware (routers): protects a network– Check specs to see if a firewall is included

Automatic Updates

• Sent by Microsoft to your computer for free

• Fixes Windows problems and vulnerabilities

• Sometimes causes problems as they fix• Configure when you receive updates:

Control Panel > Automatic Updates• Microsoft Update –

updates operating system and Microsoft products: http://tinyurl.com/253lhc

Antivirus Software

• Viruses & worms: “interfere with computer operation, record, corrupt, or delete data, or spread themselves to other computers and throughout the Internet.”

• Antivirus: Finds and inoculates, or quarantines, or disarms viruses & worms

Free Online Virus Scanners• Pros: Free, reliable, updated frequently• Cons: Web-based, only active when you run

it, can be slow if bandwith is low• Options:

– Panda Activescan (requires Internet Explorer):http://www.pandasoftware.com/

– Trend Micro™ HouseCall:http://housecall65.trendmicro.com/

– McAfee FreeScan:http://tinyurl.com/lo2y

– Symantec Security Check:http://tinyurl.com/do09

Antivirus Software

• Pros: Runs in the background, scans email as it arrives, updated frequently

• Cons: Not free, updated definitions subscription cost

• Options (includes 1 year of updates):– Norton AntiVirus ($39.95)

http://tinyurl.com/29w4cy– Panda AntiVirus (+spyware for 2 PCs) ($29.95)

http://tinyurl.com/yup3je– Windows Live OneCare ($49.95/yr, up to 3 PCs):

http://tinyurl.com/yrnqmp

Antispyware

• Spyware: collects data, sends it elsewhere– Pop-ups appear without a browser (adware)– Little programs install without telling you– Site hijack: sends you to a different web site

• Antispyware: – Keep the spies away– Removes/disables spyware programs

• Self-help: Read installation instructions *very* carefully!

AntiSpyware Software – Free

• Pros: Free, good basic features, easy to use

• Cons: Limited features

• Options:– Windows Defender

http://tinyurl.com/pmna8– Ad-Aware SE Personal

http://tinyurl.com/fh7cs

AntiSpyware – Not Free

• Pros: Customizable scans, automatic definition updates, runs in background

• Cons: Not free, definitions subscription cost

• Options:– Ad-Aware SE Plus ($26.95 MSRP)

http://tinyurl.com/2fbnct– Windows Live OneCare ($49.95/yr, 1-3

PCs)http://tinyurl.com/yrnqmp

Continuing Education

• Maintain your system with Windows XPhttp://tinyurl.com/65gk4

• Microsoft Security At Homehttp://tinyurl.com/2emr7k

• Lavasoft Spyware Education Centerhttp://tinyurl.com/yon6br