Warrington U3A Advanced Computer Class

PC Maintenance and Security

PC Maintenance

• Removal of temporary files – why?– They start to fill up your hard disk– They will slow your computer down– They can represent a security/privacy risk if

anyone else has access to the PC

• Microsoft Windows built-in utilities

• 3rd party utilities e.g. CCleaner

Removal of Temporary Files

• Windows utility– Start Windows Explorer– Right-click on hard disk– Select Properties– Click on Disk Cleanup

• CCleaner (Piriform Ltd) – www.piriform.com– Free download– Well-respected

product– Fast and easy– More powerful than

Windows utility

Removal of Temporary Files

Defragmentation

• Why?– Files become split up into many parts– Fragmented files are slower to load– Causes extra wear & tear on hard disk

• How to defragment (“defrag”) the hard disk– Windows utility– Piriform defraggler

Disk Defragmentation

• Open Windows Explorer

• Right-click hard disk

• Select Properties

• Click on Tools tab

Disk Defragmentation

• Defraggler is a free download from Piriform

• Easy to use

Anti-Virus Software

• Why?– Lots of viruses, trojans, worms, etc., in

circulation– Modern viruses aim to steal personal

information for financial gain• Credit card info• Passwords• Identity theft

Anti-Virus Software• What choices?

– Free AV software• AVG• Avast• Avira

– Paid-for AV software• McAfee• Norton• Trend• Kaspersky

Anti-Virus Software

• Which is best?– Paid-for software often comes as a full suite of

integrated security software• Antivirus• Firewall• Anti-phishing• Etc

– Free security software is just as effective– Only have ONE type of AV software installed!

Anti-Virus Software

• Out-of-date AV software is useless as new viruses are not detected

• Essential to recognise the signs that your AV software is working correctly

Firewall

• Controls access to and from your computer via the network connections

• Prevents intruders accessing your PC

• Prevents rogue programs “phoning home” with your data

Firewall

• Windows has a built-in firewall

• Firewall built into most security suites

• Most home routers have a built-in firewall

• Most home routers give your PC a private IP address (e.g. 192.168.x.x) which is invisible from the Internet

Wireless Internet Access (“Wi-Fi”)

• Home routers often have wi-fi built in

• Important to enable wi-fi security – (If your wi-fi is not secured, anyone can use it

(neighbours, passers-by, etc)– If they can connect to your network, they can

try to attack your PC

Wireless Internet Access (“Wi-Fi”)

• Important to enable wi-fi security (WEP / WPA / WPA2)– WEP (introduced in 1997) is old and insecure

• TKMaxx’s computer system was hacked via its WEP wi-fi

– WPA (2004) is much better– WPA2 (2006) is better still

• Use the highest level that all your machines can use (pre-2006 PCs might not use WPA2)