Five Tips for Keeping Your PC Safe (or "We get calls...")

NOTE: We provide web site development and hosting, not computer repair and support. If you need computer service, we recommend Contact PC in the Park Meadows area (I-25 and E-470; Phone: 720-348-0398). We have worked with them for more than a dozen years and referred many people to them with good results. Another option is the Best Buy Geek Squad, although we have not tried them. Some people have been happy with them and others have not been happy with them or with their fees.

Some of the common questions problems that I hear about can be avoided with a few simple precautions. If you don't follow these tips, you should expect to find yourself very unhappy someday.

1. Install anti-virus and spyware detection and removal software

I recommend that you get a current subscription to McAfee Total Protection or Anti-Virus Plus (it has worked reliably for us for over 12 years) or install another anti-virus and anti-spyware software. There are many products on the market, and some free products -- most are better than no protection at all.

Some anti-virus software looks for spyware problems, but to play it safe you should install both on your system.

One consideration with the free anti-spyware software is whether it provides active protection (stops spyware from installing itself on your PC), or only helps you when you scan your system. I would not rely solely on a product that does not provide active protection.

2. Regularly update your anti-virus/spyware detection and removal software and scan your system

There's a lot of nasty stuff floating around out there. Some people install anti-virus/anti-spyware software...and then don't update it for a year or more or let their automatic update subscriptions expire. New viruses and spyware are introduced every week. The best software updates itself automatically through the Internet when you are online.

You should also run scans every week or two. If you don't want the scan running in the background while you are using your PC, schedule the scans for overnight once or twice a week, and leave your PC on so the scan can run.

If you use anti-virus and/or anti-spyware software that does not update automatically and scan on a regular schedule, make sure that you do it manually once every week or two!

3. Keep your operating system current

Keep windows current with the Microsoft update facility. You can find it on your Start menu, or click here to go to the site. Once you are there, turn on Automatic Updates.

If you are using Windows XP, you should be at Service Pack 3, and Vista is at Service Pack 1. The security updates are essential.

Many other applications, such as Office and Acrobat Reader, also release security patches on a regular basis. When you receive an alert that a new download is available, you should install it as long as you know that it is from a legitamate source! Don't just automatically click OK to install things, as you might be installing a virus or spyware (another reason why it is important to follow steps 1 and 2).

4. Get a surge supressor with UPS

Even a minor power surge can zap your modem, motherboard, and/or processor. Damage can occur to your hard drives, also.

Spend at least $20 to get a quality surge supressor. Better yet, spend a little more to get a UPS -- a surge supressor with battery backup. If you've ever been working when the power fades for even just a second, you know that your computer can shut off. A UPS provides a steady flow of power, so that even if the power fails briefly, your PC will keep right on operating.

Some UPS backup devices connect to your PC and have software that will save your open files and shut the system down correctly before the backup battery runs out of power.

A UPS used to cost $100 or more. Now you can get them for $25-50 dollars.

5. Back up important files

Backup any files you don't want to lose! Many people buy a CD-RW drive so they can back up their files, but then never use it. It isn't hard, but it takes a few extra steps that some people are not willing to take.

An alternative -- use an external USB drive. Hard drives are cheaper than ever. With an external hard drive, you just have to drag your files over from your internal hard drive.

There are also low-cost services that back up your important files to servers on the Internet. Two that I've used are Carbonite and Mozy - both cost about the same. Carbonite is the easiest to set up for day-to-day backup, but Mozy is simpler and more flexible than Carbonite if you ever need to recover your files from backup. For small businesses, I highly recommend MozyPro - it allows you to manage and get reports on all PCs in your business so you can be sure they are regularly backed up.

Wishing you problem-free computing,

Terrye Hoffman

Prairie Skies Technical Services, LLC

E-mail: terrye@pstechservices.com