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Home PC Safe Checklist
Keep your computer as up to date as you can:
Set aside some time to update the various things listed below. If you get in the habit, you will find it a quick and easy process. Some of the things listed here can be set up as an automated process. However, with the multitude of programs available, it is beyond the scope of this site to post instructions on how to automate them all. Check through your settings, go to the vendor's website, and you may find instructions on how to automate some of the tasks listed here. If you have problems email me at richard@homepcsafe.com and I'll try to help.
NOTE: This may seem to take a long time the first time or two. But once in the habit, your computer will be cleaner, and faster, and these things will process much quicker.
Daily:
Safe Email Usage:
1. Do not open attachments from ANYONE, unless you know you are to receive one. With your family and friends you can set up a code word they all know, to be added in the subject line when they are sending you an attachment. Remember, any self respecting virus will first mail itself to everyone in the address book... So if Uncle Joe gets a virus, and your email address is in his address book, you WILL receive an email from him, even though he didn't send it, the virus did. The code word will allow you to quickly determine that, in fact, HE sent it, and not some mailicious program.
2. Use a good anti-spam program, like Spam Shredder, to reduce the amount of spam mail you receive. It's highly recommended that you delete any email that you receive from sources you do not know, or did not ask to receive. Even an innocent looking email can contain code that you do not want to execute.
3. Familiarize yourself with your chosen email program's "mail rules". In Outlook Express, click tools, message rules, mail. This opens up a window that will allow you to set up various rules that can be used to further enhance your ability to Keep Safe.
4. Add Folders to your inbox for the various emails you receive, such as "Family", "Friends", "Business", and then use your mail rules to send mail from your "inbox" to the various themed sub-folders. This will allow you to quickly peruse your "inbox", determine whether or not an email is worth keeping, delete the emails that are not, and set a new rule to distribute the emails that are to the various sub-folders you have created. After a short period of time, you'll find that your "inbox" contains very few emails that you wish to keep, because you have rules to place the keepers within your sub-folders. Your Spam Shredder will handle the majority of the spam, and your task will become much easier.
Weekly:
1. Set a PC Maintenance Day
Pick a day that is convenient to your schedule. By getting in this habit, you decrease your chances of picking up undesirable programs, and you will find your PC is more healthy, faster, and more secure.
2. Update Windows:
Go to the windows Update site and check to see if any updates are available. If so, follow the instructions to download and install them.
3. Update Anti-Virus Programs:
Update any anti-virus programs you have. Again, this can probably be set up to be an automated process. But even if it is, check for updates anyway, just to be sure. Run a full scan.
4. Update Anti-Spyware Programs:
Update any anti-spyware programs you have. The "Bad Guys" are constantly trying new and improved things to hook you, and your only defense is up to date programs. I recommend Spy Sweeper. Run a full scan.
5. Clean Your Computer:
There are programs available that will clean unwanted files and registry entries from your computer. I highly recommend Webroot's Window Washer , I use it myself, and it is easily automated to keep your computer clean. Run a Full Cleaning.
6. Defragment your Hard Drives:
This will keep your hard drive organized, and allow for better performance and speed. Run a full Defrag.
Monthly:
Utilize Online Scans :
1. At least once per month, you should utilize "online scans" when doing your maintenance. Our protective programs are often times the first targets of malicious code.
2. You can do a google search on online scans, or use some of the resources we've gathered for you here. Online Scans
The links below will take you to some needed tools that will help to keep your computer safe and secure.
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