3. Software
Update your Internet Browsers
e.g. Mozilla Firefox, MS Internet Explorer
It’s important to keep up with browser upgrades
The latest versions usually contain important security
fixes
Firefox: Help Check for Updates…
IE: Tools Windows Update
4. Software
How to safely uninstall software
Start menu Settings Control Panel
Add or Remove Programs
5. Software - Unresponsive
Dealing with Unresponsive Software
Sometimes, software will freeze on you and
you’ll get a “Not Responding” message
To shut it down:
– CTRL + ALT + Delete
– Task List
– Choose application and End Task
6. Hard Drive
Maintenance - Defragmentation
A few times a year, you should defrag your computer
Defragmentation reorganizes your computer’s
contents, placing files closer together and creating
large areas of free space. This will make your
computer faster.
Start Programs Accessories System Tools
Disk Defragmenter
7. Hard Drive
Maintenance – Disk Cleanup
Every few months, you should perform a Disk
Cleanup to remove or compress non-critical
files and clear space
Start Programs Accessories System
Tools Disk Cleanup
8. Hard Drive
Maintenance – Recycle Bin
At least once a week, you should empty your
Recycle Bin. Too many files in the bin can
slow your machine
Right-click on the Recycle Bin Empty
Recycle Bin
9. Hard Drive
Backup Your Data
Just wait until you lose a 10-page term paper
– you’ll wish you had!
Methods of backing up:
– Writable CD-R (650 MB) or CD-RW (700 MB)
– USB Flash Drive: 8 MB – 64 GB
– External Hard Drive (can be huge)
10. Networking
Anti-virus Software
Be sure you have software like Symantec Norton
AntiVirus and keep it updated (it can be set to
automatically update itself)
Will prevent or eliminate viruses or worms from
messing with your machine
You can download this for free
– goWMU
– Student Services tab
– Virus Protection Downloads window
11. Networking
Anti-spyware
Spyware can take partial control of your
machine and send information about your
activity over the web or will launch pop-up
adds
Download and run Ad-Aware SE (free).
12. Networking
Stop Hackers
If you have fulltime access to the Internet you
may be vulnerable to being hacked by other
users
If you’re concerned, download a free firewall
program like ZoneAlarm (free).
13. Networking
Safe email
Phishing scams
– http://www.antiphishing.org/
Other scams
– http://antivirus.about.com/od/emailscams/
– Search Google for others
Attachments and images embedded in
emails
14. Hardware
Computers ain’t cheap – take care of them!
Monitor wipes
Keyboard vacuum
Remove dust from back
Open and clean your mouse (ick)