Keeping Windows Running Well
Here are some simple rules to follow to keep Windows running smoothly: keep it updated, keep it simple, keep a backup…
- Keep windows updated. Don’t ignore that little yellow or red shield down by the clock.
- Install an anti-virus program, keep it updated, and run a full scan occasionally. I like Eset NOD32 and the free version of Avira AntiVir.
- Scan for spyware occasionally. Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware and Lavasoft’s Ad-Aware are both good and friendly programs. Remember to download the latest updates for these too.
- Keep your web browser updated. And avoid using Internet Explorer — there is nothing really wrong with it anymore, but with most people using it, it is the first browser that malware writers target. And the other popular browsers (Firefox, Safari & Chrome) are all very good and fast browsers.
- Install only software you need.
- Install software only from a trusted publishers.
- Install software only from trusted sources.
- Know what software you have installed. For example, make sure that antivirus pop-up message is really from the program you have and is not some spyware trying to sneak onto your system.
- Keep the important stuff backed-up. Get a flash drive or external hard drive (or two) and use the software that came with it or Window’s own backup software for backing up your files, emails, favorites, etc.
You may have noticed that keeping things updated is a central theme in this list. Just about any program will asked to be updated every several weeks – if it is not asking there may be a problem — manually update and run scans to check for problems.