General
Computer Tips To Help Keep Your Computer Running Smoothly!!
Keep your data safe and your computer
system running smoothly with the following tips and advice!
#1
suggestion would be to get SecureIT
Plus. However if you want to spend your own time and provide
prevention manually, just follow the suggestions below.
* Make sure you have an Anti-Virus program with up-to-date virus
definitions. A virus can cause untold damage to your data and
system files. We see a lot of infected computers with anti-virus
software installed, but the definitions were never updated! Update
your definitions at least weekly.
*
Be sure your computer is plugged into a surge protector -- not
just a power strip! A nearby lightning strike or a regular power
surge can destroy your system.
*
Take the time to make backups of all your important data. You'd
be surprised at how many failed hard drives we see... and the
data is lost.
*
Consider purchasing a system "tune-up" utility such
as Norton's Systemworks.
*
And of course, don't open any email attachments that you are not
expecting or you are not 100% sure that the attachment came from
a legitimate source (friend, relative, or business associate).
Email viruses many times may come from an acquaintance, and were
actually sent from the infected computer without the person's
knowledge. Hartel offers Postini, a highly-rated virus and spam
(unwanted email solicitations) filter. Postini is many customers'
first line of defense against viruses and spam. Contact us for
more information about Postini.
EVERY WEEK:
(Many of the tips below can be done automatically by subscribing
to SecureIT Plus.
Click here
for more info)
1. Keep Your Windows Operating System Updated.
Open Internet Explorer, go to Tools, and Windows Update. Scan
for and download any critical updates to your Windows operating
system. These will help keep your system tuned, and also help
prevent attacks from hackers on your computer.
2.
Update Virus Definitions. To update, you must be connected
to the Internet. If you are using Norton Anti-Virus, open the
program and click "Live Update". Other anti-virus programs
have a similar update feature.
3.
Run a Full System Virus Scan. Be sure you've updated
your virus definitions before you complete this step. If you are
using Norton Anti-Virus, open the program and click "Full
System Scan". Then click the "Scan Now" button.
Other anti-virus programs have a similar scanning feature.
4.
Back Up Your Important Data. In order to do this, you
must have some kind of backup device, such as a CD burner, Zip
drive, second hard drive, or a network connection to another computer.
Floppy disks do not have enough capacity to backup large files.
In Windows, use the Backup program. Select Start> Programs>
Accessories> System Tools> Backup.
5.
Run Scandisk Standard. Scan disk will check your hard
drive for errors in your directory structure. In Windows, open
My Computer> Right Click on your hard drive (usually the C:
drive) > Select Properties from the drop down menu > Select
the Tools tab > Select Check Now.
6.
Install a Firewall If You Have DSL or an "always-on"
connection to the Internet. A firewall will protect your computer
from being seen by hackers, and may also prevent spyware from
using your computer to access the Internet without your knowledge.
A free firewall that we recommend is Zone Alarm. Click here
to download Zone Alarm. Be sure to read any tutorials for proper
use.
7.
Use One or More Spyware Detection Programs. See the large
section below on spyware, its cause, and the effects of having
spyware on your computer.
EVERY
MONTH:
1.
Run Disk Defragmenter. Disk defragmenter puts all your
data on your hard drive in sequential order, and should result
in your computer finding the data on your hard drive faster. In
Windows, open My Computer> Right Click on your hard drive (usually
the C: drive) > Select Properties from the drop down menu >
Select the Tools tab > Select Defragment Now.
2.
Run Scandisk Thorough. Scan disk thorough will check
your hard drive for errors in your directory structure and check
for bad sectors and physical damage to the disk itself. In Windows,
open My Computer > Right Click on your hard drive (usually
the C: drive) > Select Properties from the drop down menu >
Select the Tools tab > Select Check Now.
3.
Run Disk Cleanup. This program gets rid of all unnecessary
files building on your computer. In Windows, select Start >
Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup.
It is CedarVision's goal to provide the most reliable and secure
Internet service possible. We hope that you will find this information
useful, and as always, we thank you for your business.
Spyware
and Pop-Up Ad Problems?
Although
it is possible for a Web site to download spyware to your system,
it is very unusual. The ads probably are coming from spyware that
you inadvertently downloaded . These programs report your browsing
interests to a computer on the Internet. That computer then downloads
ads based on those interests. Supposedly, they are things you
will want to see.
Spyware
often is downloaded as part of the package accompanying another
program. Free programs especially are likely to include spyware.
They help pay the bills for the programmer.
You'll often
get a message that says something like, "Do you want to download
(name of program)." These programs usually offer some kind
of Internet search capability, or perhaps changes to your browser.
But
their main goal is to spy on you or to route you to their advertisers.
When you get
one of these messages, stop and think. What does the program do?
Can your browser already do this? Is this new functionality worthwhile?
In
all likelihood, the program offers you next to nothing. In some
cases, there is no explanation. Treat these things like door-to-door
salesmen and telemarketers: Just say no.
Before you download a program, check it in the database at SpyChecker
(http://www.spycheck.com).
This database will tell you if spyware is included in the package.
There
are many spyware programs on the Internet, and these
programs should not hurt your computer. But they are obviously
irritating. The best way to eradicate them is through a spyware
scanning program, such as Ad-aware (http://www.lavasoftusa.com)
and
Spybot Search and Destroy (http://security.kolla.de).
There are
numerous programs that will prevent spyware from installing on
your system. Here are links to information and some programs:
http://www.spywareinfo.com/hijacked.html
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
http://www.wilderssecurity.net/bhblaster.html
http://www.wilderssecurity.net/wmpscriptingfix.html
Some websites
have all sorts of pop-up ads. Another free program that
will prevent you from seeing all these annoying ads is Pop-Up
Stopper (http://www.panicware.com/).
It's relatively simple and a small file to download.
Also
for a free firewall, download and install Zone
Alarm (free from Zone Labs). This will help keep hackers from
detecting your PC.
FOR HELP WITH WILDBLUE, CALL TECH SUPPOPRT AT 1-888-817-6873
ANYTIME DAY OR NIGHT!!!
