5 Things You Can Do To Keep Your PC Healthy This Year

Happy New Year Everybody

Five things you can do to keep your PC healthy this year

1. Keep your software up to date

This is extremely important as without the latest updates your system will not be protected against the latest threats. You should make sure your Windows is up to date. Windows will usually download the updates for you. When prompted install the updates. Your Anti-virus software updates by itself but some Antispyware programs require a manual update. Examples are Spybot and Spyware Blaster. When Java prompts you to update it, you should do it as well.
Without these updates your PC will not be protected against the latest threats. Keep your software up to date.

2. Run Scans at least once a month or every two weeks

Your Anti-virus software will usually scan your PC at least once a week. If you use Antispyware programs, you should do a manual scan with them as well. Anti-virus scans by themselves will not find all the malicious software on a PC. They need to work in conjunction with Anti-spyware software for maximum protection. Whatever your scans find should be deleted or Quarantined, depending on your software.

3. Be careful where you are surfing

When you go to unsafe sites, you are asking for trouble. If the website you are on looks suspect or suspicious, you should navigate away from it. If you go to a website and instantly receive a message that your machine is infected or other error messages, it is a good bet the site you are on is malicious in nature. You should navigate away from the page and consider giving your system a quick scan with your Security Software. It only takes one wrong click to infect your machine with a virus.

4. Be careful of email attachments even from friends

2010 could be the year of the return of the email virus according to recent articles. Email attachments even from friends could contain viruses. So be sure you can trust the sender and be suspicious of it even it looks legitimate. Is there any message attached with it? Some viruses and worms can spread by infecting someones address book and forwarding the infection to everybody listed. Be care of email attachments before opening them.

5. Stay off file sharing sites

File Sharing sites can be a factory for Infections. Especially free sites that specialize in music. Many virus creators will post their infections and worms on these sites by naming them as popular songs or artists. Users will click on this link expecting a Britney Spears song and get a nasty Worm instead that could try to steal their Credit Card or banking information. If you are very careful and examine the file sizes and types, you can reduce your risk or infection while using these sites. File sharing sites are a source of infections and are considered risky to use on your PC. Many of them also force you to install some sort of Ads on your PC. These can slow down your PC, collect surfing data for marketing purposes, probably sell your email as well, so they should be avoided.

By doing these 5 items you can significantly decrease the chances of getting an infection on your PC. Thanks for reading and Happy New Year.


Steve
www.zolexpc.com