When we aren't waiting on customers or stocking more merchandise for you, our gang uses these TIPS constantly to protect our computers.

1. Below are several different “FREE” software packages you can download and install by yourself. They will help you reduce many annoying problems that cause lockups and slowdowns. We recommend cleaning your computer of these parasitic programs at least monthly.
2. Anti-Virus is a must-have program. You simply must protect your computer. There are many commercial AV programs on the market. One good free one is AVG Free. Download from www.filehippo.com . Do not use more than one as they often conflict with each other.
3. I no longer use Ad-Aware. Ad-Aware became too large; it took a long time to update; it slowed down my computer startup; I had problems that required more work. I now use Windows Defender.   Download from www.filehippo.com .
4. Spybot - Search & Destroy can detect and remove spyware of different kinds from your computer. Spyware is a kind of threat that common anti-virus applications do not yet cover. If you see new toolbars in your browser that you didn't intentionally install, if your browser crashes, or if your browser start page has changed without your knowing, you most probably have spyware. But even if you don't see anything, you may be infected, because more and more spyware is emerging that is silently tracking your surfing behavior to create a marketing profile of you that will be sold to advertisement companies. Spybot - S&D is free, so there's no harm in trying to see if something snooped into your computer too.  Every computer checked by me, including mine at home, has been infected with Spyware. Download from www.filehippo.com .
5. Windows Updates With the technology changing as fast as it does Microsoft is trying to keep up with the changes and the security problems that come with those changes. Start Internet Explorer - go to www.microsoft.com and select Security and Updates then Microsoft Update.
   At a minimum you need to immediately install all critical updates. Please be aware that many of the updates that are needed for your computer may require you to reboot your computer.  If you are still using a slow dialup connection perform the larger updates at night as they could take several hours. You should go back and check for more updates at least one more time after the last update is posted. This is to make sure that all the updates are installed, and some updates require others to be installed first.
   We recommend updating your computer as often as it may automatically offer to do it for you, or monthly.
6. Uninstalling Programs If I delete the ICON will it remove the program? Remember that just simply removing an Icon from your desktop will not remove the program from your PC.  To remove programs properly go to Control Panel, Add/Remove programs.
7. Monthly Maintenance should be done also.  This should include, but not be limited to, Disk Defragmenter and Disk Cleanup. Disk Defragmenter might be the most effective answer to slow computer speed. To start either program click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Disk Defragmenter or Disk Cleanup and follow the menu.  This can take a lot of time so schedule accordingly.  Run this monthly.
8. Also Used are the following programs to clean up my computers and help prevent infection: CCleaner, ESET Online Scanner, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, Spyware Blaster and Super AntiSpyware Free Edition.  Most are available from www.filehippo.com . All are free for private use.
9. Backups. Is your BACKUP working? Is it current? Do you have a copy stored off site in case your building burns down? You need to restore a file from your current backup to insure that it works properly. Maybe you feel you don't need a full backup. What about the contact list you use in Microsoft Outlook? You can back it up simply by exporting a copy and saving it somewhere else.

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