Periodic Preventive
Computer Maintenance
EVERY MONTH!!
Check for Updates
Most software and hardware manufacturers are constantly improving their products. Many times, they make changes to improve the security of their programming, and reduce your vulnerability to attacks by hackers, malware and viruses. It is important to keep your computer updated, and check regularly for problems. Here is a quick list of some monthly maintenance items that will help you keep your computer running smoothly:
- Check for OS updates. Most OS manufacturers provide regular security updates. For PCs, go to update.microsoft.com.
- Check all of your programs for updates. Most program manufacturers have a support website. You can check the version number of your program by clicking Help -> About . . . make note of this version number when checking for updates on the manufacturer's website.
- Check for Driver updates. Many PC manufacturers will have a support website that will provide quick and easy access to any hardware driver changes.
Check for Viruses
- Verify that your antivirus program's virus definitions are up to date. Open your antivirus or internet security program, and look for the version date, and run the automatic update utility that comes with the program.
- Run a complete virus scan. You may want to do this at night when you are not using your computer. Have your virus protection software run a complete scan, and the next morning you can resolve or remove any problems that are detected.
Run a Backup
Everyone has some data on their computer that is important to them for some reason. Whether it is your business accounting information, photos of your kids or vacation, or music videos, or just your "favorites" in your internet browser. If your computer crashed, what would you miss?
We recommend running a backup of all personal data at least once a month. Some more sensitive data may require weekly or even daily backups. Especially business accounting data for example. You will need to determine the intervals for backups, and stick to them. That way, if you do have a catastrophic hardware problem, you can at least recover your data.
One other option is an offline backup service like CARBONITE.com. For an annual fee, they will keep a current backup of your computer including all of your personal data. If your PC ever crashes, you can restore your data from their online server.
