Issue 52.15
It is time to look forward to the new year and it is a very good time to consider some decisions that might make that year a better one when considering our computers.
First and foremost, check your anti-virus program. Make sure it is a good one and that it is up to date. You can check most well-known programs with websites that evaluate things such as Consumer Reports, PC Magazine and other trade journals. Do not make the mistake of following the advice of websites that seem authoritative, but are actually just advertisements for one of the lower value programs. They doll them up to look like unbiased reports at the same time they are steering you to buy something that is of less value or even is malware that they want you to willingly add to your computer. The top rated programs that I have read up on are WebRoot, AVG, McAffee, Avast, Esset and BitDefender. There are other good ones out there but there a number you want to avoid. Take some time to do your research if you don’t have one of these.
The same process applies to Anti-Malware programs, though some of the above companies also offer or include anti-malware systems with their other products. You may also want to consider Malwarebytes software in this category as they have very good free and low cost protection from malware.
We recommend deleting programs you know are not needed on your computer. Be careful that you don’t delete something the system needs, but most programs that you can do without or that actually are causing trouble on your system can be removed through the Control Panel.
Another cleanup item that we recommend is to remove the cookies, temporary files and history from your browsers. While there (and if you are fairly confident in your skills), it is good to remove any add-ons or extensions that may be causing pop-up adds or malware to be pushed into your computer when you are browsing the internet. I also strongly recommend getting rid of any toolbars you did not request. These can usually be removed in the settings tab of your browser.
We recommend checking to see that the fans in your computer are running smoothly and reasonably quietly. If they are making a lot of noise or if they are not turning or turning very slowly, you may want to have them replaced to protect your components. In most computers there are from 1-3 case fans you can see from outside the case. There is also a fan in the power supply to keep the electronics from overheating. Additionally, there is most likely a fan on the main processor (CPU) that is mounted to the motherboard and quite often one on the video card or chip to keep it running cool and smooth.
It may also be a good time to consider replacing your keyboard and/or mouse if they have been giving you trouble or responding sluggishly. Think about the age and condition of your peripherals (printer, scanner, monitor, etc.) as well.
All these things can make a difference in how much you enjoy your computer and whether or not you can rely on it, and remember – make sure you always have a backup of anything important.
Shaun McCausland has worked in the computer industry for over 33 years, 26 years of it locally with Bits ‘N’ Bytes and Musicomp and currently works as a computer consultant. If you have questions you can reach him at 435-668-7118 or shaun@musicomp.net.