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Tech Info

 

Technical Questions

  • Useful links

AVG       Zone Alarm      SpyBot Search and Destroy      CCleaner       ATF Cleaner

Details about these links can be found below

  • What is a Virus?

A virus is a software program or file, written with the intent to cause other people trouble and concern. Once a virus  has entered your computer, it can cause damage to your files, hardware and in some cases can ruin your whole computer. Viruses take shape in many different forms, for example you can receive one by sharing infected computer disks with your friends, by receiving and opening an infected e-mail, and even from some internet sites you visit. Viruses are usually transferred unknowingly and unwilling but once the infection has occurred the problems begin. Unless you have the appropriate software to remove these viruses they can replicate themselves, damaging files, programs and hardware which affects your computer and everyone else's as well. Viruses don't go away by themselves and have to be dealt with. You can click on the Panda Active Scan link in the bottom left corner to do a free virus check of your system. 

For a permanent anti-virus solution one of the best programs is provided free  by Grisoft and is called AVG. You can go to their site by clicking on the link.

  • What is a Firewall?

A Firewall is a device that, if installed correctly, can keep your information safe from other prying eyes on the internet and prevent other people from accessing or stealing your private information.

If you are running windows XP, a basic firewall is available with this operating system and all you have to do is enable it. If you have installed the latest updates from Microsoft then it is turned on by default.
Please note this is a basic firewall that blocks incoming connection attempts only. If you accidentally install a Trojan or similar spyware program, information can still be sent from your computer. If you choose, you can run a third party firewall with Vista, Windows XP, or any earlier version of Windows.
One of the best software firewalls you can install is a free one called Zone Alarm. You can go to their site by clicking on the link.

  • What is Spyware or a Trojan?

Spyware comes in many forms and infects your computer in different ways but it is usually code or components installed when you access some websites or install dubious software (often freeware). The code installed allows the developers of these applications to collect information about you and your internet habits! They may use this information for themselves or sell it on to third parties compromising your security and often causing many nuisance pop ups on your screen.

A very useful program for checking and clearing your computer of spyware is a program called SpyBot Search and Destroy which again is free.

  • Clearing out Junk

Over time all PC's fill up with temporary files that take up unnecessary space and slow the system down. The folders thesefiles often use can also be used by viruses and spyware so it is good to clear them out every few weeks.

A couple of great programs for clearing these files are:

CCleaner and ATF Cleaner both again are totally free.

 

  • What can you do to make your PC run better?

Over a period of time all computers slow down and become sluggish unless some regular maintenance is done on them. The following is a list of things that you should do to ensure your PC runs as well as possible:

  1. Have a good "anti-virus" program installed and make sure it is up to date.
  2. Check you have a "Firewall" installed if using the internet.
  3. Regularly (every couple of weeks) run "anti Spyware" software to protect your confidentiality and prevent annoying pop ups.
  4. Run the "Scandisk" program occasionally (about once every 3 months) included with all versions of Windows to check that your hard disk is error free.
  5. Run the "Defrag" program regularly (about once a month) included with all versions of Windows to sort out all files on your hard drive in a logical and tidy order so that files can be accessed quickly and allow your PC to run at the speed it did when it was new.
  6. Ensure that "Microsoft critical updates" are installed on your PC to protect your PC from security threats.

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