Tips For Keeping Your Computer Running Smoothly

One of the most important tools for your business is your computer. These days even offline businesses cannot get far without a computer system in place. Online businesses are completely dependent on their computers. Considering the importance of these machines, it is surprising how few of us really take care of our computers.

Spyware: One of the most insidious problems is spyware. They are often little cookies that businesses drop on your computer. These are used for tracking purposes, to find out what sites you visit and other information about your Internet activities.

A more sinister form of spyware is when software and small scripts are dropped on your machine. This allows the perpetrator to send ads, usually in the form of pop ups, to your computer. There are also forms of spyware that can cause disruption in your computer system itself. Some major threats can control your computer and make it do things that you do not want.

Viruses are another threat that can attack your computer and cause serious damage; they can be minor or severe. Whatever their level they should be erased from your computer as soon as possible.

Hackers: People who find their way into your computer systems are very dangerous for your business. These people do all sorts of damage. They find out your passwords, get into your payment systems and steal your funds; they can even get a hold of your credit card information. They not only steal money, if they can they will also drop viruses on your computer and get into all your personal business files and information. These hackers can also take over your entire computer and use your resources for there own purpose. They will even use your ISP address to send Spam to all the members of your ISP. This will lead your ISP to suspend your service. They can get into your email and send out all sorts of Spam to your contacts.

How do you get these annoying and disruptive problems?

Spyware can be picked up from a number of sources. Websites are one of the main ones. If you use traffic exchanges for any reason always run your anti spyware after using them. Just normal browsing through websites can give you some spyware. Chat rooms are a big source of spyware and viruses. An infected computer can just pass on viruses and spyware to the whole chat room. Always run your anti spyware and anti virus programs after visiting these places.

Viruses are usually found in emails. Never open attachments and delete all unknown emails. Then delete the deleted mails right off your computer, or web mail. If you are using Outlook Express be extra careful, as this mail client is the target of many virus attacks. Never open email that you do not know about.

Hackers get into your system through unprotected ports or doorways in your system. Your best defense is to get a good firewall. This will stop them from coming in by protecting the ports.

Warning signs:
Your computer loads up slowly
Your browser does not open correctly
The video function on your computer is not working properly
Your whole computer system is working slowly
Your computer crashes often and suddenly restarts itself for no reason.
Odd pop ups keep coming every time you open your browser or restart your machine
Strange error messages
You see odd things on your computer that you know you did not put there

Prevention:
Even minor spyware threats can cause problems so it is best to get rid of them all. You can do this by having a good anti spyware program. These systems have a monthly or yearly subscription, which is usually packaged with an anti virus system and ideally a firewall system as well. You can also do minor clean ups with Adware6 a free tool from http://lavasoft.com but it is wise to get a full service as free software is limited.

A full package of anti spyware, anti virus and a firewall is your best defense against all these threats to your computer systems. When you protect your computer you will be saving yourself money, time and above all your entire business. These packages are not too expensive, especially when you consider what can happen if your computer gets attacked.

December 13, 2006 – 5:48 pm by Constantin Chersin