Shmads's Guide to Computer Cleaning and Saftey
I'm pretty surprised how little some people know about elementary computer safety, cleaning, etc. Therefore, I comprised a beginners guide to Computer Saftey and Cleaning.
Virus Protection
For starters, you need a good virus protection. Now, I would suggest probably two or three different brands; Kaspersky, AVG, and Norton. The easiest to get is "AVG". Kaspersky is a bit harder to get a keygen for, and Norton isn't as good as AVG.
AVG
Download:
HERE
Free Link:
LINK
Is you want to find Kaspersky, you are on your own. Just look for it at this site:
http://warez-bb.org/
You should be pretty much all set with AVG for virus protection.
Run a virus sweep every 5 days or so. Run it immediately when you get it, you may have one from when you didn't have AVG. After that, AVG won't let anything get on your computer, but you can't always be sure.
Spyware
Deffinition of Spyware, according to wikipedia. LINK
There is one, free, easy to use, and great program you can use for Spyware. Its called "
Spy Bot Search and Destroy".
SpyBot Search & Destroy
Homepage:
http://www.safer-networking.org/
Download:
LINK
How to use:
This one is pretty simple to use, but people can easily miss some crucial steps when using this program.
Step 1) Install. I'll let you do this on your own.
Step 2) Update. It will prompt you to update immeditely. Do so right now. If you want to update manually, here's how:
Hard, huh?
You MUST update every time you open Spybot. Its essential you get the new detection rules! Be sure to check all of the boxes in the available updates box and hit "Download Updates" near the top of the program.
Next, you need to run a "Search and Destroy". On the left bar, hit "Search and destroy". Then, hit "Check For Problems" on the top. The program will start searching for any spyware on your computer. This may take anywhere from 5 minutes to 15 minutes, depending on the speed of your computer.
When the search is done, it will have a list of "Problems" that you must fix. Make sure all of them are checked, and hit the button "Fix Selected Problems" on the top. They are gone. GG!
Next, you need to "Immunize" your computer from any Spyware. To do this, hit the "Immunize" button on the left. Its the one with the big blue shield, in case you can't read.
When you hit this button, it will tell you whether or not you need to immunize. If you do, hit the big green plus sign at the top of the page, and let it immunize. Under the green bar in the middle, it should say "All [some number] known bad products are blocked". If so, you are done!
You MUST repeat these steps at least 3 or 4 times a week. You'd be surprised how much spyware you get on your computer over time. I run mine every day, sometimes every other day. No joke.
For now, you probably won't need the "Recovery" Feature". Its for if you need to keep a file SpyBot Destroyed. It has never happened to me, so don't worry about it for now.
Adware
You also need to clear (and keep clear) your computer of Adware. Adware is basically a file that makes popups and shit come on your computer. Easy as that. For more information, look
HERE . You need a program called "Lavasoft Ad-Aware".
Lavasoft Ad-Aware Professional
Download:
HERE
Free Trial:
LINK
Using this is also pretty simple. Ad-Aware will give you a message if you need to update.
When it prompts you to, be sure to update!
Now, to run this, all you need to do is start the program, hit "Scan Now'. Check the circle "Select Drivers/Folders to Scan" and hit "select". Then, check every option drive and folder (there should be 1-5) and hit proceed. Then, hit "Next". It will now start to scan your computer for any adware. When done, it will take you to a screen with all of the adware on your comp. Select ALL of these, and continue. It will delete them, and take you back to the "status" screen. Run this once every 2 days or so. If you are using the free version, you can just do a "Full System Scan".
Cleaning your Computer
There is a couple of ways to do this. The first, not so amazing (but legal) way to do it is to use Windows "
Disk Cleanup". To use this, go to "Start, Accessories, System Tools, and click "Disk Cleanup". Select the drive you want to clean. It will search for unneeded files. Then, it will give you a list of files you can delete. You may as well check every file, unless you need something (I doubt you will). Then, Disk Cleanup will delete the files. REMEMBER: Run this for all of your drives (C:, D:, etc).
The next way is to use a program called "WinCleaner".
WinCleaner:
Download:
HERE
Free 30 day trial:
LINK
Download it, and run the "One-Click Cleanup". Its the button towards the top of the program. Search for un needed files, and delete it. Pretty simple. I won't go too in-depth into it, mainly because its pretty simple and self-explanatory. Do this somewhat often. You don't really need to if you have a big hard drive. But its still good to run every week or two.
Defrag:
This isn't a cleaner, its for "defragging" your computer. For more information, go
HERE . Windows has the program automatically. To use it, go to Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Defragmentor. If you are using XP, then it you need to select the drive you want to defrag. Make sure you run it for all of them. It will analyze the drives to see if you need to defrag. If you do, then do it (duh?). Make sure to check every drive. I don't defrag very often. Usually once every two weeks.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Windows Help and Support How Defragging Helps:
Fragmentation makes your hard disk do extra work that can slow down your computer. Disk Defragmenter rearranges fragmented data so your hard disk can work more efficiently. Disk Defragmenter runs on a schedule, but you can also defragment your hard disk manually. |
If you are on Vista, you just need to hit the "Defragment Now" button on the bottom. Easy.
Notes:
-If your computer is running slow, it may not be due to spyware, adware, or a virus. It could just be because you have a slow computer. If so, you may consider updating your RAM. 1GB of RAM is acceptable, but I would suggest 2GB. Try
www.newegg.com
-If you have trouble getting a program, try going to
www.emeraldcityforums.com or
www.warez-bb.org to get it. Use at own risk.
-The non-free programs (AVG, Ad-Aware, and Wincleaner) have illegal download links. Use at own risk.
-If you have any problems installing or have a question, contact me on AIM at "Shmads". Or PM me.
-
Give me good rep for this thread.
-Shmads
sn=Shmads
PS-<3 Chris is Twisted
Shmads's Guide to Safe, Fast, and Clean Computers :
06-29-2007
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