10 tips for good PC maintenance

1. Back-up your data:
Always create back-ups of every bit of important information you store. There are many different ways of going about it. The simplest, fastest and cheapest involves burning your information to a blank CD or DVD, take a backup with CD/DVD writer.

2. Passwords:
While using your computer, the Internet or installing software, you may need to remember many different passwords. It's important to not only keep track of all passwords, but keep them secure. The best way to do this is to use a mixture of words and numbers you are likely to remember, such as your phone number and street name. They key, though, is that no one else should be able to work it out. U can use "Remember me" /"Remember username & password"option which pops up when surfing the internet using Browsers like firefox or Opera if u r the only person accesing the PC or else write somewhere so that u rememeber in case u forget.

3. Maintain up-to-date virus definition: It is vital that you have a very good anti-virus programme (AVG, Norton Anti-Virus and MacAfee etc..) and keep it up-to-date. Most anti-virus programmes have an automatic 'update/download' option. Selecting this will keep your virus-checker up to date and prevent your system from being infected by those dangerous viruses. Choose AVG as it does not maintain log files of users,so it the safest of all by far.
Read my tips on virus prevention here

4. KeepDefragging your files regularly: To help your computer run faster, you may need to let it organise where the files are physically stored on your hard drive. This is called defragmenting or 'defragging.'

5. Clear old cache files: Deleting temporary files used by Internet Explorer when viewing Web sites is a good way to free up space on your hard drive.

6. Keep the PC clean: Dust is the enemy of your PC and can cause major problems if left unchecked. Make use vacuum cleaner to keep your computer dust-free ans use it regularly.

7. Changing start-up programmes using msconfig: Most programs try to gain an entry into the start-up programmes list. To remove unwanted programmes, use the run command (click on Start to get there) and type MSCONFIG. This will bring up a small program allowing you to configure the way your computer loads. In the last tab of the window, you will have the option to disable/enable startup programmes. Be careful to disable only programmes that you understand, otherwise you may render your computer unusable.

8. Disable anti-virus software: Make sure your anti-virus software is disabled when loading new software programs in order to avoid a conflict.

9. The latest drivers: Always check the manufacturer's Web site before installing new software. Sometimes disks bundled with a peripheral device, such as a printer, have old software. Save the file at an appropriate destination (the desktop is a good place). Double click on the file and install the software. Now connect your device. The best way to install the hardware is to connect the device to the computer and let Windows recognise it. If there are any problems or Windows does not start to recognise the hardware, make sure the device is plugged into the correct slot and the power is connected.Also keep updating wherever possible.

10. Stand-by mode: Place your PC in standby mode to save power if you are going to leave it turned on for any length of time. (a) Open 'power options' in the control panel. (b) On the 'advanced' tab, under 'when I press the power button on my computer', click 'standby'. You can also put your computer on standby by clicking 'start', clicking 'turn off computer', and then clicking 'stand by.'

Ways to Protect Privacy Online

1. Look for privacy policies on the Web

2. Get a separate email account for personal email

3. Teach your kids that giving out personal information online means giving it to strangers

4. Clear your memory cache after browsing

5. Make sure that online forms are secure

6. Reject unnecessary cookies

7. Use anonymous remailers

8. Encrypt your email

9. Use anonymizers while browsing

10. Opt-out of third party information sharing.

11.Use personal firewall like ZoneAlarm or built in like WinSP2 and keep updating.

12 Use apps. to prevent spywares and adwares like spyware blaster,spybot search and
destroy,adware pro etc...

for more detailed info click here

10 Virus Prevention Tips

Though viruses,worms and other malicious applications are unavoidable and are circulating througout the internet,following the tips below would certainly lower the risk of an attack on your computer so as to surf safely over the internet.

1. Install anti-virus software and keep the virus definitions up to date. Anti-virus software scans files for unusual changes in file size, programs that match the software's database of known viruses, suspicious email attachments, and other warning signs. It's the most important step you can take towards keeping your computer clean of viruses.Use any anti-virus application like Norton,Avg,Mccafee etc..
2. Don't automatically open attachments and make sure your email program doesn't do so either. This will ensure that you can examine and scan attachments before they run. Refer to your email program's safety options or preferences menu for instructions.
   
3. Scan all incoming email attachments. Be sure to run each attachment you plan to open through the anti-virus check. Most anti-virus software can be setup to check files automatically. Do this even if you recognize and trust the sender; malicious code, like trojan horses, can slip into your system by appearing to be from a friendly source.
   
4. Get immediate protection. Configure your anti-virus software to boot automatically on start-up and run at all times. In case you forget to boot up your anti-virus software, configuring it to start by itself will ensure you are always protected.
   
5. Update your anti-virus software frequently. An anti-virus program is only as good as the frequency with which it is updated. New viruses, worms, and Trojan horses are born daily, and variations of them can slip by software that is not current. Most anti-virus software is easy to update online with options to do so automatically.
   
6. Avoid downloading files you can't be sure are safe. This includes freeware, screensavers, games, and any other executable program - any files with an ".exe" or ".com" extension such as "coolgame.exe." Unreliable sources such as Internet newsgroups or Web sites that you haven't heard of may be willing providers of viruses for your computer. If you do have to download from the Internet, be sure to scan each program before running it. Save all downloads to one folder, then run virus checks on everything in the folder before using it.
   
7. Don't boot from a floppy disk. Floppies are one of the most common ways viruses are transmitted. If you are using a floppy while working on your computer, remove it when you shut the machine off or the computer will automatically try to boot from the floppy, perhaps launching any viruses on the disk.
   
8. Don't share floppies. Even a well-meaning friend may unknowingly pass along a virus, trojan horse, or worm. Label your floppies clearly so you know they're yours and don't loan them out. If a friend passes you a floppy, suggest an alternative method of file sharing.
   
9. Scan floppies before using them. This is always important, but especially if you are using the disk to carry information between one computer and another. You could easily pick up a virus from an insecure network and introduce it into your system. Running a virus scan before launching any of the programs on the disk will prevent infection.
   
10. Most importantly use a firewall like ZoneAlarm, its best protection that u can get over the internet for detection of viruses ,worms,spywares,registry changes been made in your computer from third party software or over the internet.

10 tips to improve computer network security

1. Apply all security patches to software,continuously.
   
2. Harden passwords. Make users create passwords that are at least 8 characters with upper and lower case characters, numbers and punctuations.
   
3. Harden systems. Turn off unnecessary services and lock down shares.
   
4. Harden firewall rules. Stop unnecessary outbound traffic and close unneeded ports.
   
5. Implement an SMTP (mail server) proxy and filter out dangerous attachments.
   
6. Secure VPN users with personal firewalls.
   
7. Audit users. Systematically go through your user accounts, and make sure people don't have access or rights they should not have.
   
8. Build redundancy into your network in case of failure. Implement and test your disaster recovery plan.
   
9. Outsource web servers or lock them down.
   
10. Outsource security audits to specialised security service providers if your core business isn't security.
    

Top 10 tips to keep that new computer spyware-free

1. Update Windows
2. Update anti-virus definitions regularly
3. Download and install an alternative brower like firefox and opera
4. Lockdown IE
5. Install atleast 2 spywares
6. Install Free protective programs like spyware blaster
7. Install IE-SPYAD
8. Install firewall like Zonealam and more host..
9. educate yourself regarding spywares and latest threats
10. Surf safe.
    

For more detail tips and info visit following

Top 10 tips to keep that new computer spyware-free by ZDNet's Suzi Turner -- Got a new computer for Christmas? Are you worried about all the spyware horror stories you've read? You should be. I've heard varying numbers, but it's said that putting an unprotected computer on a high-speed connection results in getting infected within a few minutes. I just read that the time is getting longer, but that's [...]