By Loren Lloyd
Imagine doing your daily PR work without a computer. If you don't maintain your computer correctly, you will.
Basic computer maintenance is not difficult. Here are some easy tips to keep your computer working smoothly.
Viral Infections
Anti-virus software is commonplace today - I would say about 80% of my clients have it installed on their computers. The 20% without any virus protection usually either already
have it installed on their computers but don't even know it is there, or they just got their computer within the last month and say they will be getting the software soon.
Unless you purchase Windows XP, which has anti-virus software already installed as part of the software, you can get your anti-virus software free off the Internet. You will
have to update regularly and run the software on a regular basis to protect your computer.
Spy Vs. Spy
What about spyware and adware detection software? I find most of my clients have spyware and/or adware detection software already installed on their computers. But I would say
75% of them do not actually use the software properly.
Most clients who don't have spyware and adware detection software installed on their computers say it is because they do not know which software to use or they thought they
already had protection from spyware and adware from the virus protection or firewall already installed on their computers. Mostly, they might not have enough computer-savvy to
know what action to take for dealing with spyware and adware.
E-Mail Protection
PR people love their e-mails, and keeping your e-mails in order can help you save time and maintain an orderly computer. If you are using Outlook Express or an e-mail account
with your ISP, you might have a much smaller storage space for your e-mails.
If you are afraid of losing e-mails in the event of a computer crash, you might choose to send your important e-mails to a free account like Hotmail or Yahoo! to store safely.
Back It Up
It is obviously recommended to create back-up files. You could save your files to a burnable CD or DVD, or if you have an extra hard drive installed on your computer, you
could save your files there. People on network computers can easily transfer files to another separate PC to create a back-up.
I recommend to many of my networked clients to keep a second and older PC on the network set-up and use it solely to store all important files.
Stop The Cookie Monster
You don't need software to erase a considerable hazard to your computer: Cookies. You can manually and easily clean out the cookies on your computer. This is a good idea,
because it can protect you from worms and other malicious viruses that look specifically for cookies planted in a computer.
There are also other cookies to consider - along the lines of Oreos and Chips Ahoy. Keep food and drinks away from the keyboard to avoid spilling into the keys and possibly
having the keys stick together. Keep the keyboard clean by using a Q-Tip dipped in rubbing alcohol once a week. Wipe off the monitor and mouse with a clean damp cloth and dish
soap.
Even better - make sure the processor is not kept on the floor. This will allow dust to build up near the computer fans and then it could cause overheating of any one of
several internal computer parts.
Contact: Loren Lloyd is CEO of Lloyd Computer Services in Oshawa, Ontario. He can be reached at 905.725.5642 or [email protected].