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Maintenance Issues

post #1 of 6
4/1/06 at 11:34pm
Thread Starter 
Hi guys didnt know if this would be the best spot to post this thread but i guess its a decent place to start.

Ive had my laptop for about 3 months now and since it is my first one I would like to keep it running in tip top shape. I have some standard anti spyware programs like adaware and spybot search and destroy as well as avast as my anti virus program. I was wondering if you guys could help me improve upon these defences with your vast pool of knowledge, as well as maybe provide some tips as to how you guys make sure your laptop is clean both on the inside as well as the outside.
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post #2 of 6
4/2/06 at 9:34am
First things first, the programs Spybot S&D and AdawareSE are good choices. Remember, they must be updated periodically with new signatures, or they are useless. Another good spyware program is SpywareBlaster, its free and runs continuously in the background and stops spyware from loading. It too must be updated every couple of days. Avast is a good free AV program and you should also consider a firewall (ZoneAlarm is a free one and there are others out there as well). Make sure your WinXP firewall is disabled before you activate ZA. The XP firewall is garbage as it only blocks incoming and not outgoing.
Every couple of weeks, depending upon how much time you spend on line, you should do a system clean,
Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Disk Cleanup
Then update and run Spybot and Adaware back to back
Do an online virus scan at http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ (just to verify that no viri slipped by)
Then finally do a defrag if required.
When this is done, turn off your machine, close the lid, flip it upside down, and take a vacuum to all the fan and other vent areas. Flip it rightside up and vacuum all the cookie crumbs from the keyboard area. Done
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post #3 of 6
4/2/06 at 1:08pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the help. I was just wondering if Zone Alarm is really that necessary if I am only doing moderate web surfing and basic word processing applications? I hardly ever open IE as Firefox is much easier to use. Just wondering what the advantages are to having the firewall. I forgot to mention that I am running on a wirless network so I am behind the router, I was told that made some sort of difference but not sure exactly what.
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post #4 of 6
4/2/06 at 9:33pm
Here is an article that explains it well. Firewall still is recommended even though going thru a wired or wireless router. Note: It is also recommended that you keep your MS updates current
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post #5 of 6
4/19/06 at 1:13pm
Just to throw out some other firewall and antivirus choices, I use Kerio Personal Firewall and AntiVir.

Here's another tip. Just because your HDD may have a lot of space doesn't mean you should let it fill up. A full harddrive can easily slow down a computer.
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post #6 of 6
4/20/06 at 12:49am
I use Hitman pro, it uses the engine of 5 spyware programs and has 2 antivirus engines if you want them (some of the engines you have to pay for after a period of time)

I like Avast antivirus currently, testing Kasperov(spelling?)

HDTune to monitor my Hard Drive for errors

O&O DEFRAG PROFESSIONAL EDITION

ZoneAlarm

A router between your computer and the Internet
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