AlanBarber.Org
Friday, October 17, 2003
October (2003) Windows Security Updates
This is for all you Microsoft Windows users out there! Microsoft is now releasing monthly security updates.End-User Bulletins:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/security_bulletins/20031015_windows.asp
Technical Bulletins:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/current.asp
Visit the websites, read them, and follow the instructions. Maintaining a computer is like maintaining a car people. Just like you have to change the oil, rotate the tires, etc, etc you have to update your computer from time to time too.
There are several things you should do from time to time to keep your system in tip top shape:
1) Update and patch your operating system at least once every month.
updates and patches are vital! They provide bug fixes and plug security holes that could expose your computer to hackers.
2) Update anti-virus software every week (or better yet have the software auto-update daily).
viruses spread rapidly. It's better to keep the anti-virus software updated ahead of time so it can stop a virus before it gets into your system then play cleanup after a virus has infected it. It's worth spending 10-15 minutes a week to make sure the software is updated than having to loose your computer for 2-3 days while it's being cleaned up at the computer shop.
3) run scandisk and defrag on your hard drive once a month.
scandisk checks to make sure your hard drive is functioning properly. It makes sure there are no physical defects that could cause lost data. defrag reorganizes the data on the drive so that it performs better. As time goes on data gets shuffled and unorganized. running defrag will put things back in order. As a result your computer will start up faster, applications will load quicker, etc.
4) clean the inside of your computer case once a year. Over time dust and hair gets sucked up inside your computer by the fans. All that junk inside can impede air flow and cause the computer to overhead. An overheated computer will crash more often. So once a year go buy a can of compressed air from an office store. The cans usually run about 10 dollars. Open up the case and give the insides a good blow down. You'll be surprised how much dust and hair are inside!
Now get to it, you have some work to do!
on 10/17/2003 at 10:23 AM