[slider title="Disclaimer"]Le Roy Acres and/or Jack Corzine does in no way take any responsibility to any person’s computer systems in which the owner or agent of the owner performs any action to based solely upon the advise or content of this or any other article. All responsibility is taken on by the person(s) taking action upon said system. This covers any action performed on either the software or hardware upon said system.[/slider]
If you have hired me to do maintenance on one of your computer systems (be it a PC or a Laptop/Notebook system) then when you get the system back you will find some tools left on your system by me. These tools and the manner in which you use them, can ease the burden of system slow-downs and infections. In this, the first of what I hope to be many technical articles, I hope to be able to outline a suggested maintenance schedule for the general user that will be effective and easy to follow. Please bear in mind that the manner in which you utilize your system will greatly affect the frequency that you will need to perform the following tasks.
One of the first tools you will notice is called CCleaner. CCleaner is a tool for cleaning your system by deleting your internet caches (IE, Firefox, and other browser caches), getting rid of cookie files (this could be problematic if you don’t have your login and passwords memorized or placed somewhere where you can find them so be prepared for that issue), a registry cleaner that works quite well and is fairly safe for novices to use [slider title="Registry Explaned"]The Windows Registry is a database which stores settings and options for Microsoft Windows operating systems. It contains information and settings for all the hardware, operating system software, most non-operating system software, and per-user settings. The registry also provides a window into the operation of the kernel, exposing runtime information such as performance counters and currently active hardware. (source – Wikipedia)[/slider] (it even backs-up the registry before making changes to it), removes temp files left behind by many programs (like P2P file sharing programs, browsers, archivers, and others), clears the recycle bin and Norton Protected Files from the recycle bin. and other issues that can help contribute to a slow running system.
Now to Spybot Search and Destroy. Spybot is an anti-spyware application that needs to be updated every time you use it in order to keep up to date with the latest spyware signatures. [slider title="Spyware"]Spyware is software that tracks various aspects of your computerized experience and reports that data back to some site. This reporting could be something as non-threatening as a marketing company (which may increase the number of spam emails you receive) or it could in fact be something much more dangerous as in the example of a keylogger which could capture your private information such as PIN numbers or passwords. [/slider]Spybot Search and Destroy should be ran at least once a month for light to moderate users, more often for heavy users. When you run Spybot it will attempt to detect temporary files and delete them (it will notify you and ask for your permission to remove them), you should allow this step. It will then give you a legal notice telling you that removing certain advertisement robots could render some programs inoperative, in my experience any such programs are usually shareware programs or trial programs that the manufacturer is trying to “persuade” you to buy the package. In my experience I’ve not ran into any issues with allowing Spybot to do what it wants with removing advertising agents. Once the program starts you should choose to update the signatures. Choose an update site that is fairly close to you and if you run into errors in the downloading process just choose a different site. (Note: sometimes you will download a major upgrade which includes a revision change that requires an actual setup sequence. If this occurs, then during the setup process you should ensure that you do not install Tea Timer.) Once the system has updated you should choose to Immunize your system. Once you have performed these tasks you may scan your system. For a more detailed tutorial I suggest going to Spybot S&D Tutorial Site.
The next tool that may be on your system is AdAware. AdAware detects various forms of Malware. [slider title="Malware Explained"]Malware includes computer viruses, worms, trojan horses, most rootkits, spyware, dishonest adware, crimeware and other malicious and unwanted software. (source – Wikipedia)[/slider] As you can see by the explaination of what Malware is, this software is definitely not something you wish on your system. You should run AdAware on your system at least once a month for light to moderate users and more often for heavy users. As with all the tools that have been added to your system by Le Roy Acres, you should start off by updating the definitions that it uses. After you have done that then simply run the scans and proceed with the prompts the program gives to you. AdAware is a very easy program to use and is well worth the time to run it in the terms of the security and safety that you gain from it’s usage.
This covers the most common tools that will be placed on your system by Le Roy Acres and/or Jack Corzine. In the future I will be adding more to this series in the way of articles on firewalls, anti-virus programs, hardware upgrades, and other pertinent information on services that are performed by us. I hope that you have found this article to be both informative and helpful to you. You are a valued customer or potential customer and as such it is always our desire to provide you with the best of service at affordable prices. You can find our contact information by clicking on this link:
[slider title="Contact Information"]Jack Corzine
ironhead380@mchsi.com
309-825-2963 (Please leave a message)[/slider]
Tags: Le Roy Acres Pages, Tech, Uncategorized by shadowchaser
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