These are simple and essential measures you can take to ensure that you personal computing experience is productive and painless.
Make Backups
Set-up your system to back up work files and applications on a regular basis. The various media available to make backups is increasingly inexpensive. Ideally, backups will be locked away and extra copies will be stored off site. It is particularly important to back-up your applications if you purchased equipment that came with applications pre-installed without any disks or CDs sent to you. Most systems will prompt you to back up these system and application files.To save memory on your hard drive, consider archiving unneeded files. Use zip drives or tape drives to store files.
Protect Your Hardware
Theft: Invest in locks for securing your computer and monitor to an immovable object. Make sure your equipment is behind locked doors. Write your company name, Federal ID number, or social security number on equipment: This deters theft.Power: At the least, connect your computers to surge protectors. For best protection, invest in an Uninterrupted Power Source (UPS). A UPS will cost $150 or more. A UPS will significantly increase the life of your hard drive.
Misuse: Keep your hard drive and floppies away from magnets, water, dust, and heat sources.
Register and Save Software and Its Documentation
Buy It: Purchase software. This keeps you eligible for free or discounted upgrades in the future. Make sure you have the proper number of licenses for applications.File It: File all information, including licenses, identification numbers, and instruction manuals. The following are essential utilities.
- Disk repair
- Anti-Virus
- Defragmenters
- Conflict resolver
- Firewall
- Anti-SpyWare
Do You Need to Protect Your Files?
Consider locking your floppy drive to prevent unauthorized people from logging into your computer. On many systems, you can use a bootable floppy to bypass a password to get to a computer's hard drive.Use encryption software if you want to lock specific, sensitive files. Password protection that comes with most applications is relatively easy to break into.
Add passwords to your network log-in and screensaver. You should not use obvious passwords (e.g., your name) and you should not write down passwords in obvious places (e.g., a post-it on your computer monitor). Whenever possible use alpha-numeric combinations to create passwords at least 5 characters long. Do not tell people your passwords.
If you are on the Internet, you need to take explicit steps to protect your files from attack and or from becoming part of an attack on another computer. Minimally you will need a firewall to filter what comes into and out of your computer. In email, scan all attachments before opening. And install anti-SpyWare to keep unwanted programs off of your computer.