Protect Your New PC
1) Go to AVG and download the free version of this anti-virus software. Once this software is installed, go through the set-up and make sure that the virus scanner is set to scan at least once a day.
2) Next, use Internet Explorer to go to Mozilla Firefox and download this internet browser. Firefox is the best internet browser because it is faster, has a ton of good add-ons, and is safer.
Once you have installed and set up Firefox, go back to the Firefox homepage, click "Add-Ons" and enter 'Adblock Plus'. Download and install this add-on. It will keep pop-ups and ads embedded in webpages from coming up, which will make your internet surfing faster and less annoying.
3) Now that your computer is secure, there are several things you can delete to free up space.
• Remove the virus software that came with your computer. AVG is just as good and typically the virus software that comes installed is only a trial - you'll have to pay anywhere from $60 to $100 later for a subscription.
Go to 'Control Panel' and click on 'Add or Remove Programs' and scroll until you find the virus software, click on it, and then click 'Uninstall' or 'Remove'.
• Remove any other trial programs that you won't be using, such as AOL free trial, Napster, Encyclopedia Britannica, and games that require Internet access.
4) Set up a partition on your hard drive. To put it simply, this protects your hard drive from the internet. If you get a virus, all of your files will be protected. If you had to reinstall your operating system for whatever reason, the partition would protect your files. Check out this article for step-by-step instructions.
Now that you have your computer protected and can safely surf the net, here are some maintenance tips. Think of your computer like you do your car - you need to change the oil every 3,000 miles in your car, right? You also need to do a little maintenance every so often to keep your computer performing at its best.
Do the following once per week:
• Run disk check/error check ('My Computer' à 'Properties' --> 'Tools' -->'Error Check')
• Delete temporary files by running disk cleanup ('My Computer' --> 'Properties' -->'Disk cleanup')
Once per month:
• Run disk defragmenter ('My Computer' -->'Properties' --> 'Tools' à 'Defragment')
Published by ED Watts
ED Watts has been writing since 2000. She currently works as a freelance writer and editor. View profile
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5 Comments
Post a CommentNever thought about partitioning the hard drive...good ideas. Thanks.
Nice, AVG and Firefox have always been my first two stops, so reading your recommendations made me feel pretty good about myself :)
Great advice.
great advice here, thanks!
Good advice...thanks so much! :)