Windows Maintenance Guide
The information below combines a number of our other tips into one easy-to-use guide to keeping your computer running smoothly.
- Windows Updates
- Antivirus protection
- Spyware and Adware
- Avoiding Pop-ups
- Disabling Windows Messaging
- Firewall information
- Scandisk and Defrag
Windows updates
Whether you just got a new computer or you are catching up on your maintenance, the most important thing you can do is run Windows Updates. This will close any security holes and patch bugs that Microsoft has discovered in its software. Windows updates will even prevent certain viruses from entering your computer.
Check for Windows Updates here.
When you get to that page click on "Scan for updates" and Microsoft will determine what patches haven't been applied to your computer. NTD Athenet recommends installing all updates in the section called "Critical Updates and Service Packs." You can install other patches at your own discretion. Please note that new computers especially need to download Windows Updates since Windows may be months, if not years, out of date when you first start it up.
Antivirus protection
The absolute best way to avoid viruses is to know what not to open. First of all, many viruses DO come from people and addresses that you know so you must be careful with all email you receive. Opening an email just to read it will not infect your computer, but running an attachment or clicking on a link when the email contains an attachment can activate a virus. Be very careful about emails that look like they're from a company - if they want you to enter personal information or run an attachment you should either delete it or at least contact that company to confirm the email. This includes emails that look like they are from NTD Athenet.
We are pleased to offer Athenet Defense Shield for your computer protection needs. Please click here for information on Athenet Defense Sheild.
Spyware and Adware
The more you use the Internet the more likely you are to pick up spyware and adware on your computer. These programs can cause pop-up windows, change your homepage setting, slow down your computer, and cause error messages.
We are pleased to offer Athenet Defense Shield for your computer protection needs. Please click here for information on Athenet Defense Sheild.
Avoiding Pop-ups
We are pleased to offer Athenet Defense Shield for your computer protection needs. Please click here for information on Athenet Defense Sheild.
Disabling Windows Messaging
Windows includes a feature where you can send an instant message to any other Windows user. Recently this has resulted in spam messages that seem to come out of nowhere poping up on your computer. Here's how to turn off Windows Messaging to avoid those annoying windows.
Windows XP Home
Click Start->Settings ->Control Panel; Click Performance and Maintenance; Click Administrative Tools; Double click Services; Scroll down and highlight "Messenger"; Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties; Click the STOP button; Select Disable or Manual in the Startup Type scroll bar; Click OK
Windows XP Professional
Click Start->Settings ->Control Panel; Click Administrative Tools; Click Services; Double click Services; Scroll down and highlight "Messenger"; Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties; Click the STOP button; Select Disable or Manual in the Startup Type scroll bar; Click OK
Windows 2000
Click Start-> Settings-> Control Panel-> Administrative Tools->Services; Scroll down and highlight "Messenger"; Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties; Click the STOP button; Select Disable or Manual in the Startup Type scroll bar; Click OK.
Windows 98 & ME
Windows Messenger Service cannot be disabled.
Updated 6/2/2006
Firewall information
The Internet is an enormous resource for your home or business. Productivity gains can give you a competitive edge. Unfortunately the Internet is also an anonymous "badlands" for hackers and other criminals. In the Wild West days you circled the wagons or barred the door. These days a firewall can be your best defense to help keep the baddies at bay.
Firewall Defined
A firewall is a system or group of systems that separate a PC or network from the Internet. All communication in or out is directed through one point to prevent undesirable access from outside. That one point may be software on a PC, firewall appliance, a router with firewall capabilities, or a network server capable of filtering network traffic.
Why have a firewall?
The Internet is plagued with the kind of people who enjoy the electronic equivalent of writing on other people's walls with spray paint, tearing their mailboxes off, or just sitting in the street blowing their car horns. For the most part hackers are not interested in specific information you have on your network, but are either just mischievous, as above, or want to use your computer, and therefore your identity, to launch other, more dangerous attacks.
If you think firewalls are only for the big guys or you are just not sure you need a firewall, try one of the shareware versions or take advantage of the free trial periods that many of the name brands offer. Use it for a week or two and take a look at the reports that show what it blocks. Chances are there will be a lot of nothing and a few, real Internet worms and syn floods type attacks listed.
Firewall Options
As mentioned above, a firewall may be hardware, software, or in some situations a combination of hardware and software.
Software
Windows XP has a built-in firewall. A quick Google or Yahoo search for firewalls (free or paid) will turn up thousands of options. Many of the well known names in Antivirus and/or Spam software also provide basic software firewall options. These can be pretty effective, especially for home users and small networks (probably 10 computers or less). Keep in mind, though, that adding additional programs onto your PC or network server adds to its processing load. If you notice a performance degradation you might want to consider a hardware solution.
Hardware
Many of the routers and modems that are available these days come with simple firewall controls built in. If you need to add more users to your network just add a network hub or switch inside the router/firewall. The performance of these solutions will be better than most software firewalls. Some of the smaller, less expensive ones may lack some of the flexibility. For larger corporations these smaller, router-based firewalls may not cut it. For most small to medium sized businesses they are a pretty good option. For those enterprise folks, high performance routers, dedicated firewall appliances, and servers can provide the kind of access control they are looking for.
Related concerns
A firewall doesn't magically make you bulletproof. First you need to configure it to provide the access you want and block the access you don't want. Don't trust the factory defaults. Default passwords and protocols are well known in the hacker world. Be sure to change yours when you set it up.
With the proliferation of Wi-Fi wireless systems, special care should be taken to lock down access. It does no good to have a sophisticated firewall in place if a hacker can just drive by and access your network, bypassing the whole thing. The firewall only protects your network from people who are trying to connect through it. If you have remote access dial-up lines for employees that don't go through the firewall, you are at risk.
Also, note that a Firewall won't protect you from viruses or spam. Again, check your operating system and evaluate anti-virus options. To help combat SPAM, NTD Athenet offers a first line of defense with our Mail Foundry SPAM filtering service that is quite effective. But, as you are constantly told, don't open attachments that you were not expecting and even then don't just think that because you know the sender that the attachment is safe. They may have inadvertently opened something that is now spamming the virus or worm to you. Do everyone a favor and don't pass it on! (more info on spam)
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact our Client Care department. Over the phone we may not be able to help you with specific firewall configurations, but we can give you good general advice. If you need further service, network and Internet configuration help or security auditing, NTD Athenet has an extremely talented staff of network professionals. We would be happy to talk to you about our consulting services.
Updated 6/6/2006
Scandisk and Defrag
Scandisk and defrag are system tools that help your computer run smoothly by checking your hard drive. These were fairly important for Windows 95 and 98, but have become less so in Windows XP. Most versions of Windows have these programs in the Start menu: Start, Accessories, and maybe System Tools. For Windows XP instructions click here.
Updated 6/6/2006