NUIT Tech Talk: Spring Cleaning Remembering the Technology?

Transcription

1 NUIT Tech Talk: Spring Cleaning Remembering the Technology? April 23, 2008 Alex Escalona Distributed Support Specialist Distributed Support Services Northwestern University Information Technology

2 Spring Cleaning: Keep Your Computer in Great Shape Agenda: Why perform user maintenance? Security measures Computer performance Privacy updates Disaster planning

3 Why Perform User Maintenance? Prevent security lapses Check up on vital functions Assess current uses and needs Discard junk

4 Security Measures Antiviral protection Firewalls Operating system updates Application updates Spyware protection Complete instructions available at: control

5 Get Anti-virus Protection What: When: Where: Keep out dangerous viruses NUIT provides Symantec AntiVirus for download Highly recommended for all machines, including Macs Symantec uses LiveUpdate Schedule daily updates Schedule daily Scans Instructions at

6 Use Firewalls What: Enable native or third party firewalls Native: Windows XP and Mac OS X have built-in firewalls Third party: Zonealarm, BlackIce, Norton Personal (For use with older operating systems) Where: Compare firewall software: security/securingmachine/software.html

7 Check Firewalls Test your firewall protection using Webbased scanners such as Shields Up! Go to:

8 Check Operating System Updates What: Ensure that your operating system has the necessary updates Automatic updates: Enable in Start > Settings > Control Panel > Automatic Updates in Windows Enable in System Prefs > SW Update in Mac OS X Manual updates for Windows: Log in with administrative account Use Internet Explorer Tools Menu in IE select Windows Update More info:

9 Check Microsoft Updates What: Microsoft Update Updates Windows operating system. Select Microsoft applications

10 Apple Software Update What: Apple Software Update Updates Mac OS and select applications Go to Apple Logo > Software Update

11 Check Application Updates What: Applications are a major source of system vulnerabilities May need frequent updates Enable automatic application updates Look under Help in many programs Replace or remove obsolete software, if possible Visit vendor s Web site Sign up for vendor s mailing list Specific information at

12 Use Spyware Protection What: Remove programs that monitor or track the way your PC usage Use Spybot Search & Destroy (NUIT recommended) Other options for non- University use: TrendMicro, Lavasoft Adaware, Windows Defender, AVG

13 Use Spyware Protection and Removal To install: u/getcontrol/ > Step 3 No charge to download Easy to install Use immunization feature To use: Click Check for Problems Click Fix Selected Problems

14 Clean Out Your Browser: Remove Cached Files What: Your cache saves files and images from visited sites Creates a record of Web activity To remove: IE 7 Tools / Internet Options > General tab > Delete Choose Delete files and Delete cookies

15 Recommended Steps What: Setup Internet Options to use minimum space for Temporary Internet Files and History Setup: IE 7 Tools / Options > General tab > Browsing History > Settings Change the Default Disk space to 50 Change the Default History to 1

16 Clean Out Your Browser: Remove Passwords What: Remove passwords and form fillers AutoComplete remembers what you typed Can be a security issue on shared machines To remove: IE Tools / Internet Options Content tab In the AutoComplete section Select Settings Select Clear Passwords and Clear Forms

17 Clean Out Other Browsers Firefox: To remove private data: Tools > Clear private data Select what you would like to clear

18 Check System Performance Remove temporary files Check hard drive for errors Defragment drives

19 Remove Temporary Files What: Includes downloaded files and programs Clean out the junk to free up disk space Disk cleanup Start > Run Type: Cleanmgr Click OK Select everything EXCEPT for Office Setup Files

20 Check Hard Drive for Errors What: Check the hard disk for file system errors and bad sectors on a PC Perform a monthly check My Computer > Select local disk Right click for Properties Tools tab > Check Now Will prompt for Restart to proceed with Errorchecking

21 Check Hard Drive for Errors What: Check the hard disk for file system errors and bad sectors on a Mac Perform a monthly check Finder > Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility Choose appropriate disk First Aid > Verify Disk

22 Defragment Drives What: Fragmented drives: May hinder performance Greatly reduces chances of recovering files in case of system problems Run Disk Defragmenter monthly Need Administrator access Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools Disk Defragmenter Select drive, Analyze, and Defragment

23 Plan for a Computer Disaster Make a Backup Know about System Restore

24 Make a Backup Are you prepared to lose data? Make a plan! For Windows backup Start / Run Type ntbackup Click OK Third-party tools available Ghost Retrospect.mac Others

25 Make a Backup Backup media Second hard drive External hard drives Many come with backup software Optical media such as CDs, DVDs, or flash drives Network drive such as mapped drive, server space Web-based tools or sites Automatic or manual? Automated backups are best

26 Schedule Backups What: Scheduled Tasks: Setup once and the task will run automatically as long as the pc is on. Schedule Backups to run weekly Start > Settings > Control Panel > Scheduled Tasks Add Scheduled Task

27 Schedule Backups Cont d Select Next Select Backup from the list and select Next

28 Schedule Backups Cont d Select Weekly Select Next

29 Schedule Backups Cont d Select Time and Day of the week Select Next

30 Schedule Backups Cont d Enter User Name and Password Select Next

31 Schedule Backups Cont d Select Finish to close the Scheduled Task Wizard

32 Backups on Mac OS Use Backup 3, available online /1/solutions/backup. html

33 Know About System Restore Go back in time with system restore Restores PC to a previous configuration Does not affect data Used by Windows XP only Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools Select Restore my computer to an earlier time Directions on how to restore to a previous state:

34 System Restore Cont d Select any date from the calendar

35 System Restore Cont d - Make sure to save your work before selecting Next - Computer will automatically restart and display a confirmation after you login

36 Clean Your Desktop Don t use your desktop as your primary file storage area In a System Restore, some desktop files may be deleted Store files in My Documents or Drive folders

37 Questions?

38 NUIT Resources Learn more at Get Control Web site Other support resources

39 Please Join Us for Upcoming Tech Talks: Set Yourself to Connected This Summer Wednesday, May 14, 2008 Same location, 12:30 1:15 p.m. Please register online: