NUIT Tech Talk: Spring Cleaning Keep Your Computer in Great Shape

Transcription

1 NUIT Tech Talk: Spring Cleaning Keep Your Computer in Great Shape April 11, 2007 Rosa González 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:

5 Get Antiviral Protection What: When: Where: Keep out dangerous viruses NUIT provides Symantec AntiVirus for download Highly recommended for all machines 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 How: 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 How: Automatic updates: Enable in Start>Settings>Control Panel in Windows Enable in System Preferences in 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: How: Microsoft Update Updates Windows operating system. Select Microsoft applications Windows Server Update Services Best for centrally managed work environments or complex home networks Requires server operating system

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

11 Use Spyware Protection What: Remove programs that watch or track the way you use computer Use Spybot Search & Destroy (NUIT recommended) Other options for non- University use: TrendMicro, Lavasoft Ad-aware, Windows Defender

12 Use Spyware Protection and Removal How: To install: edu/5steps/step4.html No charge to download Easy to install Use immunization feature To use: Click Check for Problems Click Fix Selected Problems

13 Clean Out Your Browser: Remove Cache Files What: How: Cache saves files and images from visited sites Creates a record of Web activity To remove: IE Tools / Internet Options General tab, Delete Check Delete files and Delete cookies

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

15 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 How: To remove: IE Tools / Internet Options Content tab In the AutoComplete section Select Settings Select Clear Passwords and Clear Forms

16 Clean Out Other Browsers Firefox: To remove private data: Tools / Clear private data Select what you would like to clear Opera: To remove private data: Tools / Delete private data Select Delete Select Advanced to alter deletion settings

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

18 Remove Temporary Files What: How: 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

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

20 Defragment Drives What: How: 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

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

22 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

23 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

24 Schedule Backups What: How: 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

25 Schedule Backups Cont d How: Select Next Select Backup from the list and select Next

26 Schedule Backups Cont d How: Select Weekly Select Next

27 Schedule Backups Cont d How: Select Time and Day of the week Select Next

28 Schedule Backups Cont d How: Enter User Name and Password Select Next

29 Schedule Backups Cont d How: Select Finish to close the Scheduled Task Wizard

30 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 How: Start / Programs Accessories / System Tools Select Restore my computer to an earlier time Directions on how to restore to a previous state:

31 System Restore Cont d Select any date from the calendar

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

33 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

34 Questions?

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

36 Please Join Us for Upcoming Tech Talks: Stay Connected & Secure All Summer Long Wednesday, May 23, 2007 Same location, Noon 1 p.m. Please register online: