Computer Maintenance is your responsibility!
ResNet recommends the following procedures to keep
your PC running smoothly.
Due to wide variations in the operational states
and configurations of personally owned computers, ResNet cannot
take responsibility for compatibility or installation issues with
these programs.
This advice only pertains to computers running
Microsoft Windows.
Anti-Virus Protection
Purchase and install an anti-virus program
Buy anti-virus software that provides real-time, active protection,
which means that it is constantly vigilant in the background, ready
to alert you of any virus infection it finds. A sample list of
products:
- Norton/Symantec
- McAfee
- PC-cillin
|
- Panda
- Kaspersky
- Grisoft AVG
|
Some free anti-virus software is available, but in our experience,
most free versions of anti-virus software do not provide active
protection, and in that way, its performance is often inferior
to commercial anti-virus software. We have also had the same experience
with online-scan versions of anti-virus software.
Update the virus definitions regularly
New viruses come out all the time, and your anti-virus software
cannot protect against a virus that it doesn't know about. All
good anti-virus programs have an automatic update feature, and
can search for and download updated virus definitions when the
company makes them available. You should also be able to manually
check for and install updates.
Renew your subscription every year
You must pay a fee to continue to receive new virus definitions.
Normally, when you purchase the full version of an anti-virus program,
a 12-month subscription comes along with the package. If anti-virus
software was already on your computer when you bought it, it may
be a trial version which expires after a short period of time (usually
1-3 months.) Open the program on your computer and check the details
to be sure.
Scan your computer regularly
Even if your anti-virus software continually protects in the background,
it is a good idea to run a full virus scan periodically. Most anti-virus
programs also have auto-scheduling features that will allow you
to set the computer to scan for viruses at a specified time.
Anti-Spyware Protection
Preventing Spyware
Windows Defender (for Windows 2000
or XP) Microsoft has made this software available to
all Windows 2000 and XP users for free. It monitors your computer
and warns you when you might be installing spyware or other unwanted
software (referred to as "threats") and can update
and run itself automatically. It can also remove the spyware
it detects. More info: www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware
Spyware Blaster This
program does not remove spyware, but claims to prevent spyware
from getting onto your computer in the first place by blocking
sofware from known bad sites.
More info: www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
Removing Spyware
Lavasoft AdAware and SpyBot Search & Destroy
Both programs work on all versions of Windows, and have a built-in
update feature. They are both FREE.
Operating System Maintenance
Windows Update
Microsoft periodically releases critical security patches and
system updates. Viruses and worms can exploit security holes in
the operating system, so you should make sure you get these updates
in order to protect your computer and keep it secure and current.
In Windows XP , open Control Panel and choose
the System control panel. Select the Automatic Updates tab. We
recommend that you choose the Automatic setting to automatically
download & install
system updates.
In all cases, and for older versions of Windows, you can update
Windows manually by going to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
Back Up Important Files
If you had to re-format your computer or your hard drive crashed
right now, would you be able to restore your documents, favorite
music, treasured photos, or your 35-page thesis which you've been
working on all year? Some backup options include:
- Network Storage Dickinson provides all students
with 200MB of network storage space.
- CD-R or -RW
- USB Flash Drive
- External Hard Drive
Security
Use a firewall
Windows XP comes with a built-in firewall that protects your computer
from outside traffic trying to get in. Once SP2 (Windows XP Service
Pack 2) is installed, the firewall will be turned on automatically.
You may also consider a commercial product like ZoneAlarm, McAfee
Personal Firewall, or Norton Personal Firewall. Be sure to read
the documentation carefully to make sure you have configured your
firewall correctly - you
may inadvertantly block network traffic that you want! Dickinson
does not offer support for any third-party firewall programs, so
if you need help, you must contact that software manufacturer.
Note: the student network (ResNet) is behind
Dickinson's campus network firewall. However, Dickinson's firewall
will not protect your computer from threats originating from computers
already on Dickinson's network.
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