Perhaps the most important aspect of having a computer, especially one that leans on Microsoft technology, is learning how to keep it clean to prevent computer freezes. There are many things to avoid, but there are also plenty of ways to keep your computer from freezing. Below is a 5 step program to keep your computer in top health.
1. Protect your computer with antivirus software.
It is absolutely essential to protect your computer with antivirus software if you have a computer that is connected to the Internet or to a network of any kind. The first thing that you should do out of the box is to install your preferred choice of software and familiarize yourself with it. Make sure that you get a program that updates frequently, as many viruses are created by hackers as retaliation to antivirus programs. It is a constant back and forth between the two sides.
If you do not have money for an antivirus program, there are plenty of free options online which are well reviewed by independent third party reviewers.
2. Download spyware and adware fighters as well.
The thing that many people do not know is that all malicious software is not defined as a virus, and the best antivirus programs in the world do not focus on the other types. Spyware and adware are two very different and more quiet types of malicious software that can slow down and even freeze your computer if left unchecked. They usually come in from malicious web sites or downloads and do not announce themselves as viruses do, but they can send tracking information to others about your whereabouts online and record your cookies.
If you suddenly begin seeing all sorts of spam in your email accounts, your computer has probably been compromised. There are free spyware and adware solutions online as well if you do not have the money to buy a solution off of the shelf.
3. Stay away from malicious web sites.
Once your programs are installed, the third step that you can do to protect your computer is to discipline yourself online. Use the Internet security function on your antivirus software and do not go to web sites that are seen as dangerous or which do not have security certificates. These web sites are the places from which spyware and adware come.
4. Defrag your computer at least once a month.
As a computer saves files, the memory becomes fragmented, that is, separated. Computers do not save files all in a row as people think. When a file needs to be found, a computer will have to go and find pieces of that file through its entire memory. If you have many applications running, this can freeze your computer. Defragging refers to the process of putting these separated files back together.
Defragging is an option that comes with most operating systems and you can also buy third party solutions as well. Try to defrag your computer at least once a month.
5. Keep your registry clean.
Your computer registry is also a big culprit of computer freezes, especially if you browse the Internet frequently and download programs frequently. Registry entries sometimes stay after a program has been deleted, so invest in a good registry cleaner and clean it at least once a month.
No related posts.