Purchasing second hand computers has become a common trend in the country today. Most people, even prefer purchasing them to new ones in the belief that second hand equipments tend to last longer than new ones. But the truth is that any computer, whether new or old would crash if the owner doesn’t take necessary periodic steps to maintain it. Lack of proper maintenance on a computer system can lead to wastage of money and important data. This is because, lack of proper maintenance steps on a system can lead to system instability or crash, making needed important files inaccessible.
It is not uncommon for a computer system that responded fine a day before to suddenly crash and refuse to come on the next day. The reasons for the system break down didn’t just happen, but had amassed over a long time. The agony one faces when a system crashes and all important file and data suddenly becomes inaccessible is very painful indeed.
The common signs of a computer system, badly in needs for Maintenance are;
Increased slowing down of system processes and programs loading slowly.
Regularly freezing of the system popularly know as hanging
Your hard disc makes a lot of noise whenever you load a program or when it is about to boot.
The system suddenly shuts down and boots again on it’s own accord.
Your system start up time is very slow i.e., it takes a lot of time for the system to boot.
The steps to clean a system are not difficult to follow. you should know that since a computer is divided into hard and software, logically, the maintenance steps should also be carried out on the hard and software parts of it. To maintain a very good shape on your computer, you should always remember that the greatest enemy to your system is heat and dust. To prolong the years of tour computer you should regularly ensure the following;
That your C.P.U.. is placed in a strategic position whereby ventilation would not be obstructed, with at least 4inches of space to the rear. Also, ensure that the holes on your monitor and C.P.U. are not covered so that the heat which is been generated inside will have room to escape, the more space your system has, the better it will run.
Remember to clean the outside of your system with a slightly damped linen cloth to remove the dust accumulating on it.
Ensure you run defragment at least once a month to rearrange programs and prevent clogging of the system. To defragment, go to control panel, performance and maintenance, rearrange items on your hard disc to make them run faster and then, defragment.
Run disc utilities like registery programs and disc cleaners to speed up system speed
You should install an anti virus program into your system to prevent the introduction of viruses.
Other protective measures include; never turn off your computer from the power switch without shutting it down first. To prevent power failures purchase a universal power supply (u.p.s.) and connect to your system. Also keep at least 200mb of free space or more, on your system to prevent it from choking up.
Understanding and following computer maintenance tips, provides a long range of benefits on the long run to the user. The money many people waste on their computers either as a result of system crash or failure are very unnecessary and a waste. Computers are like any other equipments. If you regularly maintain them periodically, they will perfectly serve the purpose they were created for. But if used without regards to it’s maintenance, then, a host of problems is what the owner will derive.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
The dangers of computer viruses and protective solutions
Imagine waking up one morning and putting on your personal computer, only to discover that all your important data, files and records that you have amassed for a very long have
suddenly been wiped off without any trace. Or, you are a cashier at a bank, and every time you record a transaction, somebody somewhere receives copies of confidential customers account info, passwords and pins unknowingly from your computer system to theirs. The reason for this is not far fetched, a virus has simply taken over your computer system. This might seem like a story but, it is very possible and occurs occasionally.
A virus is a man made computer program that is unconsciously downloaded through various means into your computer system, ranging from, downloading files over the internet carelessly, opening of email attachment files without first scanning with an anti virus, or lack of firewall and proper security programs on your computer system. All these can lead to; unexpected crashes and hanging of your system, slowness of your system or even transferring your data to another over the internet.
Viruses first came into the limelight in the 1960’s with the first virus called ‘brain’. Gradually they have evolved into a more complex situation than we really think. In 1993, a virus named ‘Satan’s bug’ with grave implications was unleashed in the U.S., causing the FBI to appear on the scene. it’s inventor suprisingly, was a kid.
Viruses actually work by attaching themselves to files and programs on your computer waiting for you to execute them. Immediately you do so, it gains control over other files, infecting them and spreading in the process. A large number of viruses are executable meaning, each time you run an infected file, the virus starts it’s work of infection. Others are bootable, beginning infection immediately your computer system boots.
Viruses are actually created by hackers- computer experts with the sole aim of obtained unauthorized access into your computer system to steal computer files or wreck havoc on your system. Immediately the virus has entered and gained control over your system, it informs the hacker and begins to send your confidential information to him as often as Iit was programmed to. All this would only be possible off course with an internet access.
The signs of an infected system are not difficult to identify. They include, the CD ROM mysteriously opening and closing on it’s own, The system becoming increasingly slow and unresponsive, duplicate files found in places were they were not created and files missing from where they were kept.
The good news is that infected systems can be cured from the infections, .all you need to do are;
Remain clam and confirm that the problem is really a viruses.
Install a current and anti virus program into your computer. Then Run the program to detect and remove the virus.
If your anti virus program identifies a file as a virus and cannot repair it, delete it immediately.
To prevent and reduce the possibility of your computer system from becoming infected again, ensure that you;
download an anti virus program into your system and you regularly up date it.
Be careful about files you download over the internet, making sure that you scan them before running. Also, ensure that your computer’s firewall is constantly on.
do not open email attachments without scanning for viruses.
scan any removable media like a floppy and flash drive for viruses before using.
The devastating consequences of computer viruses can not be overemphasized. Companies, banks and even individuals have lost a lot of money, time and information to this menace simply because they didn’t take little but valuable steps in providing adequate security for their systems. The plain truth is that viruses would never be eliminated because hackers are constantly seeking new ways to create new viruses. But it is also possible to prevent them from gaining control over your system by following these simple protective steps, the hard way is always an easy one to learn from.
please feel free to comment or critize on my article.
to contact me: nnamdiosu@gmail.com
suddenly been wiped off without any trace. Or, you are a cashier at a bank, and every time you record a transaction, somebody somewhere receives copies of confidential customers account info, passwords and pins unknowingly from your computer system to theirs. The reason for this is not far fetched, a virus has simply taken over your computer system. This might seem like a story but, it is very possible and occurs occasionally.
A virus is a man made computer program that is unconsciously downloaded through various means into your computer system, ranging from, downloading files over the internet carelessly, opening of email attachment files without first scanning with an anti virus, or lack of firewall and proper security programs on your computer system. All these can lead to; unexpected crashes and hanging of your system, slowness of your system or even transferring your data to another over the internet.
Viruses first came into the limelight in the 1960’s with the first virus called ‘brain’. Gradually they have evolved into a more complex situation than we really think. In 1993, a virus named ‘Satan’s bug’ with grave implications was unleashed in the U.S., causing the FBI to appear on the scene. it’s inventor suprisingly, was a kid.
Viruses actually work by attaching themselves to files and programs on your computer waiting for you to execute them. Immediately you do so, it gains control over other files, infecting them and spreading in the process. A large number of viruses are executable meaning, each time you run an infected file, the virus starts it’s work of infection. Others are bootable, beginning infection immediately your computer system boots.
Viruses are actually created by hackers- computer experts with the sole aim of obtained unauthorized access into your computer system to steal computer files or wreck havoc on your system. Immediately the virus has entered and gained control over your system, it informs the hacker and begins to send your confidential information to him as often as Iit was programmed to. All this would only be possible off course with an internet access.
The signs of an infected system are not difficult to identify. They include, the CD ROM mysteriously opening and closing on it’s own, The system becoming increasingly slow and unresponsive, duplicate files found in places were they were not created and files missing from where they were kept.
The good news is that infected systems can be cured from the infections, .all you need to do are;
Remain clam and confirm that the problem is really a viruses.
Install a current and anti virus program into your computer. Then Run the program to detect and remove the virus.
If your anti virus program identifies a file as a virus and cannot repair it, delete it immediately.
To prevent and reduce the possibility of your computer system from becoming infected again, ensure that you;
download an anti virus program into your system and you regularly up date it.
Be careful about files you download over the internet, making sure that you scan them before running. Also, ensure that your computer’s firewall is constantly on.
do not open email attachments without scanning for viruses.
scan any removable media like a floppy and flash drive for viruses before using.
The devastating consequences of computer viruses can not be overemphasized. Companies, banks and even individuals have lost a lot of money, time and information to this menace simply because they didn’t take little but valuable steps in providing adequate security for their systems. The plain truth is that viruses would never be eliminated because hackers are constantly seeking new ways to create new viruses. But it is also possible to prevent them from gaining control over your system by following these simple protective steps, the hard way is always an easy one to learn from.
please feel free to comment or critize on my article.
to contact me: nnamdiosu@gmail.com
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