Just like having proper upkeep on your car (oil changes, break inspections and rotated tires, oh my!), our PCs demand similar maintenance to run smoothly year after year. And since we all know the agony of a computer crash or a nasty virus, we’ve uncovered the simple steps everyone should take to maintain good computer health. To help keep your computer in its best shape, Life2PointOh asked Robert Siciliano, online security evangelist for McAfee AntiVirus, to share how to keep your computer’s metaphorical engine purring.
1. Get Anti-Virus Software Immediately
After purchasing your PC, Siciliano suggests installing an anti-virus program immediately, particularly one that performs automatic updates. McAfee All Access provides anti-virus protection to all PC, Mac and smartphones with automatic updates, whereas free anti-virus software can require manual updates, he says.
2. Update to Windows 7
For PCs, it’s important to keep your computer’s operating system updated to keep it safe and secure, so Siciliano suggests upgrading to Microsoft’s most current operating system Windows 7. “If you’re in Windows XP, it’s time to upgrade. If you’re in Windows Vista, it’s time to upgrade,” he says. “You should be at a minimum in Windows 7 and eventually Windows 8 is gonna come out.”
But with updating software comes updating your hardware because upgrading to Windows 7 on a computer that originally supported Windows XP is like “putting a jet engine in a car,” he says.
3. Back Up Your Data
You can never be too careful when it comes to backing up files like favorite pictures or downloaded music. To avoid permanently losing important files, you should purchase an external hard drive, Siciliano says. In addition, purchasing a cloud service like Carbonite allows you to securely store files and data over the Internet.
Take the time to make these changes and updates now and you’ll save yourself from a computer-induced heartattack down the road.
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Photo Credits: liquene via Flickr