Computer Tips
Holiday travelers should be on alert when arriving home from long weekends like the Fourth of July, a popular time for the virus to spread.
Most computer users have a tendency to turn off their computers when they travel outside, which means you’re not getting newly-released anti-virus patches or anti-spyware updates, the two most common areas that cause computers problems. We recommend you update anti-virus and anti-spyware scans before opening e-mail or going online after an extended absence.
We constantly increase in calls for virus related problems immediately after long weekends. Avoid the problems altogether by updating your security software before using your computer. For a free listing of viruses, spyware threats and trends, visit: www.VisitingGeeks.com / downloads.htm
2 – If you leave your computer running?
One question we hear frequently is: “Should I leave my desktop computer or turn it off?”
There are 2 schools of thought …
Turning on and off several times during the day subjects the microcircuits to flexing and fatigue due to temperature changes. Over time this could lead to a split in the circuits and the result of a system failure.
Leaving the computer on all the time puts excess wear on the mechanical components (engine spinning hard drive and cooling fans).
Best compromise. First user becomes the morning, last user turns off.
We leave our desktops on all the time scheduled for the utility that allows tasks to run during overnight hours. Also, reboot (to clear the RAM and reset the operating system) on a regular basis and routinely remove the case covers to clean dust that may have accumulated, especially around the fans and screens.
3 – Stop Popups!
Never click inside the window of a popup window. Instead, close it by clicking the X in the upper right corner. Many people are fooled into installing spyware applications emerging that promise to clean your system. If you receive a message saying that you can help, assuming that it is spyware and not click!
