1. Best Practices for Computer Security and Maintenance
Louis Lopez , MCSE, CNE, CNA, CCA, CCNA, A+, N+, S+, ICIS, ICSC , MCP, MCP+I, STAR ISP, STAR NCP, STAR NTP, CNS, ASE, CCSA, CCSE, DPME
713 – 783 – 6453

2. Defragment (defrag) / Optimize
Waste of time

3. NTFS is an automatic defrag
Only modified files are fragmented
Windows 7+ autodisables the ability to Defrag an SSD drive
SSD drives have no mechanical parts and are not subject to seek times
Defragging is like putting two pieces of broken sand together on a beach

4. Leave the computer on
or turn it off debate

5. Leave it on or turn it off debate
Leave it off:
To save electricity
To save the life of the computer
To protect against hackers
Leave it on:
To run Windows updates
To run other automated update processes
To check for viruses at night

6. It doesn’t friggin’ matter BACK IT UP TO THE CLOUD!
DO NOT BACKUP TO A USB STICK OR EXTERNAL DRIVE ALONE!!

7. These are on the cloud and they ARE NOT A BACKUP
These replicate to the cloud and are considered a copy if your drive crashes
If you delete a file or folder, or the data gets encrypted, then the data is replicated to all locations as GONE or encrypted in all locations!

8. Cloud backups can get different versions of the files from a particular time
Cloud replication is for convenience to access the same data in many locations on different computers
Cloud backups can restore a lost file or folder
Cloud replication cannot
Both recover if a crash or a disaster occurs

9. External USB Hard drive?
Why not backup to:
USB Flash Drive
External USB Hard drive?
Theft - Fire - Flood
High Rate of Failure
Lightning Strikes - Power Surges
If you do - disconnect them often - and check them
Can be a great choice if you need a faster recovery than the cloud has to offer but not by themselves

10. All backups are not the same Most backups are data only recovery
Teleflex Networks offers Bare Metal Restore options using StorageCraft
They can also spin up a virtual server with all of your data on it ready to go

11. Datacenters offer tape backups or other backups performed for you
NeedComputerHelp offers Cloud Services to replace your Server. They back up the data and check it for you

12. Check your backups regularly Try to restore a file or folder
Check your s to see if the backups are working, not just to check if you received an from that company!!!

13. or turn it off debate Answer?
Leave the computer on
or turn it off debate Answer?
We recommend to leave it on for way too many reasons.

14. To dust or not to dust

15. To dust or not to dust

16. Can cause premature failure
To dust or not to dust
Can cause premature failure
Can cause fires
It is nasty for me - computer guy
The computer will overheat
The computer will shutoff

17. Clean once every 5 minutes
To dust or not to dust
Pet owners
Clean once every 5 minutes

18. Dusty/buggy environments
To dust or not to dust
Dusty/buggy environments
Clean once a quarter

19. Clean once a year or more
To dust or not to dust
All others
Clean once a year or more

20. Computer Security
Protecting your data

21. Computer Security
What passwords can protect
What passwords cannot protect
What passwords to use
Password uniqueness

22. Computer Security
What passwords can protect

23. Computer Security
Almost Nothing!

24. Protects against weak hackers
Computer Security
Prevents people you know from getting information you don’t want them to have
Protects against weak hackers

25. Computer Security
What passwords cannot protect

26. Cannot protect against opening attachments
Computer Security
Cannot protect against opening attachments
Cannot protect against infiltrations of institutions

27. Computer Security
What passwords to use

28. Use passwords at least 8 characters with complexity
Computer Security
Use passwords at least 8 characters with complexity
Apple88# is an example
Use password padding …..

29. Computer Security
Password uniqueness

30. Unique passwords can be easy
Computer Security
If they can figure out a password to one place, they may have the password to every service you use
Unique passwords can be easy

31. Computer Security
Amegy Bank
AME

32. Your secret password you use everywhere
Computer Security
midtown
Your secret password you use everywhere

33. Computer Security
When written we will always substitute a small x in place of our secret password

34. Computer Security
ABCD!
A made up ending

35. Put them all together and your password you write down will be
Computer Security
Put them all together and your password you write down will be
AMExABCD!

36. Change the ending at any time Write them down with the x
Computer Security
Change the ending at any time
Write them down with the x
Have an x, y, or z for variety
Put them in a spreadsheet

37. Androids are easily infected iPhones are less likley to infect
Phone Security
Androids are easily infected
iPhones are less likley to infect
Both require updates to have the best chance possible

38. Use antivirus and update it Use antimalware and update it
Computer Security
Run Windows Updates
Use antivirus and update it
Use antimalware and update it
Use complex unique passwords

39. Replacement times recommended
3 years for business computers
5 years for home computers
5 years for routers
2 years for UPS batteries
Replace monitors, keyboards, mice and printers when they fail

40. Best Practices for Computer Security and Maintenance
Louis Lopez , MCSE, CNE, CNA, CCA, CCNA, A+, N+, S+, ICIS, ICSC , MCP, MCP+I, STAR ISP, STAR NCP, STAR NTP, CNS, ASE, CCSA, CCSE, DPME
713 – 783 – 6453