1. Warrington U3A Advanced Computer Class PC Maintenance and Security

2. PC Maintenance Removal of temporary files – why? –They start to fill up your hard disk –They will slow your computer down –They can represent a security/privacy risk if anyone else has access to the PC Microsoft Windows built-in utilities 3 rd party utilities e.g. CCleaner

3. Removal of Temporary Files Windows utility –Start Windows Explorer –Right-click on hard disk –Select Properties –Click on Disk Cleanup

4. CCleaner (Piriform Ltd) –www.piriform.comwww.piriform.com –Free download –Well-respected product –Fast and easy –More powerful than Windows utility Removal of Temporary Files

5. Defragmentation Why? –Files become split up into many parts –Fragmented files are slower to load –Causes extra wear & tear on hard disk How to defragment (“defrag”) the hard disk –Windows utility –Piriform defraggler

6. Disk Defragmentation Open Windows Explorer Right-click hard disk Select Properties Click on Tools tab

7. Disk Defragmentation Defraggler is a free download from Piriform Easy to use

8. Anti-Virus Software Why? –Lots of viruses, trojans, worms, etc., in circulation –Modern viruses aim to steal personal information for financial gain Credit card info Passwords Identity theft

9. Anti-Virus Software What choices? –Free AV software AVG Avast Avira –Paid-for AV software McAfee Norton Trend Kaspersky

10. Anti-Virus Software Which is best? –Paid-for software often comes as a full suite of integrated security software Antivirus Firewall Anti-phishing Etc –Free security software is just as effective –Only have ONE type of AV software installed!

11. Anti-Virus Software Out-of-date AV software is useless as new viruses are not detected Essential to recognise the signs that your AV software is working correctly

12. Firewall Controls access to and from your computer via the network connections Prevents intruders accessing your PC Prevents rogue programs “phoning home” with your data

13. Firewall Windows has a built-in firewall Firewall built into most security suites Most home routers have a built-in firewall Most home routers give your PC a private IP address (e.g. 192.168.x.x) which is invisible from the Internet

14. Wireless Internet Access (“Wi-Fi”) Home routers often have wi-fi built in Important to enable wi-fi security –(If your wi-fi is not secured, anyone can use it (neighbours, passers-by, etc) –If they can connect to your network, they can try to attack your PC

15. Wireless Internet Access (“Wi-Fi”) Important to enable wi-fi security (WEP / WPA / WPA2) –WEP (introduced in 1997) is old and insecure TKMaxx’s computer system was hacked via its WEP wi-fi –WPA (2004) is much better –WPA2 (2006) is better still Use the highest level that all your machines can use (pre-2006 PCs might not use WPA2)