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Click here for General Computing Tips.
[Note: Employees of Samford University may use the below information to assist in protecting their home computers, but they need not utilize these instructions for their on-campus machines. Technology Services manages all firewall, antivirus, and Windows Update tasks and will soon include Antispyware as part of their automatic protection package.]
The Internet is full of tools and applications designed to keep your computer safe. There are many tools that do the opposite--breaching your computer's protection and stealing sensitive information. Technology Services offers you the following four steps that should help you keep your computer safe while limiting the confusion.
1. Turn on the Windows Firewall
Windows Firewall is a protective boundary that monitors and restricts information that travels between your computer and a network or the Internet. This provides a line of defense against someone who might try to access your computer from outside the Windows Firewall without your permission. The Windows Firewall is turned on by default if you have installed Windows XP Service Pack 2.
2. Windows Updates
Windows Updates is a free Internet service from Microsoft that helps you get the latest updates for your computer. The focus of Windows Updates is security, but Windows Update also offers preformance improvements, updated hardware drivers, and the newest versions of Windows features such as Windows Media Player.
 3. Antivirus Software
Antivirus software helps you detect and repair computer virus infections. Many companies offer some type of antivirus software, and usually, new computers come with free trials of antivirus software preinstalled. Check Samford's AntiVirus page for more information.
4. Antispyware Software
Spyware is software that exhibits certain behaviors such as advertising, collecting personal information, or changing the configuration of your computer, generally without obtaining your consent. Spyware often is associated with software that displays advertisements (called adware), or software that tracks personal or sensitive information. Other kinds of unwanted software make changes to your computer that can be annoying and can cause your computer to slow down or crash.
General Computing Tips
The links below will guide you through some simple things you can do to improve your computers performance.
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