In Addition to the 'Normal' Daily to Weekly Tasks:

Run anti-spyware scan, use Ad-Aware SE

Ad-Aware SE is designed to provide advanced protection from known data-mining, aggressive advertising, parasites, scumware, selected traditional Trojans, dialers, malware, browser hijackers, and tracking components. Before running any spyware application, check the web to see if the database has an update. Suggest running a full scan of Ad-Aware along with Spybot monthly, or at any time you think spyware may have invaded your system.

Caution - the 'Back' browser button may look like it is not disabled for the link above, but it seems OK to close the window.

The paid version of this program will not only remove spyware but will keep you from getting them in the first place but the freeware programs will help keep you safe. Please note that you should use more than one anti-spyware program to ensure maximum safety.

 

Run CleanUp! - One Of Our Maintenance Tools

A system clogged with unnecessary files runs more slowly, and the mess makes important things harder to find. Deleting obsolete and temporary files opens up space for today’s important work. And, the fewer unnecessary files you have on your computer, the safer you are from threats like online identity theft. To cut through the clutter, this handy tool takes care of cleaning your files for you. If you do a lot of surfing, or sometimes even a little, you need to get rid of the temporary files created and cookies that you don't need.

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Note that the temporary internet cache is used by Windows to speed up loading of revisited web pages, and some cookies are used to save settings related to visited web sites. After a cleaning, you normally will find that it will take a bit longer to load web pages and you may have to re-enter some web data that your browser automatically did before. In addition, the history of visited web pages is deleted and you will not be able to retrace your steps in case you wanted to go back to a previous web site.

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Run Spybot or a similar spyware tool

Spybot Search & Destroy can quickly find and remove sneaky spyware. Before running, check the web to see if the database has an update. After you have updated the definition files, next you should immunize your computer against blockable known spyware. Recommend running a monthy full scan, or at any time you think you may have clicked on a suspicious link.

Please note that you should use more than one anti-spyware program to ensure maximum safety.

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Compact email Folders

If you store your email locally, such as with Microsoft Outlook Express (OE) with a POP3 email account you should empty your deleted email folder and then compact all folders. Using OE, the command is File, Folder, Compact all Folders. This removes empty space in your inbox and makes retrieving email faster.

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Start Up Programs

Instant messaging programs, media players and many other programs weasel their way into automatically starting with Windows. They just slow down your boot time and guzzle system resources. Whether you need them or not, they're using memory and CPU cycles.

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A simple method of cleaning out your start up programs is a free utility in our maintenance tools group - StartUp Inspector. This handy tool lists all the programs which start when you boot your computer and gives a description of the program indicating whether the program is necessary or not needed. StartUp Inspector will display more running programs than MSCONFIG and will identify which programs are necessary in startup and which ones are not needed.

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Although you can disable anything listed in MSCONFIG, keep in mind that if you disable a system-critical program serious problems will occur. To find out what all these system-critical processes are, you can find a list of entries and explanations, .

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MAINTENANCE   NEXT STEPS

NEXT STEP:  After completing this monthly task for about three months it is recommended that a quarterly maintenance task be completed. But 'your' use pattern may not require it be done until after four or more monthly tasks have been completed, you need to decide 'your' schedule based on 'your' usage pattern. Click on the animated arrow to return to the table of recommended maintenance tasks.