Always keep your computer up to date!

This is an important one that a lot of newbie windows users miss or think it doesn't matter. Microsoft on a regular basis releases security packs and critical updates to their software through windows update. If you fail to update your computer, you may be at risk. Always at least download the latest service pack to keep your computer semi up to date

Keep virus software on your computer. If you don't have money, there are free options listed here.

Virus protection and spyware protection is necessary. A computer without virus protection is like a deer running up to a hunter and saying kill me!

Keep your virus definitions up to date.

Virus definitions tell the anti-virus where to look for viruses, and if you find one what virus this is. This is necessary so the program can either tell you what virus you have on your computer, or use it's own way of deleting the virus from your computer.

Scan your computer regularly.

Scan your computer with virus and spyware scans at least once a week. On my computer, I have anti-virus set to scan every day at 3 AM.

Disk defragment.

Sometimes, the small particles inside your HD get fragged. You need to defrag them at least once a month to keep your computer running as fast as possible.


If you follow these simple maintenance tasks your computer will be up to date, secure, defragged, and best of all virus free.