10 Tips For Maintaining A Healthy Home Network
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Microsoft has posted 10 tips to help and keep your home network healthy and in good shape. After looking at the tips, these can also apply to anyone who uses a computer, whether or not they have a network in place or not. Yes, these are basic tips, and I am sure most of you who will read these are familiar with all of them. But it served as a reminder to me, since I know it is time for me to make a backup of my vital information.
So here are the tips:
1. Keep anti-virus software installed and up-to-date.
2. Configure and use Windows Update.
3. Get the most from the Network and Sharing Center.
4. Configure secure Internet Explorer 7 options.
5. Configure and use Windows Defender.
6. Configure and use Windows Firewall.
7. Prevent your kids from downloading malware with Parental Controls.
8. Keep a backup of all your data.
9. Protect your computer from unwanted downloads.
10. Take care of your hardware.
I thought number 10 was different since it usually doesn’t make any lists I have seen before. It is described as:
You need to do more than secure your operating system. You also need to secure your hardware. This includes but is not limited to
| • | Keeping pets off the PC towers, keyboards, routers, modems, and other hardware. |
| • | Avoiding smoking around computer equipment. |
| • | Repairing or replacing frayed wires and cables, including power cords. |
| • | Making sure surge protectors are installed and working. |
| • | Making sure cables are not crimped, or under chair or desk legs. |
| • | Making sure all equipment has adequate air flow. |
| • | Avoiding shut downs and reboots (put the computer to sleep instead using Power Settings). |
| • | Using canned air twice a year to blow dust from inside and around computer towers. |
| • | Verifying wireless access points are properly placed. |
| • | Verifying power outlets have not become overloaded. |
What tips can you add to the list?
Comments welcome.
Complete article is here.
5 Comments
the oracle
October 24th, 2007
at 2:20pm
Using a computer without a GOOD surge protector is asking for trouble. I usually tell people how much trouble will be saved if they can possibly add a UPS to each computer that is connected to the electrical grid (obviously laptops on batteries don’t count, but many people use them at home, plugged in, with no protection at all)
Surge protection, with some guarantee (if there is a guarantee, it makes sure that each line is protected, not just one - most people don’t realize that surges can come down each of the 3 lines) is a bare minimum. It also eliminates the really cheap-o varieties with 1 MOV that are masquerading as adequate protection.
Scott King
October 24th, 2007
at 4:12pm
Use Linux and eliminate 8 of them!
Denny
October 24th, 2007
at 5:24pm
Geezzzzzzz…….Ron
If everybody did that……..
WE….WOULD…BE….OUT-A….BUSINESS…..
Denny____:-)
Ron Schenone
October 24th, 2007
at 5:32pm
Heh Den,
Boy ain’t that the truth! LOL
Ron Schenone
October 24th, 2007
at 5:42pm
Hi Mark,
Thanks for the info.