How to run a safer and cleaner PC

[ichigo]

1. Never install windows updates unless they are important driver updates and security updates. Some updates have been reported to slow your pc down a lot.

2. IE8 and IE9 is good as Microsoft claims, but Mozilla Firefox and Chrome are way better for protection and for internet browsing/downloading and speed.

3. What antivirus/internet security program do you use? and don't say AVG/Norton Antivirus they slow down PC's a lot. I would using COMODO Internet security or Avast.

Comodo blocks unwanted internet/program access and deletes viruses quickly, also tells you how much bandwidth each program is using.

4. You should also scan your PC with malware bytes, Adaware and Spybot Search & Destroy to see if you got spyware/malware on your PC.

5. You can also defrag your hardrive using Smart Defrag it will free up space and may improve your PC Speed slightly.

6. Use a registry cleaner

7. Delete the Temporary Internet Files, cache and the download folder for your browser (has temporary files) > C:\Users > Your Username

8. The best way to run a safer/cleaner PC is simply to be a conscientious user or to use Linux based operating systems

Links to the programs needed

Browsers
Mozilla Firefox
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/new/
Google Chrome
http://www.google.com/chrome/index....&utm_medium=ha&installdataindex=homepagepromo

Anti Virus Programs/Internet Security
Avast
http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download
Comodo
http://www.comodo.com/home/internet-security/free-internet-security.php
Microsoft Security Essentials (Scans Slow)
http://www.microsoft.com/en-za/security_essentials/default.aspx

Script Blocker
Script Blocker addon for Firefox
http://noscript.net/

Spyware/Malware
Malware Bytes
http://www.malwarebytes.org/
Adaware
http://download.cnet.com/Ad-Aware-F...-10045910.html?part=dl-lavasoft_products_noTP
Spybot Search & Destroy
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/Spybot-Search-Destroy/1043809773/1

Defrag tool
Smart Defrag
http://www.iobit.com/iobitsmartdefrag.html

Registry Cleaner
Comodo Registry Cleaner
http://system-cleaner.comodo.com/
PC Optimizer Pro
http://www.pcoptimizerpro.com/download.aspx
CCleaner
http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner
Cleans out temporarily files, cache, history, cookies, fields; even has a registry cleaner that is safe, friendly to use and doesn't do any damage. Oh, and it's completely freeware. You can also whitelist cookies you want it to keep.


Feel free to update the list and criticise

 

[ashfaak]

1. Never install windows updates unless they are important driver updates. Some updates have been reported to slow your pc down a lot.

What about safety?

 

[kingrob]

I would definitely install all the security updates as well. You dont want your pc to be part of a botnet in the near future.

But the optional updates you can decide if you want to install it or not.

 

[ichigo]

ok added security updates to the list thanks

 

[Lycanthrope]

1. Never install windows updates unless they are important driver updates and security updates. Some updates have been reported to slow your pc down a lot.

I disagree with this. It's very important to keep Windows updated, however, there are some pointless updates which you can simply hide (such as Live Essentials, containing MSN, Writer, whatever) which is just a waste of space, resources and sanity.

2. IE8 is not as good as Microsoft claims, Mozilla Firefox and Chrome are way better for protection and for internet browsing/downloading and speed.

I'm no fan of IE but IE8 isn't as bad as it used to be regarding security (Microsoft actually caught a wakeup, thank goodness). However, I agree, Firefox, Chrome and Opera are far superior browsers in terms of speed, functionality, features and security.

3. What antivirus/internet security program do you use? and don't say AVG/Norton Antivirus they slow down PC's a lot. I would using COMODO Internet security or Avast.

Microsoft Security Essentials is lightweight, free and works as well (if not better) than other freely available virus protection, it's also received pretty great reviews, is updated almost daily via Windows Update and well, just works. Although, it scans REALLY slowly, one of its drawbacks.

4. You should also scan your PC with malware bytes, Adaware and Spybot Search & Destroy to see if you got spyware/malware on your PC.

Love this suggestion! A monthly scan with Malware Bytes' Anti-Malware is a must. You never know what creepy-crawlies have managed to slip through and it's always better safe than sorry. Also, support MBAM, they deserve it <3

5. You can also defrag your hardrive using Smart Defrag it will free up space and may improve your PC Speed slightly.

Fragmentation isn't really an issue on NTFS but sure, it couldn't hurt, although I don't see the need for anything more than Windows' default defrag utility. It's the same concept and without the need to install additional bloat.

6. Use a registry cleaner

7. Delete the Temporary Internet Files, cache and the download folder for your browser (has temporary files) > C:\Users > Your Username

I have a better solution: CCleaner. Cleans out temporarily files, cache, history, cookies, fields; even has a registry cleaner that is safe, friendly to use and doesn't do any damage. Oh, and it's completely freeware. You can also whitelist cookies you want it to keep.

Personally, I think the best way to run a safer/cleaner PC is simply to be a conscientious user. Don't go looking for **** by downloading risky software, don't pirate, don't crack, don't open files that are unknown or run files from a friend's flashdrive without first scanning them. If you use addons or mods in games, download them from reliable sources (MegaUpload isn't a reliable source, boyos).

I'd also recommend an addon like NoScript for FireFox (I'm sure there's a Chrome equivalent) which blocks any and all scripts (harmful or otherwise) on websites unless you expressly allow them. It takes a while to whitelist all the sites you commonly visit, but the benefit outweighs the risks, I feel.

Or, alternatively, if running a Windows PC is too much of an adventure for the average Joe, there's always Linux /ducks

 

[ichigo]

I have tried to add most of your suggestions

 

[sn3rd]

Or, alternatively, if running a Windows PC is too much of an adventure for the average Joe, there's always Linux /ducks

This.

 

[Ronjay]

Thank you, some good suggestions there. Noobs need to check this. Just want to make one more suggestion:- Back-up, back-up, back-up. Because even with all this, something can still go wrong.

Lost way to much data, not nice.

 

[Pada]

1. Never install windows updates unless they are important driver updates and security updates. Some updates have been reported to slow your pc down a lot.

I also disagree with you on this one.

Keep your Windows up to date, but NEVER update drivers via Windows Update. I would at the very least advise you to install the Important/Security related Windows updates.

2. IE8 is good as Microsoft claims, but Mozilla Firefox and Chrome are way better for protection and for internet browsing/downloading and speed.

Why do you even mention IE8 when IE9 is out, which performs much better with Javascript than IE8, although it is still very far behind Chrome.

---

If you're really concerned about your PC's safety, then you should enable the UAC (Windows 7's User Account Control) to a good/default level, and then actually read what the prompt says when its asking to run the application with administrative privileges.

I'd also recommend deselecting the 'Hide extensions for known file types' in Windows Explorer's Folder Options, under the View tab, as well as selecting the 'Show hidden files, folders and drives' option.

Another good thing to do, to avoid viruses, is to avoid illegal software/cracks (and this includes going to websites that serve those type of content).

One last thing: never follow links sent by financial institutions, especially banks, because 99% of those E-mails are phising E-mails.

 

[NomNom]

1. Never install windows updates unless they are important driver updates and security updates. Some updates have been reported to slow your Pc down a lot.

5. You can also defrag your hardrive using Smart Defrag it will free up space and may improve your PC Speed slightly.

6. Use a registry cleaner

1. 0_o I understand what you are saying but if you require secuirty, secuirty updates are essential.

5. The built in defragger is more than enough.

6. No.. http://www.howtogeek.com/57637/what-you-saidhave-registry-cleaners-helped-your-computer-ever/