How do you keep your computer safe from virus, spyware, spam, and other system intrusions. There is no one way to protect your computer 100%, but with a combination of resources you can minimize the impact.

ITS has automated the process to update your office computer with all critical Windows Patches for Windows XP and Windows 2000.

Your windows critical updates, security updates, and service packs are scheduled to be downloaded and installed at 1:00 AM daily.

• If your computer is left on and there are updates to install, they will be installed at 1:00 AM.  Be sure to close all applications and Log Off.
• If you DO NOT leave your computer on overnight AND there are updates to install, then one (1) hour after you turn your computer on the installation will begin.  This process may be transparent or if a restart is required a message will pop up asking if you want to restart at this time.

IMPORTANT NOTE:   We are NOT downloading the Windows XP Service Pack 2 at this time.  This is a significant update which will require you to backup your data first.  To facilitate this backup process we have recently purchased and are installing additional network storage space to accommodate your backups.  We'll be sending more out about this later in the summer.

Therefore, DO NOT go to the Microsoft Windows Update site to download critical updates, security updates, and service packs.

As always, if you have questions, contact the Help Desk at (706) 737-1482.

Once a week, you should go out to the apple site to see if there are any patches for your apple computer OS. An apple computer may seem not to be as vulnerable to attacks as a windows computers, but none the less, it pays to be prudent. So, stay up to date with any patches released by Apple.

Spybot is software designed to remove stealthware from your computer. Stealthware, also referred to as spyware or malware, is a program that may come attached to popup ads or "free" software, like screen-savers, that you download. Typically, stealthware programs gather personal information and/or internet preferences and send this information back to a home server. Some spyware will hijack the browser, capture keystrokes, sniff passwords, collect confidential data, piggyback on telecommunications servers, and allow outsiders to take control of your PC. For more information, visit the Spybot web site

• Spybot Installation Instructions (pdf) - with screen capture pictures
• Spybot Installation Instructions (pdf) - without images - text only
• Removing Spyware from home computers (pdf)

ITS has purchased a limited number of licenses for office computers for those computers that are identified to be at risk. Contact the Help Desk if you think your office computer needs a personal firewall installed and we will evaluate our need.

When files are created, deleted, or modified your hard drive will probably become fragmented. As these files become fragmented, where different pieces of the file are scattered across the hard disk, performance and disk realiablilyt drop. You may see your computer begin to slow down and experiecne other performance problems. The Disk Defragmenter Utility is designed to reorganize noncontiguous files into contiguous files and optimize their placement on the hard drive.

Some may run this process weekly, but for others, monthly is sufficient.

To access the Disk Defragmenter, go to

Start | All Programs | Accessories | System Tools | Disk Defragmenter