NOTE: This is a collection of information and links collected over the years that might provide useful information. A Safer Company LLC does not guarantee, endorse or approve any of these links or their scripts. Use these links to other websites at your own risk.
PC Maintenance
Make sure you are running the latest version of the software | Spyware | Viruses |
---|---|---|
Programs | Windows Maintenance | |
Stop unnecessary programs at startup |
Software Update
Microsoft Windows Update
- It is a good idea to shut down applications.
- Go to http://update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/ and click on Express
Office Updates
- Go to http://office.microsoft.com/ and clickon Office Update
Spyware
Spyware comes from internet cookies, freeware, and shareware software. Spyware & Adware can result in data corruption, personal profiling, hacker attacks, pop-up ads, spying and identity theft. It is suggested to run more than one of this type of software. Scan once daily.
Most popular Spyware Removers downloads
Sypware can be used to add functionality to web pages. For example: it is used to validate forms or detect browsers. It can also be used to spy on your keystrokes. It is best to remove all spyware from your computer.
Spyware Removes Used by A Safer Company
- ***Lavasoft
- Performance Comparison by Lavasoft
- **Ad-Aware SE by Lavasoft - A Safer Company uses this product.
- ***Spybot - Search & Destroy - detects and removes adware files and can clean program and Web-usage tracks, which is useful if you share your computer. Removed items can be shredded to completely remove them. It allows you to fix Registry inconsistencies related to adware and malicious program installations. The online-update feature ensures that Spybot has the most current and complete listings of adware, dialers, and other uninvited system residents.
- Windows Defender - Free with Windows - protects against spyware, popups, and slow performance
Editor's Rating: 4.0 stars Average User Rating: 3.5 stars (out of 10839 votes) |
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Other Spyware Removes
- Trend Micro HijackThis 40,821 downloads
- SpywareBlaster 34,553 downloads
- Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 359,958 downloads
- SPYWARE BOT
- SpySweeper by Webroot ($29.95) runs in the background and hooks in to system components for real-time protection against spyware attacks.
- Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta 1 is currently free. It provides real-time protection and is based on a very popular product acquired by Microsoft from Giant Software.
- Tenebril's SpyCatcher ($29.95) provides real-time spyware protection and claims to stop next-generation, mutating spyware. It also blocks reinstallation of aggressive spyware.
- ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 6.0 ($69.95) and Panda Platinum Internet Security 2005 ($79.95) are two of the newest products that provide these all-in-one protections.
Viruses
This is the security software that A Safer Company uses.
- Microsoft Safety Scanner - a free downloadable security tool that provides on-demand scanning and helps remove viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. It works with your existing antivirus software.
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AVG is a leading security software to protect your computer while they’re online or offline and it will not slow your system down. Threats today go way beyond viruses and only AVG adds the extra layers of protection against today’s biggest online threats like identity theft as well as new and unknown malware. Your passwords, account information, credit card numbers, social security numbers and other valuables are safe from identity thieves.
- Top-quality protection that does not slow your system down
- Includes Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware, Anti-Spam, Firewall and LinkScanner
- Free support and service around the clock and across the globe
- AVG Anti-Virus 9.0 - 2 years for the price of 1!
- AVG Holiday Sale!
Other Virus Scanning Software
- HouseCall is a free Web-based tool designed to scan your PC for a wide range of Internet security threats including viruses, worms, Trojans, and spyware. It also detects system vulnerabilities and provides a link so you can easily download missing security patches. After each scan, HouseCall delivers a detailed report, which identifies security threats detected on your computer.
- Panda Security - an online utility and it is free! They update their virus definitions at least once a day.
- PC Tools- Added 6-28-2011
Remove Unused Programs
Remove unused programs before defragging the hard drive.
- Go to Start, Control Panel, and select Add or Remove Programs.
- You will see a list of all of the software on your computer. Delete the ones that you never use.
Stop Unnecessary Start-Up Programs
Stop programs from running at start-up that you do not use.
- Go to Start, and Run and type: msconfig.
- Click OK and then click on the Startup tab.
- Click the programs that you do not want to start at startup.
- These programs you should not remove from Startup:
- ScanRegistry
- TaskMonitor
- SystemTray
- LoadPowerProfile
- Antivirus program (make sure you are only running one antivirus program)
- Internet security or firewall program
- How to Automate the Disk Cleanup Tool in Windows XP
Disk Cleanup
Disk Cleanup checks for unnecessary programs, and temporary Internet files. Run Disk Cleanup at least once a month.
- Close all programs that are running including background programs and screensavers.
- With Microsoft Windows XP, click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and Disk Cleanup
- Or you may schedule it to run
- First set up the types of files you want to delete: Go to Start > Run > type cleanmgr /sageset:50 and click OK
Note: /sageset: n - displays the Disk Cleanup Settings dialog box and creates a registry key to store the settings selected.. The n value, which is stored in the registry, allows you to specify tasks for Disk Cleanup to run. The n value can be any integer 0 to 65535. To have all of the options available when you use the /sageset option, you might need to specify the drive where windows is installed. This should make your settings, look up the registry key and take over the SAGESET number from here into the command-line.
Check the files that you wish to be deleted. Personally, I do not deleted the Office Set up files. - Add a Scheduled Tasks to Cleanup
Go to Start >Control Panel > Scheduled Tasks > Add Scheduled Task > the Scheduled Task Wizard will appear, click Next. Scroll down and select Disk Cleanup. I'd recommend performing this task: Daily. - The Run option must have C:\WINDOWS\system32\cleanmgr.exe /sagerun:50
Note: /sagerun: n - runs the specified tasks that are assigned to the n value if you use the \sageset option. All drives on the computer are enumerated and the selected profile runs against each drive.
Disk Defragmenter
Using Disk Defragmenter is simple but reliable program. Depending on the size of your hard drive it may take a couple of hours to complete.
- Close all programs that are running including background programs and screensavers.
- With Microsoft Windows XP, click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and Disk Defragmenter. Monitor the hard drive fragmentation ratio weekly and defrag with it reached more than 10%.
- Click the Defragment Button.
- NOTE: If Disk Defragmenter starts itself over and over, then a hidden background program is still accessing the hard drive. Restart the computer in Safe mode and try again.
Disk Error Checking in Windows XP
- Double-click My Computer, and then right-click the hard disk that you want to check.
- Click Properties, and then click Tools.
- Under Error-checking, click Check Now. A dialog box that shows the Check disk options is displayed,
- Use one of the following procedures:
- To run Chkdsk in read-only mode, click Start.
- To repair errors without scanning the volume for bad sectors, select the Automatically fix file system errors check box, and then click Start.
- To repair errors, locate bad sectors, and recover readable information, select the Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors check box, and then click Start.
The disk check could not be performed because the disk check utility needs exclusive access to some Windows files on the disk. These files can be accessed by restarting Windows. Do you want to schedule the disk check to occur the next time you restart the computer?Click Yes to schedule the disk check, and then restart your computer to start the disk check.
Exit code | Description |
0 | No errors were found. |
1 | Errors were found and fixed. |
2 | Disk cleanup, such as garbage collection, was performed, or cleanup was not performed because /f was not specified. |
3 | Could not check the disk, errors could not be fixed, or errors were not fixed because /f was not specified. |
For more information about Chkdsk, visit the following Microsoft Web sites:
- Chkdsk:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb491071.aspx (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb491071.aspx)
- Running Chkdsk to repair file systems:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457122.aspx (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457122.aspx)
Bad Drivers
Check for driver updates on the new driver or fixes/tweaks for that driver. Never install 3rd party drivers.
- Free Registry Scan, Fix Errors & Improve Performance - 5 Star Rated
www.PCTools.com - Clean Windows XP 100% Free XP Cleaning Download...RegistryCleanerHelp.org
Page last updated: August 20, 2012 10:10 AM
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