Computer Basic 101: How to Take Care of Your Computer?
Almost all households in the world have their desktop computers. In the modern world, computers are very important – education, business, research, and other functions. In the United States, 85.1% of the American households have personal computer, according to 2016 statistics. Of course, as computer users, we should take care of our computers. In this article, we will discuss the basic care and maintenance of your computers.
Keep your software up-to-date
Your computer will prompt you if there are software updates. It is important that you keep your software up-to-date, including your operating system to fix bugs, glitches, and vulnerabilities of the previous version. They also strengthen the security of your computer. Some computers perform automatic updates.
Install antivirus software
A computer virus is a primary threat to computer health. They damage not just certain programs and software in your computer, but your system as a whole. It is important that you keep these viruses from entering your computer. Install antivirus software that will detect, block, and eliminate all types of viruses. There are dozens of competitive antivirus software available on the internet.
Secure a backup of your files
Sometimes, computer problems and issues come unexpectedly. This may be due to cyberattack or power outage. It is best to be secure your files and documents in advance. There are two ways in backing up your data. First, you can use cloud storage in which you can upload copies of your files and documents through the internet. The second one is through external storage devices. Make sure to have multiple backups.
Defragment your hard drive
Part of computer maintenance is by defragmenting your hard drive. Usually, computers are equipped with disk defragmenters. You just need to go to the system tools and run the disk defragmenter. In cases you do not have this, there are dozens of disk defragmenting programs and software that can be downloadable.
Get rid of unused programs
Make it a habit to declutter your PC. Get rid of old files and programs that you do not need anymore. This will lessen the burden of your PC from running them in the background. The best way to do this is to install and run a disk cleanup program that deletes temporary files and clean your registry.
Activate the Firewall
Viruses can penetrate your computer systems through the internet. It is important to activate your firewall. A firewall acts as a gate or barrier that filters data from gaining unauthorized access to the computer system. Typically, computers have a built-in firewall. But if you want to strengthen security, install a third-party firewall that provides maximum internet protection.
Safely remove devices
Most of you are guilty of this one – not safely removing external devices. It is a must that you eject devices, drives, and other media in a safe mode. This prevents corruption of data both in the computer and on the external drive.
Consider reformatting
If your computer is really full of viruses and loads, affecting PC performance, consider reformatting. Of course, to do this, make sure you back up your files. Reformatting will bring back your computer the way it is before. However, we recommend that you let PC technicians do this for you.
Clean your computer screens
When we tend to overuse the computer, we forget cleaning the computer externally, especially the screens. Like any other appliances, computers need regular cleaning. We advise that you use a soft cloth or special wipes in cleaning your computer screens and some other external parts of your computer. Get rid of dust, smudge, dirt, etc.
Invest in cooling pads
Another factor that affects PC performance is overheating. When you use your computers for a longer period of time, consider buying cooling pads. Cooling pads are external devices that prevent computers from overheating. Apart from cooling pads, you can use fans. But if you want it to be easy, avoid using your computers in an environment with extreme temperatures.
Take care of your battery
Laptop batteries do not last a lifetime. But you can extend its lifespan by taking good care of your battery. Avoid overcharging your battery. If it reaches 100%, make sure to unplug it. If you are not using your laptop, it is also recommended to remove the battery pack.
Use a surge protector
Surge protectors are special appliances or devices that protect appliances, including the computer from voltage spikes. They limit the voltage supply, by blocking or shorting, to avoid the power from exceeding a safe threshold. It is a safe practice for your laptop or computer, especially when they are plugged into the power supply.
Protect your desktop
When we say “protect”, we meant literal protection. Buy cases or bags where you can safely store your laptops especially when traveling. Moreover, cover your desktop computer with a cloth. This can keep your computer away from dust.
Avoid eating near computers
This is a must! Avoid eating near your computers, or better, do not eat while using your computer. Food crumbs or pieces may get into your keyboard and other parts of your computer which will attract ants, termites, and other insects. If this happens, the insects might destroy some internal parts on your computer.
Consult a PC expert
Lastly, always ask a PC technician about your computer health. If you want to be 100% sure that your computer is doing okay, bring your unit to your favorite PC technician. Let them do the rebooting or reformatting, defragmentation, troubleshooting, and complete computer maintenance. If you are an owner of a website, make sure you consult an IT expert to make sure that your websites are safe and secure.
Basic care and maintenance for your computer are very important. It prevents certain factors and issues from arising, affecting the PC performance. If you take good care of your computer, you can get rid of viruses, malware, and other threats in advance. Invest in software that protects your PC from viruses, cleans up drives, and performs overall PC maintenance.