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Here are six simple steps which, if followed, will result in faster peformance and a more secure computing environment.

1. If you have never used keyboard shortcuts, now is the time to try. These can save you lots of time and extra mouse movement! Take Windows + M for example. This simple shortcut minimises all open windows in one quick sequence. Imagine how long it would take to click minimise on each of ten open windows. Windows + E open Windows Explorer directly. Windows + L locks your computer if you need to leave your desk.

2. Turn off the delete conformation message dialogue. It quite unnecessary since you can always recover a file from your Recycle Bin if necessary. This might sound simple but repetative tasks like this take up a lot of time considering that you will encounter it hundreds of times each month. To turn off this nag, right click the Recycle Bin and deselect ‘Display delete confirmation dialog’.

3. If you are using Vista, why not keep your hard drive in the best possible condition by scheduling an automatic disk defragment. Click start, type defrag and click enter. Tick ‘Run on a schedule’ box and then click modify. Here you can tell Vista exactly when and how often to run a defragment. Once a month would be enough to keep you performance levels high.

4.Keep Windows updated. Hackers constantly find new ways to attack your PC with viri & other attacks. Microsoft develops security updates and patches to fix them vulnerabilities in their software that are often exploited to install malware. The security fixes are available, but PC owners often don’t install them at all or in time. Make sure this doesn’t happen to you. Turn on Automatic Updates right away. An extra benefit of switching on Automatic Updates is that you will receive other software updates as well as secuirty patches. These will make your computer run better and faster or add extra functionality.

5.Set effective passwords for all user accounts on your PC. Dont forget the Administrator account. The best way to protect yourself from malicious hackers is to effectively password protect all your user accounts. An effective password will have at least seven characters & will contain a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols.

6. Use the best security software on your Computer. The number of virus infections has never been higher and so a lazy attitude to internet security will end up in disaster. Do some research to find a strong antivirus program. This will be the main component of your PC’s security. Without a good antivirus engine, malware infections will invade quickly. Avoid the ’security suites’ from the big vendors that bundle antivirus, antispyware and firewalls in one bundle. In many cases they are problematic and low quality. Instead, install a strong plain antivirus program, followed by the best separate antispyware that you can find.

Take these simple steps onboard and both you and your computer will be much happier tech travellers!

Learn more about Virus Removal, Computer Health Care and the best antivirus software