CIS 1AIntroduction to Computer Information Systems

If your computer is not functioning properly, it might be infected by a virus (or spyware or adware) …and you may find help through some of the links and resources on this page.

It is very important for the average user to have anti-virus software on their computer, and to keep it up to date.

If your computer is healthy now, but you do not have anti-virus software installed, you should protect your computer without delay.

Here is a link a free antivirus most preferred by many students:

• Free Antivirus: avast! Home Edition
  http://avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html

Free for non-business home use
“Daily automatic updates ensure continuous data protection against all types of malware and spyware. Simply install and forget.”

Also visit this page for Microsoft’s  checklist of important precautions to keep your computer healty:

• From Microsoft: 4 Steps to Protect Your Computer
  http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/default.mspx

Configure your Firewall, Automatic Updates, Anti-virus and Anti-spyware

When Trouble Strikes… If you think your computer is now infected with a virus, spyware, etc. these resources will probably help:

• “Signs of viruses: Are you infected?”
  http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/viruses/indicators.mspx
  
  
• “Beware of Rogue Security Software”
  Fake virus pop-ups may be bait, trying to trick you into installing rogue “security” software.
  http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/viruses/rogue.mspx and
  http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/SIR/Vol6.mspx
  
  
• Windows Live OneCare safety scanner (free from Microsoft)
  http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/howsafe.htm
  
  
• Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool (free from Microsoft)
  Finds and removes common threats
  http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

Many viruses and spyware problems can be prevented through the use of up-to-date security software. Preventing a problem is much easier than fixing it!

original photo credit: TedRheingold

What happens to deleted files after you empty the Recycle Bin?

Strangely enough… they may still be on your hard drive.

To improve system responsiveness, when Windows deletes a file, it does not take the time to actually erase the data encoded on the hard drive. The space occupied by the “deleted” file is treated as empty space — which means the old file may be overwritten by new data at any time. However, if the hard drive has a lot of free space, the old data may remain intact for weeks or months.

Good News: If you accidentally delete a file, you may be able to get your data back…

Read the rest of this entry »