NUIT Tech TalkNUIT Tech Talk:Spring Cleaning –

Keep Your Computer in Great ShapeApril 11, 2007

Rosa GonzálezDistributed Support SpecialistDistributed Support ServicesNorthwestern University Information Technology

Spring Cleaning: Keep Your Computer in Great Shape

Agenda:• Why perform user maintenance? • Security measures• Computer performance • Privacy updates• Disaster planning

Why Perform User Maintenance?

• Prevent security lapses• Check up on vital functions• Assess current uses and needs• Discard junk

Security Measures• Antiviral protection• Firewalls• Operating system

updates• Application updates• Spyware protection

Complete instructions available at: www.it.northwestern.edu/5steps/

Get Antiviral Protection • Keep out dangerous viruses• NUIT provides Symantec

AntiVirus for download

• Highly recommended for all machines

• Symantec uses LiveUpdate• Schedule daily updates• Schedule daily Scans

• Instructions at www.it.northwestern.edu

What:

When:

Where:

Use Firewalls • Enable native or third party

firewalls– Native: Windows XP and

Mac OS X have built-in firewalls

– Third party: Zonealarm, BlackIce, Norton Personal(For use with older operating systems)

• Compare firewall software:www.it.northwestern.edu/security/securing-machine/software.html

What:

Where:

Check Firewalls

• Test your firewall protection using Web-based scanners such as Shields Up!

Go to: www.grc.com

How:

Check Operating System Updates What: • Ensure that your operating system has the necessary

updates

• Automatic updates:– Enable in Start>Settings>Control Panel in Windows– Enable in System Preferences in OS X

• Manual updates for Windows:– Log in with administrative account– Use Internet Explorer– Tools Menu in IE select Windows Update– More info: www.microsoft.com/security

How:

Check Microsoft Updates • Microsoft Update

– Updates Windows operating system. Select Microsoft applications

• Windows Server Update Services– Best for centrally managed

work environments or complex home networks

– Requires server operating system

• http://update.microsoft.com

What:

How:

Check Application Updates

• Applications are a major source of system vulnerabilities

• May need frequent updates

• Enable automatic application updates– Look under Help in many programs

• Replace obsolete software, if possible• Visit vendor’s Web site• Sign up for vendor’s mailing list• Specific information at

www.sans.org/newsletters/risk

What:

How:

Use Spyware Protection

• Remove programs that watch or track the way you use computer

• Use Spybot Search & Destroy (NUIT recommended)

• Other options for non-University use: TrendMicro, Lavasoft Ad-aware, Windows Defender

What:

Use Spyware Protection and Removal

• To install:– www.it.northwestern.

edu/5steps/step4.html– No charge to download– Easy to install– Use immunization feature

• To use:– Click Check for Problems– Click Fix Selected Problems

How:

Clean Out Your Browser:Remove Cache Files

• Cache saves files and images from visited sites

• Creates a record of Web activity

• To remove:– IE Tools / Internet

Options– General tab, Delete– Check Delete files and

Delete cookies

What:

How:

Recommended Steps

• Setup Internet Options to use minimum space for

Temporary Internet Files• and History

• Setup:– IE Tools / Options– General tab– Settings– Change the Default Disk

space to 50– Change the Default

History to 1

What:

How:

Clean Out Your Browser:Remove Passwords

• Remove passwords and form fillers• AutoComplete remembers what you typed• Can be a security issue on shared machines

• To remove:– IE Tools / Internet Options – Content tab– In the AutoComplete section– Select Settings– Select Clear Passwords and Clear Forms

What:

How:

Clean Out Other Browsers

• To remove private data:– Tools / Clear private data – Select what you would like to clear

• To remove private data:– Tools / Delete private data– Select Delete – Select Advanced to alter deletion settings

Firefox:

Opera:

Check System Performance

• Remove temporary files• Check hard drive for errors• Defragment drives

Remove Temporary Files • Includes downloaded files

and programs• Clean out the junk to free

up disk space

• Disk cleanup– Start / Run– Type: Cleanmgr– Click OK– Select everything EXCEPT

for Office Setup Files

What:

How:

Check Hard Drive for Errors• Check the hard disk for file

system errors and bad sectors

• Perform a monthly check– Select local disk– Right click for Properties– Tools tab– Check Now– Will prompt for Restart to

proceed with Error-checking

What:

How:

Defragment Drives • Fragmented drives:

– May hinder performance– Greatly reduces chances

of recovering files in case of system problems

• Run Disk Defragmenter monthly

• Need Administrator access– Start / All Programs – Accessories / System

Tools– Disk Defragmenter– Select drive, Analyze, and

Defragment

What:

How:

Plan for a Computer Disaster

• Make a Backup• Know about System Restore

Make a Backup• Are you prepared to lose data?• Make a plan!

• For Windows backup– Start / Run– Type ntbackup– Click OK

• Third-party tools available– Ghost– Retrospect– .mac– Others

Make a BackupBackup media

– Second hard drive– External hard drives

• Many come with backup software– Optical media such as CDs, DVDs, or flash drives– Network drive such as mapped drive,

server space– Web-based tools or sites

Automatic or manual?– Automated backups are best

Schedule Backups • Scheduled Tasks:

– Setup once and the task will run automatically as long as the pc is on.

• Schedule Backups to run weekly – Start /Settings– Control Panel– Scheduled Tasks– Add Scheduled Task

What:

How:

Schedule Backups Cont’d

– Select Next– Select Backup from the

list and select Next

How:

Schedule Backups Cont’d

– Select Weekly– Select Next

How:

Schedule Backups Cont’d

– Select Time and Day of the week

– Select Next

How:

Schedule Backups Cont’d

– Enter User Name and Password

– Select Next

How:

Schedule Backups Cont’d

– Select Finish to close the Scheduled Task Wizard

How:

Know About System Restore• Go back in time with system restore

– Restores PC to a previous configuration

– Does not affect data– Used by Windows XP only

– Start / Programs– Accessories / System Tools– Select Restore my computer to

an earlier time

– Directions on how to restore to a previous state:

How:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306084/

System Restore Cont’d• Select any date from the

calendar

System Restore Cont’d- Make sure to save your

work before selecting Next

- Computer will automatically restart and display a confirmation after you login

Clean Your Desktop• Don’t use your desktop

as your primary file storage area

• In a System Restore, some desktop files may be deleted

• Store files in My Documents or Drive folders

Questions?

NUIT ResourcesLearn more at www.it.northwestern.edu/

“Get Control” Web sitewww.it.northwestern.edu/5steps/

Other support resourceswww.it.northwestern.edu/support/

Please Join Us for Upcoming Tech Talks:

Please Join Us for Upcoming Tech Talks:

Stay Connected & Secure …All Summer Long

Wednesday, May 23, 2007Same location, Noon – 1 p.m.

Please register online: www.it.northwestern.eduwww.it.northwestern.edu