The Tech Head Dept

Protect Yourself with Windows Updates.

At Novix we focus on helping small to medium businesses, and we always like to help them help themselves when it comes to keeping their I.T. systems in good order.  For this reason you can be assured that every PC or Notebook we have ever sold has had 100% legitimate Windows software installed.  Why is this important?  in two words: Windows Update

Windows Update is the best method to ensure your PC(s) and Notebooks have all the latest fixes installed to prevent them being hijacked by internet sites, or worse being totally disabled and all your data inaccessible.  (You should find Windows Update located on the start menu or under All Programs on the start menu but see the caution at the end of this document BEFORE running update).  So why do I need Genuine Windows?

Pirate vs Genuine Windows:

It has become apparent that there are lots of businesses running "Pirate" or "Corporate" windows that are not registered, if you try to run windows update with these versions they will fail the Microsoft tests that  check your windows license and you will be unable to update your windows. 

Your Legal Responsibilities:

If you don't update your windows and you get a Worm or some such infection that could be prevented by updates to windows and that infection has a malicious action such as stealing your address book, mass mailing your customers, capturing your Bank Account details or even stealing sensitive customer details such as their Tax File numbers etc YOU MAYBE LIABLE FOR PROSECUTION  as privacy laws insist that you take reasonable care to protect customer information, this includes ensuring your I.T. systems are at reasonable level of security.

So test your security and run Windows Update.

For further protection take a look at the top 5 Maintenance Links at the top of the page, and happy Windowing.

Caution:

There is a slim chance that windows update could load updates that break your system, it isn't likely but it is possible so BEFORE trying to do an update:

1. Do a backup

2. Create a restore point if you have Windows XP (Go to the help option on the start menu and search for "restore point" to find out how.

Help Yourself to Maintain your PC

1. Backup your important Data

This includes: Email, Documents, Favorites and company data such as MYOB files.  And keep a copy away from the PC in case of fire or theft, or the backup will be useless.  Statistics say that 50% of businesses that suffer a catastrophic failure of their data (Ie: loose all their PC data), fail to recover and of those that survive, 50% fail within a year, so BACKUP!

2.  Verify you antivirus is working

We get lots of PC's in with an antivirus program loaded that either has never been updated or has a problem.  Click on the test link -> "eicar.com.txt", your virus detector should pop up a message, if it doesn't it may not be working properly (This is a deactivated virus so there is no danger)

3. Make sure you run some sort of Anti-Spyware program

Most virus detectors won't act on adware and spyware and it is not unusual to find more than 10 different ones running around in your PC, slowing it down and trying to capture your internet surfing habits or worse your passwords and bank account details.

Microsoft Offer a free one for XP and 2000, Spybot is also quite good.

4. Delete or File your Emails

It seems like a chore but if you use Outlook or Outlook Express very large mailboxes can be susceptible to crashes, file those Jokes, Photos and Attachments and then delete them.  Don't forget to empty the deleted items folder to reclaim the space.

5. Clean your System

PC systems shift around 20 to 30 cubic feet of air a minute so they act as wonderful dust catchers, and the reason they need so much air is they run hot inside.  Blocked air vents or fans that stop due to dust can kill a PC when the power supply shorts out.  While your PC is switched off give the front and back a good vacuum, use a soft paintbrush to get into all the little holes.