How to Stay Virus-Free and Speedy with Windows XP
Every couple of months, someone asks me how to get their computer to go faster. Usually, they're relatively new to computers, and while they get around pretty well on the internet and know how to use their system, they don't always understand how to avoid being attacked by viruses or other "malware", or how to manage their system so it runs fast.
(Thanks to CSH, DKL, ECC, REG, and CEG for putting me to work dealing with these annoying computer issues. Also, thanks to BG of MS for operating the company that created this thing called Windows. Without them, this page wouldn't exist.)
Good Habits
Comfortable computer use is achieved by practicing good habits, and avoiding bad habits. Bad habits lead to pain. Everyone has some bad habits, and everyone will experience some pain, and I am no exception. I've been hit by viruses, had computers "cracked", and have lost data due to negligence. However, I've also managed to recover from most of these situations relatively unscathed.
This is a lengthy list of good habits. It's best to try each one out for a while, individually, and learn to integrate the good habits into regular use.
Good habits are hard to attain (just ask my doctor), so don't criticize yourself too much if you can't do all these things. It's just important that you try.
Three Types of Users: Administrator, Power User, Regular User
When you set up XP, it asked you to create a name and password for the computer owner (that's you). This is the Administrator account. You should not use the administrator account day-to-day. XP also asked you to create a Power User, to use the computer regularly. You should also not use the Power User day to day.
Instead, you should create a third user, who is a regular user. A regular user is restricted from installing new software and hardware on the computer. This includes "plug ins" or "active x controls" on websites. You should use the regular user account as your main account.
Very quickly, you'll notice that web pages, and some emails, ask you to install software. When this happens, you should click on the Start Menu, click "Log Off", click "Switch User", and then log in as the power user. Then, you can go back to the website, and install the software.
Personally, I tend to use the power user account, but novices should use the regular user because it forces you to learn about all the situations when software is trying to execute. (It doesn't happen just anywhere.) After a while, you'll figure out situations when you're likely to be asked to install software, and then make a conscious decision about whether it's worth it or not.
Use "Add or Remove Programs"
This is advice for people who install or "try out" a lot of software. If you don't do that, skip this section.
The Add or Remove Programs tool in the Control Panel should be used once every couple of months to remove any old software you're not using.
Some programs cause the startup and shutdown sequence to launch other programs "in the background". These are programs that don't show up in the task bar, but do show up in the "Task Manager" application, under the "Processes" tab. (To use the Task Manager, right click in the task bar, and it's one of the menu options.)
These "background" programs consume some memory, and use some processor time. They're designed to be sparing with their usage, but, when you have dozens of programs installed, they tend to add up.
Don't Install It
Don't install the customized cursors, Weather Bug, screensavers, or browser toolbars. I know you want to do it, but, some of these things are "spyware" and consume processor resources. They may also "spy" on your web surfing and keystrokes, and send the information to a database.
That database is a big list of "suckers" or "easy marks" -- people who are willing to install software, and spend money online, without much concern for security. These online marketers will turn your personal information into ad campaigns directed at you, to take your money.
If you have installed it, you can try to uninstall it by referring to the previous section.
If that doesn't work, read on.
Reinstall Windows Occasionally
You should save all your data (see Backups below), and erase the hard disk, and re-install Windows every two years or so. This will wipe out all the junk. To do this, you need to do a little planning, and make sure you have all your information in order:
- Make sure you have CDs for all your software, including the CD Keys.
- If you don't know the CD Key, you can usually go into the Help->About This Program menu item, and find it displayed there.
- Make sure to write down your usernames and passwords you've stored on the computer.
- They might be inside your browser. If you're using Mozilla, you can go to Tools->Options...->Security tab, and there's a button to view your passwords.
- You can back up your various settings by going into My Computer -> C: drive -> Documents and Settings -> your user name.
- Then, go into the menu Tools -> Folder Options -> View tab, and select "Show hidden files and folders".
- You can then see the Application Settings folder, and copy it to backup media.
If you have enough spare disk space, on a second disk, you should keep all your installers, especially the ones you download from the Internet. Now would be a good time to go and download the latest versions of your favorite software.
Finally, you can re-install Windows, or run the restore CD, and clean out your system.
Keep a Software Library
Get some large envelopes and some magazine storage boxes, and put your CDs and software license certificates in there. It'll take up some space, but, you need that information to reinstall your software (or to sell it).
Use MSConfig to Disable Annoying Startup Junk
Being somewhat inexperienced with Windows, I didn't know about this useful tool. It allows you prevent startup programs from running. To use it, press Window-Key-R or Start->Run.... Type "msconfig", and Enter.
Each tab shows you a little bit of the startup sequence. The most crowded area is the last tab, where apps like iTunes and Real Player install tiny programs that check for updates. They suck up some resources, and when there are enough of them, things can get slow. Flip them off by unchecking them. Of course, you can't just flip everything off, but if something goes wrong with one, you can turn it back on.
Scan for Viruses
I tend to not run any virus detection software. Instead, I just go to McAfee and run a free scan there. This is a way to check that my habits are working. I check around once every three months, but more often on new systems.
Symantec.com also has a free scan. If you have a virus, you should probably buy one of the products to disinfect yourself.
The new hot product is Kaspersky's virus scanner. They don't have a free version, but they do have trial versions.
Use Firewalls
Windows XP comes with a firewall, and for starters, you should use that.
To set it up, go to the Control Panel, then Security Center, then scroll down the window to the Windows Firewall icon. Make sure it's ON. Then, look at the Exceptions tab. That lists programs that are set up to listen for incoming internet connections. You should disable some of them a couple of times a year, just to see what happens (or see what fails to work anymore).
If you're on Windows 2000, you should definitely use a software firewall like Zone Alarm, or, my fave so far, Outpost Free. These programs have more features than the regular Windows XP firewall, but basically do the same thing. They also give you a nice overview of what traffic is active on your computer.
If you are using a DSL or cable modem service, you should also get a router. These are devices that are designed to allow more than one computer to connect to the high-speed line. They also include a simple firewall. By using one of these, you add an extra layer of security to your network.
The only negative aspect of using a router/firewall device is that some applications, like some kinds of file transfer over peer-to-peer networks, will fail, or become difficult to set up, because you have to mess with the firewall first. (If you want life to be a little easier, get one that features UPnP, or is called a "gaming router".)
Use Good Passwords
I once worked at a company that used really weak passwords. That was the first place I experienced a computer break-in. It sucked.
A good password has a combination of words, numbers, upper and lowercase letters, and maybe some punctuation. A good password can also be very long, like a complete sentence.
"5TT3err%" is a good password. "ohmanmyfingerhurts" is a good password. "password", "admin", and "ucla" are bad passwords.
There's a password quality evaluator elswhere on this site.
Run Backups Regularly
It's critical to have a good backup system. The computer or hard drive will fail, eventually.
There are two important aspects to doing backups painlessly: organizing your data, and organizing your backups. First, you need to organize your folders, so all your data is in one place. Windows wants you to put everything in "My Documents" I suggest using it. Within My Documents, create a filing system of folders within folders, to organize your documents and/or work. You might make one folder per client, or one per project, or organize files by the type of file. Personally, I tend to keep one folder per client, and put projects within it.
Once your files are in one place, and organized, it's not that hard to plan a backup.
I could go on at length about backup strategies -- entire books have been written about it. The basic, simple strategy is to buy enough extra, external storage for all your files, and run a backup at least a couple times a year. If you have data that changes a lot, back that up every week or so.
There's a lot of software out there to help with this, and that might be discussed on another page.
There's also a built-in backup tool, under Start Menu -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Backup, that performs different types of backups. I don't use it, but it's there if you wish to implement a more rigorous backup system.
Don't Click on Attachments
If you don't know why someone's sent you an attachment, don't open it with the double-click.
Instead, save the attachment to the Desktop, and open it with the appropriate application, or with Notepad.
Also, don't use Outlook Express (or Outlook if you can avoid it). Those are the most attacked programs.
Use Mozilla
Use Mozilla Firefox and Mozilla Thunderbird. They are a bit more secure than Internet Explorer and Outlook Express.
This may change, as they get more popular, but today, the Mozilla programs aren't attacked by the malware writers.
Find Alternatives
A lot of popular software has alternatives. For example, I use a (somewhat hard to install) app called GAIM instead of AIM and Yahoo Messenger. Thus, I can delete both AIM and Yahoo Messenger, which both take up a lot of space, and also slow down the computer more than GAIM.
By using simpler alternatives, which use less CPU and RAM (and are usually free), you can speed up your overall computer speed.*
Here are some alternatives:
Yahoo Messenger, AIM = GAIM or Trillian
Outlook Express = Mozilla Thunderbird or Sylpheed
Windows Media, Quicktime, Real Player = Video LAN Client (sometimes)
iTunes = WinAmp Free (the smallest version)
MS Office = MS Works (which usually comes free with computers, costs $10 on eBay)
Photoshop = The GIMP
* A reason why this speeds up the computer is because you avoid using up all your random access memory (RAM), which is on a chip, and avoid causing the computer to use "virtual memory" (VM), which is on the disk.