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Protecting
Your Computer
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Now that you have a computer, there are new risks
to be aware of. If you are on a network there are even more
security and protection risks you should be aware of.
Although most failed computers can be repaired, data cannot
be replaced. Reputable
service engineers will tell you that they can attempt to recover
data on a failed machine, but will not guarantee successful recovery
of the data. Backups, Surge Protection and Virus Protection are three of
the many areas you should be aware of.
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Backups
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Performing regular backups can protect against
permanent loss of all your data. We recommend backing your data on
removable media such as floppy disks, Iomega zip disks or tapes. You
should keep your backups at a different location than your computer.
If you leave your backups with the computer and the building was to
experience significant structural damage (such as fire, flood or
other disaster), your backup may be destroyed with the computer. You
should alternate backup media. Do not backup on to the most recent
backup you have made. If something goes wrong during the backup, you
would be left with nothing. How often you backup depends on how
important it is to have your data. Our experience has determined
that it takes approximately 1 week (5 working days) to re-enter data
lost for one (1) day. This is because in addition to recovering your
data, you still need to perform your normal daily tasks.
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Surge Protection
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In General
Florida is the lightning capitol of the
world. We have more lightning strikes here than anywhere
else. Even if you do not live in the lightning capitol you are
still at risk to power surges and other electrical phenomena which
can damage your computer. Lightning produces significant
damage to computers and other electronic equipment. We perform many
service calls every year to replace or recover lightning damaged
machines. You can protect your machines from electronic surges,
including lightning strikes, by purchasing and correctly using
adequate surge suppressors or uninterrupted power supplies (UPS). A
UPS has a backup battery and a surge suppressor does not. Even the
best surge suppressor/UPS cannot stop the toughest lightning strike.
However, several vendors guarantee their products against lightning
strike and other surges, if you correctly use their product. Look
for lightning guarantees when purchasing surge suppressors and UPSs.
You need to purchase protection for your power cords, telephone
cords and network cords. Electronic surges can travel along all of
these lines. We recommend and sell American Power Conversion (APC)
surge suppressors and UPSs. Contact
us to order your protection.
Are you protected on a network?
Let's say you have protected your computer with a
lightning guaranteed surge suppressor. You may not be protected on a
network. Every computer and piece of equipment connected to the
network needs to be protected for all pieces to be protected. If one
computer is not protected and that computer takes a lightning
strike, the surge can travel through the computer into the network
card through the network cable onto the network and to every
component connected to the network. You can protect your equipment
by purchasing surge suppressors/UPS, which include jacks to for your
power cords, telephone cords and network cords.
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Virus Protection
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In General
Recently we reviewed an article stating that 150-300
new viruses are being identified per month. Viruses are software
programs written to destroy data and programs on your computer and
hamper your ability to perform your work. You can receive viruses
through the Internet and from removable media (floppy disks, tapes,
etc.). You can protect your computer by installing virus protection
software such as McAfee or Norton Symantec antivirus programs. There
are several other vendors available also. Installing virus software
is only the first step. You must download the updated virus data
files regularly. McAfee currently releases updates every week. The
virus data files are the electronic fingerprints of the known
viruses. The antivirus programs use these fingerprints to identify
viruses your machine may be receiving. Some additional pre-cautions
include scanning every removable media for viruses prior to using
them on your computer and NOT opening email attachments unless you
already know what they contain and were expecting to receive them.
What if I already have a virus?
Recovering a computer from a virus can be complex.
The recovery method depends on the virus. Please contact
us to schedule a service call, if you have a virus on your
machine.
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Thank-you for your interest in
Computer Help.
If you have suggestions or
want to talk to us,
please visit our contact us
page.
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