Below are six simple things that you can do to work faster and more securely on your Computer. Take just 2 minutes to consider these tips:

1. Use keyboard shortcuts! Seriously, if you try this a few times, you wont go back to the old slower way. There are loads of shortcuts and most focus involve the Windows key. Windows Key + Tab cycles through the programs on the taskbar in Vista using its Flip3-D feature. Windows key + M minimises all windows immediately. Windows + L locks the computer if you have to leave your desk unattended.

2. Turn off the delete conformation message dialogue. It quite unnecessary since you can always recover a file from your Recycle Bin if necessary. This might sound simple but repetative tasks like this take up a lot of time considering that you will encounter it hundreds of times each month. To turn off this nag, right click the Recycle Bin and deselect ‘Display delete confirmation dialog’.

3. If you are using Vista, why not keep your hard drive in the best possible condition by scheduling an automatic disk defragment. Click start, type defrag and click enter. Tick ‘Run on a schedule’ box and then click modify. Here you can tell Vista exactly when and how often to run a defragment. Once a month would be enough to keep you performance levels high.

4.Update Windows regularly. Computer hackers are constantly finding new ways to attack your computer with viruses & other malware. Microsoft continually searches for security vulnerabilities in their software and provides security updates to fix them. The security fixes are available, but computer users don’t get them installed quickly enough. Head into your Control Panel & turn on Automatic Updates right away. An added advantage of activating Automatic Updates is that Microsoft provides other software updates that make your computer run better and faster. For example, an update may fix an issue with a hardware device, improve the performance of your computer, or deliver improved functionality.

5. Make sure all of your user accounts are password protected, especially the default Administrator account. If this has already been done, think about whether your existing passwords are good enough. Simple passwords are dangerous. If you’re using any of the following for passwords you probably aren’t as secure as you think: names of children, pets, parents, phone numbers or birthdays. Something like Zs86jF03t is much more effective. Notice the mix of upper and lowercase letters interspersed with numbers.

6. Install strong Antivirus Software. Do some research to satisfy yourself as to an effective antivirus software as some programs are decidedly mediocre. A good antivirus will form the mainstay of your computer’s security while on the internet. You can increase your security further with strong antispyware protection. A few years ago you might have got away with neglecting this issue, but certainly not today. Weak security will be quickly exploited by the latest rogues, trojans and rootkits.

Remember, you computer is like a pet, its not just for Christmas. You have to look after it. Take some action now!

Discover more about Virus Removal, Computer Health Care and the best antivirus software

Tags: ,