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OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

Information Security & Viruses

Computer Health

Having a dirty computer, inside and out, can have negative effects on many parts of your computer. It is always best practice to make sure your computer is up-to-date and clean in every aspect. Taking the time to make sure your computer is clean and organized will ensure that everything runs smoothly.

• Update and Run Anti-Virus Software
• Update and Run Spyware/Adware Software
• Run Windows Updates

Now that your computer has been updated and scanned for malicious programs, it’s time to clean.

1. Defragmentation
2. Temporary File Removal
3. Delete prefetch
4. Deleting Internet Cookies
5. Delete Cache
6. Cleaning the inside

Defragmentation

The Disk Defragmenter is a tool that is included in all Windows versions, except Windows 95. Defragging is critical because it is designed to reorganize the data on your hard drive so that your computer runs more efficiently. For Mac users there are currently no built in defragmenter tools for older style Macs. However, Mac OS X has a built in defragmentation tool that requires no human intervention.

Close all open programs; it is even best to quit any programs running in the task bar that are not necessary

1. Click on the Start button
2. Open My Computer
3. Locate the C Drive
4. Right Click on the C Drive
5. Left Click on Properties (It is the last item in the list)
6. At the top, left click on the Tools tab
7. Look for Defragmentation, Left Click on Defragment Now, Left Click on Defragment

Temporary File Removal

Temporary files get created whenever the application you're working in needs more memory than what you have available. These files are usually cleaned up when the application is done using them, or when the program has halted. Conversely, if a lockup occurs, each application you have to terminate can leave behind temporary files that were in use. If the application happened to be in the process of writing these files, they can be incomplete or damaged.

Windows will read the contents of the active temp directory every time it starts up to see if there is anything needing to be recovered from the previous session. If there is anything in there that is damaged or garbled, they can cause unusual problems. The bottom line is that if there are no windows applications running, there should be no temporary files.

1. Click on the Start button
2. Select Run
3. Type in temp and %temp%
4. A folder will pop up containing your temporary files. Click edit on the toolbar, and select all.
5. Click Delete

This will remove the C:\Documents and Settings\username\temp folder as well as C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\temp

In addition, you can also run Disk Clean Up to clean up anything that you missed.

Disk clean up is a handy tool that deletes temporary files that are no longer needed.

1. Click Start
2. Click Run
3. Type Cleanmgr.exe command, and click Run

Prefetch

Prefetch is a folder in C:\Windows\System32. It's the place where Windows places 'shortcuts' to the applications you use more often. The problem is, every time you open a program, a new entry is put in this folder, and after a while it overflows causing computer inefficiency.

NOTE: Do not clean your prefetch folder daily. Every couple of months is recommended.

1. Click on the Start Button
2. Click on Run
3. Type in prefetch
4. A folder will pop up containing your temporary files. Click edit at the top, and select all.
5. Click delete

Internet Cookies

A cookie is a message given to a Web browser by a Web server. The browser stores the message in a text file. The message is then sent back to the server each time the browser requests a page from the server.

The main purpose of cookies is to identify users and possibly prepare customized Web pages for them. When you enter a Web site using cookies, you may be asked to fill out a form providing such information as your name and password. This information is packaged into a cookie and sent to your Web browser which stores it for later use. The next time you go to the same Web site, your browser will send the cookie to the Web server. The server can use this information to present you with custom Web pages. So, for example, instead of seeing just a generic welcome page you might see a welcome page with your name on it.

If you delete your cookies, remember to write down your username and password for specific sites, because next time you visit a site, it will tell you to sign in.

1. Open Internet Explorer, click the Tools menu and choose Internet Options.
2. Click the Delete Cookies button.
3. Click OK.

1. Open Internet Explorer, click the Tools menu and choose Internet Options.
2. Click the Settings button.
3. Click the View Files button.
4. Click the View menu and select Details.
5. Click the Internet Address column header to sort, then locate the Internet addresses of the cookie files. For example, a cookie Internet address may be named similar to the following: Cookie:user@websitename.com
   
6. Highlight the cookies you wish to delete, then press the Delete key.

Netscape 7

1. Click the Tools menu and choose Cookie Manager
2. Choose Manage Stored Cookies from the submenu. The Cookie Manager window opens with a list of all the cookies stored on your computer.
3. Select one or more cookies and click Remove Cookie, or click Remove All Cookies

1. Click Tasks and select Privacy & Security then choose Cookie Manager.
2. On the submenu, choose View Stored Cookies. The Cookie Manager opens and lists the cookies stored on your computer.
3. Select one or more cookies and click Remove Cookie. Clicking Remove All Cookies will delete all cookies.
4. Optional: Choose to prevent removed cookies from being re-accepted later.

Cache File Removal

As you surf the Internet with your web browser, everything your browser views (such as images) is stored on the hard drive in a cache. This cache is created to quickly load previously viewed pages.

One drawback to this feature is its size. A cache does not empty itself and as it fills up it slows down your computer's system and can prevent your browser from functioning properly. Try to limit the cache size so that it does not become immensely large. Make sure to remove the cache files on a regular basis.

Internet Explorer

1. Click on the Tools menu
2. Click on Internet Options
3. On the General tab, select Delete Files in the Temporary Internet files section.
4. Select OK to delete the files.

1. In Netscape, choose Edit, Preferences.
2. In the preferences box, expand the Advanced list by clicking the + symbol. Select Cache, Clear Disk Cache.
3. Click OK to delete the files

1. Click Tools
2. Click Options
3. Click Privacy
4. Click Delete Cache (or delete all)
5. Click OK.

1. Open Windows Explorer.
2. Locate the folder C:\Windows\Temporary Internet Files.
3. Open the Temporary Internet Files folder. The listed folders have odd names like 9jkLv13og or D2337xxm.
4. Open a folder, select the files in the folder and press the [Delete] button on your keyboard.
5. Repeat this procedure for each folder.

Note: Do NOT select any file named desktop.ini. This is a system file and should not be removed.

Cleaning inside your Computer (CPU)

Believe it or not, if you do not clean the inside of your computer regularly, dust and especially particles of cigarette smoke can build up and corrode circuitry causing various problems such as computer lockups and even frying.

Of course the best way to clean the inside of the CPU is with a can of air. Blow out the inside, and check the fan and other areas for dust collection. Do not blow the air directly into the fan. Some fans do not like it and may not work properly afterwards. Please use these cautions when working inside your computer.

Below is a listing of general tips that should be taken when cleaning any of the components or peripherals of a computer as well as tips to help keep a computer clean.

1. Always power the machine down before going inside the CPU; this should always be the first step. Be sure to take the power cord out from the back of the CPU just incase you were to turn it on by accident during cleanup.
2. Never spray or squirt any type of liquid onto any computer component. If a spray is needed, spray the liquid onto a cloth and then use that cloth to rub down the component.
3. Users can use a vacuum to suck up dirt, dust, or hair around their computer on the outside case and on their keyboards. However, do not use a vacuum for the inside of your computer as it generates a lot of static electricity that can damage the internal components of your computer. If you need to use a vacuum to clean the inside of your computer, use a portable battery powered vacuum designed to do this job.
4. Never get any component inside the computer or any other circuit board damp or wet.     
5. When cleaning, be careful not to accidentally adjust any knobs or controls. In addition, when cleaning the back of the computer, if anything is plugged in, make sure not to disconnect any of the plugs.
6. When cleaning fans, especially the smaller fans within a portable computer or laptop it's suggested that you either hold the fan or place something in-between the fan blades to prevent it from spinning (such as a mini screw driver). Spraying compressed air into a fan or cleaning a fan with a vacuum may cause damage to some fans.
7. Never eat or drink around the computer.

Information Security Office
Office of Technology Services
Cook Library, 4
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
E-mail: infosec@towson.edu