Ten Top Resolutions for Your PC
Give your PC a great start to 2003 by following our advice for snappier--and safer--computing. Happy New Year!Tom Spring
In 2002, we dealt with in-boxes stuffed with spam, sneaky viruses like Klez, and PC hard drives bursting at the seams with digital downloads. As we turn the corner on another year, now is a good time to whip your PC into shape--especially if you've slacked off a bit in recent months. Here are our top tips for the best New Year's resolutions you could promise your PC. They'll cost you a lot less than a gym membership, and you'll end up with a faster machine and better defenses against invasive Web ads and viruses.
1. Banish Junk From Your Hard Drive
As old-school computer types will tell you, one of the best things you can do to get better performance out of your PC is to keep your hard drive free of clutter. The less data you have taking up hard drive space, the easier it is for your PC to retrieve documents, for instance.
The download Compress can help you win back control of your hard drive by reclaiming your wasted hard drive space--for free. Compress will delete unneeded files and slim down the rest of your drive as it compresses up to 99 percent.
Chances are your PC is also packed with digital sludge--megabytes of useless.bak files, which many programs generate as emergency data backups. Other common pieces of drivel? Files with.tmp,.txt,.prv, and.chk extensions (.chk files are often generated by disk-repair utilities). You may want to launch a search-and-delete mission to free up some space. To accomplish this, run Windows' search command. The menu commands vary depending on your operating system. In Windows 2000, for instance, choose Start, Search, For Files and Folders and type in the file extensions one at a time. Of course, you won't want to delete every.txt file, for instance, so you may want to search by date too--and zap the old ones.
You could also save yourself the manual labor and clean up your hard drive with Asmw Optimizer Deluxe (free trial, $30 to keep). This system optimizer uninstalls programs and removes junk files and zero-size files. It also lets you change your boot settings, remove unneeded.dll files, and clean your cache history and cookies.
2. Give Your PC a Jump Start
If you notice that your hard drive has gotten sluggish, your data is probably fragmented. To help make your PC move more efficiently, you can use Windows' own Disk Defragmenter (choose Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools or All Programs in XP) or use something better. Power Defrag, a system tool for Windows 95, 98, and Me, improves performance over the Windows utility--and it prevents some common types of crashes (free trial; $40 to keep). Another option: Diskeeper Lite (free) will work with Windows XP.
Is your memory getting a little foggy? It could be that hangover from a holiday party. Or in the case of your computer's RAM, it could be related to pesky programs that don't manage memory correctly. FreeRAM XP Pro will free up memory in Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000, and XP when these inconsiderate programs don't release it (no charge). You could also try another free utility: RAM Idle.
3. Protect Your Network
If you joined the legions of wireless home network owners in 2002, make sure you put a lock on your 802.11 network. Experts report that most people don't: According to firewall firm SofaWare, turning on your Wi-Fi's wireless encryption protocol is something 90 percent of wireless home network owners don't do but should.
There is no standard way of flipping the wireless encryption protocol switch, so you'll want to consult your Wi-Fi hardware manual for instructions. For additional tips about WEP and how to create smart passwords, see "Lock Out Internet Pests, Lock In Network Security."
If you are a hardwired broadband user, you'll want to play it safe too. If you haven't already protected your network using a firewall program, you have several firewall options to choose from (go to PC World's Downloads). These free programs do an adequate job of keeping unwanted intruders at bay. ZoneAlarm is a free personal firewall, and you can upgrade to paid versions for enhanced protection.
4. Give Your PC a Flu Shot
You may get a flu shot every winter to avoid getting sick. So why not inoculate your PC from catching a virus?
If you don't have virus protection running on your PC--gulp!--download AntiVir Personal Edition. This free, simple antivirus application provides real-time protection by scanning a file every time you access it. The program also lets you scan entire drives--but not individual files or folders--on demand. With AntiVir's basic scheduler and a little tinkering, you can also set up regular program updates, though not automatic drive scans.
If you do have an antivirus package installed, such as Symantec's Norton AntiVirus or McAfee VirusScan, make sure your software is up to date by checking your vendor's Web site or turning on the automatic updates. Every time you update your software's virus definitions, you improve the chances that your PC will be able to identify the latest viruses coming its way.
If you use Internet Explorer, keep your browser up to date with the latest patches for crucial security holes. Microsoft's Security and Privacy site posts the latest details and provides links to the fixes.
5. Browse Without a Trace
Here's a wild prediction for 2003: Aggressive monitoring of your surfing habits will continue. It's a drag, sure, but you can do something about it.
Take back some control of the situation by opting out of DoubleClick's advertising network by visiting the firm's Web site. DoubleClick can track roughly where you go online and show you ads based on your surfing habits. Once you click the Ad Cookie Opt-Out link, DoubleClick says it will no longer collect data about where you go online. You can also visit the Network Advertising Initiative, a coalition of online advertisers that offers a similar opt-out program.
For specific tips on how to keep your browsing private, check out "Protect Yourself--Clear Your Cookies and History."
6. Say No to Sneaky Ads
You may have noticed an army of devious advertisers camping inside your PC, pulling all kinds of nasty tricks. After you download free programs, for instance, other smaller programs (known as adware or spyware) can often install alongside the ones you want without your knowledge. These mini-programs deliver annoying pop-up ads on sites you visit--or worse, they report back your every move to advertisers.
To find out what's lurking in your system, grab Ad-aware, the free utility that can ferret out and delete unwanted components. You can also try Spychecker to find out if you have unwittingly downloaded spyware by typing in the name of programs you've installed on your system.
7. Want to Be Spam-Free?
2002 was a banner year for spam, and next year, our in-boxes are going to get even more unwanted e-mail. Of course, you won't find a magical cure to make spam go away entirely, but you can take a few steps to turn the tide on junk mail.
A good spam filter can help. Try MailWasher. This junk e-mail killer runs from the system tray and deletes spam before it ever gets to your mailbox (free trial or $20 to keep). You can also apply filters to your e-mail program, turn off your e-mail's preview pane, and keep your precious e-mail address from reaching spammers' radar screens. For details, check out "Spam Begone."
8. Out With the Old
If 2002 was the year of living large on your computer, then it may be time for a little PC downsizing. Digital music copied or downloaded onto your PC is probably sucking up gigabytes of space.
One of the easiest ways to free some space on your hard drive is to transfer MP3 files and video clips you don't use frequently onto compact disks, DVDs, or other removable media. With software utilities like CD Box Labeler Pro and CdrLabel, you can make it easy to find your archives by creating labels for CD jewel cases, floppy disks, and Zip disks. You can try out both programs for free--otherwise they're $15 each to keep.
But you can use your CD burner for more than just beefing up your music collection. Backup to CD-RW simplifies archiving files across multiple CD-ROMs (free trial or $40 to keep). You can back up and restore your entire system, including the Registry, or selectively back up and restore any part of it--you select the files and folders to back up.
9. Stay on Top of Fraud
Despite advances in computer security in 2002, hackers and identity thieves continue to be a major headache. If you use your credit card online regularly, identifying problems should be high on your list. Consider visiting an antifraud site like CardCops. This consumer-oriented site allows you to check whether thieves have stolen your credit card numbers.
CardCops has collected tens of thousands of stolen credit card numbers from Internet chat rooms where hackers trade information on whether the accounts are still valid. You can check your card by visiting the site and typing in your credit card's numbers. If CardCops recognizes the numbers--it will alert you--cancel the card immediately.
10. Break Free of Entanglements--and Bad Posture
When was the last time you poked your head behind your desk? Don't be surprised if you find a frightening mix of wires tangled and twisted into knots. The mess is unsightly and can cause some negative effects on your PC. You can end up with a hum in your speakers, for example, when an AC power cable gets intertwined with other wires.
You undo the mess by using handy tools like cable clips and flexible tubing that's split along one side so you can easily tuck cables inside. To find out about specific ways to tackle the jungle of wires growing under your desk, read "Eight Tips to Tame Cables."
And while you're moving things around, take note of how your workstation setup feels. Are you straining your eyes to read your monitor or typing at an awkward angle? If possible, adjust the height of your desk and monitor or keyboard to make it more comfortable. For help on how to set up your workspace correctly, visit "Essential Ergonomics."
Given Up Already?
For those of you who resolve to learn Spanish, eat better, or quit smoking, technology can't give you willpower, but you might get a little help from the Web. Once you've decided on your New Year's resolutions, if you think you'll need help along the way, check out How to Keep Your New Years Resolution.com and Resolutions Reminder. Both sites offer tips and reminders on how to stick to your resolution course.