HOW TO KEEP YOUR PC HEALTHY
               Compliments of: BmP Advantage (613) 342-3900

It is unfortunate that the internet has come to this, but deceptive
individuals and companies prey on your privacy, productivity and
internet experience by installing ad-ware, spy-ware and mal-ware 
on your PC via email, pictures, videos and web browsing.  To keep these 
at bay, you must be vigilant while on the internet.  Keep children and 
others supervised on the computer or do not let them use it.  One hasty 
wrong click can create a variety of un-needed problems and expense for you.

Follow these 11 simple guidelines:

1) Never Click on an internet POPUP unless 100% certain !
	DO NOT click ANY LINK or BUTTON - NOT YES/NO, OK/CANCEL, CLOSE/EXIT !
 	CLICK WINDOWS CLOSE [X] in top right corner or ALT+F4 together
 	if no windows close button on the window (like full screen windows).

2) Don't take the bait when chatting online if you get a picture or link to 
	a website, do NOT click it.  Almost 95% of these are malicious and 
	will result in adware and spyware being installed on your PC.  Some 
	spyware sends pictures from your webcam without your knowledge.  As 
	well as sending files from My Documents without you ever knowing. They 
	are hoping to find personal information.  Never leave financial data or 
	credit card numbers on your PC - differnet than using secure websites.

3) Never open emails from someone you do not know (especially
 	attachments).  If you get an unexpected email with a picture, 
	be suspicious!  Keeping virus scanners up to date helps protect you, 
	but you could be one of the first who get burnt before the Virus 
	Scanner knows about a new threat.  So be suspicious of any unknown 
	sender or content.

4) Never let others use your business PC for internet play.  If you must
	let others use your PC, trust them 100%.  If not, give them the GUEST
    account and password protect your account and screen saver.
	This does not garrantee you will not suffer a problem, but you can 
	identify the culprit more easily and helps to protect your identity.

5) Keep/ensure your Virus scanner is up to date !
	Do a manual UPDATE every week or so to verify protection.
 	Do weekly scans as well as ensuring real-time protection.
 	Get help on any virus found that could not be removed/fixed.
 	Re-scan your PC to ensure you killed the virus completely.
 	Many viruses attach the Antivirus program and break it,
 	so you think you have protection but don't.  Use a web 
 	based scanner like http://securityresponse.symantec.com/
 	find "Online Virus and Security check" link if in doubt.
	Even picture files can contain viruses now!!!  Videos can
	take you to a malicious website automatically and you can 
	be infected instantly.  The internet has no fair-play rules!

6) Install Microsoft updates as prompted in system tray (Yellow Shield).
 	These install simply, but if not sure get help.  These updates 
    close the backdoors that viruses, and malicious software 
    (aka: mal-ware) exploit.
 
7) Run the FREE version of AD-AWARE weekly or when problem ! www.lavasoftusa.com
 	Check for updates first, then click Start.
 	Ensure all items found are selected to be removed.
 	Next and Finished to complete operation.
 	Get help on any item found that could not be removed.
 	Don't worry about any "negligible" (MRU) objects found.
 
8) Nothing is free, there is always a catch.  Free utilities, free 
 	music or free other things always have a payoff to 
 	someone other than you.  These could be ads, product 
	trial period or your lost productivity etc. etc.  So only 
	install what is absolutely necessary!!!  Uninstalling most 
	software does not completely remove all its components and 
	these left overs add up and slow down your system.

9) Disk checking...  Run C drive ERROR CHECK, Use the (check) 
    "Thorough & Auto fix" options.  Do this every 90 days (~4 times a 
    year) and run DEFRAGMENT every 90 to 180 days depending on how much 
    free space you have and how many new files are created (internet, letters, 
    music downloads etc. etc.).  Never hurts to run these once and a while 
    when your PC is idle (but not every week).  Takes 60++ minutes each and 
    you may need to re-start your PC as the C drive will have open files.
    Go to MY COMPUTER, Right click C DRIVE, PROPERTIES, TOOLS Tab.

10) Email folders (Outlook and Outlook Express) need compacting depending on your 
     email activity.  Do this every month or two.  Go to: 
	 FILE/FOLDERS/COMPACT ALL FOLDERS.  This frees spaced used by all the 
	 deleted mail and organizes the existing mail in the database and rebuilds 
     the index for faster access.

11) BACKUP, BACKUP, BACKUP - as often as you are willing to lose data.  If it's 
     valuable data, backup often.  Many solutions posible.

Do not put off or ignore these simple tasks or you may experience 
un-needed problems, poorer performance, spread viruses to your 
friends, family and others.  Some mal-ware actually sends your 
typing (internet banking, passwords, accounts, etc.) and files to 
third parties (meaning: unknown strangers).  People's money can be stollen 
right from their bank account via online tranasction, so protect your system and
be careful of your actions.

Play safe and enjoy!

Regards,
Brian Prince
(613) 342-3900
BmP@BmPadvantage.ca
www.BmPadvantage.ca

PS:  Phone calls and emails (best) for assistance always welcome
free of charge for clients and responded to as quickly as possible.

(c) Copyright 2007, BmP Advantage     Version 1.9a