Some Simple Steps to Keep Your Laptop in Shape
Surfing the internet can be dangerous to the computing health of your new laptop. The Think
Pads handed out to teachers in selected schools this spring, present a challenge when it comes to
keeping the drives free of viruses and adware. Here are some tips from the Senior Microcomputer
Technical Support Specialist from Erie1 BOCES, Bob Swipes.

• Download a copy of Spybot

    Install Spybot
    Start Spybot
    Scan for and download updates
    Scan for Problems
    Fix problems
    Exit

Show the user how it works and what it does as well as why it is important. Make sure you use
“Immunize feature”.

• Download Spyblaster

    The blaster is a PREVENTION tool. Spybot is a REMOVAL tool.

    Run Spybot and then install and run Spyblaster.

Splyblaster does not need to “run” after it is installed. But it does need to be updated
periodically. Like Spybot or any antivirus program, it is as only good as its last update.

• Make sure the Windows Updates are enabled. To enable Windows Updates:
Right click on My Computer and select Automatic Updates.

It is always nice to do the Automatic feature on that page, but it is probably not practical for
laptops because they get turned off every night. Choose instead “Download updates for me...”
and make sure that the user getting the laptop knows that it is important ot install the updates
when prompted.

• Make sure that McAfee is set to update automatically. Right-click the McAfee icon
the system tray and select Visuscan Console. The update feature should probably set to “at start
up” for a laptop.

Make sure that the user knows that is is important.

• If serious problems do develop, the laptop will be reimaged and the user will lose all his files.