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Garnet Secure Systems Recommended PC Maintenance

This is the long version of the article written for Associated Builders and Contractors Eastern PA MeritNews magazine. More details are in this version to help step you through basic weekly and monthly PC maintenance.

If you have questions or problems feel free to email me at jbd@GarnetSecure.com or call 610-965-1990.

Just like maintaining your car, proper PC maintenance will save you against aggravation from poor performance, lost time due to system unavailability and potential repair dollars. The following article presents minimum standard maintenance items that you can do as a PC user to keep your computer running at its best.

If you are not sure how to do the following steps, go through the built in Help system for each program. Help is available as the last (far right) entry of every program’s Menu Bar at the top of its window.

 On a Weekly Schedule do the following:

  1. Backup all of your working files and database files. USB memory sticks, CD and DVD writers make this a very fast and cost effective solution.
  2. Run an AntiVirus scan and verify that your AntiVirus software is up to date.
  3. Update and run scans on your AntiSpyware utilities such as Spybot, Adaware, Yahoo Anti Spy or any of the many good tools available for free on the Internet.
  4. Clean up your Email Inbox and Sent Messages. If using Outlook or Outlook express, Purge your deleted messages so they are gone for good and the space is made available.
  5. Verify and Reindex any database files on your system. Examples are Quicken, QuickBooks, Act!, and your Outlook or Outlook Express email system.

On a Monthly Schedule, you should run some more in depth utilities. Do your weekly maintenance first, then do these.

  1. Check for Windows Updates and install them. Microsoft puts out monthly updates which are mostly security fixes, on the 12th of each month. Most PCs will automatically look for and download them from the Microsoft website. If you do not see a small blue globe in the bottom right corner of your screen, in the System Tray, you will need to manually grab the available updates. For most systems, get connected to the Internet, hit your Start button, and select Windows Updates. Follow the instructions and download and install the urgent updates. You do not need to update other available selections if you are not 100% sure you need them.
    1. If you do see the small blue globe in the bottom right corner of your screen, double click on it and allow it to install the updates it has already downloaded. It may ask you to reboot. Go ahead and reboot and the updates are now installed and working for you.
  2. Delete Temporary files and old Internet Cookies. These are the work files your Internet Browser uses. Without monthly cleaning, your browser will slow up noticeably and you may think you have a virus. For Internet Explorer, Click on the Tools entry on your Menu, then select Internet Options. On the first window you see, an area in the middle of the window will be for Temporary Internet Files. Click on the button to Delete Files. It may take a while to get rid of the files. Give it time.
    1. When your mouse comes back to life, you can click on Delete Cookies (your information from various websites). It is good to get rid of as many cookies as you can but the downside is you may lose some automatic login and display settings for your favorite sites. You would be amazed at the number of cookies and the personal information stored from each website you visit.
  3. Disk Defragmentation: As you work on your computer, files get created, changed, deleted, updated and so on. They start to get spread all over your hard drive and performance suffers. Defragmentation goes through your hard drive filing system and puts files back together and in related groups close to each other so that access time will be sped up and optimized. This may take up to an hour if you have not done this in a while. Let it do its thing. You should close down all other programs; even temporarily disable your Antivirus software so this can run. Newer systems will tell you that the defrag will run on the next boot up so it can run cleanly. If your defrag cannot complete, it is a sign that your hard drive has some problems needs higher-level maintenance.
  4. If your PC is connected to an Uninterruptible Power Supply (a battery backup), you can test its battery by pressing the Test button on the front. Close up all programs on your PC so in case the UPS fails the test and your PC turns off, you will not lose any information. Press the test button, it will beep and some lights will flash. If any problems are found, a red error light will show on the unit or a popup will appear on your screen. Batteries can be replaced through the manufacturer web sites or local providers.

PORT SCANNING

For heavy duty Internet users, you can run a Port Scanner to see what is running on your PC in case something nasty got in and is phoning home your information. A 'Port' is what your computer uses to communicate with other networked computers or on the Internet. All communication software uses these ports. Some software is legit and others are not and should be stopped ASAP. For many ports, there are published valid programs that use a specific port but some illegitimate programs may use the same port. There is nothing in the operating systems which forces only one program to use a specific port. It is one of the bad features of Internet and TCP/IP communications. 

When you get results from these scans you will need to list out the active ports and if the port has software associated with it, write down that software. You will then need to deactivate any bad programs running.

A great online Port Scanner is provided by Castle Cops/ Computer Cops. They are a great website dedicated to fighting Viruses and spyware. Their Port Scanner is at http://castlecops.com/modules.php?name=TCP_Scanner . I recommend that you run all 3 scanners they have. It will take awhile, but it is worth it.

Windows has a built in Port Scanner called NetStat. To run this, click on the Start button, then select Run. Now, if you are running Windows 2000 or Windows XP, type in 'cmd' or for Windows 98, type in 'command' - do not type in the quotes, then press ENTER. This opens up a command (DOS) window to run a program. You will need to run NetStat to scan for 2 types of activity: TCP and UDP port activity.

Type in 'netstat -a -n -p TCP' and press ENTER.  This lists all active ports on your PC with active TCP Ports. You WILL have results here so don't worry. You now need to check the listed ports and see if any are active as the result of Spyware or Viruses. 

Type in 'netstat -a -n -p UDP' and press ENTER. This lists all active ports on your PC with active UDP Ports. It is a different communication form than the TCP above.

The Master list of Port Numbers is located at this web address http://www.iana.org/assignments/port-numbers . This list will tell you if the activity is legit or spyware or viruses.

Lists of "the bad guys" are located at: http://www.doshelp.com/Ports/Trojan_Ports.htm and http://www.simovits.com/sve/nyhetsarkiv/1999/nyheter9902.html . Note that some of the ports listed are valid for legitimate software and these bad guys are stealing the use of a legitimate port.

Thanks and happy computing!

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