I don't really do regular maintenance on my PC because I do the following. I wrote this list up so I didn't have to write it out everytime. Except I only use MSE since I don't get infected.
1. Use an Uninterruptable Power Supply. A Surge Suppressor can’t protect against brown outs.
2. Use a router even if you only have 1 PC. A router is a perfect firewall.
3. Use a quality Anti Virus such as Microsoft Security Essentials, NOD32 or Kaspersky. All 3 programs scan for both virus and spyware.
4. Have a secondary Malware scanner such as Malwarebytes or SUPERAntispyware just in case.
5. Make sure Auto Update in Windows is turned on.
6. Check for driver updates monthly both through Windows Update and your equipment manufactures website.
7. Run a monthly Disk Clean Up, Defrag and Scandisk. The Windows tools are fine but there are others. In Vista and Windows 7 some task are ran automatically.
8. When installing programs always do a custom (advanced) install. This way you can unselect any toolbars, search engines, updaters or other “extra” software free programs almost always come with.
9. Never download an attachment from an e-mail unless you have requested THAT person send you THAT e-mail. This is still the number 1 way people get malware. It doesn’t matter if it’s your mom, your sister, your girl friend never open it unless you requested it.
10. Never click links in an e-mail unless you have requested THAT person send you THAT e-mail. Copy the link and paste it into the address bar of your browser.
11. Don’t browse shady, doggy, illegal websites and never ever download anything from them no matter what the site says. You don’t need to see the Olsen Twins naked bad enough to install something on your system.
12. When using a messenger program such as Live Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, MySpace Messenger etc do not click links, download files or even except conversations from people you don’t know. Just like e-mail and bad websites messengers are a large source of malware.
13. Don’t know use P2P, bit torrent, or wares sites including sites like Mega Upload and Rapid Share. It’s simply not safe and legit software makers do not use them. Exception many Linux distributions can be downloaded via bit torrent. If doing this be sure to get the file off those distributions trackers not places like PirateBay, Mininova or BT Junky.
(fair enough if its a test machine or repair machine) but man, I bet half the time it doesn't find anything.
