Like everything else you own it is,  a  good idea to periodically to some housecleaning for your PC.

First  I recommend you download a good Antimalware software, install/update it and run a deep scan  on your system. Sure there are lots of tools out there but why not take a look at these good and free tools:

Spybot Search and Destory


The next tool you should install (if not already installed) is a good antiviral.  10 people will have 10 different recommendations but the most popular ones are:

AVG Free
Avast Free
Avira Free
Microsoft Security Essentials


           


The next step is to remove unneeded or "garbage" files from your system. A great free tool I have been using and recommending for years is called CCleaner. You simply install the tool  then choose clean and watch it do its magic.




Once you have performed the above 3 activities, the next step is to perform a full hard disk defragmentation. There are lots of tools here but a good free tool is called Defraggler. 



 You simply select your disk and choose Defragment. If you have never defragmented your drive before, this may take several hours.

Conclusion
The above should become at least a monthly habit. A good, clean and safe PC is a good thing. There are lots of knowledgeable IT people on this board. It's your chance to sound off. What do you recommend?

A question I get asked often is what Antivirus I use. Years ago I had an array of productsfo r each category of protection but now I find the integrated products very effective and much easier to use.

For the last 2 years, I had been using Norton 360 as my main product. unlike previous years, the product provides very good protection and is very light on resource usage. 2 months ago when my subscription expired, i switched to another tool I like a lot called Prevx.com (also for pay). In my tests, PREVX is very good at catching nasties and is extremely light on resourceusage .

since i am running windows 7, the built in firewall is adequateandidonot feel the need to install anything else.

For defragmentation I use Defraggler and I also use CCleaner to clean "crap" files from my system.

I use the ESET free online antivirus scanner once a month as a second security check. http://www.eset.com/onlinescan/

And the rest is just good computing practices. I do not download hacked programs (which cause 70% of all internet PC infections). Prevx also has a browser plug-in that makes sure I don't make a "spupid mistake" by visiting a bad site.

Windows Firewall is decent for inbound filtering but what about outbound?

The original Windows XP firewall was inbound only. When MS moved to Vista, they implemented a new technology called Windows Filtering platform which allows for the
filtering of outbound traffic via the adva"nced Security MMC Snap-in".

When you configure a network connection, Windows 7 will ask you to choose a categoryforit : Publc, home or work. By default, Win 7 blocks inbound connections to any program not specifically on the allowed list.

When you choosethe public option, network discovery will be automatically turned-off so other computers on that network will not "see you". Additionally you canno join or someonecannot join your homegroup.

If you select "home" then homegroup is enabled. This means network discovery is enabled so users can see each other. Members of the same homegroup can easily share files and peripherals.

If you choose the "work" option then network discovery is on but homegroups are disabled. If your computer authenticates to a domain controller than this mode get's turned on automatically.

The Windows 7 firewall also allows you to configure rules using ranges (you had to use individual portsinprevious versions). Connection security rules also allow "dynamic encryption" if an additional layer of security is required when performing remote management.

Of course you can now use multiple firewall profiles and can configure the following parameters per profile:

-On/off status of the Windows firewall
-Inbound connections (block, block all connections, or allow)
-Outbound connections (allow or block)
-Display notifications (whether or not to notify you when a program is blocked)
-Allow unicast response to multicast or broadcast traffic
-Apply local firewall rules created by the local administrator in addition to Group Policy firewall rules
- Allow local connection security rules created by local administrators in addition to Group Policy connection security rules


So it is not perfect and if you travel with a laptop you may want to use a third party firewall tool but... If you work from home and have some kind of hardware firewall already then you should be fine with the built in firewall.

If you are looking for a third party Win7 compatiblefirewall  (FREE), take a look at this list:

    *  Ashampoo FireWall FREE
    * Blink Personal Edition
    * Comodo Firewall
    * Online Armor Firewall
    * Outpost Firewall
    * PC Tools Firewall Plus
    * Windows 7 Firewall Control ( freeversion )
    * ZoneAlarm Basic Firewall

Comodo and Online Armor have pretty good rating.

I tried Vista Firewall Control and not much success from it. I also tried Zonealarm and Comodo and don't like them much. their UI are too complicated to understand. The only software firwall I have luck with is Microsoft ISA Server 2006 but it's not free and only works on servers.

On one of my Vista workstation. I noticed the firewall is still actively filtering things (and causing problem) even though the Windows Firewall is set to OFF in Security Center. Is that a known problem? I have to turn off Windows Firewall because it caused problem with the applications, but I have to leave Windows Firewall service running because it is required for IPSec

Vista was ver bad. I have not had any issues with the Win7 firewall.

Great blog Ed I have a question. I am using Advanced System Care (Free Version) and AVG Antiviral (Free Version). I run scandisk and defrag once a week. Is this enough PC Cleaners or should I still be using CCleaner? I used to used CCleaner until I got Advanced System Care. What is your opinion on this one, please and thanks

Thanks for posting this info - good one.

Casperinbc: With everything you are doing.... You are good.

Woohoo, I am so happy to hear that Ed. Thanks very much for your info in this blog. I just love your blogs, I learn so much :

Thanks once again, Ed, for some very useful information!

I was previously using AVG (free edition) but switched to AVIRA when I got my new laptop. Have been very happy with it so far. It has caught a few nasty things for me I have read some people complain about the "pop up" ads that AVIRA has every time it does a file update, however, I don't find it a problem at all....I just have to "x" out the ad and away I go. No big hassle as far as I'm concerned.

thanks ed I use CCleaner often and I find that it really unclogs my PC.

I have a question/request. I also use a Mac and although everyone tells you that you really don't need anything for it, I'm still wondering what's out there and what I can best do for it... (next blog topic perhaps? )

don't forget the backup of files since external harddrives are relatively cheap now.

after malware infected my laptop late last year (darn torrent files ) - my bf and i got an external harddrive - and i went old school as in DOS and backed up my hdd before i ran the recovery discs

Thanks, edwardk for this, but for defragging, Defraggler gets stuck in a loop and keeps defragging the same files over and over. Stuck first at 81% and the second attempt went no further that 62%. All versions are buggy according to Defraggler forum posters.

This is great thanks alot.