If Malwarebytes says you have a piece of "bad" software, get rid of it and replace it with a different product. Consult your tax advisor to determine whether itemizing makes sense for you. Take the extra minute or two to shut down the machine properly, using your operating system’s shutdown button. }); See why 218,388 people subscribe to our newsletter. In 2017, for instance, Best Buy stopped selling Moscow-based Kaspersky Lab’s antivirus products under intense public pressure as concerns mounted that the company’s software could function as a backdoor for covert monitoring and data extraction by the FSB and other Russian intelligence agencies. googletag.pubads().setTargeting('subcat', []).setTargeting('category', ['savings']); By use of back up devices, like an external hard disk for backing up your computer. (Even if you’re not a gamer, gaming laptops have significant benefits – this article from Walmart Canada explains why you might want to use one for classroom assignments, for instance.). The best way to protect your computer from malware in the first place is to use a high-quality anti-malware program. You can select "just a few" Windows updates at a time, and let them finish, just a few at a time. Maintenance offers the best of both worlds. New laptops and PCs generally come with anti-malware software preinstalled or at least included in the package, but be wary of accepting it at face value. Avoid making embarrassing mistakes on Zoom! It only takes a minute each day, and it could prolong your devices’ life for months or years. Like people, desktop and laptop computers need to breathe. You probably know someone... Fall is a great time to get outside. Always keep original install media handy, or at least know where to find them. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. If you have a PC desktop or laptop, read Microsoft’s primer here. The most thorough way to clear unwanted files and reset your machine’s “bones” is to reinstall your operating system every so often. You need to execute a formal uninstall process for every single application you want to get rid of. My computer fails when I need to open Windows. Use the same approach to clean your mouse’s accessible surfaces. Easier said than done when you’re working through your lunch break or binge-watching your favorite show with a bowl of ice cream, of course. You can get one for $5 or $6 online or in your local hardware store. If you have small children or pets, it may well present an electrocution risk. That way, Microsoft won't totally overwhelm your computer doing 50 updates at once. It’s not easy, but so far I’ve managed to hold fast. It says "failure Windows update. When in doubt, use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your connection and repel attacks. 33% of all Americans live in households with three or more smartphones, and 18% are “hyper-connected,” with 10 or more electronic devices in the home. To create this article, 34 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Though some such programs are essential system processes, many are trivial and can safely be deleted. Dust it periodically with a microfiber cloth. Most are best done on a recurring basis. To clean harder-to-reach parts of your keyboard and mouse, such as the mouse’s optical opening and the spaces underneath the keys, use a compressed air canister. I have a confession to make: I’ve never cracked a phone screen. And when your operating system alerts you to a necessary update, don’t keep snoozing it – just bite the bullet and get it done, even if it interrupts your workflow. When he's not investigating time- and money-saving strategies for Money Crashers readers, you can find him exploring his favorite trails or sampling a new cuisine. They’re commonly known as desiccant bags, and they’re cheap – $7 for four 10.5 ounce bags on Amazon, each more than sufficient to dry out a waterlogged phone. You’ll need several to dry out a dripping phone. Set-up your PC to Download and install “Windows Updates" automatically. © 2020 Money Crashers, LLC. Drive cost has moved in near-inverse proportion to drive capacity. Advertiser Disclosure: The credit card and banking offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies and banks from which MoneyCrashers.com receives compensation.