In a world where we rely heavily on internet-based programs for work, research, and personal life- it’s important to take steps to protect our connections to these programs. Specifically, where your internet browser is concerned, a few things to look out for are noticing any time lags, virus alerts, storage space utilization, and updates. Here are some periodic ways to keep your computer running safely, resulting in higher speed with fewer issues!
Why Is My Computer Running Slow?
If your computer applications are running slowly, or you are receiving annoying ads and pop-ups, it’s a good idea to check your computer for viruses. Do not ever click on a suspicious pop-up! A few things you can do before contacting your help support is to press CTRL+ALT+DELETE, choose Task Manager, and close all of your currently open apps. Another quick fix is to go through your stored folders and clean out unnecessary files and images that are taking up space. This could be an indicator that it is time to clear your cache/cookies/history!
When To Clear Your Cache/Cookies/History
To maximize efficiency, every time you access a file through your browser it becomes cached or stored. This way, your browser doesn’t have to continue downloading the same files and images each time you visit the same link. Cookies and browser history are basically a few steps up in storage material. Cookies will store user-specific information such as shopping cart items, while your history will store a log of sites that you visit. Although this process helps your pages load quickly, the stored information can build up and in result actually slow down your computer. That’s why clearing your cache, cookies, and history on a weekly or monthly basis is beneficial.
How Often Should I Update My Software?
Updating your anti-virus and anti-malware software should always be done in an emergency situation, but upgrading their latest version is a quick step that can be done at any time. Whether you operate from Windows or a Mac, they will notify you with updates that should be handled at that time. To be safe, update your backups weekly and check for major software updates monthly! Taking the time to update your software and back up your stored information helps your computer run smoothly and store safely.
We are all guilty of ignoring the “update available” notifications, but here is your reminder! Schedule your updates, set monthly alerts to clean up your storage space, pay attention to clearing your cache/cookies/history, and don’t forget to do your weekly backups!
