Expatriates computer, software, hardware essential tips

Expat Computer Tips: Weekly PC maintenance checklist


Free Email accounts:
Get one of these email account and stay with it wherever you go without changing. These email accounts also protects you from computer viruses, spyware and malware.

1. Gmail by Google - www.gmail.com
    No need to delete your email again...Gmail gives you 7GB (and growing)

2. Yahoo!Mail - http://mail.yahoo.com (5GB mailbox)

3. MSN Hotmail - www.hotmail.com 

Free AntiVirus program and utilities:
1. AVG Free Antivirus (Personal Edition) - free.grisoft.com
    - free virus definition update as well, keep in mind to check update at least once a week.

2. McAfee Stinger (virus/worm cleaning utilities)
   - http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/
  Stinger is a stand-alone utility used to detect and remove specific viruses. It is not a substitute for full anti-virus protection, but rather a tool to assist administrators and users when dealing with an infected system.
 

Free AntiSpyware program:
1. Microsoft Windows Defender (beta)
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
- remember to update the definition always...

2. Spybot Search & Destroy 1.4
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/

3. Ad-Aware SE
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

Free maintenance utilities:
1. Disk Cleanup & Disk Defragmenter
To keep the PC running at a healthy state, do run disk cleanup and disk defragmenter once a month. In Windows XP, go to Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools...

2. Ccleaner - Cleanup unnecessary temp files in one go...
A small, fast and FREE program that every PC should have (part of essential software for Expatriates Weekly PC Maintenance)
Click here for more info and download Ccleaner

Free Graphics Viewer:
1. IrfanView - one of the most popular viewers worldwide
 http://www.irfanview.com

Free Photo Organiser:
Picasa - Find, edit and share your photos, free from Google

Free Audio/Video Player:
1. iTunes 5 For Mac & Windows
http://www.itunes.com
- popular digital jukebox

2. WinAmp - another popular audio media player
http://www.winamp.com/

Is your PC protected - click here to check

Free alternative Internet browser (faster & safer):