Daily data back-ups using a little tool called mirror created a batch file and I click on it a couple of times a day.
This does all my data files, like documents, spreadsheets, emails, email account details, registration keys, address book, favourites/bookmarks, downloaded files/programs, etc. the list goes on and on but if you don’t want to lose it back it up. There are many back-up programs that can simplify this task and run it every day.
I do a weekly ‘full’ image of my partitions and save them to a 2nd hard disk, they can also be saved to off-line storage, DVD, USB external hard disk, etc. as part of my weekly system maintenance.
I guess that everyone has their opinion on what works best. When I set up a Windows OS, my witches brew of layered protection includes:
ZoneAlarm Free
avast! Home
SpywareBlaster (passive)
Windows Defender (active)
Ad-Aware (on demand)
Spybot (on demand)
(All of the components have been around for a while, but they seem to work well together.)
Then, most importantly, I kindly tell them, that they’re on their own. They need to learn what they are, how they work, and how to update them. When they gain confidence in working with a Windows OS, if they think there’s something newer and better out there, they can add/subtract components of the protection package as they deem fit.
“The time” is basically when you have anything on the computer that would cause you inconvenience (beyond the inconvenience of a re-install) if you lost it forever.
eg photos
Address book
Saved passwords etc
I still use Spybot S&D for Immunization (on IE only) and its System Startup tool. I also use its Resident “SDHelper”, which is really part of the immunization system, if I recall correctly. It also includes a handy File Shredder tool, which can be run as a separate program without having to run Spybot S&D.
I’ll run a scan occasionally, just to verify I haven’t picked up anything in its database. Most of my protection comes from practicing “safe hex”.
Edit: I’m still getting to know WinPatrol. I’ve started using its Startup Programs to view and control my startups instead of Spybot S&D. Will see how that goes.
Except that I do not use Winpatol. Instead, I use What’s Running to control start-up programs as well as viewing other information about these programs.
Right. But often a user needs to experience a severe data loss at least once before becoming a believer in backups. The message has been delivered eloquently. Mr.Agent can do with it what he will.
CD’s are fine. Provided you have some way of backing up what you don’t want to lose. I find an external HD more convenient as an entire disk image can be transferred to it rather than having the data/photos etc piecemeal over several cd’s, and maybe more reliable. Whatever you are happy with.
I’ve switched from WinPatrol to SysInternals Autoruns for managing startups. It provides a little more information about the startup program than WinPatrol. I still use WinPatrol for its other features though.
