Computer Protection and Maintainance Report Essay

I hope you have received the machine in good working order.Now that you have the machines, there ar several pieces of Utility Software that should be installed on your machine in order to assist with the smooth running and protection of the machine.There are quatern main categories for this Protectioncomputer virusTo protect the computer from malicious packet program program that can break the machine.FirewallTo prevent hackers and malicious programs making internet connections for bad purposes.Clean-up toolsThese stand no protection however they remove unnecessary files and registry entries.They can also remove spy ware sometimes.Disk FormattingThese tools are utilitarian only when arrangeting the disk drive. This doesnt normally need to be done, unless there is a severe problem with the OS.There are several programs that conciliate in each category, and there are advantages and disadvantages to each application. These can include Cost, Resource Footprint and usability. Some times the free utilities can also be the dress hat ones. All vary, some are awful and some are brilliant. Hopefully this email should outline which ones are best for the system, and which ones I would recommend.Virus ProtectionVirus Protection scanners, go through three places to find virii.HDD Looks at every file on the disc.Memory Scans the currently running memory to see if a virus is running nowBehaviour Scans both the memory and stern drive for suspicious well known behaviour and patterns that suggest malicious packetSoftware SuggestionsGRISOFT AVG1. Completely Free 10/102. Anti-Virus & Anti-Spy ware Protection 8/103. Slow Virus Search -3/104. Simple user interface 5/105. Medium Power Footprint 5/10 substance Score = 25/50Very popular solution, highly recommended- go out DEFINITELY PROTECT the machine from viruses and spy ware. But is a drain on resources and takes a long time to scan for threats.NOD32 Anti-Virus1. cost per year 29.95 (for updates + steadfast protection ) 5/102. Antivirus Only 7/103. Regular Virii search speed 5/104. Tricky interface set and freeze style. 3/105. LOW power footprint 10/10Total Score 30/50Not so well known precisely very powerful anti virus system. Will DEFINITELY protect the machine from virii. Will not drain system resources too much and does firm scanning. The only real issues are the lose of Spy ware protection and the expensive price plans.Firewall ProtectionFirewalls control inbound and outbound traffic on either a network or an individual machine. This can be achieved by either packet or hardware. Software is best for your situation.Software SuggestionsWindows Firewall1. Costs Nothing (other than buying windows which is pre installed) 10/102. Inbound Protection Only 4/103. Minimal Interface- set and forget style (with occasional alerts) 4/104. LOW power foot print 9/10Total Score 27/40The windows firewall is an effective and quite protective bankers bill for securing a windows machine although it only h as INBOUND protection, so if a virus is transmitting bad data, the WINDOWS firewall forget not protect you.ZoneAlarm Firewall1. The Free Version is redundant (although a pro version can be bought) 10/102. Inbound + Outbound Protection Alerts for each program 9/103. Complicated, besides comprehensive interface (STOP BUTTON) 6/104. HIGH power footprint 4/10Total Score 29/40Zone Alarm- Firewall Specialists for a long time. Will protect both ways and will request permissions for every program it does not recognise. I highly recommend this software as it provides strong and reliable protection.Clean Up ToolsRegistry Doctor1. This software costs money (17.50) 3/102. This software fixes registry errors, backs up the system, and adjusts the registry for speed. 7/10 (the adjusting could be dangerous)3. Power hungry will take a lot of resources when operational. 4/104. Click and GO Interface, although the system is conglomerate when It comes to advanced settings. 5/10Total Score 19/40Reg istry doctor A often occurrence, simply because of the constant advertising everywhere. This software is a suitable enough solution for most people however I believe it has spy ware built into it, and would not recommend it.Quicksys RegDefrag1. This software is freeware 10/102. This software is a registry defragmenter- it will only optimise it. 4/103. Will take little resources, runs in the reach (like the vista defrag)6/104. Set and Forget interface, no real options and hides during operation 8/10Total Score 28/40Quicksys RegDefrag is a truthful set and forget registry defragmenter and streamliner. I believe this is the better option, as it will pick up redundant keys as it goes however a lack of options somewhat limits this software.Disk FormattingDariks Boot and Nuke (DBAN)1. This software is Free 10/102. This software will overwrite the Hard causal agent with ZEROS however many times you ask it to. 8/103. The computer is busy during the Disk Format (low level physical initi alise)3/104. Set and forget it can take sometime. Limited options 5/10Total Score 26/40DBAN- its a popular and useful tool. It simply erases your hard drive at a low level. It is loud, and you cannot use your OS at the same time- It is a simple FREE, but has limited options.Windows formatting tool1. This software is free with windows. 8/102. The software will perform a high level software format. 5/103. You can only format a drive that windows isnt using. 3/104. You can format a drive to any FS type provided the disk supports it. 7/10Total Score 23/40Windows formatting tool isnt very powerful, is noisy if formatting a hard drive, and is very slow. Although if doing a quick format it will be a bit quicker. You can use your OS, but incredibly slowly.ConclusionBased on the above statistics I would recommend this software* NOD32 Anti Virus* Zone-Alarm PRO Firewall* QuickSys Reg De-Frag* DBAN Boot and NukeI have done my best to always provide a free alternative, but it will not always be the best option. You should make your own decision based, on the facts above, and the software manufacturers website. I put my faith into all product I have mentioned.I hope this email will help you to decide what you need to use to make the computer you will short be receiving, the best machine for miles around.