New

We are all the same when it comes to a new PC. Nice and shiny out of the
box, follow the install routine and you are off!

But there are a few things you need to do before even starting to use the desktop or
laptop.  These include ensuring the equipment is secure before connecting to the
internet and preserving your data.

Internet Security
Most new PCs are provided with 'free' security applications. Actually not so
much free as 30 to 90 day trial versions, after which you will need to pay a 12-month
subscription fee.  If the fee is paid then you will be covered against viruses and
spyware for 12 months, you will also get additional benefits such as e-mail scanners
and other various features.

There are free-to-use alternatives that will provide anti-virus and anti-spyware
protection, they will only feature anti-virus and anti-spyware/malware scanners, in
order to get additional benefits you would have to pay a subscription fee like the
other applications.

The best source of free-to-use security applications is Download.com.  They have
several security applications listed in their 'Most Popular Downloads' section on their
homepage.

Back-up Applications
Most new equipment is provided with restore disks but no data back-up applications.
Ask anyone who has lost data and who has not backed it up if back ups are important!

Just to be clear, the restore disks or applications that are provided with new equipment
is provided to restore the equipment to its original factory default state. Useful if you are
selling your equipment on (see current issues page) but not a solution to lost data!

So it is very important to back-up your data files - these are distinct from the application
files and refer to any files created by you in, for example, Excel and Word documents, all
photos loaded from a digital camera, etc.

But in order for the data back-up process to work, make sure all your data files are saved
to either your <User Name> Documents folder in Windows Vista/7, or My Documents
directory in Windows 95/98/ME/2000/XP.

So install a back-up application or use, if applicable, on-line backups provided within your
security software. Some do and some don't but it is becoming more common for
free on-line backup applications to be available. Very useful but usually back up space
is limited.

If you are not going to use on-line back-ups then we recommend you back-up your data
onto a USB flash drive or an external hard drive.  If your PC does stop working then your
back-up should not be affected and could be used on another PC.

A good free back up application is SyncBack - details are located here! Install it now -
you will not regret it. Once it has installed you should create a back-up profile, which will
tell Syncback what files should be backed up and where the back-ups should be kept. 
You can then also schedule this profile so that it will start on a specific day and time.

Existing

The recommendations are simple - follow a regular process for updating and running
security and back-up applications.

For the Windows Update, ensure the PC is configured to update each day at
a set time when the PC or laptop will be on and connected to the internet. This point is
made as the default update time for all windows based PCs is 3am!! So if it is not switched
on, it will not update.  Some Windows updates may require your PC to restart itself to
finish the update process, by default Windows will automatically restart to do this with little
warning.  This can be changed in the Control Panel option in the Start Menu.

For security application updates, again schedule these to run when the PC is on and
connected to the internet.

Make sure all security applications are run at least once a week.

How can FPC help?

We can provide the following services:

New PC or laptop installs to set up for first use.
Security application installs and configuration including updates.
Back up applications installation and backup.
First line support for SyncBack.