Trend Micro TrendSetter January 2009

Happy New Year! Get 2009 off to a good start by sweeping the cobwebs out of your system and making sure you're in tip-top shape for a safe and productive new year. Here are five great ways to get off to a stellar start.

1. Run that file backup you've been meaning to do. Sign up for a remote online backup service, buy an external hard drive, burn your files onto CDs—you've got a number of increasingly affordable backup options these days. Even simply emailing your most important files to yourself is better than nothing.

2. Delete files you don't need. Once you've run your backups and have all of your family photos stored on both an external hard drive and a stack of CDs or DVDs, you can delete them from your computer's hard drive. You'll free up a lot of storage and, with a newly decluttered desktop or Documents folder, it will be easier to find the documents you need regularly.

3. Run a system scan and update your virus definitions. Your antivirus product can only work if you run a full system scan and update your definitions. Many people fail to run full scans regularly because they tend to take up a lot of computing resources. Now's the time to get up to date and give your antivirus software a chance to actually work.

4. Change, consolidate, and protect your passwords. You should change the passwords to your email, credit card, and bank accounts regularly. Keep track of the changed passwords and keep them all in one place instead of jotting them down on random Post-It notes. A method as simple as writing them down on a piece of paper and keeping them in a locked safe is very low-tech, but it's also virtually unhackable.

5. Get a copy of your credit report. It's important to check your credit report regularly to make sure the information is accurate and up-to-date. It's also one of the best ways to protect yourself from identity theft.


Trend Micro Consumer Newsletter \| Security Tips, Tricks, and Updates		January 2009
	Five Ways to Start 2009 Right Happy New Year! Get 2009 off to a good start by sweeping the cobwebs out of your system and making sure you're in tip-top shape for a safe and productive new year. Here are five great ways to get off to a stellar start. 1. Run that file backup you've been meaning to do. Sign up for a remote online backup service, buy an external hard drive, burn your files onto CDs—you've got a number of increasingly affordable backup options these days. Even simply emailing your most important files to yourself is better than nothing. 2. Delete files you don't need. Once you've run your backups and have all of your family photos stored on both an external hard drive and a stack of CDs or DVDs, you can delete them from your computer's hard drive. You'll free up a lot of storage and, with a newly decluttered desktop or Documents folder, it will be easier to find the documents you need regularly. 3. Run a system scan and update your virus definitions. Your antivirus product can only work if you run a full system scan and update your definitions. Many people fail to run full scans regularly because they tend to take up a lot of computing resources. Now's the time to get up to date and give your antivirus software a chance to actually work. 4. Change, consolidate, and protect your passwords. You should change the passwords to your email, credit card, and bank accounts regularly. Keep track of the changed passwords and keep them all in one place instead of jotting them down on random Post-It notes. A method as simple as writing them down on a piece of paper and keeping them in a locked safe is very low-tech, but it's also virtually unhackable. 5. Get a copy of your credit report. It's important to check your credit report regularly to make sure the information is accurate and up-to-date. It's also one of the best ways to protect yourself from identity theft. < Back to main page
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