Looking to understand more about computers? Please read the computer terms and tips and hints to help you better understand the basics about your computer.
Computer Terms Simply Defined:
Computer Virus: A computer virus is software designed with the intent to disrupt normal operation of your computer. The reason for these viruses can be to redirect you to content that the virus programmer wants you to go to. They can also be designed to disable your computer so you cannot use it. Where do they come from? Most viruses come from email attachments. Others come from web sites that offer free downloadable content.
Malware: Malware or malacious software is designed with the purpose of destroying files on your computer. Sometimes these are critical files that prevent your computer from starting. Sometimes they just randomly delete what ever they want. Malware usually shows up as "blue screen errors" or situations that prevent you from starting your computer at all.
Spyware: Spyware is designed to seek out private data and send it to the programmer of the spyware virus. Your information is then sold on the black market for use by information theifs.
Hard Drive: A hard drive is the main storage device located inside of the computer. This device holds all of your programs, documents, pictures everything stored on your computer. There are two types of hard drives internal and external. Internal hard drives come in two different styles solid state or disk drive. The solid state drive uses microchips to store and retrieve information. The disk drive uses disks that look similar to CD's to read and write information.
Memory / RAM (Random Access Memory): Memory can be referred to as the hard drive because it stores data in "memory" however, in the computer world memory is a set of computer chips that allow the passing information back and forth between the devices inside your computer and allow the temporary storage of well, temporary information.
Operating System: You may have been asked what operating system do you use? Windows, Linux, and OS X are examples of operating systems. They are the interfaces that allow you to interact with the other programs on your computer and the hardware devices attached to the computer internally and externally.
Router / Wireless Router: A router does like it sounds. It routes information between your computer and the main connection to the internet, a modem. Its primary purpose is to connect your computer to the modem. It also can act as a central point to distribute your internet connection to multiple computers.
Modem: A modem is the device that connects your computer to the internet. Its purpose is to establish a connection between your computer and the internet.
Tips and Hints: Here is a list of the best tips I can provide you to help avoid having to see me more times then necessary.
1.
Never open emails that you do not know where they are from. This is the most common cause of virus infection.
2. Keep your computer clean. There are several vents that a computer uses to get air into the computer. The devices inside of a computer operate at temperatures well over 100 degrees and they need to be kept cool to perform at their best. Clean any vents you can find with your vacuum. Also the inside components of the computer need to be cleaned from time to time. You will need to hire a professional to perform this task.
3. Keep your computer up to date. There are a few software applications that are used to display interactive content, videos, music players and video streaming. These applications are Java and Adobe Flash. Once in a while a icon in the lower right hand corner will pop up and ask you to update these applications and it is vital that you do that. Also more importantly is Windows Updates. If you do not have automatic updates installed make sure you find out how to do that immediately. Windows updates many times are to repair known issues with Windows security problems.
