Winterize Your Computer
November 2007
If you plan to leave your computer or other networked devices (e.g. printers, gaming consoles) on campus while you’re away for winter break, be sure you are properly securing your equipment for the extended vacation.
NUIT recommends that you follow a few simple steps to ensure your computer and the NU Network is in good working order when you return.
Before you leave:
- Backup your data!
- Turn off your computer and unplug it from the network to ensure safety for your system and the NU Network.
- If you have a laptop, stow it in a secure location.
When you return:
- Download and install antivirus definitions and any software updates that have become available. There are usually monthly updates, so be prepared for a pop-up reminder and follow the prompts.
- Begin your year with a new and secure passphrase/password. As a reminder, make sure it’s easy to remember and hard to hack, and keep it to yourself!
- If you live in a Greek house or residence hall, be prepared to re-scan your computer with NetPass.
Winter break is also a good time to perform computer maintenance. When was the last time you went through your program list or performed a disk cleanup? Perform these two quick tasks to improve performance on your Windows system.
- Check your Add or Remove Programs List. From time to time, you should go through the list of software programs that are installed on your computer in Add or Remove Programs. The program list can be found by clicking on the Start menu and selecting Control Panel. Go through the list and remove any programs you no longer use. This may free up needed space on your hard drive and increase startup time.
- Perform a Disk Cleanup. This tool can be found in the following location on your computer: Start menu to All Programs to Accessories to System Tools. This program allows you to empty your recycle bin, delete temporary files, and delete temporary Internet files. While this tool allows you to free up space on your hard drive, it will not delete any files that you've saved on your computer.
Follow these steps to begin your new year with a safe, secure system. Questions? Contact the NUIT Support Center at 847-491-HELP (4357).
