Today’s Tech Tip will address two of the main causes of decreased speed and performance on your computer, and suggest periodic maintenance solutions to keep your system operating at peak efficiency.  This will assist you not only in accessing www.ahima.org, but also in making the most of your time in general when using your computer.

Spyware and Adware

Some advertisers or Web sites engage in information gathering or advertising using programs installed on a user’s hard drive without his or her knowledge. 

Typically, “spyware” programs install themselves in such a way that they start up every time the computer does (using system resources and reducing stability), and run at all times, invisible to the user, monitoring Internet usage and delivering targeted advertising.  If you have noticed “spam” e-mails coming to you without your having signed up for any mailing lists, for instance, this may be a sign that spyware on your hard drive is collecting information about you and returning it to advertisers.

“Adware” programs, on the other hand, are used to directly target advertising to the Web user or to direct the user to specific Web sites.  If you see new toolbars in your browser window that you didn't install, your browser home page changes unexpectedly, or you find that your computer is overrun with frequent “pop-up” advertising, it is likely that adware is the culprit.  Although software is available to block pop-up advertising, this may interfere with your fully utilizing Web sites, like AHIMA’s, which employ pop-up technology.

Both spyware and adware are often “bundled” with other software in order to convince the user to install the programs.  Free programs advertising that they enhance your net-surfing experience, such as Gator and BonziBuddy, or file-sharing utilities like Kazaa, Gnutella, or LimeWire, may install software on your hard drive which can severely impair your computer’s ability to run properly.

The symptoms of spyware or adware “infection” can also include system slowdowns, lock-ups, and crashes.  Fortunately, the solution is relatively simple, as there is free software available to remove spyware and adware from your computer. 

Two of the most popular are Lavasoft’s Adware (www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/) and Spybot Search & Destroy (www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html), although others are also available. 

Running spy/adware removal software, at least monthly, as part of your regular computer maintenance routine, can be of great benefit.

Please note: AHIMA does not recommend any particular product over another, and cannot be held responsible for any problems caused by installing other vendors’ software, so please be sure to carefully follow installation instructions and to read all license agreements for any software you install.  If you are unsure which product is best, or how to install it, we recommend that you consult with an IT professional. If, after properly installing the software, you encounter any performance issues, you should contact the software vendor directly for assistance.

Hard Disk Defragmentation and Clean-Up

Over time, files and applications can become scattered in various places on your hard disk, as old files are deleted and new ones are saved. Also, temporary files of various types, which your computer does not need on an ongoing basis, can become stored on your hard drive, using valuable drive space and causing reductions in system speed. 

This is less of an issue for Mac users, as the design of the Mac’s operating system largely eliminates these problems.  Windows users, however, should be aware of the tools available to keep their systems operating smoothly and prevent possible system crashes and data loss.

Depending on the version of Windows you are using, the steps below may vary slightly, but the tools are the same – “Disk Cleanup” and “Disk Defragmenter.”  We suggest that, once a month or so, you clean up and then defragment your hard drive for optimal performance.  Both tools can be accessed through the following procedure:

1. Close all applications. Disable screen savers, anti-virus utilities and other constantly running programs.
2. Open the Start menu and choose “Programs”, then “Accessories.”
3. Click on “System Tools.”
4. Click on “Disk Defragmenter” or “Disk Cleanup.”
5. Select drive C: (the physical drive), and follow the instructions that appear.

Although disk cleanup is a fairly quick, on-the-spot application, you should be aware that, depending upon the size of your hard disk and your computer’s processing speed, the disk defragmentation process may take as much as several hours, and no other applications can be run on your machine while it is in progress.  We therefore recommend that you set aside some time specifically for this part of your maintenance routine.

Performing the system cleanup and maintenance steps listed above approximately once a month should help to keep your Web-surfing experience, and the general operation of your computer, at optimal levels.  As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us either by e-mail at info@ahima.org, or by telephoning our Customer Relations team at (800) 335-5535.

AHIMA is the national association of health information management (HIM) professionals. AHIMA's 51,000 members are dedicated to the effective management of personal health information needed to deliver quality healthcare to the public. Founded in 1928 to improve the quality of medical records, AHIMA is committed to advancing the HIM profession in an increasingly electronic and global environment through leadership in advocacy, education, certification, and lifelong learning. For information about the Association, go to www.ahima.org.

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