Computer Tips that help small businesses operate profitably

When working properly, computers enable small businesses to make profits of large companies, however, is booted off the computer and you're suddenly starving. In most cases, the computers usually act due to lack of care by its owners. Here are four tips that will keep your computer up and running smoothly.

Tip # 1 - backup your computer data at least once a month.

Too often a small business is pushed back to childhood because he has no time to back up valuable data, information that had hours and hours to create. The information that is irreplaceable, such as customer databases or employment contracts. Keep in mind you'll want to back up the data written, and books such as Quicken and check e-mail address books. If your computer has a CD burner, is simple and fast data backup. Just select the files and folders you want to back up and copy them to the writer.

Or if you have an old computer, copy important files to a floppy disk. In both cases, do not stop here, now take the CD or disk and store it in a fire-safe box! To expedite the process, organize files into folders so you can quickly grab and copy one or two folders.

Tip # 2 - Do not turn off the computer every night.

Too often computer users turn their computers off every night. This is not necessary and not recommended. Components of a computer are at their most vulnerable when on or off. When a computer needs to warm up [turn] or cool down [off] is at this precise moment components fail. You should not turn off the computer once or twice a week or only when needed, for example by a power outage. However, do the opposite and do not turn off the computer, since many anti-virus programs require you to restart your computer to run the first patch of new viruses into force.

Tip # 3 - Automate anti-virus software that updates automatically so no less than once a week.

Depending on the software, it may need to update. Unfortunately, there are people with too much time on their hands who want to attack and make your computer unusable. A computer user is not ultimately protected from viruses and spyware [pop-ups, cookies, etc.] unless you are using a combination of anti-virus and anti-spyware and a firewall, a piece of hardware that protects your computer from being hacked. It is necessary to have all three pieces, in order to avoid viruses, lurkers and attacks. What's more, the majority of attacks are very quiet. You do not know someone is on your computer. Instead, secretly store information, such as child pornography or music MP3s on your computer, since it is illegal, and redirect the child porno or MP3 seekers to your computer, instead of them.

Tip # 4 - Install a firewall if you keep your computer constantly.

Using a broadband connection or DSL greatly increases the exposure to be violated. It only takes an average of 15 minutes online before you have a home-based computer is attacked. The only real way to protect a computer from a hacker is to install a hardware firewall. It is a misconception that the software-based firewalls ultimately protect your computer. This is simply not true. Computers must have a hardware firewall for maximum protection, such as a SonicWall or Netscreen firewall, a component installed between the cable a home user or a DSL connection and your computer .......