Slow Computer? Tell me - How Slow Can It Go?
I'll tell you this - I've had some SLOW computers. My first computer was a Gateway 4DX2-66 with something like 22 MB of Ram - that was an upgrade! I know... that's slow enough then I put that computer online. Before taking that machine online, I was able to keep it moving with weekly defrag sessions. Not particularly tech savvy, I thought it was dial-up that slowing everything down to a crawl. When I heard people say "Oh, my computer is slow" I silently argued with them that they had no idea what a slow computer was unless they used mine.
It wasn't until I learn about spyware and adware that existed online that I realized my computer wasn't slow just to aggravate me. It was like a cat covered with fleas during a heat wave. Just didn't want to move.:-)
First things first - I learned how to clear the cookies from my system. That was basic enough - with Microsoft, find accessories then system tools disk clean up to clear a chunk of adware on your machine. Adware cookies slow your computer down because these little critters are busy sending back information about you and your online habits to their home base. You see when you visit a website, cookies are used to track visitors but some cookies do more than simply record who is on their site - through adware and spyware... they can track all kinds of personal information about you and your computer. Harmless? Who knows!
Even if you don't have banking or personal identification information on your home computer, there is some information that no one wants sent out onto the internet. Since a slow computer is one sign of the presence of adware, spyware and trojans that means you need to run a spyware removal software to find out exactly what IS running on your machine. Once you know what is slowing your computer down, then you can clear it out and set up a program that notifies you that some form of spyware or adware is trying to run on your machine. You can delete these unwanted cookies and programs before they start wrecking havoc with your computer and your life.
Before you call one of your kids to come over to deal with your slow computer by popping in more ram, take the time to run some system checks - check for spyware, adware, trojans, system monitors (particularly malicious programs you want to avoid!) and viruses. A slow computer could just be old age catching up with the hard drive but give your computer the once over to make sure its working with all its faculties intact... minus any pesky adware or spyware. Happy Surfing!
