Computer Crashing?

Intel Tech 101 is a series of videos explaining the nuts and bolts of computing. The videos explain the basics of personal computers, discuss common questions, and provide answers from our experienced Intel Customer Support team.

Tech 101 Videos

Episode 5: All about the chipset Description: This video takes you inside the computer highlighting the features of the chipset. Time: 4:37   Episode 4: All about the motherboard Description: This video takes you inside the computer highlighting the features of the motherboard. Time: 3:27   Episode 3: All about the processor Description: This video describes how a processor works Time: 4:20 Related Link: How do I know if my computer is overheating? Tips on preventing your desktop computer from overheating   Episode 2: What is inside the PC? Description: This video describes major components of the PC. Time: 6:03 Related Links: Intel® System Identification Utility Component hardware manufacturers   Episode 1: Introduction Description: Introduction into Intel Tech 101 Time: 2:12 Related Link: Intel® Driver Update Utility

Computer Maintenance
Protect Your Computer from Viruses
As everyone who has ever had the flu knows, viruses can be devastating—and computers don't get off any easier than people. Even though a flu virus and a computer virus have obvious differences, there are some similarities: Both you and your computer get viruses from others who are already infected, and prevention can help keep both of you healthy.

Keep in mind that the steps listed in this article are only recommendations that may help prevent virus infection and help deal with it if one does occur. This topic is complex, and it changes rapidly, so it's important to stay vigilant and stay informed.

Prevention is the key.
Your best defense is to keep your system from getting infected in the first place because once it is, it can be very difficult, if not impossible, to get rid of the virus. The road to prevention begins with these steps:

•Install effective anti-virus software. Anti-virus software is widely available; any online or brick-and-mortar store that sells software will offer a number of products. These products typically require an annual subscription, which lets you keep your anti-virus software up to date and ready to detect the latest threats.

Tip: For added protection, consider buying a security suite that includes firewall software and other protection (such as spam filtering).

•Avoid risky behavior. For example: never open an email attachment that comes from someone you don't know, and avoid downloading anything from the Internet that might not be trustworthy. Keep in mind that humorous material is often passed along, from address to address, through email. It's best not to open this type of file, because even if the attachment is from someone you know, they may be unknowingly passing along a virus.

Getting Rid of Spyware
Most of us don't have to worry about encountering 007-style super-spies or shifty-eyed characters in trench coats, but we all need to know about their cyber-versions-spyware.

Spyware lurks around every corner of the Web, waiting for a chance to infect your computer. Knowing what to look out for is your best counterattack, and we'll show you how.

I've heard of spyware, but what is it?
Spyware is software that tricks users into installing it on their computers. Once it's there, it can secretly gather information about you and send it to an interested party, without your knowledge or consent. Screen savers, computer wallpaper, and those packages of little smiley icons are all key culprits that can contain spyware.

Different types of spyware do different things, but all of them involve deception and taking some amount of control over the computer.