There are multiple reasons why internet seems to get sluggish. The most common problem is Spyware and Mal-ware. These are programs that are loaded on a computer unknowingly, the reason they slow down internet is when you access the internet these programs contact the creator and deliver information about where you have gone on the internet and even can collect personal information. Avoiding this kind of problem is possible, but you must compromise the way you use the internet. The best way to avoid being effected by this problem is to protect your computer. A very effective program is Trend Micro’s PCillian internet security for your anti-virus needs. Trend Micro also sells a host of packages for server based environment. There is also company called Lavasoft that has created a free program that removes Spyware and Mal-ware. Here are some instructions on how to use it:

Remove Spyware and speed internet access:

Click on the following link:

Click Here

(Ad aware provided by Download.com)

• Alternate (Right)Click the link above and when prompted save the file to your desktop.
• Double click and follow the on – screen instructions.
• Once the program is installed you will want to update and run the program.
• Once the update is complete the program will start scanning for Spyware.
• If Ad aware finds problems right click in the area where the Spyware is listed and select all.
• Note: If there are more than 300 problems found, you may need to remove a hundred at a time to avoid your computer from freezing.
• If the program has a problem removing some of the Spyware it will
• prompt you to run the program at startup.

Other reasons the internet could be slowing down:

• There are different problems caused by viruses, always keep your virus definitions up to date. On the main screen of most anti virus software you will see an area that informs you of the date of virus definitions. The definitions are normally not more than a week old.
• An abundance of Temporary internet files and history:
• Clear your temporary internet files:
• In Internet Explorer
• Click Tools on the top menu bar.
• Click Internet Options
• On the general tab, hit the delete files.
• Do the same for delete cookies.
• Note: Deleting cookies in Internet Explorer will delete passwords NOT saved by the password manager.
• Clear your history:
• Note: Only clear your history if you don’t mind not having the list of websites in the drop down menu on your address bar.
• Follow the steps above and click clear history.

Computer seems to be slower that it was when you first purchased it:

Your computer will always slow down after using it for a period of time. Files get fragmented or programs are loaded into start up.

• Defragment your hard drive often. The more often you defrag your computer the less time it will take to perform defrag.
• On a windows computer go to the start menu, then accessories, then system tools.
• Choose Disk Defragmenter.
• Start up

This is a bit complicated at times. As a rule of thumb you want your virus software to start automatically when you start your computer. Some people use programs like instant messenger, PC anywhere, printer utilities or on most laptops there are programs that control the mouse and power management. These are programs that need to run all the time so that they can answer requests from the internet or perform some sort of function. At the bottom right hand corner of your screen you should see the time. Next to the time is the system tray. The more programs that are running in this area the slower the computer will respond. There are two ways to stop programs from starting automatically.

First:

• Go to the start button.

• In the startup folder of the programs menu you will see all the programs that start automatically.

• Programs like QuickBooks put an agent in start up to help the program start up faster. This is not necessary you can safely delete these shortcuts and stop them from starting automatically.

• Note: Leave programs for multifunction printers because these programs run services for scanning and faxing from your desktop.

Second:

• Using MSCONFIG

• MS Config is a utility that will allow a person to remove programs from startup:

• Go to start and then run

• Type msconfig

• Hit enter

• A window will pop up and look for the startup tab

• Look through start up to find programs that do not need to run in the background.

• Common programs are RealPlayer, QuickTime,

• Uncheck the box next to these programs and this will disable them.

• Next time you start your computer there will be a message about not using normal start up. Check the box do not show this message again.

Using short cut keys in programs:

Short cut keys can be very helpful in performing task quickly. Commonly known shortcut keys are Ctrl C (copy) Ctrl V (paste)

Notice the area highlighted in yellow

Have Ctrl+ next to the action.

These are Ctrl shortcuts and are

available in most programs. Use the Ctrl

key on the bottom right hand side of the

keyboard in combination with the letter

and this will perform the correspsonding

ation.

Use of the Windows Key

• Cycle through buttons on the taskbar Windows + Tab

• Display Find: All Files Windows + F

• Display Find: Computer Control + Windows Key +F or F3

• Display Help Windows Key + F1

• Display the Run command Windows Key + R

• Display the Start menu Windows Key

• Display the System Properties dialog box Windows Key + Break

• Display Windows Explorer Windows Key + E

• Minimize or restore all windows Windows Key + D

• Undo minimize all windows Shift + windows Key +M

Using shortcut keys in Windows

• Activate the menu bar in programs F10 or Alt
• Close all currently opened menus and return to the application Alt
• Carry out a command in the menu Alt + Underlined letter in menu
• Close the current window. Control + F4
• Close the current window or quit a program Alt + F4
• Copy Control + C
• Cut Control + X
• Delete Delete Key
• Display Help on current Dialog Box item F1
• Display the current window’s system menu Alt + Spacebar
• Display the shortcut menu for the selected item Shift+F10
• Display the Start menu Control + Escape
• Display the system menu for MDI programs Alt + - (hyphen)
• Paste Control + V
• Switch to another window hold down ALT while repeatedly press Tab
• Undo Control + Z

Dialog Box Shortcut Keys

• Cancel the current task Escape

• Check a checkbox Spacebar

• Push a button Spacebar

• Activate a command Alt + underlined letter

• Activate a selected button Spacebar

• Move backward through options Shift + Tab

• Move forward through property sheets Control + Tab

• Move backward through property sheets Control + Shift + Tab

• Move forward through options Tab

• Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box Backspace

• Open the "Save As" Dialog Box F4

• Refresh the Save As or Open dialog box F5

Windows Explorer and My Computer Shortcut Keys

• Close the selected folder and all of its parent folders Hold down shift while pressing enter on "close" from the file menu.

• Move backward to the previous folder Alt + Left Arrow

• Move forward to the previous folder Alt + Right Arrow

• Move up one level Backspace