How to keep your computer clean (Beginners Guide)

How To Keep Your Computer Safe and Clean.

Even if you did just buy a fancy computer, there are some measures you need to take to benefit you in the long run. Here's some beginners tips.

Install an ad/tracker blocker.
This will help keep third-party organizations from accessing your your private information. I suggest applications like Adblock+ or Privdog. I prefer Privdog over Adblock because Privdog gives you an accurate update on the amount of Ad networks, trackers, 3rd party networks and cookies it has blocked. In a single browsing session, Privdog blocks about 500-1000 threats.

https://adblockplus.org
http://www.privdog.com/

A good antivirus software.
Look here, the Norton Antivirus or Windows Defender that came with your PC just isn't that great.

I suggest MalwareBytes or System Mechanic. Malwarebytes is free, while SystemMechanic is not. Both work together excellently. An advantage of SystemMechanic is GPU monitoring, Hard Drive Repair, and Registry Repair. System Mechanic is by-far the best Tune-Up software for an old, infected PC. I cleaned 30gb of viruses off of my old computer with it.

https://www.malwarebytes.org/
http://www.iolo.com/products/system-mechanic/

Question Everything. Prior to downloading things, check sources and make sure they are reliable. Obviously, don't open emails from strangers.

Keep your system clean! (literally). An old system can overheat from too much dust or debris in the ventilation system. An easy fix is to buy some compressed air from the store and blow it into your vents.

Hope this guide helped!

Taking care of your PC by removing dust is extremely important. I can't even count how many pc's i have "repaired" by just cleaning them up and adding some fresh cooling paste.

It's amazing how much dust I have to clean out of my rig.

Thanks for this OP! Really needed clean this dinosaur out ;)

It's amazing how much dust I have to clean out of my rig.

Check so you have positive pressure in your rig and pickup some dust filters. they are very cheap and will save you a lot of time spent on cleaning.

No.

Malwarebytes, hence its name, is not an antivirus. It is an anti-malware, and its main goal is to get the infection off of your computer, not to prevent it from getting on.

It's amazing how much dust I have to clean out of my rig.

Check so you have positive pressure in your rig and pickup some dust filters. they are very cheap and will save you a lot of time spent on cleaning.

At the moment, I have already done so.
Most of the dust is easy to clean.

Some of it is difficult, however. Especially when it gets trapped on the components and fans inside of the rig. My graphics cards, for instance, always have some dust.

No.

Malwarebytes, hence its name, is not an antivirus. It is an anti-malware, and its main goal is to get the infection off of your computer, not to prevent it from getting on.

Indeed. That is why I suggested it with System Mechanic.

I would not suggest running a tool that has an AV as a side feature expecting it to keep you safe.

Malwarebytes isn't meant to keep your PC clean on its own.
It's meant as a "wingman" for a antivirus.
While a antivirus is aimed at primarily viruses, malwarebytes aims at malware, and PUPs (potentially unwanted programs).
Malwarebytes facebook page has responded to multiple users who said they used malwarebytes as a antivirus and told them NOT to do that and that they need to get a antivirus program.
Also if a antivirus is a side feature of any kind odds are it's a low priority for that company and likely isn't up to date with new viruses.