Think of an I.T. company like a mechanic. You wouldn't hesitate to take your car in for the regular maintenance required to keep it running smoothly. That way every time you start it...it starts. Now that isn't to say that you won't have problems still. Lots of parts ensures breakdown at some point but you will prevent a lot of unnecessary costs because you cared enough to protect it.

You care about your pictures, don't you? Videos from the last road trip? Financial or Client data? Everyone has something on their computer worth keeping, or quite frankly we wouldn't keep it.

There are a great many things you can do to ensure success in keeping your Computers running properly without incident.

This brings me to my point about Preventative Maintenance. You need to do things to your computers to prevent damage.

Some of the most important things you can do to prevent damage to your computer and loss of data are as follows:

1. Regular Cleaning of your Hardware. A small fact that is important to know is that it takes 30 volts to fry a chip inside your computer and peripherals. A static shock has been felt by as little as 5000 volts and up to a recorded 15000 volts. Dust is a major capacitor of static electricity, enough to ruin your computer. Keep it clean.

2. Regular Scanning for Viruses, Malware and other infections. This will ensure your system and data is secure against prying eyes, viruses, hackers, crackers, and thieves' fingers.

3. Backup your system or at the very least your important data. Once lost it is extremely expensive to recover if even possible. Data loss DOES occur OFTEN!

4. Get software that will help you maintain your files, and data. I will provide a list of my recommended software and why I think they are important and to whom.

5. Avoid illegal downloading, pornography sites, p2p unless you are sure of all the consequences. They are numerous from fines and jail time, to viruses and hackers. Either way it's a jungle out there.

6. Make your passwords secure and strong. This means unique to each site, complex or strong meaning letters, numbers and symbols in a random fashion. More to come on why strong passwords are necessary.

7. Keep your Updates, UP TO DATE! There is no point in the makers of your Operating System or software to create updates to ensure your security and privacy are taken care of if you don't take the time to setup automatic updates and ensure they run occasionally at least.

8. Avoid FREE!!! software unless you have checked it out. Usually FREE!!! stuff comes with all sorts of Adware, Spyware, and other Toolbars, BHO's and garbage that you really don't want.

9. Get to know your computer. There are a great many people out here that are more than willing to help you understand, and we will offer you videos, tutorials, advice and reviews on anything you need or want to know. Not sure where to look? Try Google, Wikipedia, Yahoo Answers (Careful what you take from here anyone can post.), or even IMDB.com. Top of your list should be http://ResponseIT.ca though if you're talking computers.

10. Finally, get a good I.T. "Just in Case" which should actually be "For when **** Happens"

Not sure how to pick a good I.T. company, and you haven't figured out we are the best around yet?

Read "11 Questions to help you choose the Best I.T. Company for you."