It is important to prepare your old computer before giving it away. One of the most important things you can do to prepare your computer is to delete and erase all of your personal files and documents. After you have cleaned the system of any personal files, you can begin thinking about what software products you want to leave installed on the computer. Continuing this series of preparing your computer for donation, the next step is to install any security software and download the latest updates.
Security Software
I have previously written on the need for security software. It is not a good idea to set up a computer and exclude security software, even if the computer will never be connected to the Internet. Attacks on your computer can come from anywhere include floppy disks, USB flash drives, homemade DVDs and CDs, and the Internet.
Firewall
Windows XP with service pack 2 includes a firewall which helps block unwanted visitors through your Internet connections. You can probably get away with just using the included Windows firewall. If you are in a rather generous mood, you can purchase a simple firewall program and pre-install the software before giving away your computer. I have yet to review firewall programs, but most are bundled with some type of antivirus or antispyware software and work in a similar fashion.
Anitivirus
Antivirius software is a must for any computer. Computer viruses and worms can enter a computer many ways, even without an Internet connection. There are various free Antivirus programs for download. A few months ago, I wrote about a few of them and generally recommend Free AVG from Grisoft. Make sure you get the latest virus definition updates after installing the software.
Antispyware and antiadware
Spyware can really slow down a computer system and even make it stop working. Microsoft plans to include free antispyware software with its next Window’s operating system, but until then there are plenty of other free antispyware program for use. I wrote about them a couple of months back. I actually use a combination of two or three programs. Right now I am using Spybot and Microsoft’s latest test program, Windows Defender. Window’s Defender is the second version of what used to be called Microsoft Antispyware. Be sure to scan for and remove any spyware on the computer before you give it away.
Internet Browser
Internet browsers have become a high risk target for hackers and would-be intruders. As Internet Explorer is the most widely used Internet browser, it is also the most exploited browser. You can choose to keep Internet Explorer or download and install a less troubled browser (e.g., Firefox). I wrote a series of blogs about Internet Browsers with the first blog available here.
Update software
After installing or leaving any installed software on the computer, be sure to run any update programs. Windows Update (or Microsoft Update if you are using Microsoft Office) is usually set to automatically download and install updates. If automatic updates are not normally downloaded, be sure to go to windowsupdate.microsoft.com and download any updates.