Vital tools to keep your PC healthy

Keep your PC healthy! If you use a PC, have you noticed that it's begun to run a little slower than it used to? Have you noticed the number of pop-up ads increasing as you've surfed the web? Have you ever looked at your task list and wondered what all those programs are that are running in the background? Here are a few tools that have helped me keep my PC in tiptop shape:

• Answers that Work: Click on Task List to search for the programs that are running on your PC. Each entry in the database describes what the program is for, whether it is useful or could cause problems, and gives a recommendation. http://www.answersthatwork.com
• CodeStuff Starter: Use Starter to view and manage the programs that are starting automatically every time you turn on your computer. Disable the ones that are not necessary and improve the speed of your computer. http://www.snapfiles.com/get/starter.html
• Ad-Aware: Ad-Aware will scan your computer for adware, those annoying and potentially dangerous components that are often added to your computer without your knowledge. Adware gathers information about you and pops up ads at every turn. http://lavasoft.element5.com/software/adaware/
• Spybot - Search & Destroy: Use Spybot - S&D to rid your computer of spyware, a nuisance that is similar to adware. http://www.spybot.info/en/spybotsd/index.html
• Google Toolbar: This add-in to your existing browser allows you to search the internet from any page, fill in web forms with one click, AND it eliminates most pop-ups. Once you add it, you’ll find you can’t surf without it. http://toolbar.google.com/