It’s easy to take computers for granted. They run day-in and day-out, helping you get work done. Unfortunately, it isn’t uncommon for people to fail to appreciate their computer until it’s too late and it crashes.
This can be scary and difficult if you’re dealing with a personal computer, but it can be downright devastating if you’re a small business. It can take days or even weeks to get everything up and running again, and even then things may not fully go back to normal.
How to stop computer from crashing?
If your business has managed to crawl back from a computer crashes, you’ll want to make sure it never happens again. These tips will help.
Use an IP Address Management System
Only have a few computers in the office so you think your IP situation is managed just fine? Think again! Any device employees use to work has an IP address, which means company phones, personal phones, tablets, and home computers can all potentially be part of your network.
Protect yourself with IPAM for your Microsoft Windows server. Not only does it integrate with Microsoft DNS and DHCP servers to offer higher security and scalability, it can make disaster recovery much easier. Because it stores all of your information in an embedded database, should a failure strike again, you can regain your old server exactly as it was without the danger of conflicting IP addresses.
Install a Firewall
Many businesses make the mistake of thinking a firewall is only necessary for large businesses. Then, a crash happens and it becomes obvious that many of the protections enjoyed by larger businesses are also important for small businesses.
Prevent future crashes from happening by installing a firewall. With a firewall, you can keep hackers from stealing sensitive company records, but it can also keep employees in check by preventing illicit after-hours behavior.
For the best protection consider both a software firewall and a hardware firewall. Software firewalls can keep both in-office and remote devices safe from threats online, while a hardware appliance can guard the entry point of your network whether computers are on or off.
Upgrade Hardware and Software
Tired of dealing with software updates all the time? Although they can sometimes be a nuisance, they are extremely important. Without them, you open up your computer and systems to hackers. That’s because many software updates include security updates that you’ll be missing out on if you delay or skip the update.
Just don’t make the mistake of thinking this means you have to upgrade your software. As long as you’re using a software program that provides you with regular updates, there likely isn’t a reason for you to purchase something brand-new.
Don’t forget about your hardware! It can leave you open to security breaches as well if it’s extremely outdated. Think old routers and drives from before 2009 that don’t self-encrypt.
Defragment Computers
Have you ever defragmented your computer? If not, you aren’t alone. However, not defragmenting your computer can cause lots of problems that include:
- Slow performance times
- Slow boot-up
- Long virus scan times
- Increased risk of crashes
- Increased risk of file corruption
- Aborted backups
To prevent these problems and others, you should defragment computers regularly. It essentially reorganizes data so that fragmented pieces that are located in different areas of your computer are all put back together. It’s like cleaning up your PC, which can ensure you’re a lot less susceptible to problems.
Make Sure Computers Are in the Right Environment
Are your computers in the right environment? If they aren’t, they could be more susceptible to breaking down or developing issues.
Temperature has the biggest impact on how your computers run. If it’s too hot, the computer can overheat. Components can shut down and the processor can slow.
Cold temperatures aren’t as big of a problem, but if it gets too cold and then the computer warms up again quickly when it is turned on, components in the computer can distort. Keep the temperature of computers, whether being stored or being operated, at between 50 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit, with 72 degrees being the ideal temperature.
Other environmental factors can affect computer performance and security. Make sure the environment isn’t too humid, and discourage employees from eating or drinking at their computer.
Experiencing a computer crashes can be terrifying, but you can also lose sleep at night worrying that one might happen again. You’ll sleep easier at night knowing your computer system is protected when you follow the tips on this list.
