» Green http://prime-networking.com Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:24:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc en hourly 1 Keeping IT Green http://prime-networking.com/prime-networking.com/home http://prime-networking.com/prime-networking.com/home#comments Tue, 29 Dec 2009 20:14:56 +0000 admin http://prime-networking.com/?p=95 We all want to save money these days. One way seems like a no-brainer.  We should turn off our PC’s at night when they aren’t making us any money.  After all, a PC and monitor can burn the equivalent of several 100 watt light bulbs. However, the answer may not be as clear as it seems.  At night is when your computer performs maintenance on itself.  Think of it as a nightly checkup while you are tucked in bed.  Around 2 A.M is when many computers are set to download and install updates from Microsoft. These updates help keep your operating system up to date and the bad guys from exploiting weaknesses in your security.  In the still of the night is also when your anti-virus meticulously scans each and every file looking for potential malware that has slipped in undetected during the day. Given this reality, does it really save you money to shut down that PC at night?  Maybe not when you consider that the cost to clean up an infected PC can run several hundred dollars.  So what is the best way to be Green and save green?  Check the settings on your Anti-virus and Microsoft updates.  Make sure they are set to update nightly.  Then reach up and push the power button on the monitor. You will still save 100’s of watts of electricity without compromising your IT security. 

Steve Marks

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