Critical Value of Windows Task Manager: Part 1

To monitor and control applications and websites that you are visiting, it is key to understand Windows Task Manager.  The easiest way to get it running (and it should be running at all times), is to hit "Ctrl" "Alt" "Del" keys at the same time.  It will pop-up. Select "Start Task Manager" to see it (it has other options too). Once open,  it has six tabs, "Applications" and "Processes" are the key ones (others will show you your computer's current performance among other things). Here's how to use "Applications":
1.  Applications - useful when an application (i.e. program or website link) is "Not Responding"  or just taking too long and you want to cancel it, or you don't trust it it or like it and you want to cancel it ASAP.  Simply click (highlight) that application or web link, then click "End Task"  at the bottom of the screen, and that task will end immediately.  If a program was "Not Responding" you have just stopped it.  Try it at a later time (if a good program/link) and see if it loads properly. If you think it was a bad site/link, or may have been questionable or a virus, you have stopped it (but not deleted it if it loaded anything).  Run a Virus Scan immediately if you are really concerned and see what it finds.  Delete any viruses it finds, but write the name down first.  Go back online and do some research on it to see what it might do.  Go to "www.symantec.com" and look it up in their Virus Definitions section (free).  Good luck!