Ried

Hi Ray,

Thanks for letting me know. Since she has reinstalled Windows, now would be a good time for her to set up a good, multi-layered system of protection.

First, ensure the Sun Java is up to date Older versions have vulnerabilities that malware can use to infect your system.Updating Java:

• Download the latest version of Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 6 u3 and save to your desktop.
• Close any programs you may have running - especially your web browser.
• Go to Start > Control Panel double-click on Add/Remove programs and remove all older versions of Java.
• Check any item with Java Runtime Environment (JRE or J2SE) in the name.
• Click the Remove or Change/Remove button.
• Repeat as many times as necessary to remove each Java versions.
• Reboot your computer once all Java components are removed.
• Then from your desktop double-click on jre-6u3-windowsi586-p.exe to install the newest version.

• After the install is complete, go into the Control Panel and double-click the Java Icon. (looks like a coffee cup)
  • On the General tab, under Temporary Internet Files, click the Settings button.
  • Next, click on the Delete Files button
  • There are two options in the window to clear the cache - Leave BOTH Checked
    • Applications and Applets
      Trace and Log Files
  • Click OK on Delete Temporary Files Window
    Note: This deletes ALL the Downloaded Applications and Applets from the CACHE.
  • Click OK to leave the Temporary Files Window
  • Click OK to leave the Java Control Panel.

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Download AVG Anti Spyware



Install AVG Anti Spyware

• Double-click the icon on Desktop to launch AVG
• On the main Status screen, under Your Computer's Security, click Resident Shield
• Click the word active to change it to inactive
• On the top of the main screen click Update.
• Then click on Start Update. The update will start and a progress bar will show the updates being installed.
• Once the update has completed select the "Scanner" icon at the top of the screen, then select the "Settings" tab.
• Once in the Settings screen click on "Recommended actions" and then select "Quarantine".
• Under "Reports"
  • Select "Do Not Automatically generate report after every scan"

When you have finished updating, run AVG Anti-Spyware with it's updated definitions:(...it's important that all windows must be closed)

• Click Scanner
• Click on the Scan tab
• Click Complete System Scan to begin scanning.
  Once the scan is complete do the following:
• If you have any infections you will prompted, then select "Apply all actions"
• Once finished, click the Save report button, then click Save Report As and save it to your desktop. (make sure to remember where you saved that file, this is important).

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AVG Anti-Spyware is a good program to keep. Update and run a scan with it once a week or so. It adds another layer of protection to your system's security tools, but you may want to prevent AVG Anti-Spyware from running at Windows startup, and just call it into service when needed. This may help with system boot times.

To do so, right click on the AVG A/S system tray icon, and uncheck Start with Windows. Also disable it's real time protection, as this will also use system resources, and will time out at the end of the trial period in 30 days. To do so:

Open AVG Anti-Spyware.

• On the main screen under Your Computer's security.
• Click on Change state next to Resident shield. It should now change to inactive.
• Click on Change state next to Automatic updates. It should now change to inactive.

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Also, please take a look at these well written articles:

PC Safety and Security--What Do I Need?

HOW DID I GET INFECTED IN THE FIRST PLACE? by Tony Klein
MAKING INTERNET EXPLORER SAFER
Understanding and Using Firewalls

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In addition to the suggestions in the first link above, I recommend that you get the following free programs if you do not already have them:

McAfee Site Advisor--free version. The folks there check out websites and based on their findings, rate it as Safe, Unknown, Caution, or Bad.

SpywareBlaster 3.5.1 to help prevent spyware from installing in the first place. Install & update SpywareBlaster with the latest definitions. After you have updated, click the button - enable protection for all unprotected items.

• It will block any bad ActiveX from running in Internet Explorer and Firefox if it's listed in their database (which you should update frequently). To view their database and list of restricted sites, launch the program and click on each of the tabs on the main display page.

IESpyAD Zoned Out to block access to malicious websites so you cannot be redirected to them from an infected site or email. This severely impairs attempts to infect your system as it basically prevents any downloads (Cookies etc) from the sites listed, although you will still be able to connect to the sites.

Update, and scan with your onboard Anti Malware and Anti Virus programs regularly. Without regular updates you will not be protected when new malicious programs are released.

Safe surfing to you both.