04-13-2006, 11:45 AM
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#2 (permalink)
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Guest
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Hello,
Past discussions :
http://www.techsupportforum.com/gene...nti-virus.html
http://www.techsupportforum.com/gene...firewalls.html
http://www.techsupportforum.com/gene...ggestions.html
Excellent protection speech from sUBs :
Quote:
- SECURING INTERNET EXPLORER
From within Internet Explorer click on the Tools menu and then click on Internet Options. - Select the Security tab
- Click once on the Internet icon so it becomes highlighted.
- Select Custom Level .
- Change 'Download signed ActiveX controls' to Prompt
- Change 'Download unsigned ActiveX controls' to Disable
- Change 'Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe' to Disable
- Change 'Installation of desktop items' to Prompt
- Change 'Launching programs and files in an IFRAME' to Prompt
- Change 'Navigate sub-frames across different domains' to Prompt
- When all these changes have been made, click on the OK button.
- If it prompts you as to whether or not you want to save the settings, press the Yes button.
- Select OK to exit the Internet Properties page.
- ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE
It is very important that you have anti-virus software running on your machine. This alone can save you a lot of trouble with malware in the future.
See this link for a listing of some online & their stand-alone antivirus programs:
Virus, Spyware, and Malware Protection and Removal Resources
It is imperative that you update your Antivirus software at least once a week (Even more if you wish). If you do not update your antivirus software then it will not be able to catch any of the new variants that may come out.
- FIREWALL
Without a firewall your computer is succeptible to being hacked and taken over. Simply using a Firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly. A tutorial on Firewalls and a listing of some available ones can be found here.
- Microsoft Windows Update
Visit windowsupdate.com regularly. This will ensure your computer always has the latest security updates. If there are new updates to install, install them immediately, reboot your computer, and revisit the site until there are no more critical updates.
- SPYBOT - SEARCH & DESTROY
Download and install Spybot - Search & Destroy with its TeaTimer option. This will provide realtime spyware & hijacker protection on your computer alongside your virus protection. You should also scan your computer with the program on a regular basis just as you would an antivirus software. A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here
- AD-AWARE
Download and install Ad-Aware. You should use this program to scan your computer on a regular basis just as you would an antivirus software in conjunction with Spybot. A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here
- SPYWAREBLASTER
SpywareBlaster prevents the installation of malicious ActiveX, adware, browser hijackers, dialers, and other potentially unwanted software. Blocks spyware/tracking cookies & restricts the actions of potentially unwanted sites.
Unlike other programs, SpywareBlaster does not have to remain running in the background. A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here
- IE-SPYAD
IE/Spyad places more than 4000 dubious websites and domains in the IE Restricted list. This severely impair attempts to infect your system. It basically prevents any downloads (Cookies etc) from the sites listed, although you will still be able to connect to the sites. A tutorial on installing this product can be found here
- MVPS HOST FILE
The MVPS Hosts file replaces your current HOSTS file with one that will restrict known ad sites from serving you unsolicited advertisements. Basically, this prevents your coputer from connecting to those sites by redirecting them to 127.0.0.1 which is the IP of your local computer. It can be downloaded here - MVPS Hosts file
Update all these programs regularly. Make sure you update all the programs I have listed regularly. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new malicious programs are released.
Follow this list and your potential for being infected again will reduce dramatically. Here are some additional utilities that will further enhance your safety.- Trillian or Miranda-IM - These are Malware free Instant Messenger programs which allow you to connect to multiple IM services in one program! (AOL, Yahoo, ICQ, IRC, MSN)
- Firefox - Use this alternate browser. Whilst Internet Explorer is not a bad browser, almost every exploit crafted is targeted to take advantage of an IE weakness.
- Sun's Java - It's much more secure than Microsoft's Java Virtual Machine.
- Google Toolbar - Get the free google toolbar to help stop pop up windows.
- CleanUP! - Cleans temporary files from IE and Windows, empties the recycle bin and more. Great tool to help speed up your computer and knock out those nasties that like to reside in the temp folders.
- ERUNT - A useful freeware utility for users of Windows 2000/XP. It's made up of two parts - ERUNT & NTREGOPT.
ERUNT will create daily complete backups of your computer's Registry. Whilst System Restore does the same thing, a corrupt registry file may prevent Windows from booting & this effectively renders disables System Restore. With ERUNT, you're able to restore the damaged Registry.
NTREGOPT works by recreating each registry hive "from scratch", thus removing any slack space that may be left from previously modified or deleted keys. In other words, it compacts the Registry to a small size which allows Windows to load & perform faster.
- Winpatrol - Download and install the free version of Winpatrol.
A tutorial for this product is located here:
Using Winpatrol to protect your computer from malicious software
To find out more information about how you got infected in the first place and some great guidelines to follow to prevent future infections you can read this article by Tony Klein
After doing all these, your system will be optimised against future threats.
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