Securing Your Computer
Results Today.......Parnters Always.
To protect yourself against bad things related to computing, you need
to have at least three
types of applications on your system: spyware detection, virus
detection, and a firewall. If you do not
have one, two, or all three on your computer system, you need to
download the software, install it
on your computer, and perform an initial scan on your system. You
need to perform each task group (spyware, virus, and firewall)
separately so you can monitor
your system to detect any adverse changes. If you have an
operating system other than Windows, you can complete these task using
that operating system and similar software.
First,
backup any important files on your computer using the NTBACKUP utility
or a third-party alternative. NTBACKUP does not come with Windows
XP Home edition. However, you can download
NTBACKUP and install it. Also, see
How to Use the Backup
Utility. There is a link to a video at the bottom of
this page that explains
have to do a backup using NTBACKUP; please look at the video.
Second, update your operating system
at
Microsoft
Update.
Third,
dowload, install, and run the
Microsoft
Baseline Security Analyzer.
Fourth,
take a look at the
Microsoft
Security Assessment Tool page. You do
NOT have to install this software
but it good to know it is available. Next, you will need to get
some
software programs to
help you. The
following programs are recommended and they are free for personal use.
The companies that provide the
free software, also provide software that they sell for use in a
commercial environment. Usually, the free versions are just as good but
simply don't have as many of the extra features which make the
commercial versions even more attractive to use. The recommended
programs are:
You will want to download each of the above programs and install them
(make sure you download the
FREE
version).
After you install them, you
MUST
update them so you will have the latest protection. There is one small
exception: CWShredder is a stand-alone program that doesn't need to be
installed, but you do need to have it check for an update to ensure
that you have the latest version. If you don't update these programs
and you are infected with a virus or spyware, you will not be able to
effectively detect and clean them from your computer. Spybot
S&D and Lavasoft's Ad-Aware detections
are usually updated at least once a week whereas AVG AV can be updated
daily. Since spyware is a bigger problem today than viruses, and
spyware
is typically harder to find and get rid of, I suggest you start looking
for spyware first. Follow the steps below to clean and secure
your system.
1. Turn off System Restore
WinXP has a feature called System Restore. It is
used to restore your computer to an earlier configuration in case of a
problem. The only problem is that it wasn't made with viruses and
spyware in
mind and often it can't tell the difference between an infected file
and a good file. Therefore, it might automatically restore an
infected file if it had been in a protected area. If this
happens, your computer will be reinfected again. Because of this, it is
recommended to turn off System Restore
before you test, and when you're done, turn it back on so you are still
protected from standard computer problems.
2. Carefully Look at Windows Add/Remove
Programs for
Suspicious Programs
Many of the spyware threats actually installed on your computer looks
like a legitimate program. Many appear to be utilities that you may
think are helpful but
in reality aren't. Look for add-on toolbars. While toolbars like
those
provided by Google, MSN, Yahoo and others are useful, there are
many more that aren't and if in doubt check it out to see if the ones
you
have are viruses or spywarec. Other common exploits are the Search
helpers,
WinTools, Gator products, IE Helper, Comet Cursor and many
others. Peer-to-Peer programs are another common
source for these and even the ones that don't come with spyware
themselves are a security risk that may lead to your system being
infected or spreading infections. Remove all suspicious
programs; if you are wrong, you can always re-install them later.
3. Run Disk Clean-Up
This actually comes with Windows. You can find it by clicking the Start
Button
and then going to Programs / Accessories / System Tools / Disk
Clean-up. Select all of its options except the ones for
Office Setup Files and Compress Old Files, if you have them. While you
may select those if you wish, they aren't as important. This will clean
up all of the temporary files so your testing will go faster, and may
also delete any spyware that may hiding there if the spyware isn't
already running. To clear systems that have System Restore you will
need to select the second tab and click the button for clearing this.
4. Run CWShredder
This specialized utility is made for detecting and cleaning of the
infamous CoolWebSearch exploits. Currently there are about 40 types of
these, each with up to 4 variants and growing. These are some of the
toughest ones to get rid of and while they aren't seen as often as they
used to be, this is still a good place to start.
5. Run RogueRemover
This is another specialized utility that targets Rogue spyware. This
currently targets about 360+ rogue applications and counting. The
malware that is targeted in this category is very actively being
updated by their authors because of the potential they have for making
money. As with all antispyware utilitiess, update this before each use
to
help give you the edge in fighting these malware.
6. Run Windows Malicious
Software Removal Tool
The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool checks computers
running Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows Server
2003 for infections by specific, prevalent malicious software—including
Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom—and helps remove any infection found.
7. Run Windows Defender
Windows Defender is a free program that helps protect your computer
against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by
spyware and other unwanted software. It features Real-Time Protection,
a monitoring system that recommends actions against spyware when it's
detected and minimizes interruptions and helps you stay productive.
8. Run Ad-Aware
This handles the next types that weren't covered by the
specialized utilities earlier. When it finally presents you with the
list
of spyware it has found, put a check mark in the box next to the ones
you want to delete; the recommendation is to check them all. If
you want to
select all, just right-click your mouse on the boxes to get the options
menu, and left-click on Select All. If it says it can't get rid of a
problem right now, it will ask if you want to run it again after you
restart your computer; answer yes and restart your computer so it may
test again.
9. Run Spybot
When you run it, it will automatically select all the spyware that it
finds; if there is something you don't want to get rid of for some
reason, deselect it and then let Spybot fix all of the rest of the
problems that it finds. This program also will ask to restart your
computer so it can test again if it has problems removing something.
10. Run AVG Anti-Spyware
This is a part of a new breed of anti-spyware utilities. When you run
it, it will
prompt you to select to remove or keep each item or you can select to
have it remove all that it finds.
11. Run AVG Anti-Virus
All antivirus programs, including AVG, by default, have their
settings
to only scan executable files in an attempt to speed up looking for
infections. While most of the time this is just fine, the newest
threats that can infect your computer have started getting
sophisticated on
how they hide their files, making it easier for them to reinfect your
system if your antivirus program detected and removed their executable
file. To help detect these "backup" files that the infection
leaves on your system, you should make a few changes to what your AVG
scans, from just executable files to all
files.
12. Run AVG Anti-Rootkit
The free AVG Anti-Root is designed to protect you. It does one thing,
and one thing alone: finds and kills rootkits. One of the most
feared of all types of malware is the rootkit, software that is nearly
undetectable -- and in fact, can't be detected by many, if not most,
anti-malware -- and can then be used for all kinds of nefarious
purposes. Not uncommonly, rootkits are used to hide Trojans, that
can then be used to take over your PC without your knowledge.
13. Run the Malicious Software
Removal Tool
This tool will help you remove specific, prevalent malicious software
from infected systems
14. Online Virus Protection
Go to the following sites to check your computer for viruses
15. Online Security Scanners
Go to the following sites to check your computer for security
vulnerabilities
16. Firewall Protection
Do the following for FIREWALL PROTECTION
17. General Windows XP Security Tips
- Limit Access to Resources
- Create a Limited User Account
- Turn Off Services You Do Not Need
- Scan and Update