[OPLINTECH] Article: How to keep your PC Spyware and malware free for nothing !

[JKENZIG]

Feel free to pass along far and wide.
Jim Kenzig
Network Manaager
Cuyahoga County Public Library


> How to keep your PC Spyware and malware free for nothing!
> Jim Kenzig http://thin.net
> 
> In this day and age simply connecting, logging on to, or surfing the
> internet can subject your computer to numerous worms, viruses, hackers,
> spyware and abuse.  Computer users
> must be security conscious or risk having their computer compromised or
> even made to be unusable by hackers and viruses.
> 
> Of course the most important and number one thing that must be done is
> your computer must be kept up to date with the latest service packs and
> hotfixes. 
> 
> This article is going to focus on Windows Operating System since that is
> where the greatest percentage of users exist.
> 
> Enable Automatic Updates
> In order to keep your computer up to date you should go into your control
> panel of your computer by going to start/settings/control panel and double
> click on the Automatic Updates icon to open the settings dialog.  
> Click the second or third radio button on the updates dialog screen to
> determine how to download the updates.  If you choose the second box you
> will need to install the update once it is downloaded.  A globe icon with
> the Microsoft Flag icon will appear in your task tray when updates are
> ready to install that you must click on.  If you choose the 3rd radio
> button updates will be downloaded when you specify 
> 
> Note: if you do not have DSL, a cable modem or direct connection to the
> internet and do not keep your machine on, the third radio button is not
> the best choice. If you keep your machine on every day at a certain time
> it is most definitely the best choice. Schedule the update to be done when
> your machine is on and click on the Apply button.  This way your updates
> will automatically be downloaded from Microsoft and installed and you will
> never have to worry that your PC is not up to date with patches and fixes.
> 
> 
> If you have an older PC and do not have the Windows Update service
> installed you can manually install updates by opening Internet Explorer
> and going to: http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp
> Scan for updates and install all critical updates. Once the updates are
> installed you may have to return to the update page until all critical
> updates have been installed.
> 
> Install a good Firewall
> Next. If you are using Windows XP, enable Windows Internet Connection
> Firewall.  If you are not on Windows XP obtain a good firewall software
> (or purchase a router with a hardware firewall) and install it. I
> recommend Sygate Personal Firewall. 
> 
> Good directions on how to install Windows Internet Connection Firewall are
> on the Microsoft site at:
> 
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/learnmore/icf.mspx
>  
> If you are on a different version of Windows other than Windows XP, you
> can download the Free version of Sygate Personal Firewall at:
> 
> http://smb.sygate.com/products/spf_standard.htm
> 
> Install Sygate and you will need to reboot your PC. Once Sygate is running
> you will receive a popup the first time that you run any program that
> tries to access the internet asking if you want to allow it. If you want
> to allow the program to access the internet you should choose the allow
> button and click the check box to not prompt you again for that program. 
> Sygate has many nice features and has a great logging and graphical
> readout so you can see what is going on with your PC.
> 
> 
> Antivirus
> Next it is absolutely imperative that an antivirus program is installed on
> every PC you own!
> For people who cant afford an antivirus I recommend that they download and
> install AVG Antivirus.
> Get it at:
>  http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php
> 
> As an alternative you can scan your PC online by using Trend Housecall.
>  
> Navigate to:
> 
> http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
> 
> Allow the Trend site to install the applet and you will be able to scan
> your PC anytime on the trend site.
> Note: This is only a Virus scanner and it does not prevent viruses from
> getting on your PC. 
> 
> While AVG is free, antivirus is a necessity and is not something that you
> should skimp on and I suggest that you do purchase a commercial program.
> (If you are going to spend money on an Antivirus program Trend PC Cillin
> available from http://www.trendmicro.com  is a fine choice.) 
> 
> Spyware and Ad Removal
> I use exclusively 2 tools that are freeware for home users to remove
> Spyware and adware programs from my PC. Adaware from Lavasoft and Spybot
> Search and Destroy.
> 
> AdAware is available at  http://www.lavasoft.de/support/download/
> To install Lavasoft Adaware free for personal use download and run the
> executable and it will install the program.
> Once in the program is installed and you have opened it by clicking on the
> adaware icon on your desktop, click on the globe in the upper right corner
> to do the web update. Obviously you need to be connected to the internet
> to do this. Click on the connect button to get the latest pattern updates.
> Choose OK to download the pattern file then click on finish when it is
> done. Next click on the scan now button on the right pane of the program
> to scan your system.  Follow the directions to clean your system after the
> scan is done. You should update and run Adaware at least once per month.
> 
> Spybot Search and Destroy is available at
> http://www.soft32.com/download_26568.html 
> Spybot Search and Destroy is free for personal use. Download and run the
> executable and choose your language.Click on next, click the radio button
> to accept the agreement and click on next. The default directory is OK to
> use unless you need to change a drive letter. Click on next four more
> times then click on install and finish. The program will start up and if
> you are connected to internet download a new rules file. There is no need
> to create a registry backup when it prompts you but you can do it. Note
> this takes a long time. Click on next if you do not want to do this or
> when it is done. Click on the Search for updates choice (be sure and be
> connected to the internet still) and then click on download all available
> updates if it is highlighted. Click on next.  Click on the immunize this
> system button then click on next and then start using the program or read
> the help file.. Click on the Search and Destroy icon in the left panel and
> then click on Check for problems in the right pane.  Spybot will now scan
> your drive for problems that you can fix when it is done. 
> 
> Using Spybot and adaware every few weeks along with the other suggestions
> above will insure that your PC remains useable and virus and malware free.
> 
> 
> Security
> Finally one more link to add to your favorites and visit often is
> Microsoft's Security site at:
> 
>    http://www.microsoft.com/security/default.mspx
> 
> This site offers a wealth of information about security and keeping your
> PC secure and virus and malware free.
> 
> Microsoft has also set up a free 866 telephone number that you can call
> for FREE virus related support in the US and Canada only.  The number is
> 1-866-PCSAFETY
> 
> 
> Copyright Jim Kenzig
> http://thin.net
>