schlotter
Joined: 02 Jun 2006
Posts: 1
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 Posted: 06/08/06 - 06:10 Post subject: |
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A: Hi, and welcome to H-Desk Forums.
Here are a number of recommendations for additional protection to help prevent any malware infections in the future. These few simple steps can stave off the vast majority of spyware problems.
You may have already taken some of these steps:
1. Watch what you download!
Do not download just anything you see on the web. Some may have spyware bundled into them.
2. Try not to use peer-to-peer programs.
P2P programs like Grokster, Imesh, Kazaa and others are amongst the most notorious, come with an enormous amount of bundled spyware that will eat system resources, slow down your system, clash with other installed software, or just plain crash your browser or even Windows itself.
3. Visit Windows Update:
Make sure that you have all the Critical Updates recommended for your operating system and IE. The first defense against infection is a properly patched OS.
We recommend checking for Windows updates monthly.
4. Adjust your security settings for ActiveX:
Go to Internet Options/Security/Internet, press 'default level', then OK.
Now press "Custom Level."
In the ActiveX section, set the first two options ("Download signed and unsigned ActiveX controls) to 'prompt', and 'Initialize and Script ActiveX controls not marked as safe" to 'disable'.
So why is ActiveX so dangerous that you have to increase the security for it?
When your browser runs an activex control, it is running an executable program. It's no different from doubleclicking an exe file on your hard drive.
Would you run just any random file downloaded off a web site without knowing what it is and what it does?
5. Keep your antivirus software up to date.
6. Use a firewall. If you don't have a firewall, I recommend ZoneAlarm: www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp
A tutorial on understanding and using firewalls may be found here:
http://pingcomputer.com/forums/tutorial60.html
8. IE-SPYAD puts over 5000 sites in your restricted zone, so you'll be protected when you visit innocent-looking sites that aren't actually innocent at all.
www.netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/resource.htm Another good hosts program is mvpshosts.
www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.zip
This little program packs a powerful punch as it block ads, banners, 3rd party Cookies, 3rd party page counters, web bugs, and many hijackers. For information on how to download and install, please read this tutorial:
www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
9. You might consider installing Mozilla / Firefox, which is much safer than Internet Explorer.
www.mozilla.org/
10. Install spyware detection and removal programs:
Ad-aware:
www.snapfiles.com/get/adaware.html
Spybot S&D:
www.safer-networking.org
Use these programs to regularly scan your system for and remove many forms of spyware.
11. Microsoft now offers their own anti-spyware product: Windows® Defender (Beta 2) It improves Internet browsing safety by guarding over fifty (50) ways spyware can enter your PC. This is a BETA for XP/2000 only.
12. Before using or purchasing any Spyware/Malware protection/removal program, always check the Rogue/Suspect Spyware List. It will save you a lot of grief, as well as money if you are thinking of purchasing. Here is the link:
www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm
If you want to know just how effective your anti-spyware program is, or how well any of the "rogue" programs listed at the above link work, check this for an independent comparison of several anti-spyware programs:
www.spywarewarrior.com/asw-test-guide.htm |
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