More computery stuff..
Hi,
It has been six days since my last confess.. err.. blog. My how time flies. I'll blog up an abridged (you wish) :) version of events that have been going on around me later, but for now I thought I'd offer my tuppence worth of advice on a subject I actually know something about.. keeping your machine free of viruses, spyware and the like. I did all the main work to this blog first (why on earth did keyboard manufacturers put the < > brackets in "upper case"???), and I'm meant to be going out in a minute, so this bit's rushed. If you have got problems follow the advice below before doing anything else.. (out of time, so I'll tidy up this intro later on) :)
Download AdAware SE from here.
First, in the main window, look in the bottom right corner and click on Check for updates now and download the latest reference files.
Next, we need to configure Ad-aware for a full scan.
Click on the Gear icon (second from the left) to access the preferences/settings window
1. In the General window make sure the following are selected:
· Automatically save log-file
· Automatically quarantine objects prior to removal
· Safe Mode (always request confirmation)
2. Click on the Scanning button on the left and select :
· Scan Within Archives
· Scan Active Processes
· Scan Registry
· Deep Scan Registry
· Scan my IE favorites for banned URL’s
· Scan my Hosts file
· Under Click here to select drives + folders, choose:
· All of your hard drives | Proceed
3. Click on the Advanced button on the left and select:
· Include additional process information
· Include additional file information
· Include environment information
4. Click the Tweak button and select:
· Under the Scanning Engine:
· Unload recognized processes & modules during scan
· Include additional Ad-aware settings in logfile
· Under the Cleaning Engine:
· Let Windows remove files in use at next reboot
5. Click on Proceed to save the settings.
6. Click Start and on the next screen choose:
· Use Custom Scanning Options
7. Click Next and Ad-aware will scan your hard drive(s) with the options you have selected.
When finished, mark everything for removal and get rid of it. (Right-click the window and choose Select All from the drop down menu and click Next).
Next, please reboot again and download Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.3 from here: if you haven't already got the program.
Click on Updates | Download Updates, and follow the prompts.
Next, close all Internet Explorer windows, and click Check for Problems. Once the scan is complete, have SpyBot remove all it finds marked in RED.
Other useful programs to include in your Security Kit.
SpywareBlaster
SpywareGuard
IE-SpyAd
You should also make sure that you have both a Firewall, and an up-to-date Anti-Virus program installed. Here are a few links to some free Firewall programs...
Zone Alarm
Sygate
Kerio
..and Anti-Virus programs...
AVG
Avast
AntiVir
Of course having the latest Windows Updates is vital. Go here, click Scan for updates in the main frame, and download and install all CRITICAL updates recommended, being careful to follow any recommendations for individual installation, where appropriate.
There are many other programs advertised on the web, and to be honest, most of them are a waste of disc space,but all those above come highly recommended by the security community.
If you want to read about the growing pile of useless, fraudulent and downright rubbish programs available online and purporting to be anti-spyware utilities, then have a read here.
Hopefully there's some helpful info there. If you have any virus/spyware related problems, then there are some good online forums that will help you for free. Of course, if you know me from any of the other blogs or forums, drop me a line and I'll see what I can do. I can't offer this service to everybody, but I'll always help a mate out. :)
Cheers
Liam
It has been six days since my last confess.. err.. blog. My how time flies. I'll blog up an abridged (you wish) :) version of events that have been going on around me later, but for now I thought I'd offer my tuppence worth of advice on a subject I actually know something about.. keeping your machine free of viruses, spyware and the like. I did all the main work to this blog first (why on earth did keyboard manufacturers put the < > brackets in "upper case"???), and I'm meant to be going out in a minute, so this bit's rushed. If you have got problems follow the advice below before doing anything else.. (out of time, so I'll tidy up this intro later on) :)
Download AdAware SE from here.
First, in the main window, look in the bottom right corner and click on Check for updates now and download the latest reference files.
Next, we need to configure Ad-aware for a full scan.
Click on the Gear icon (second from the left) to access the preferences/settings window
1. In the General window make sure the following are selected:
· Automatically save log-file
· Automatically quarantine objects prior to removal
· Safe Mode (always request confirmation)
2. Click on the Scanning button on the left and select :
· Scan Within Archives
· Scan Active Processes
· Scan Registry
· Deep Scan Registry
· Scan my IE favorites for banned URL’s
· Scan my Hosts file
· Under Click here to select drives + folders, choose:
· All of your hard drives | Proceed
3. Click on the Advanced button on the left and select:
· Include additional process information
· Include additional file information
· Include environment information
4. Click the Tweak button and select:
· Under the Scanning Engine:
· Unload recognized processes & modules during scan
· Include additional Ad-aware settings in logfile
· Under the Cleaning Engine:
· Let Windows remove files in use at next reboot
5. Click on Proceed to save the settings.
6. Click Start and on the next screen choose:
· Use Custom Scanning Options
7. Click Next and Ad-aware will scan your hard drive(s) with the options you have selected.
When finished, mark everything for removal and get rid of it. (Right-click the window and choose Select All from the drop down menu and click Next).
Next, please reboot again and download Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.3 from here: if you haven't already got the program.
Click on Updates | Download Updates, and follow the prompts.
Next, close all Internet Explorer windows, and click Check for Problems. Once the scan is complete, have SpyBot remove all it finds marked in RED.
Other useful programs to include in your Security Kit.
SpywareBlaster
SpywareGuard
IE-SpyAd
You should also make sure that you have both a Firewall, and an up-to-date Anti-Virus program installed. Here are a few links to some free Firewall programs...
Zone Alarm
Sygate
Kerio
..and Anti-Virus programs...
AVG
Avast
AntiVir
Of course having the latest Windows Updates is vital. Go here, click Scan for updates in the main frame, and download and install all CRITICAL updates recommended, being careful to follow any recommendations for individual installation, where appropriate.
There are many other programs advertised on the web, and to be honest, most of them are a waste of disc space,but all those above come highly recommended by the security community.
If you want to read about the growing pile of useless, fraudulent and downright rubbish programs available online and purporting to be anti-spyware utilities, then have a read here.
Hopefully there's some helpful info there. If you have any virus/spyware related problems, then there are some good online forums that will help you for free. Of course, if you know me from any of the other blogs or forums, drop me a line and I'll see what I can do. I can't offer this service to everybody, but I'll always help a mate out. :)
Cheers
Liam
posted by Liam | 4:55 AM
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