Antivirus Programs

[meadow]

May I install Norton AntiVirus and McAfee Security on my
computer?
Thank you for your help,
meadow

[Shenan Stanley]

meadow wrote:
> May I install Norton AntiVirus and McAfee Security on my
> computer?
> Thank you for your help,
> meadow

You can do whatever you like - it's your computer.
Not sure what you are asking - can you install Symantec AntiVirus and McAfee
security on the same computer - I would guess yes.

I wouldn't buy anything to secure my PC in most cases, but, yeah - you
probably could do what you are suggesting.

Suggestions on what you can do to secure/clean your PC. I'm going to try
and be general, I will assume a "Windows" operating system is what is
being secured here.


UPDATES and PATCHES
-------------------

This one is the most obvious. There is no perfect product and any company
worth their salt will try to meet/exceed the needs of their customers and
fix any problems they find along the way. I am not going to say Microsoft
is the best company in the world about this but they do have an option
available for you to use to keep your machine updated and patched from
the problems and vulnerabilities (as well as product improvements in some
cases) - and it's free to you.

Windows Update
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/

Go there and scan your machine for updates. Always get the critical ones as
you see them. Write down the KB###### or Q###### you see when selecting the
updates and if you have trouble over the next few days, go into your control
panel (Add/Remove Programs), match up the latest numbers you downloaded
recently (since you started noticing an issue) and uninstall them. If there
was more than one (usually is), install them back one by one - with a few
hours of use in between, to see if the problem returns. Yes - the process
is not perfect (updating) and can cause trouble like I mentioned - but as
you can see, the solution isn't that bad - and is MUCH better than the
alternatives. (SASSER/BLASTER were SO preventable with just this step!)

Windows is not the only product you likely have on your PC. The
manufacturers of the other products usually have updates as well. New
versions of almost everything come out all the time - some are free, some
are pay - some you can only download if you are registered - but it is best
to check. Just go to their web pages and look under their support and
download sections.

You also have hardware on your machine that requires drivers to interface
with the operating system. You have a video card that allows you to see on
your screen, a sound card that allows you to hear your PCs sound output and
so on. Visit those manufacturer web sites for the latest downloadable
drivers for your hardware/operating system. Always (IMO) get the
manufacturers hardware driver over any Microsoft offers. On the Windows
Update site I mentioned earlier, I suggest NOT getting their hardware
drivers - no matter how tempting.

Have I mentioned that Microsoft has some stuff to help secure your computer
available to the end-user for free? This seems as good of a time as any.
They have a CD you can order (it's free) that contain all of the Windows
patches through October 2003 and some trial products as well that they
released in February 2004. Yeah - it's a little behind now, but it's better
than nothing (and used in coordination with the information in this post,
well worth the purchase price..)

Order the Windows Security Update CD
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/cd/order.asp

They also have a bunch of suggestions, some similar to these, on how to
better protect your Windows system:

Protect your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/


FIREWALL
--------

Let's say you are up-to-date on the OS (operating system) and you have
Windows XP.. You should at least turn on the built in firewall. That will
do a lot to "hide" you from the random bad things flying around the
Internet. Things like Sasser/Blaster enjoy just sitting out there in
Cyberspace looking for an unprotected Windows Operating System and jumping
on it, doing great damage in the process and then using that Unprotected OS
to continue its dirty work of infecting others. If you have the Windows XP
ICF turned on - default configuration - then they cannot see you! Think of
it as Internet Stealth Mode at this point. It has other advantages, like
actually locking the doors you didn't even (likely) know you had. Doing
this is simple, the instructions you need to use your built in Windows XP
firewall can be found here:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=320855

If you read through that and look through the pages that are linked from it
at the bottom of that page - I think you should have a firm grasp on the
basics of the Windows XP Firewall as it is today.

But let's say you DON'T have Windows XP - you have some other OS like
Windows 95, 98, 98SE, ME, NT, 2000. Well, you don't have the nifty built in
firewall. My suggestion - upgrade. My next suggestion - look through your
options. There are lots of free and pay firewalls out there for home users.
Yes - you will have to decide on your own which to get. Yes, you will have
to learn (oh no!) to use these firewalls and configure them so they don't
interfere with what you want to do while continuing to provide the security
you desire. It's just like anything else you want to protect - you have to
do something to protect it. Here are some suggested applications. A lot of
people tout "ZoneAlarm" as being the best alternative to just using the
Windows XP ICF, but truthfully - any of these alternatives are much better
than the Windows XP ICF at what they do - because that is ALL they do.

ZoneAlarm (Free and up)
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp

Kerio Personal Firewall (KPF) (Free and up)
http://www.kerio.com/kpf_download.html

Outpost Firewall from Agnitum (Free and up)
http://www.agnitum.com/download/

Sygate Personal Firewall (Free and up)
http://smb.sygate.com/buy/download_buy.htm

Symantec's Norton Personal Firewall (~$25 and up)
http://www.symantec.com/sabu/nis/npf/

BlackICE PC Protection ($39.95 and up)
http://blackice.iss.net/

Tiny Personal Firewall (~$49.00 and up)
http://www.tinysoftware.com/

That list is not complete, but they are good firewall options, every one of
them. Visit the web pages, read up, ask around if you like - make a
decision and go with some firewall, any firewall. Also, maintain it.
Sometimes new holes are discovered in even the best of these products and
patches are released from the company to remedy this problem. However, if
you don't get the patches (check the manufacturer web page on occasion),
then you may never know you have the problem and/or are being used through
this weakness. Also, don't stack these things. Running more than one
firewall will not make you safer - it would likely (in fact) negate some
protection you gleamed from one or the other firewalls you ran together.


ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE
------------------

That's not all. That's one facet of a secure PC, but firewalls don't do
everything. I saw one idiot posting on a newsgroup that "they had
never had a virus and they never run any anti-virus software. Yep - I used
to believe that way too - viruses were something everyone else seemed to
get, were they just stupid? And for the average joe-user who is careful,
uses their one-three family computers carefully, never opening unknown
attachments, always visiting the same family safe web sites, never
installing anything that did not come with their computer - maybe, just
maybe they will never witness a virus. I, however, am a Network Systems
Administrator. I see that AntiVirus software is an absolute necessity. You
can be as careful as you want - will the next person be as careful? Will
someone send you unknowingly the email that erases all the pictures of your
child/childhood? Possibly - why take the chance? ALWAYS RUN ANTIVIRUS
SOFTWARE and KEEP IT UP TO DATE! Antivirus software comes in so many
flavors, it's like walking into a Jelly Belly store - which one tastes like
what?! Well, here are a few choices for you. Some of these are free (isn't
that nice?) and some are not. Is one better than the other - MAYBE. I
personally love Symantec AV.

Symantec (Norton) AntiVirus (~$11 and up)
http://www.symantec.com/

Kaspersky Anti-Virus (~$49.95 and up)
http://www.kaspersky.com/products.html

Panda Antivirus Titanium (~$39.95 and up)
http://www.pandasoftware.com/
(Free Online Scanner: http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/)

AVG 6.0 Anti-Virus System (Free and up)
http://www.grisoft.com/

McAfee VirusScan (~$11 and up)
http://www.mcafee.com/

AntiVir (Free and up)
http://www.free-av.com/

avast! 4 (Free and up)
http://www.avast.com/

Trend Micro (~$49.95 and up)
http://www.trendmicro.com/
(Free Online Scanner:
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp)

Did I mention you have to not only install this software, but also keep it
updated? You do. Some of them (most) have automatic services to help you
do this - I mean, it's not your job to keep up with the half-dozen or more
new threats that come out daily, is it? Be sure to keep whichever one you
choose up to date!


SPYWARE/ADWARE/POPUPS
---------------------

So you must be thinking that the above two things got your back now - you
are covered, safe and secure in your little fox hole. Wrong! There are
more bad guys out there. There are annoyances out there you can get without
trying. Your normal web surfing, maybe a wrong click on a web page, maybe
just a momentary lack of judgment by installing some software packages
without doing the research.. And all of a sudden your screen starts filling
up with advertisements or your Internet seems much slower or your home page
won't stay what you set it and goes someplace unfamiliar to you. This is
spyware. There are a whole SLEW of software packages out there to get rid
of this crud and help prevent reinfection. Some of the products already
mentioned might even have branched out into this arena. However, there are
a few applications that seem to be the best at what they do, which is
eradicating and immunizing your system from this crap. Strangely, the best
products I have found in this category ARE generally free. That is a trend
I like. I make donations to some of them, they deserve it!

Spybot Search and Destroy (Free!)
http://www.safer-networking.net/

Lavasoft AdAware (Free and up)
http://www.lavasoft.de

CWSShredder (Free!)
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html

Hijack This! (Free)
http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/

SpywareBlaster (Free!)
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/

ToolbarCop (Free!)
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/toolbarcop.htm

Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner (Free!)
http://kephyr.sureshot.xaviermedia.net/spywarescanner/

Browser Security Tests
http://www.jasons-toolbox.com/BrowserSecurity/

The Cleaner (49.95 and up)
http://www.moosoft.com/

That will clean up your machine of the spyware, given that you download and
install several of them, update them regularly and scan with them when you
update. Some (like SpywareBlaster and SpyBot Search and Destroy) have
immunization features that will help you prevent your PC from being
infected. Use these features!

Unfortunately, although that will lessen your popups on the Internet/while
you are online, it won't eliminate them. I have looked at a lot of options,
seen a lot of them used in production with people who seem to attract popups
like a plague, and I only have one suggestion that end up serving double
duty (search engine and popup stopper in one):

The Google Toolbar (Free!)
http://toolbar.google.com/

Yeah - it adds a bar to your Internet Explorer - but its a useful one. You
can search from there anytime with one of the best search engines on the
planet (IMO.) And the fact it stops most popups - wow - BONUS! If you
don't like that suggestion, then I am just going to say you go to
www.google.com and search for other options.

One more suggestion, although I will suggest this in a way later, is to
disable your Windows Messenger service. This service is not used frequently
(if at all) by the normal home user and in cooperation with a good firewall,
is generally unnecessary. Microsoft has instructions on how to do this for
Windows XP here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/communicate/stopspam.asp


SPAM EMAIL/JUNK MAIL
--------------------

This one can get annoying, just like the rest. You get 50 emails in one
sitting and 2 of them you wanted. NICE! (Not.) What can you do? Well,
although there are services out there to help you, some email
servers/services that actually do lower your spam with features built into
their servers - I still like the methods that let you be the end-decision
maker on what is spam and what isn't. If these things worked perfectly, we
wouldn't need people and then there would be no spam anyway - vicious
circle, eh? Anyway - I have two products to suggest to you, look at them
and see if either of them suite your needs. Again, if they don't, Google is
free and available for your perusal.

SpamBayes (Free!)
http://spambayes.sourceforge.net/

Spamihilator (Free!)
http://www.spamihilator.com/

As I said, those are not your only options, but are reliable ones I have
seen function for hundreds+ people.


DISABLE UNUSED SERVICE/STARTUP APPS
-----------------------------------

I might get arguments on putting this one here, but it's my spill. There are
lots of services on your PC that are probably turned on by default you don't
use. Why have them on? Check out these web pages to see what all of the
services you might find on your computer are and set them according to your
personal needs. Yeah - this is another one you have to work for, but your
computer may speed up and/or be more secure because you took the time. And
if you document what you do as you do it, next time, it goes MUCH faster!

Task List Programs
http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm

Black Viper's Service List and Opinions (XP)
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm

Processes in Windows NT/2000/XP
http://www.reger24.de/prozesse/

There are also applications that AREN'T services that startup when you start
up the computer/logon. One of the better description on how to handle these
I have found here:

Startups
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php


That's it. A small booklet on how to keep your computer secure, clean of
scum and more user friendly. I am SURE I missed something, almost as I am
sure you won't read all of it (anyone for that matter.) However, I also
know that someone who followed all of the advice above would also have less
problems with their PC, less problems with viruses, less problems with spam,
less problems with spyware and better performance than someone who didn't.

Hope it helps.

--
<- Shenan ->
--

[Lawrence]

Why don't you try some of the free anti-virus programs? Most work just as
well and don't clog up and slow down the system like Norton products. To
keep a computer running well, stay away from all AOL, Norton, and McAfee
products.
Try www.grisoft.com and download the free AVG Anti-Virus has worked well for
me for years.

"Shenan Stanley" > wrote in message
...
> meadow wrote:
> > May I install Norton AntiVirus and McAfee Security on my
> > computer?
> > Thank you for your help,
> > meadow
>
> You can do whatever you like - it's your computer.
> Not sure what you are asking - can you install Symantec AntiVirus and
McAfee
> security on the same computer - I would guess yes.
>
> I wouldn't buy anything to secure my PC in most cases, but, yeah - you
> probably could do what you are suggesting.
>
> Suggestions on what you can do to secure/clean your PC. I'm going to try
> and be general, I will assume a "Windows" operating system is what is
> being secured here.
>
>
> UPDATES and PATCHES
> -------------------
>
> This one is the most obvious. There is no perfect product and any company
> worth their salt will try to meet/exceed the needs of their customers and
> fix any problems they find along the way. I am not going to say Microsoft
> is the best company in the world about this but they do have an option
> available for you to use to keep your machine updated and patched from
> the problems and vulnerabilities (as well as product improvements in some
> cases) - and it's free to you.
>
> Windows Update
> http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
>
> Go there and scan your machine for updates. Always get the critical ones
as
> you see them. Write down the KB###### or Q###### you see when selecting
the
> updates and if you have trouble over the next few days, go into your
control
> panel (Add/Remove Programs), match up the latest numbers you downloaded
> recently (since you started noticing an issue) and uninstall them. If
there
> was more than one (usually is), install them back one by one - with a few
> hours of use in between, to see if the problem returns. Yes - the process
> is not perfect (updating) and can cause trouble like I mentioned - but as
> you can see, the solution isn't that bad - and is MUCH better than the
> alternatives. (SASSER/BLASTER were SO preventable with just this step!)
>
> Windows is not the only product you likely have on your PC. The
> manufacturers of the other products usually have updates as well. New
> versions of almost everything come out all the time - some are free, some
> are pay - some you can only download if you are registered - but it is
best
> to check. Just go to their web pages and look under their support and
> download sections.
>
> You also have hardware on your machine that requires drivers to interface
> with the operating system. You have a video card that allows you to see
on
> your screen, a sound card that allows you to hear your PCs sound output
and
> so on. Visit those manufacturer web sites for the latest downloadable
> drivers for your hardware/operating system. Always (IMO) get the
> manufacturers hardware driver over any Microsoft offers. On the Windows
> Update site I mentioned earlier, I suggest NOT getting their hardware
> drivers - no matter how tempting.
>
> Have I mentioned that Microsoft has some stuff to help secure your
computer
> available to the end-user for free? This seems as good of a time as any.
> They have a CD you can order (it's free) that contain all of the Windows
> patches through October 2003 and some trial products as well that they
> released in February 2004. Yeah - it's a little behind now, but it's
better
> than nothing (and used in coordination with the information in this post,
> well worth the purchase price..)
>
> Order the Windows Security Update CD
> http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/cd/order.asp
>
> They also have a bunch of suggestions, some similar to these, on how to
> better protect your Windows system:
>
> Protect your PC
> http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/
>
>
> FIREWALL
> --------
>
> Let's say you are up-to-date on the OS (operating system) and you have
> Windows XP.. You should at least turn on the built in firewall. That
will
> do a lot to "hide" you from the random bad things flying around the
> Internet. Things like Sasser/Blaster enjoy just sitting out there in
> Cyberspace looking for an unprotected Windows Operating System and jumping
> on it, doing great damage in the process and then using that Unprotected
OS
> to continue its dirty work of infecting others. If you have the Windows
XP
> ICF turned on - default configuration - then they cannot see you! Think
of
> it as Internet Stealth Mode at this point. It has other advantages, like
> actually locking the doors you didn't even (likely) know you had. Doing
> this is simple, the instructions you need to use your built in Windows XP
> firewall can be found here:
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=320855
>
> If you read through that and look through the pages that are linked from
it
> at the bottom of that page - I think you should have a firm grasp on the
> basics of the Windows XP Firewall as it is today.
>
> But let's say you DON'T have Windows XP - you have some other OS like
> Windows 95, 98, 98SE, ME, NT, 2000. Well, you don't have the nifty built
in
> firewall. My suggestion - upgrade. My next suggestion - look through
your
> options. There are lots of free and pay firewalls out there for home
users.
> Yes - you will have to decide on your own which to get. Yes, you will
have
> to learn (oh no!) to use these firewalls and configure them so they don't
> interfere with what you want to do while continuing to provide the
security
> you desire. It's just like anything else you want to protect - you have
to
> do something to protect it. Here are some suggested applications. A lot
of
> people tout "ZoneAlarm" as being the best alternative to just using the
> Windows XP ICF, but truthfully - any of these alternatives are much better
> than the Windows XP ICF at what they do - because that is ALL they do.
>
> ZoneAlarm (Free and up)
>
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp
>
> Kerio Personal Firewall (KPF) (Free and up)
> http://www.kerio.com/kpf_download.html
>
> Outpost Firewall from Agnitum (Free and up)
> http://www.agnitum.com/download/
>
> Sygate Personal Firewall (Free and up)
> http://smb.sygate.com/buy/download_buy.htm
>
> Symantec's Norton Personal Firewall (~$25 and up)
> http://www.symantec.com/sabu/nis/npf/
>
> BlackICE PC Protection ($39.95 and up)
> http://blackice.iss.net/
>
> Tiny Personal Firewall (~$49.00 and up)
> http://www.tinysoftware.com/
>
> That list is not complete, but they are good firewall options, every one
of
> them. Visit the web pages, read up, ask around if you like - make a
> decision and go with some firewall, any firewall. Also, maintain it.
> Sometimes new holes are discovered in even the best of these products and
> patches are released from the company to remedy this problem. However, if
> you don't get the patches (check the manufacturer web page on occasion),
> then you may never know you have the problem and/or are being used through
> this weakness. Also, don't stack these things. Running more than one
> firewall will not make you safer - it would likely (in fact) negate some
> protection you gleamed from one or the other firewalls you ran together.
>
>
> ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE
> ------------------
>
> That's not all. That's one facet of a secure PC, but firewalls don't do
> everything. I saw one idiot posting on a newsgroup that "they had
> never had a virus and they never run any anti-virus software. Yep - I
used
> to believe that way too - viruses were something everyone else seemed to
> get, were they just stupid? And for the average joe-user who is careful,
> uses their one-three family computers carefully, never opening unknown
> attachments, always visiting the same family safe web sites, never
> installing anything that did not come with their computer - maybe, just
> maybe they will never witness a virus. I, however, am a Network Systems
> Administrator. I see that AntiVirus software is an absolute necessity.
You
> can be as careful as you want - will the next person be as careful? Will
> someone send you unknowingly the email that erases all the pictures of
your
> child/childhood? Possibly - why take the chance? ALWAYS RUN ANTIVIRUS
> SOFTWARE and KEEP IT UP TO DATE! Antivirus software comes in so many
> flavors, it's like walking into a Jelly Belly store - which one tastes
like
> what?! Well, here are a few choices for you. Some of these are free
(isn't
> that nice?) and some are not. Is one better than the other - MAYBE. I
> personally love Symantec AV.
>
> Symantec (Norton) AntiVirus (~$11 and up)
> http://www.symantec.com/
>
> Kaspersky Anti-Virus (~$49.95 and up)
> http://www.kaspersky.com/products.html
>
> Panda Antivirus Titanium (~$39.95 and up)
> http://www.pandasoftware.com/
> (Free Online Scanner: http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/)
>
> AVG 6.0 Anti-Virus System (Free and up)
> http://www.grisoft.com/
>
> McAfee VirusScan (~$11 and up)
> http://www.mcafee.com/
>
> AntiVir (Free and up)
> http://www.free-av.com/
>
> avast! 4 (Free and up)
> http://www.avast.com/
>
> Trend Micro (~$49.95 and up)
> http://www.trendmicro.com/
> (Free Online Scanner:
> http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp)
>
> Did I mention you have to not only install this software, but also keep it
> updated? You do. Some of them (most) have automatic services to help you
> do this - I mean, it's not your job to keep up with the half-dozen or more
> new threats that come out daily, is it? Be sure to keep whichever one you
> choose up to date!
>
>
> SPYWARE/ADWARE/POPUPS
> ---------------------
>
> So you must be thinking that the above two things got your back now - you
> are covered, safe and secure in your little fox hole. Wrong! There are
> more bad guys out there. There are annoyances out there you can get
without
> trying. Your normal web surfing, maybe a wrong click on a web page, maybe
> just a momentary lack of judgment by installing some software packages
> without doing the research.. And all of a sudden your screen starts
filling
> up with advertisements or your Internet seems much slower or your home
page
> won't stay what you set it and goes someplace unfamiliar to you. This is
> spyware. There are a whole SLEW of software packages out there to get rid
> of this crud and help prevent reinfection. Some of the products already
> mentioned might even have branched out into this arena. However, there
are
> a few applications that seem to be the best at what they do, which is
> eradicating and immunizing your system from this crap. Strangely, the
best
> products I have found in this category ARE generally free. That is a
trend
> I like. I make donations to some of them, they deserve it!
>
> Spybot Search and Destroy (Free!)
> http://www.safer-networking.net/
>
> Lavasoft AdAware (Free and up)
> http://www.lavasoft.de
>
> CWSShredder (Free!)
> http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html
>
> Hijack This! (Free)
> http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/
>
> SpywareBlaster (Free!)
> http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/
>
> ToolbarCop (Free!)
> http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/toolbarcop.htm
>
> Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner (Free!)
> http://kephyr.sureshot.xaviermedia.net/spywarescanner/
>
> Browser Security Tests
> http://www.jasons-toolbox.com/BrowserSecurity/
>
> The Cleaner (49.95 and up)
> http://www.moosoft.com/
>
> That will clean up your machine of the spyware, given that you download
and
> install several of them, update them regularly and scan with them when you
> update. Some (like SpywareBlaster and SpyBot Search and Destroy) have
> immunization features that will help you prevent your PC from being
> infected. Use these features!
>
> Unfortunately, although that will lessen your popups on the Internet/while
> you are online, it won't eliminate them. I have looked at a lot of
options,
> seen a lot of them used in production with people who seem to attract
popups
> like a plague, and I only have one suggestion that end up serving double
> duty (search engine and popup stopper in one):
>
> The Google Toolbar (Free!)
> http://toolbar.google.com/
>
> Yeah - it adds a bar to your Internet Explorer - but its a useful one.
You
> can search from there anytime with one of the best search engines on the
> planet (IMO.) And the fact it stops most popups - wow - BONUS! If you
> don't like that suggestion, then I am just going to say you go to
> www.google.com and search for other options.
>
> One more suggestion, although I will suggest this in a way later, is to
> disable your Windows Messenger service. This service is not used
frequently
> (if at all) by the normal home user and in cooperation with a good
firewall,
> is generally unnecessary. Microsoft has instructions on how to do this
for
> Windows XP here:
>
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/communicate/stopspam.asp
>
>
> SPAM EMAIL/JUNK MAIL
> --------------------
>
> This one can get annoying, just like the rest. You get 50 emails in one
> sitting and 2 of them you wanted. NICE! (Not.) What can you do? Well,
> although there are services out there to help you, some email
> servers/services that actually do lower your spam with features built into
> their servers - I still like the methods that let you be the end-decision
> maker on what is spam and what isn't. If these things worked perfectly,
we
> wouldn't need people and then there would be no spam anyway - vicious
> circle, eh? Anyway - I have two products to suggest to you, look at them
> and see if either of them suite your needs. Again, if they don't, Google
is
> free and available for your perusal.
>
> SpamBayes (Free!)
> http://spambayes.sourceforge.net/
>
> Spamihilator (Free!)
> http://www.spamihilator.com/
>
> As I said, those are not your only options, but are reliable ones I have
> seen function for hundreds+ people.
>
>
> DISABLE UNUSED SERVICE/STARTUP APPS
> -----------------------------------
>
> I might get arguments on putting this one here, but it's my spill. There
are
> lots of services on your PC that are probably turned on by default you
don't
> use. Why have them on? Check out these web pages to see what all of the
> services you might find on your computer are and set them according to
your
> personal needs. Yeah - this is another one you have to work for, but your
> computer may speed up and/or be more secure because you took the time.
And
> if you document what you do as you do it, next time, it goes MUCH faster!
>
> Task List Programs
> http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm
>
> Black Viper's Service List and Opinions (XP)
> http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm
>
> Processes in Windows NT/2000/XP
> http://www.reger24.de/prozesse/
>
> There are also applications that AREN'T services that startup when you
start
> up the computer/logon. One of the better description on how to handle
these
> I have found here:
>
> Startups
> http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php
>
>
> That's it. A small booklet on how to keep your computer secure, clean of
> scum and more user friendly. I am SURE I missed something, almost as I am
> sure you won't read all of it (anyone for that matter.) However, I also
> know that someone who followed all of the advice above would also have
less
> problems with their PC, less problems with viruses, less problems with
spam,
> less problems with spyware and better performance than someone who didn't.
>
> Hope it helps.
>
> --
> <- Shenan ->
> --
>
>

[meadow]

I apologize for not giving you enough Information.
I'm using a Dell Dimension 4500.
My OS is Windows XP Professional
I have Norton AntiVirus 2004 installed on my computer.
Norton found no viruses or threats on my computer.
Trend Micro Free Scan did not find any viruses.
McAfee Free Scan detected 1 infected file on my computer.
My Local Area Connection and my 1394 Connection are
firewalled following Windows XP directions.
I want to know if I can install McAfee Security without
uninstalling Norton AntiVirus.
Is there a reason why I shouldn't have both Programs
installed on my computer.
Thank you for your help,
meadow





>-----Original Message-----
>meadow wrote:
>> May I install Norton AntiVirus and McAfee Security on my
>> computer?
>> Thank you for your help,
>> meadow
>
>You can do whatever you like - it's your computer.
>Not sure what you are asking - can you install Symantec
AntiVirus and McAfee
>security on the same computer - I would guess yes.
>
>I wouldn't buy anything to secure my PC in most cases,
but, yeah - you
>probably could do what you are suggesting.
>
>Suggestions on what you can do to secure/clean your PC.
I'm going to try
>and be general, I will assume a "Windows" operating
system is what is
>being secured here.
>
>
>UPDATES and PATCHES
>-------------------
>
>This one is the most obvious. There is no perfect
product and any company
>worth their salt will try to meet/exceed the needs of
their customers and
>fix any problems they find along the way. I am not going
to say Microsoft
>is the best company in the world about this but they do
have an option
>available for you to use to keep your machine updated and
patched from
>the problems and vulnerabilities (as well as product
improvements in some
>cases) - and it's free to you.
>
> Windows Update
> http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
>
>Go there and scan your machine for updates. Always get
the critical ones as
>you see them. Write down the KB###### or Q###### you see
when selecting the
>updates and if you have trouble over the next few days,
go into your control
>panel (Add/Remove Programs), match up the latest numbers
you downloaded
>recently (since you started noticing an issue) and
uninstall them. If there
>was more than one (usually is), install them back one by
one - with a few
>hours of use in between, to see if the problem returns.
Yes - the process
>is not perfect (updating) and can cause trouble like I
mentioned - but as
>you can see, the solution isn't that bad - and is MUCH
better than the
>alternatives. (SASSER/BLASTER were SO preventable with
just this step!)
>
>Windows is not the only product you likely have on your
PC. The
>manufacturers of the other products usually have updates
as well. New
>versions of almost everything come out all the time -
some are free, some
>are pay - some you can only download if you are
registered - but it is best
>to check. Just go to their web pages and look under
their support and
>download sections.
>
>You also have hardware on your machine that requires
drivers to interface
>with the operating system. You have a video card that
allows you to see on
>your screen, a sound card that allows you to hear your
PCs sound output and
>so on. Visit those manufacturer web sites for the latest
downloadable
>drivers for your hardware/operating system. Always (IMO)
get the
>manufacturers hardware driver over any Microsoft offers.
On the Windows
>Update site I mentioned earlier, I suggest NOT getting
their hardware
>drivers - no matter how tempting.
>
>Have I mentioned that Microsoft has some stuff to help
secure your computer
>available to the end-user for free? This seems as good
of a time as any.
>They have a CD you can order (it's free) that contain all
of the Windows
>patches through October 2003 and some trial products as
well that they
>released in February 2004. Yeah - it's a little behind
now, but it's better
>than nothing (and used in coordination with the
information in this post,
>well worth the purchase price..)
>
> Order the Windows Security Update CD
> http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/cd/order.asp
>
>They also have a bunch of suggestions, some similar to
these, on how to
>better protect your Windows system:
>
> Protect your PC
> http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/
>
>
>FIREWALL
>--------
>
>Let's say you are up-to-date on the OS (operating system)
and you have
>Windows XP.. You should at least turn on the built in
firewall. That will
>do a lot to "hide" you from the random bad things flying
around the
>Internet. Things like Sasser/Blaster enjoy just sitting
out there in
>Cyberspace looking for an unprotected Windows Operating
System and jumping
>on it, doing great damage in the process and then using
that Unprotected OS
>to continue its dirty work of infecting others. If you
have the Windows XP
>ICF turned on - default configuration - then they cannot
see you! Think of
>it as Internet Stealth Mode at this point. It has other
advantages, like
>actually locking the doors you didn't even (likely) know
you had. Doing
>this is simple, the instructions you need to use your
built in Windows XP
>firewall can be found here:
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=320855
>
>If you read through that and look through the pages that
are linked from it
>at the bottom of that page - I think you should have a
firm grasp on the
>basics of the Windows XP Firewall as it is today.
>
>But let's say you DON'T have Windows XP - you have some
other OS like
>Windows 95, 98, 98SE, ME, NT, 2000. Well, you don't have
the nifty built in
>firewall. My suggestion - upgrade. My next suggestion -
look through your
>options. There are lots of free and pay firewalls out
there for home users.
>Yes - you will have to decide on your own which to get.
Yes, you will have
>to learn (oh no!) to use these firewalls and configure
them so they don't
>interfere with what you want to do while continuing to
provide the security
>you desire. It's just like anything else you want to
protect - you have to
>do something to protect it. Here are some suggested
applications. A lot of
>people tout "ZoneAlarm" as being the best alternative to
just using the
>Windows XP ICF, but truthfully - any of these
alternatives are much better
>than the Windows XP ICF at what they do - because that is
ALL they do.
>
> ZoneAlarm (Free and up)
>http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/zna
lm/freeDownload.jsp
>
> Kerio Personal Firewall (KPF) (Free and up)
> http://www.kerio.com/kpf_download.html
>
> Outpost Firewall from Agnitum (Free and up)
> http://www.agnitum.com/download/
>
> Sygate Personal Firewall (Free and up)
> http://smb.sygate.com/buy/download_buy.htm
>
> Symantec's Norton Personal Firewall (~$25 and up)
> http://www.symantec.com/sabu/nis/npf/
>
> BlackICE PC Protection ($39.95 and up)
> http://blackice.iss.net/
>
> Tiny Personal Firewall (~$49.00 and up)
> http://www.tinysoftware.com/
>
>That list is not complete, but they are good firewall
options, every one of
>them. Visit the web pages, read up, ask around if you
like - make a
>decision and go with some firewall, any firewall. Also,
maintain it.
>Sometimes new holes are discovered in even the best of
these products and
>patches are released from the company to remedy this
problem. However, if
>you don't get the patches (check the manufacturer web
page on occasion),
>then you may never know you have the problem and/or are
being used through
>this weakness. Also, don't stack these things. Running
more than one
>firewall will not make you safer - it would likely (in
fact) negate some
>protection you gleamed from one or the other firewalls
you ran together.
>
>
>ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE
>------------------
>
>That's not all. That's one facet of a secure PC, but
firewalls don't do
>everything. I saw one idiot posting on a newsgroup
that "they had
>never had a virus and they never run any anti-virus
software. Yep - I used
>to believe that way too - viruses were something everyone
else seemed to
>get, were they just stupid? And for the average joe-user
who is careful,
>uses their one-three family computers carefully, never
opening unknown
>attachments, always visiting the same family safe web
sites, never
>installing anything that did not come with their
computer - maybe, just
>maybe they will never witness a virus. I, however, am a
Network Systems
>Administrator. I see that AntiVirus software is an
absolute necessity. You
>can be as careful as you want - will the next person be
as careful? Will
>someone send you unknowingly the email that erases all
the pictures of your
>child/childhood? Possibly - why take the chance? ALWAYS
RUN ANTIVIRUS
>SOFTWARE and KEEP IT UP TO DATE! Antivirus software
comes in so many
>flavors, it's like walking into a Jelly Belly store -
which one tastes like
>what?! Well, here are a few choices for you. Some of
these are free (isn't
>that nice?) and some are not. Is one better than the
other - MAYBE. I
>personally love Symantec AV.
>
> Symantec (Norton) AntiVirus (~$11 and up)
> http://www.symantec.com/
>
> Kaspersky Anti-Virus (~$49.95 and up)
> http://www.kaspersky.com/products.html
>
> Panda Antivirus Titanium (~$39.95 and up)
> http://www.pandasoftware.com/
> (Free Online Scanner:
http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/)
>
> AVG 6.0 Anti-Virus System (Free and up)
> http://www.grisoft.com/
>
> McAfee VirusScan (~$11 and up)
> http://www.mcafee.com/
>
> AntiVir (Free and up)
> http://www.free-av.com/
>
> avast! 4 (Free and up)
> http://www.avast.com/
>
> Trend Micro (~$49.95 and up)
> http://www.trendmicro.com/
> (Free Online Scanner:
>
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp)
>
>Did I mention you have to not only install this software,
but also keep it
>updated? You do. Some of them (most) have automatic
services to help you
>do this - I mean, it's not your job to keep up with the
half-dozen or more
>new threats that come out daily, is it? Be sure to keep
whichever one you
>choose up to date!
>
>
>SPYWARE/ADWARE/POPUPS
>---------------------
>
>So you must be thinking that the above two things got
your back now - you
>are covered, safe and secure in your little fox hole.
Wrong! There are
>more bad guys out there. There are annoyances out there
you can get without
>trying. Your normal web surfing, maybe a wrong click on
a web page, maybe
>just a momentary lack of judgment by installing some
software packages
>without doing the research.. And all of a sudden your
screen starts filling
>up with advertisements or your Internet seems much slower
or your home page
>won't stay what you set it and goes someplace unfamiliar
to you. This is
>spyware. There are a whole SLEW of software packages out
there to get rid
>of this crud and help prevent reinfection. Some of the
products already
>mentioned might even have branched out into this arena.
However, there are
>a few applications that seem to be the best at what they
do, which is
>eradicating and immunizing your system from this crap.
Strangely, the best
>products I have found in this category ARE generally
free. That is a trend
>I like. I make donations to some of them, they deserve
it!
>
> Spybot Search and Destroy (Free!)
> http://www.safer-networking.net/
>
> Lavasoft AdAware (Free and up)
> http://www.lavasoft.de
>
> CWSShredder (Free!)
> http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html
>
> Hijack This! (Free)
> http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/
>
> SpywareBlaster (Free!)
> http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/
>
> ToolbarCop (Free!)
> http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/toolbarcop.htm
>
> Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner (Free!)
> http://kephyr.sureshot.xaviermedia.net/spywarescanner/
>
> Browser Security Tests
> http://www.jasons-toolbox.com/BrowserSecurity/
>
> The Cleaner (49.95 and up)
> http://www.moosoft.com/
>
>That will clean up your machine of the spyware, given
that you download and
>install several of them, update them regularly and scan
with them when you
>update. Some (like SpywareBlaster and SpyBot Search and
Destroy) have
>immunization features that will help you prevent your PC
from being
>infected. Use these features!
>
>Unfortunately, although that will lessen your popups on
the Internet/while
>you are online, it won't eliminate them. I have looked
at a lot of options,
>seen a lot of them used in production with people who
seem to attract popups
>like a plague, and I only have one suggestion that end up
serving double
>duty (search engine and popup stopper in one):
>
> The Google Toolbar (Free!)
> http://toolbar.google.com/
>
>Yeah - it adds a bar to your Internet Explorer - but its
a useful one. You
>can search from there anytime with one of the best search
engines on the
>planet (IMO.) And the fact it stops most popups - wow -
BONUS! If you
>don't like that suggestion, then I am just going to say
you go to
>www.google.com and search for other options.
>
>One more suggestion, although I will suggest this in a
way later, is to
>disable your Windows Messenger service. This service is
not used frequently
>(if at all) by the normal home user and in cooperation
with a good firewall,
>is generally unnecessary. Microsoft has instructions on
how to do this for
>Windows XP here:
>http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/communi
cate/stopspam.asp
>
>
>SPAM EMAIL/JUNK MAIL
>--------------------
>
>This one can get annoying, just like the rest. You get
50 emails in one
>sitting and 2 of them you wanted. NICE! (Not.) What can
you do? Well,
>although there are services out there to help you, some
email
>servers/services that actually do lower your spam with
features built into
>their servers - I still like the methods that let you be
the end-decision
>maker on what is spam and what isn't. If these things
worked perfectly, we
>wouldn't need people and then there would be no spam
anyway - vicious
>circle, eh? Anyway - I have two products to suggest to
you, look at them
>and see if either of them suite your needs. Again, if
they don't, Google is
>free and available for your perusal.
>
> SpamBayes (Free!)
> http://spambayes.sourceforge.net/
>
> Spamihilator (Free!)
> http://www.spamihilator.com/
>
>As I said, those are not your only options, but are
reliable ones I have
>seen function for hundreds+ people.
>
>
>DISABLE UNUSED SERVICE/STARTUP APPS
>-----------------------------------
>
>I might get arguments on putting this one here, but it's
my spill. There are
>lots of services on your PC that are probably turned on
by default you don't
>use. Why have them on? Check out these web pages to see
what all of the
>services you might find on your computer are and set them
according to your
>personal needs. Yeah - this is another one you have to
work for, but your
>computer may speed up and/or be more secure because you
took the time. And
>if you document what you do as you do it, next time, it
goes MUCH faster!
>
> Task List Programs
>
http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm
>
> Black Viper's Service List and Opinions (XP)
> http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm
>
> Processes in Windows NT/2000/XP
> http://www.reger24.de/prozesse/
>
>There are also applications that AREN'T services that
startup when you start
>up the computer/logon. One of the better description on
how to handle these
>I have found here:
>
> Startups
> http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php
>
>
>That's it. A small booklet on how to keep your computer
secure, clean of
>scum and more user friendly. I am SURE I missed
something, almost as I am
>sure you won't read all of it (anyone for that matter.)
However, I also
>know that someone who followed all of the advice above
would also have less
>problems with their PC, less problems with viruses, less
problems with spam,
>less problems with spyware and better performance than
someone who didn't.
>
>Hope it helps.
>
>--
><- Shenan ->
>--
>
>
>.
>

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

It's your computer. Install whatever you like, as long as you own
a valid license for each.

Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html


You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH


"meadow" > wrote in message
...
> May I install Norton AntiVirus and McAfee Security on my
> computer?
> Thank you for your help,
> meadow

[AnonymousUser2112]

Shenan-you wrote an excellent security book. I found it very useful. Thanks.
"Shenan Stanley" > wrote in message
...
> meadow wrote:
> > May I install Norton AntiVirus and McAfee Security on my
> > computer?
> > Thank you for your help,
> > meadow
>
> You can do whatever you like - it's your computer.
> Not sure what you are asking - can you install Symantec AntiVirus and
McAfee
> security on the same computer - I would guess yes.
>
> I wouldn't buy anything to secure my PC in most cases, but, yeah - you
> probably could do what you are suggesting.
>
> Suggestions on what you can do to secure/clean your PC. I'm going to try
> and be general, I will assume a "Windows" operating system is what is
> being secured here.
>
>
> UPDATES and PATCHES
> -------------------
>
> This one is the most obvious. There is no perfect product and any company
> worth their salt will try to meet/exceed the needs of their customers and
> fix any problems they find along the way. I am not going to say Microsoft
> is the best company in the world about this but they do have an option
> available for you to use to keep your machine updated and patched from
> the problems and vulnerabilities (as well as product improvements in some
> cases) - and it's free to you.
>
> Windows Update
> http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
>
> Go there and scan your machine for updates. Always get the critical ones
as
> you see them. Write down the KB###### or Q###### you see when selecting
the
> updates and if you have trouble over the next few days, go into your
control
> panel (Add/Remove Programs), match up the latest numbers you downloaded
> recently (since you started noticing an issue) and uninstall them. If
there
> was more than one (usually is), install them back one by one - with a few
> hours of use in between, to see if the problem returns. Yes - the process
> is not perfect (updating) and can cause trouble like I mentioned - but as
> you can see, the solution isn't that bad - and is MUCH better than the
> alternatives. (SASSER/BLASTER were SO preventable with just this step!)
>
> Windows is not the only product you likely have on your PC. The
> manufacturers of the other products usually have updates as well. New
> versions of almost everything come out all the time - some are free, some
> are pay - some you can only download if you are registered - but it is
best
> to check. Just go to their web pages and look under their support and
> download sections.
>
> You also have hardware on your machine that requires drivers to interface
> with the operating system. You have a video card that allows you to see
on
> your screen, a sound card that allows you to hear your PCs sound output
and
> so on. Visit those manufacturer web sites for the latest downloadable
> drivers for your hardware/operating system. Always (IMO) get the
> manufacturers hardware driver over any Microsoft offers. On the Windows
> Update site I mentioned earlier, I suggest NOT getting their hardware
> drivers - no matter how tempting.
>
> Have I mentioned that Microsoft has some stuff to help secure your
computer
> available to the end-user for free? This seems as good of a time as any.
> They have a CD you can order (it's free) that contain all of the Windows
> patches through October 2003 and some trial products as well that they
> released in February 2004. Yeah - it's a little behind now, but it's
better
> than nothing (and used in coordination with the information in this post,
> well worth the purchase price..)
>
> Order the Windows Security Update CD
> http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/cd/order.asp
>
> They also have a bunch of suggestions, some similar to these, on how to
> better protect your Windows system:
>
> Protect your PC
> http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/
>
>
> FIREWALL
> --------
>
> Let's say you are up-to-date on the OS (operating system) and you have
> Windows XP.. You should at least turn on the built in firewall. That
will
> do a lot to "hide" you from the random bad things flying around the
> Internet. Things like Sasser/Blaster enjoy just sitting out there in
> Cyberspace looking for an unprotected Windows Operating System and jumping
> on it, doing great damage in the process and then using that Unprotected
OS
> to continue its dirty work of infecting others. If you have the Windows
XP
> ICF turned on - default configuration - then they cannot see you! Think
of
> it as Internet Stealth Mode at this point. It has other advantages, like
> actually locking the doors you didn't even (likely) know you had. Doing
> this is simple, the instructions you need to use your built in Windows XP
> firewall can be found here:
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=320855
>
> If you read through that and look through the pages that are linked from
it
> at the bottom of that page - I think you should have a firm grasp on the
> basics of the Windows XP Firewall as it is today.
>
> But let's say you DON'T have Windows XP - you have some other OS like
> Windows 95, 98, 98SE, ME, NT, 2000. Well, you don't have the nifty built
in
> firewall. My suggestion - upgrade. My next suggestion - look through
your
> options. There are lots of free and pay firewalls out there for home
users.
> Yes - you will have to decide on your own which to get. Yes, you will
have
> to learn (oh no!) to use these firewalls and configure them so they don't
> interfere with what you want to do while continuing to provide the
security
> you desire. It's just like anything else you want to protect - you have
to
> do something to protect it. Here are some suggested applications. A lot
of
> people tout "ZoneAlarm" as being the best alternative to just using the
> Windows XP ICF, but truthfully - any of these alternatives are much better
> than the Windows XP ICF at what they do - because that is ALL they do.
>
> ZoneAlarm (Free and up)
>
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp
>
> Kerio Personal Firewall (KPF) (Free and up)
> http://www.kerio.com/kpf_download.html
>
> Outpost Firewall from Agnitum (Free and up)
> http://www.agnitum.com/download/
>
> Sygate Personal Firewall (Free and up)
> http://smb.sygate.com/buy/download_buy.htm
>
> Symantec's Norton Personal Firewall (~$25 and up)
> http://www.symantec.com/sabu/nis/npf/
>
> BlackICE PC Protection ($39.95 and up)
> http://blackice.iss.net/
>
> Tiny Personal Firewall (~$49.00 and up)
> http://www.tinysoftware.com/
>
> That list is not complete, but they are good firewall options, every one
of
> them. Visit the web pages, read up, ask around if you like - make a
> decision and go with some firewall, any firewall. Also, maintain it.
> Sometimes new holes are discovered in even the best of these products and
> patches are released from the company to remedy this problem. However, if
> you don't get the patches (check the manufacturer web page on occasion),
> then you may never know you have the problem and/or are being used through
> this weakness. Also, don't stack these things. Running more than one
> firewall will not make you safer - it would likely (in fact) negate some
> protection you gleamed from one or the other firewalls you ran together.
>
>
> ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE
> ------------------
>
> That's not all. That's one facet of a secure PC, but firewalls don't do
> everything. I saw one idiot posting on a newsgroup that "they had
> never had a virus and they never run any anti-virus software. Yep - I
used
> to believe that way too - viruses were something everyone else seemed to
> get, were they just stupid? And for the average joe-user who is careful,
> uses their one-three family computers carefully, never opening unknown
> attachments, always visiting the same family safe web sites, never
> installing anything that did not come with their computer - maybe, just
> maybe they will never witness a virus. I, however, am a Network Systems
> Administrator. I see that AntiVirus software is an absolute necessity.
You
> can be as careful as you want - will the next person be as careful? Will
> someone send you unknowingly the email that erases all the pictures of
your
> child/childhood? Possibly - why take the chance? ALWAYS RUN ANTIVIRUS
> SOFTWARE and KEEP IT UP TO DATE! Antivirus software comes in so many
> flavors, it's like walking into a Jelly Belly store - which one tastes
like
> what?! Well, here are a few choices for you. Some of these are free
(isn't
> that nice?) and some are not. Is one better than the other - MAYBE. I
> personally love Symantec AV.
>
> Symantec (Norton) AntiVirus (~$11 and up)
> http://www.symantec.com/
>
> Kaspersky Anti-Virus (~$49.95 and up)
> http://www.kaspersky.com/products.html
>
> Panda Antivirus Titanium (~$39.95 and up)
> http://www.pandasoftware.com/
> (Free Online Scanner: http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/)
>
> AVG 6.0 Anti-Virus System (Free and up)
> http://www.grisoft.com/
>
> McAfee VirusScan (~$11 and up)
> http://www.mcafee.com/
>
> AntiVir (Free and up)
> http://www.free-av.com/
>
> avast! 4 (Free and up)
> http://www.avast.com/
>
> Trend Micro (~$49.95 and up)
> http://www.trendmicro.com/
> (Free Online Scanner:
> http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp)
>
> Did I mention you have to not only install this software, but also keep it
> updated? You do. Some of them (most) have automatic services to help you
> do this - I mean, it's not your job to keep up with the half-dozen or more
> new threats that come out daily, is it? Be sure to keep whichever one you
> choose up to date!
>
>
> SPYWARE/ADWARE/POPUPS
> ---------------------
>
> So you must be thinking that the above two things got your back now - you
> are covered, safe and secure in your little fox hole. Wrong! There are
> more bad guys out there. There are annoyances out there you can get
without
> trying. Your normal web surfing, maybe a wrong click on a web page, maybe
> just a momentary lack of judgment by installing some software packages
> without doing the research.. And all of a sudden your screen starts
filling
> up with advertisements or your Internet seems much slower or your home
page
> won't stay what you set it and goes someplace unfamiliar to you. This is
> spyware. There are a whole SLEW of software packages out there to get rid
> of this crud and help prevent reinfection. Some of the products already
> mentioned might even have branched out into this arena. However, there
are
> a few applications that seem to be the best at what they do, which is
> eradicating and immunizing your system from this crap. Strangely, the
best
> products I have found in this category ARE generally free. That is a
trend
> I like. I make donations to some of them, they deserve it!
>
> Spybot Search and Destroy (Free!)
> http://www.safer-networking.net/
>
> Lavasoft AdAware (Free and up)
> http://www.lavasoft.de
>
> CWSShredder (Free!)
> http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html
>
> Hijack This! (Free)
> http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/
>
> SpywareBlaster (Free!)
> http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/
>
> ToolbarCop (Free!)
> http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/toolbarcop.htm
>
> Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner (Free!)
> http://kephyr.sureshot.xaviermedia.net/spywarescanner/
>
> Browser Security Tests
> http://www.jasons-toolbox.com/BrowserSecurity/
>
> The Cleaner (49.95 and up)
> http://www.moosoft.com/
>
> That will clean up your machine of the spyware, given that you download
and
> install several of them, update them regularly and scan with them when you
> update. Some (like SpywareBlaster and SpyBot Search and Destroy) have
> immunization features that will help you prevent your PC from being
> infected. Use these features!
>
> Unfortunately, although that will lessen your popups on the Internet/while
> you are online, it won't eliminate them. I have looked at a lot of
options,
> seen a lot of them used in production with people who seem to attract
popups
> like a plague, and I only have one suggestion that end up serving double
> duty (search engine and popup stopper in one):
>
> The Google Toolbar (Free!)
> http://toolbar.google.com/
>
> Yeah - it adds a bar to your Internet Explorer - but its a useful one.
You
> can search from there anytime with one of the best search engines on the
> planet (IMO.) And the fact it stops most popups - wow - BONUS! If you
> don't like that suggestion, then I am just going to say you go to
> www.google.com and search for other options.
>
> One more suggestion, although I will suggest this in a way later, is to
> disable your Windows Messenger service. This service is not used
frequently
> (if at all) by the normal home user and in cooperation with a good
firewall,
> is generally unnecessary. Microsoft has instructions on how to do this
for
> Windows XP here:
>
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/communicate/stopspam.asp
>
>
> SPAM EMAIL/JUNK MAIL
> --------------------
>
> This one can get annoying, just like the rest. You get 50 emails in one
> sitting and 2 of them you wanted. NICE! (Not.) What can you do? Well,
> although there are services out there to help you, some email
> servers/services that actually do lower your spam with features built into
> their servers - I still like the methods that let you be the end-decision
> maker on what is spam and what isn't. If these things worked perfectly,
we
> wouldn't need people and then there would be no spam anyway - vicious
> circle, eh? Anyway - I have two products to suggest to you, look at them
> and see if either of them suite your needs. Again, if they don't, Google
is
> free and available for your perusal.
>
> SpamBayes (Free!)
> http://spambayes.sourceforge.net/
>
> Spamihilator (Free!)
> http://www.spamihilator.com/
>
> As I said, those are not your only options, but are reliable ones I have
> seen function for hundreds+ people.
>
>
> DISABLE UNUSED SERVICE/STARTUP APPS
> -----------------------------------
>
> I might get arguments on putting this one here, but it's my spill. There
are
> lots of services on your PC that are probably turned on by default you
don't
> use. Why have them on? Check out these web pages to see what all of the
> services you might find on your computer are and set them according to
your
> personal needs. Yeah - this is another one you have to work for, but your
> computer may speed up and/or be more secure because you took the time.
And
> if you document what you do as you do it, next time, it goes MUCH faster!
>
> Task List Programs
> http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm
>
> Black Viper's Service List and Opinions (XP)
> http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm
>
> Processes in Windows NT/2000/XP
> http://www.reger24.de/prozesse/
>
> There are also applications that AREN'T services that startup when you
start
> up the computer/logon. One of the better description on how to handle
these
> I have found here:
>
> Startups
> http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php
>
>
> That's it. A small booklet on how to keep your computer secure, clean of
> scum and more user friendly. I am SURE I missed something, almost as I am
> sure you won't read all of it (anyone for that matter.) However, I also
> know that someone who followed all of the advice above would also have
less
> problems with their PC, less problems with viruses, less problems with
spam,
> less problems with spyware and better performance than someone who didn't.
>
> Hope it helps.
>
> --
> <- Shenan ->
> --
>
>

[Shenan Stanley]

AnonymousUser2112 wrote:
> Shenan-you wrote an excellent security book. I found it very useful.
> Thanks.

You are welcome.

--
<- Shenan ->
--