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Ask Windows XP Expert Walter Clayton About Spyware
Hi Jax
I have followed Walter's postings over the few years and had the privile= ge to meet Walter earlier this year. He's a minefield of knowledge as a= re a lot of the other MVPs I met. The Expert Zone is very good facility: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...e/default.mspx The CDO interface for a first visit to the News Groups isn't a good idea.= Not sure why MS puts that above OE!! The following article will show how to setup OE as a News Reader: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/ou...snewreader.htm -- Will Denny MS-MVP Windows Shell/User Please reply to the News Groups "JAX" wrote in message news:u0IXQIeeEHA.3944@tk2msft= ngp13.phx.gbl... Hi Walter, To tell the truth, I don't really recall hearing anything from you, bu= t if you carry the title "MVP'" and it is not earned, someone will be jumpi= ng on you with both feet. I don't agree with the approach of "Unknown P", bu= t the subject of spyware, scumware, hijackers, etc. has been worn out in th= e newsgroups for the past several months. Windows offers, pretty much, a= ll the pointers you need when you go to updates. It is something like, "prote= ct your computer 1,2,3". I visit the XP newsgroups and follow the advice of the MVP's, as well = as other responders who have something to say that I consider credible. A= year or more ago, I deleted my "canned" responses to posts about spyware, e= tc. I became tired of reading posts about the same problem that was posted t= wo lines down in the group. I think you will agree, most posters get to the groups for the first t= ime via the XP Help and Support function on their computer, using CDO. The= re is a FAQ's available there, but it is rather obscure and very limited. No= t to mention, it is not updated frequently. Chris's post will "time-out" in a few days, and even before then, it w= ill move so far down the line in posts that the people who would have ques= tions about such a common problem will not scroll down/up to see it. I would= like to see MS add to its Help and Support site, an improved FAQ's link tha= t would be more in tune with current problems people are having. They wo= uld, no doubt, have to have a relatively small crew to monitor the XP group= s to determine what customers were having problems with and to come up with appropriate answers, but I think it would be within the resources of M= S and a way of promoting customer relations. FWIW, JAX "Walter Clayton" wrote in message ... New promotional program. Yes, Chris is legit MS. Use the feed back link, it won't bite. ;-) FWIW, I picked the topic of spyware for the simple reason that it's g= otten totally out of hand. 100% of my personal business the last 6 months h= as been nothing but crapware cleanup. And generally I was called for what the client thought was a completely unrelated reason. FYI: The major AV vendors are starting to step up to plate. The only = issue is how broadly they'll address such "innocuous" things as Gator/Clari= a vs. VX2 and the cool web search crap. Now if we can just get MS to step into the fray officially, with both feet, with proper tools to facilitate removing the nasties via 3rd party or= MS tools rather than having to rely on tricks I have up my selves courte= sy of hands on experience and other folks....... -- Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP) Associate Expert http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced. http://www.dts-l.org http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp| "JAX" wrote in message ... Harry, I recognize your name. I don't remember ever seeing the name of Cri= s Norred in any of the XP groups I haunt. Do you know him/her? Why would thi= s person be posting CDO? Dubiously, JAX "Harry Ohrn" wrote in message ... "The Unknown P" ( ) wrote in message ... How in God's name do you think this is going to differ from the numerous NG's and the posts pertaining to this topic. In short this is no= t only a waste of space but a little redundant as we have been dealing wi= th thousands of questions pertaining to spyware\adware for years. I= f this supposed eXPert has anything to add he or she can feel free to a= nswer the questions posted in any number of these NG's as the rest of us unrecognized or unheralded individuals do. Please don't go out o= f your way for us or the general public. Like any of the people who reply t= o these NG's it is at our conveniance and we certainly don't need your majesty to point this out to us. }:~) -- There are three types of people in computing, those that can cou= nt and those that can't. Who dumped in your Cheerio's this morning?. There are any number o= f non Microsoft newsgroups on Usenet that you can post your valuable knowledge to. If you dislike the way that Microsoft wishes to use their groups t= hen perhaps you should just move on over. -- Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User] www.webtree.ca/windowsxp |
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Ask Windows XP Expert Walter Clayton About Spyware
That's for wimps.
Use http://netscan.research.microsoft.co...=6%2F13%2F2004 Though like all MS web sites it is slow and faulty. (it takes 10 minutes to load the page like nearly all MS web pages do) Walter doesn't seem as active as he has been in the past. But lets spy a bit more. Would you trust this face? (which leads on to why are ALL MVPs ugly?, this is the best looking one) If you want to spy on me http://netscan.research.microsoft.co...=6%2F13%2F2004 Or Jax http://netscan.research.microsoft.co...=6%2F13%2F2004 (although she seems to be unable to keep a consistant email address) And for you http://netscan.research.microsoft.co...=6%2F13%2F2004 -- ---------------------------------------------------------- 'Not happy John! Defending our democracy', http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/...392635123.html "Harry Ohrn" wrote in message ... JAX check this out http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=e...on&btnG=Search -- Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User] www.webtree.ca/windowsxp "JAX" wrote in message ... Hi Walter, To tell the truth, I don't really recall hearing anything from you, but if you carry the title "MVP'" and it is not earned, someone will be jumping on you with both feet. I don't agree with the approach of "Unknown P", but the subject of spyware, scumware, hijackers, etc. has been worn out in the newsgroups for the past several months. Windows offers, pretty much, all the pointers you need when you go to updates. It is something like, "protect your computer 1,2,3". I visit the XP newsgroups and follow the advice of the MVP's, as well as other responders who have something to say that I consider credible. A year or more ago, I deleted my "canned" responses to posts about spyware, etc. I became tired of reading posts about the same problem that was posted two lines down in the group. I think you will agree, most posters get to the groups for the first time via the XP Help and Support function on their computer, using CDO. There is a FAQ's available there, but it is rather obscure and very limited. Not to mention, it is not updated frequently. Chris's post will "time-out" in a few days, and even before then, it will move so far down the line in posts that the people who would have questions about such a common problem will not scroll down/up to see it. I would like to see MS add to its Help and Support site, an improved FAQ's link that would be more in tune with current problems people are having. They would, no doubt, have to have a relatively small crew to monitor the XP groups to determine what customers were having problems with and to come up with appropriate answers, but I think it would be within the resources of MS and a way of promoting customer relations. FWIW, JAX "Walter Clayton" wrote in message ... New promotional program. Yes, Chris is legit MS. Use the feed back link, it won't bite. ;-) FWIW, I picked the topic of spyware for the simple reason that it's gotten totally out of hand. 100% of my personal business the last 6 months has been nothing but crapware cleanup. And generally I was called for what the client thought was a completely unrelated reason. FYI: The major AV vendors are starting to step up to plate. The only issue is how broadly they'll address such "innocuous" things as Gator/Claria vs. VX2 and the cool web search crap. Now if we can just get MS to step into the fray officially, with both feet, with proper tools to facilitate removing the nasties via 3rd party or MS tools rather than having to rely on tricks I have up my selves courtesy of hands on experience and other folks....... -- Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP) Associate Expert http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced. http://www.dts-l.org http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp| "JAX" wrote in message ... Harry, I recognize your name. I don't remember ever seeing the name of Cris Norred in any of the XP groups I haunt. Do you know him/her? Why would this person be posting CDO? Dubiously, JAX "Harry Ohrn" wrote in message ... "The Unknown P" ( ) wrote in message ... How in God's name do you think this is going to differ from the numerous NG's and the posts pertaining to this topic. In short this is not only a waste of space but a little redundant as we have been dealing with thousands of questions pertaining to spyware\adware for years. If this supposed eXPert has anything to add he or she can feel free to answer the questions posted in any number of these NG's as the rest of us unrecognized or unheralded individuals do. Please don't go out of your way for us or the general public. Like any of the people who reply to these NG's it is at our conveniance and we certainly don't need your majesty to point this out to us. }:~) -- There are three types of people in computing, those that can count and those that can't. Who dumped in your Cheerio's this morning?. There are any number of non Microsoft newsgroups on Usenet that you can post your valuable knowledge to. If you dislike the way that Microsoft wishes to use their groups then perhaps you should just move on over. -- Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User] www.webtree.ca/windowsxp |
#18
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Ask Windows XP Expert Walter Clayton About Spyware
Thanks everyone for participating in the thread.
Novice 77, Thanks for posting the spyware question. Hopefully you'll have a chance to post again and tell us what you've tried and how it's worked for you. Shanen, thanks for the extensive post. Everyone else, thanks for the support of Walter, and the feedback on this trial. Of course spyware has been discussed to great length and is old hat to newsgroup regulars . As Walter pointed out, it's still a major frustration for many people. What's new here? With Webnews 3.0 being used now on Microsoft.com Web sites, we can link from the Web directly to this discussion, making it easier for inexperienced users to find valuable newsgroup discussions. We also have the ability to preserve helpful threads so they don't expire from the MS server. And this is a way to recognize some of the helpful volunteers like Walter who've made their reputations in the online community. Walter will be on this thread all week so keep the questions coming. -Chris Norred Editor Windows XP Expert Zone Community -This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. "Will Denny" wrote: Hi Jax I have followed Walter's postings over the few years and had the privilege to meet Walter earlier this year. He's a minefield of knowledge as are a lot of the other MVPs I met. The Expert Zone is very good facility: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...e/default.mspx The CDO interface for a first visit to the News Groups isn't a good idea. Not sure why MS puts that above OE!! The following article will show how to setup OE as a News Reader: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/ou...snewreader.htm -- Will Denny MS-MVP Windows Shell/User Please reply to the News Groups "JAX" wrote in message ... Hi Walter, To tell the truth, I don't really recall hearing anything from you, but if you carry the title "MVP'" and it is not earned, someone will be jumping on you with both feet. I don't agree with the approach of "Unknown P", but the subject of spyware, scumware, hijackers, etc. has been worn out in the newsgroups for the past several months. Windows offers, pretty much, all the pointers you need when you go to updates. It is something like, "protect your computer 1,2,3". I visit the XP newsgroups and follow the advice of the MVP's, as well as other responders who have something to say that I consider credible. A year or more ago, I deleted my "canned" responses to posts about spyware, etc. I became tired of reading posts about the same problem that was posted two lines down in the group. I think you will agree, most posters get to the groups for the first time via the XP Help and Support function on their computer, using CDO. There is a FAQ's available there, but it is rather obscure and very limited. Not to mention, it is not updated frequently. Chris's post will "time-out" in a few days, and even before then, it will move so far down the line in posts that the people who would have questions about such a common problem will not scroll down/up to see it. I would like to see MS add to its Help and Support site, an improved FAQ's link that would be more in tune with current problems people are having. They would, no doubt, have to have a relatively small crew to monitor the XP groups to determine what customers were having problems with and to come up with appropriate answers, but I think it would be within the resources of MS and a way of promoting customer relations. FWIW, JAX "Walter Clayton" wrote in message ... New promotional program. Yes, Chris is legit MS. Use the feed back link, it won't bite. ;-) FWIW, I picked the topic of spyware for the simple reason that it's gotten totally out of hand. 100% of my personal business the last 6 months has been nothing but crapware cleanup. And generally I was called for what the client thought was a completely unrelated reason. FYI: The major AV vendors are starting to step up to plate. The only issue is how broadly they'll address such "innocuous" things as Gator/Claria vs. VX2 and the cool web search crap. Now if we can just get MS to step into the fray officially, with both feet, with proper tools to facilitate removing the nasties via 3rd party or MS tools rather than having to rely on tricks I have up my selves courtesy of hands on experience and other folks....... -- Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP) Associate Expert http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced. http://www.dts-l.org http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp| "JAX" wrote in message ... Harry, I recognize your name. I don't remember ever seeing the name of Cris Norred in any of the XP groups I haunt. Do you know him/her? Why would this person be posting CDO? Dubiously, JAX "Harry Ohrn" wrote in message ... "The Unknown P" ( ) wrote in message ... How in God's name do you think this is going to differ from the numerous NG's and the posts pertaining to this topic. In short this is not only a waste of space but a little redundant as we have been dealing with thousands of questions pertaining to spyware\adware for years. If this supposed eXPert has anything to add he or she can feel free to answer the questions posted in any number of these NG's as the rest of us unrecognized or unheralded individuals do. Please don't go out of your way for us or the general public. Like any of the people who reply to these NG's it is at our conveniance and we certainly don't need your majesty to point this out to us. }:~) -- There are three types of people in computing, those that can count and those that can't. Who dumped in your Cheerio's this morning?. There are any number of non Microsoft newsgroups on Usenet that you can post your valuable knowledge to. If you dislike the way that Microsoft wishes to use their groups then perhaps you should just move on over. -- Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User] www.webtree.ca/windowsxp |
#19
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Ask Windows XP Expert Walter Clayton About Spyware
Hi All,
I will sum up my point in posting to this thread in the first place, this has all the earmarks of a Troll! The OP has done nothing but get the attention of those who haven't asked for anything from them in the first place, with the exception of the post from "novis77", So far as Walter Claton's customers, "FWIW, I picked the topic of spyware for the simple reason that it's gotten totally out of hand. 100% of my personal business the last 6 months has been nothing but crapware cleanup. And generally I was called for what the client thought was a completely unrelated reason." Those people would not have gone to your web-site/newsgroup message/ help & support/whatever. They only want their computer to run the way they expect it to and don't want to do anything on their own to make it happen. I don't mean to sound like a cynic, but those are the facts, as I see them. Good luck with your venture, JAX |
#20
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Anti Spyware Program clashing with XP PRO and MSN Premium
I installed McAfee 2005 Anti Spyware. Immediately, my MSN Premium software, i.e. MSN Explorer shut down. I can't sign in our out. I was advised to uninstall/install, but whether from disc or download, I get an "error that MSN can't complete" and may be due to memory....." but I have the memory, can download other pgms, etc. I've pulled McA off the computer and still can't get the MSN Exp. to work/install.
The Original error was: MSN error report 7/22 description of event 1000 can not be found. local computer may not have nec registry info or message DLL files to display messages from remote. You may use /AUXSOURCE=flag to retrieve this description. The following info is part of the eent msn.exe: 9.0. 12.3101.hhctrl.ocx.5.2.3735.0.00011aa0 windows cannot unload your classes registry file...its still in use by other aps or svc. file will be unloaded when not in use userenv fault bucket 82548512 |
#21
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Anti Spyware Program clashing with XP PRO and MSN Premium
The easiest thing you can try is a system restore to prior to installing
AntiSpyware. If you don't have a restore point that far back things may get interesting. Unfortunately this is a brand new product from McAfee and it's like looking for hen's teeth to find out anything about it. It sounds like they're trying to hook activeX controls as well as a number of things and botched it. Badly. Without knowing what they stomped on in the registry. Does "Help and Support" (start-help and support) currently work? -- Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP) Associate Expert http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced. http://www.dts-l.org http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp| "irishsetter" wrote in message ... I installed McAfee 2005 Anti Spyware. Immediately, my MSN Premium software, i.e. MSN Explorer shut down. I can't sign in our out. I was advised to uninstall/install, but whether from disc or download, I get an "error that MSN can't complete" and may be due to memory....." but I have the memory, can download other pgms, etc. I've pulled McA off the computer and still can't get the MSN Exp. to work/install. The Original error was: MSN error report 7/22 description of event 1000 can not be found. local computer may not have nec registry info or message DLL files to display messages from remote. You may use /AUXSOURCE=flag to retrieve this description. The following info is part of the eent msn.exe: 9.0. 12.3101.hhctrl.ocx.5.2.3735.0.00011aa0 windows cannot unload your classes registry file...its still in use by other aps or svc. file will be unloaded when not in use userenv fault bucket 82548512 |
#22
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Ask Windows XP Expert Walter Clayton About Spyware
"Walter Clayton" wrote: New promotional program. Yes, Chris is legit MS. Use the feed back link, it won't bite. ;-) FWIW, I picked the topic of spyware for the simple reason that it's gotten totally out of hand. 100% of my personal business the last 6 months has been nothing but crapware cleanup. And generally I was called for what the client thought was a completely unrelated reason. FYI: The major AV vendors are starting to step up to plate. The only issue is how broadly they'll address such "innocuous" things as Gator/Claria vs. VX2 and the cool web search crap. Now if we can just get MS to step into the fray officially, with both feet, with proper tools to facilitate removing the nasties via 3rd party or MS tools rather than having to rely on tricks I have up my selves courtesy of hands on experience and other folks....... -- Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP) Associate Expert http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced. http://www.dts-l.org http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp| "JAX" wrote in message ... Harry, I recognize your name. I don't remember ever seeing the name of Cris Norred in any of the XP groups I haunt. Do you know him/her? Why would this person be posting CDO? Dubiously, JAX "Harry Ohrn" wrote in message ... "The Unknown P" ( ) wrote in message ... How in God's name do you think this is going to differ from the numerous NG's and the posts pertaining to this topic. In short this is not only a waste of space but a little redundant as we have been dealing with thousands of questions pertaining to spyware\adware for years. If this supposed eXPert has anything to add he or she can feel free to answer the questions posted in any number of these NG's as the rest of us unrecognized or unheralded individuals do. Please don't go out of your way for us or the general public. Like any of the people who reply to these NG's it is at our conveniance and we certainly don't need your majesty to point this out to us. }:~) -- There are three types of people in computing, those that can count and those that can't. Who dumped in your Cheerio's this morning?. There are any number of non Microsoft newsgroups on Usenet that you can post your valuable knowledge to. If you dislike the way that Microsoft wishes to use their groups then perhaps you should just move on over. -- Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User] www.webtree.ca/windowsxp I already know what Spyware can do and all to your computers but what is the best Spyware and Ad-aware remover programs out there I'm using Spybot 1.3 and Ad-aware 6.0 from Lavasoft and I heard having two good Spyware and Ad-aware remover programs that it will remove about 90% of Spyware and Ad-aware off your computer and keep it out. |
#23
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Ask Windows XP Expert Walter Clayton About Spyware
Andrew wrote:
I already know what Spyware can do and all to your computers but what is the best Spyware and Ad-aware remover programs out there I'm using Spybot 1.3 and Ad-aware 6.0 from Lavasoft and I heard having two good Spyware and Ad-aware remover programs that it will remove about 90% of Spyware and Ad-aware off your computer and keep it out. The best applications I have found for spyware removal and prevention are found in the spill below. Along with other application for avoiding and preventing other types of infections/problems. Matter of fact, these applications are not based merely on my experience (although if they are on the list below, I have used them in one form or another) - but also based on suggestions seen in and around these forums and throughout the Internet. If you don't wish to follow all of the advice immediately, just want to get rid of your current dilemma, then you are welcome to scroll down to the section titled "SPYWARE/ADWARE/POPUPS", where your problem as stated should be resolved by the applications and suggestions found in that section. If this helps solve your problem then I again HIGHLY suggest you follow the rest of the advice below (matter of fact, I suggest it either way.) 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. SPYWARE/ADWARE/POPUPS --------------------- 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! Two side-notes: Never think one of these can do the whole job. Try the first 5 before coming back and saying "That did not work!" Also, you can always visit: http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm For more updated information. 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/ ( Tutorial: http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/htlogtutorial.html ) SpywareBlaster (Free!) http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/ IE-SPYAD (Free!) http://www.staff.uiuc.edu/~ehowes/resource.htm ToolbarCop (Free!) http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/toolbarcop.htm Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner (Free!) http://www.kephyr.com/spywarescanner/index.html 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 he http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/p...e/stopspam.asp 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 he 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. One thing to note RIGHT NOW - if you have AOL, you cannot use this nice firewall that came with your system. Thank AOL, not Microsoft. You HAVE to configure another one.. So we continue with our session on Firewalls... 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/conten...eeDownload.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 person 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 given how most people see their computer as a toy/tool and not something they should have to maintain and upkeep. After all, they were invented to make life easier, right - not add another task to your day. 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. 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/hous...start_corp.asp) RAV AntiVirus Online Virus Scan (Free!) http://www.ravantivirus.com/scan/ 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! 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 (Set to Manual) 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. Be CAREFUL what you set to manual, and take heed and write down as you change things! Also, don't expect a large performance increase or anything - especially on todays 2+ GHz machines, however - I look at each service you set to manual as one less service you have to worry about someone exploiting. A year ago, I would have thought the Windows Messenger service to be pretty safe, now I recommend (with addition of a firewall) that most home users disable it! 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! (or if you have to go back and re-enable things..) Task List Programs http://www.answersthatwork.com/Taskl...s/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 he 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, fewer problems with spyware and better performance than someone who didn't. Hope it helps. -- - Shenan - -- The information is provided "as is", with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy or timeliness, and without warranties of any kind, express or implied. In other words, read up before you take any advice - you are the one ultimately responsible for your actions. |
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Ask Windows XP Expert Walter Clayton About Spyware
Generally all I use is AdAware first followed by SpyBot. There's a lot of
overlap in the two tools, but they also concentrate on non-overlapping areas. It's also wise to follow up with installing SpywareBlaster. None of these require run time presences although SpyBot will offer to install such. No harm in doing so and in some instances, especially with multi-user machines, a necessity. The biggest issue is remembering to run them periodically after checking for updates. The latter is one of the reasons, other than not changing usage habits, that people get reinfected. It's easier to avoid being click happy than it is to clean up the mess afterwards. There are instances where AdAware/SpyBot may be neutralized or unable to clean something. I handle those on a case by case basis since you're looking at going with some highly specialized tools that if misused will leave the machine unbootable (note that there is a nasty that the current version of AdAware had been cleaning incorrectly that would make it impossible to log on to the machine without taking corrective action). Depending on your level of expertise there are some tools that circumvent issues with removing nasties that are resident in memory even in safe mode. If an XP machine is being disinfected I use a bootable CD created using Bart's tools with fully updated AdAware, Trendmicro, McAfee and Kaspersky tools (all free versions) incorporated. This also allows me to correct any registry issues on the host machine without any major hassles other than knowing what parts of the registry need be hacked. The reason I include and run AV scanners is generally if some one has a load of spyware it's not unusual they'll have nastier stuff as well. -- Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP) Associate Expert http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced. http://www.dts-l.org http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp| "Andrew" wrote in message ... I already know what Spyware can do and all to your computers but what is the best Spyware and Ad-aware remover programs out there I'm using Spybot 1.3 and Ad-aware 6.0 from Lavasoft and I heard having two good Spyware and Ad-aware remover programs that it will remove about 90% of Spyware and Ad-aware off your computer and keep it out. |
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Ask Windows XP Expert Walter Clayton About Spyware
"Walter Clayton" wrote: Generally all I use is AdAware first followed by SpyBot. There's a lot of overlap in the two tools, but they also concentrate on non-overlapping areas. It's also wise to follow up with installing SpywareBlaster. None of these require run time presences although SpyBot will offer to install such. No harm in doing so and in some instances, especially with multi-user machines, a necessity. The biggest issue is remembering to run them periodically after checking for updates. The latter is one of the reasons, other than not changing usage habits, that people get reinfected. It's easier to avoid being click happy than it is to clean up the mess afterwards. There are instances where AdAware/SpyBot may be neutralized or unable to clean something. I handle those on a case by case basis since you're looking at going with some highly specialized tools that if misused will leave the machine unbootable (note that there is a nasty that the current version of AdAware had been cleaning incorrectly that would make it impossible to log on to the machine without taking corrective action). Depending on your level of expertise there are some tools that circumvent issues with removing nasties that are resident in memory even in safe mode. If an XP machine is being disinfected I use a bootable CD created using Bart's tools with fully updated AdAware, Trendmicro, McAfee and Kaspersky tools (all free versions) incorporated. This also allows me to correct any registry issues on the host machine without any major hassles other than knowing what parts of the registry need be hacked. The reason I include and run AV scanners is generally if some one has a load of spyware it's not unusual they'll have nastier stuff as well. -- Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP) Associate Expert http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced. http://www.dts-l.org http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp| "Andrew" wrote in message ... I already know what Spyware can do and all to your computers but what is the best Spyware and Ad-aware remover programs out there I'm using Spybot 1.3 and Ad-aware 6.0 from Lavasoft and I heard having two good Spyware and Ad-aware remover programs that it will remove about 90% of Spyware and Ad-aware off your computer and keep it out. |
#26
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Ask Windows XP Expert Walter Clayton About Spyware
"Walter Clayton" wrote: Generally all I use is AdAware first followed by SpyBot. There's a lot of overlap in the two tools, but they also concentrate on non-overlapping areas. It's also wise to follow up with installing SpywareBlaster. None of these require run time presences although SpyBot will offer to install such. No harm in doing so and in some instances, especially with multi-user machines, a necessity. The biggest issue is remembering to run them periodically after checking for updates. The latter is one of the reasons, other than not changing usage habits, that people get reinfected. It's easier to avoid being click happy than it is to clean up the mess afterwards. There are instances where AdAware/SpyBot may be neutralized or unable to clean something. I handle those on a case by case basis since you're looking at going with some highly specialized tools that if misused will leave the machine unbootable (note that there is a nasty that the current version of AdAware had been cleaning incorrectly that would make it impossible to log on to the machine without taking corrective action). Depending on your level of expertise there are some tools that circumvent issues with removing nasties that are resident in memory even in safe mode. If an XP machine is being disinfected I use a bootable CD created using Bart's tools with fully updated AdAware, Trendmicro, McAfee and Kaspersky tools (all free versions) incorporated. This also allows me to correct any registry issues on the host machine without any major hassles other than knowing what parts of the registry need be hacked. The reason I include and run AV scanners is generally if some one has a load of spyware it's not unusual they'll have nastier stuff as well. -- Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP) Associate Expert http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced. http://www.dts-l.org http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp| "Andrew" wrote in message ... I already know what Spyware can do and all to your computers but what is the best Spyware and Ad-aware remover programs out there I'm using Spybot 1.3 and Ad-aware 6.0 from Lavasoft and I heard having two good Spyware and Ad-aware remover programs that it will remove about 90% of Spyware and Ad-aware off your computer and keep it out. |
#27
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Ask Windows XP Expert Walter Clayton About Spyware
My Internet Exp has been hijacked by CoolWebSearch and AdAware, Spybot &
SpywareBlaster have not detected it or removed it! What can I do?? "Walter Clayton" wrote: Generally all I use is AdAware first followed by SpyBot. There's a lot of overlap in the two tools, but they also concentrate on non-overlapping areas. It's also wise to follow up with installing SpywareBlaster. None of these require run time presences although SpyBot will offer to install such. No harm in doing so and in some instances, especially with multi-user machines, a necessity. The biggest issue is remembering to run them periodically after checking for updates. The latter is one of the reasons, other than not changing usage habits, that people get reinfected. It's easier to avoid being click happy than it is to clean up the mess afterwards. There are instances where AdAware/SpyBot may be neutralized or unable to clean something. I handle those on a case by case basis since you're looking at going with some highly specialized tools that if misused will leave the machine unbootable (note that there is a nasty that the current version of AdAware had been cleaning incorrectly that would make it impossible to log on to the machine without taking corrective action). Depending on your level of expertise there are some tools that circumvent issues with removing nasties that are resident in memory even in safe mode. If an XP machine is being disinfected I use a bootable CD created using Bart's tools with fully updated AdAware, Trendmicro, McAfee and Kaspersky tools (all free versions) incorporated. This also allows me to correct any registry issues on the host machine without any major hassles other than knowing what parts of the registry need be hacked. The reason I include and run AV scanners is generally if some one has a load of spyware it's not unusual they'll have nastier stuff as well. -- Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP) Associate Expert http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced. http://www.dts-l.org http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp| "Andrew" wrote in message ... I already know what Spyware can do and all to your computers but what is the best Spyware and Ad-aware remover programs out there I'm using Spybot 1.3 and Ad-aware 6.0 from Lavasoft and I heard having two good Spyware and Ad-aware remover programs that it will remove about 90% of Spyware and Ad-aware off your computer and keep it out. |
#28
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Ask Windows XP Expert Walter Clayton About Spyware
Have you made sure that you updated products? Are you running these
programs in safe mode? Have you disabled system restore *before* running these programs? Try these steps and see if they help. "Michel" wrote in message ... My Internet Exp has been hijacked by CoolWebSearch and AdAware, Spybot & SpywareBlaster have not detected it or removed it! What can I do?? "Walter Clayton" wrote: Generally all I use is AdAware first followed by SpyBot. There's a lot of overlap in the two tools, but they also concentrate on non-overlapping areas. It's also wise to follow up with installing SpywareBlaster. None of these require run time presences although SpyBot will offer to install such. No harm in doing so and in some instances, especially with multi-user machines, a necessity. The biggest issue is remembering to run them periodically after checking for updates. The latter is one of the reasons, other than not changing usage habits, that people get reinfected. It's easier to avoid being click happy than it is to clean up the mess afterwards. There are instances where AdAware/SpyBot may be neutralized or unable to clean something. I handle those on a case by case basis since you're looking at going with some highly specialized tools that if misused will leave the machine unbootable (note that there is a nasty that the current version of AdAware had been cleaning incorrectly that would make it impossible to log on to the machine without taking corrective action). Depending on your level of expertise there are some tools that circumvent issues with removing nasties that are resident in memory even in safe mode. If an XP machine is being disinfected I use a bootable CD created using Bart's tools with fully updated AdAware, Trendmicro, McAfee and Kaspersky tools (all free versions) incorporated. This also allows me to correct any registry issues on the host machine without any major hassles other than knowing what parts of the registry need be hacked. The reason I include and run AV scanners is generally if some one has a load of spyware it's not unusual they'll have nastier stuff as well. -- Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP) Associate Expert http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced. http://www.dts-l.org http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp| "Andrew" wrote in message ... I already know what Spyware can do and all to your computers but what is the best Spyware and Ad-aware remover programs out there I'm using Spybot 1.3 and Ad-aware 6.0 from Lavasoft and I heard having two good Spyware and Ad-aware remover programs that it will remove about 90% of Spyware and Ad-aware off your computer and keep it out. |
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Ask Windows XP Expert Walter Clayton About Spyware
Michel wrote:
My Internet Exp has been hijacked by CoolWebSearch and AdAware, Spybot & SpywareBlaster have not detected it or removed it! What can I do?? There is a tool made specifically for this nasty application. Download the utility CWShredder: http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/cwshredder.zip Unzip, close all instances of IE & OE, start the executable and follow the prompts. -- Ronnie Vernon Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User Please reply to the newsgroup so all may benefit. http://www.dts-l.org http://www.mvps.org |
#30
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Ask Windows XP Expert Walter Clayton About Spyware
Disabling system restore is a bad idea. The system may be in a bad shape
now, but at it basically functions. If the spyware rip out goes awry SR may be the only way to get back to make a second attempt. -- Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP) Associate Expert http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced. http://www.dts-l.org http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp| "zippy" wrote in message ink.net... Have you made sure that you updated products? Are you running these programs in safe mode? Have you disabled system restore *before* running these programs? Try these steps and see if they help. "Michel" wrote in message ... My Internet Exp has been hijacked by CoolWebSearch and AdAware, Spybot & SpywareBlaster have not detected it or removed it! What can I do?? "Walter Clayton" wrote: Generally all I use is AdAware first followed by SpyBot. There's a lot of overlap in the two tools, but they also concentrate on non-overlapping areas. It's also wise to follow up with installing SpywareBlaster. None of these require run time presences although SpyBot will offer to install such. No harm in doing so and in some instances, especially with multi-user machines, a necessity. The biggest issue is remembering to run them periodically after checking for updates. The latter is one of the reasons, other than not changing usage habits, that people get reinfected. It's easier to avoid being click happy than it is to clean up the mess afterwards. There are instances where AdAware/SpyBot may be neutralized or unable to clean something. I handle those on a case by case basis since you're looking at going with some highly specialized tools that if misused will leave the machine unbootable (note that there is a nasty that the current version of AdAware had been cleaning incorrectly that would make it impossible to log on to the machine without taking corrective action). Depending on your level of expertise there are some tools that circumvent issues with removing nasties that are resident in memory even in safe mode. If an XP machine is being disinfected I use a bootable CD created using Bart's tools with fully updated AdAware, Trendmicro, McAfee and Kaspersky tools (all free versions) incorporated. This also allows me to correct any registry issues on the host machine without any major hassles other than knowing what parts of the registry need be hacked. The reason I include and run AV scanners is generally if some one has a load of spyware it's not unusual they'll have nastier stuff as well. -- Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP) Associate Expert http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced. http://www.dts-l.org http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp| "Andrew" wrote in message ... I already know what Spyware can do and all to your computers but what is the best Spyware and Ad-aware remover programs out there I'm using Spybot 1.3 and Ad-aware 6.0 from Lavasoft and I heard having two good Spyware and Ad-aware remover programs that it will remove about 90% of Spyware and Ad-aware off your computer and keep it out. |
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