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Ask Windows XP Expert Walter Clayton About Spyware
pdthorin wrote:
My computer has so much spy-ware on it I'd prefer just to reformat the hard drive and start fresh. The only problem is I bought my HP desktop with XP already installed and I don't have a disc. Can I reformat my drive without getting rid of XP? Format - to erase everything. In that lies your answer (which is NO.) You CAN clean it up! 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
In ,
pdthorin typed: My computer has so much spy-ware on it I'd prefer just to reformat the hard drive and start fresh. The only problem is I bought my HP desktop with XP already installed and I don't have a disc. Can I reformat my drive without getting rid of XP? That's like asking "if I take everything out of my house, will my furniture still be there?" No, formatting means that *everything* on the drive will be gone. However, OEM vendors are required by their agreement with Microsoft to give you a means of reinstalling, should it be necessary. They can do this in one of three ways: 1. An OEM copy of Windows 2. A restore CD 3. A hidden partition on your drive, with restore information. If you don't have 1 or 2, you should have 3, but you should contact your vendor to find out. -- Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User Please reply to the newsgroup |
#48
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Ask Windows XP Expert Walter Clayton About Spyware
Your choice, but as Ken and Shenan pointed out, that's not necessarily the
best solution. I had a personal client that called wanting me to look at why they had to replace their modem just about every two to three weeks. Turns out they were on cable attached via NIC, were in fact replacing their internal modem then flatlining the system with an OEM image *without* patching up and *without* changing any usage habits. When I sat down at the machine it was so choked up with malware and crapware, including winsock hijack, that the machine couldn't get out to the internet. Cleaning the machine in place then holding a safe computing forum while watching the clean up tools do their thing did wonders. Back to your specific issue. If you want to flatline the system, that's certainly an option. I do not recommend it since you'll immediately have to download and install 70-80M of patches (if you're sitting at SP1) some of which you'll need just to get online safely in order to patch unless you're sitting behind a firewall (and yes, I stated that exactly the way I meant). It's easier in a lot of ways, and generally safer with your data to clean in place. -- 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| "pdthorin" wrote in message ... My computer has so much spy-ware on it I'd prefer just to reformat the hard drive and start fresh. The only problem is I bought my HP desktop with XP already installed and I don't have a disc. Can I reformat my drive without getting rid of XP? |
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Pls help
Hi Chris,
Just to let you know that I'm a person who knows nothing much when it comes to technology.I have a spybot- search and destroy software installed on my laptop which I run on a daily basis.I notice a spyware 'DSO EXPLOIT' appearing everyday and actually everytime I run the spy catching program.I wonder what I can do in order to block it for good.Again I'm not sure if this spy comes from some imp site I visit everyday.Pls advise. Regards "Chris Norred [MSFT]" wrote: Hello and welcome to our first Ask-the-Experts discussion, moderated by the Windows XP Expert Zone Community. This is a new trial effort and our goal is to make it easy for you to ask questions and find answers on a specific topic from a recognized expert in the online community. We’ll continue this discussion in the newsgroups for one week and our volunteer expert will select one or two questions each day and respond. Other experts and users online may also chime in with advice. At the end of the week, we hope to have a single thread filled with good information that can be preserved for the benefit of other users in the future. This week, our expert host is volunteer MVP Walter Clayton who will be discussing the topic of spyware and adware and his experience helping users in the newsgroups deal with spyware issues. Walter is an IT professional from Frankfort, Kentucky. He is a self-trained computing pro with 20 years of experience, and he has been helping people in the online community for many years. Walter is a recipient of the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) award for his volunteer efforts helping Windows users over the past five years. A quote from Mr. Clayton: “I enjoy working the newsgroups because it forces me to think and learn. Everyday I get a slightly different perspective on something or see a new situation or problem. There is also the challenge of keeping communication skills sharp. Determining the answer to a problem, and communicating it in the newsgroups can present its own set of challenges, especially at times when the wrong answer can leave the user in a no-boot situation.” Our Ask the Experts discussion is different from the live chats hosted on the Windows XP Expert Zone Community site (http://communities2.microsoft.com/ho...iteid=34000077). In these discussions, you may not get an immediate answer. The hosts will check-in at a time convenient for them and answer questions. You can post a question any time. Then you may want to add the discussion to your Favorites list in Internet Explorer (Click Favorites, and then click Add to Favorites). You should check back later in the day, or the next day, to see if your question has been answered. Click the Refresh button to see if any new posts were added while you have been reading. If you’re more comfortable using Outlook Express or another newsreader, please do. To post a question or reply in this discussion, using the Web-based newsgroup reader: 1. Click Reply. 2. If prompted, sign in with your .NET Passport. 3. Edit the subject line if you like. 4. In the Reply form, type your message or question in the Message box. 5. Review the text you typed in the Body box to make sure it says what you want; you cannot revise your message after you click Post. 6. To receive e-mail notification when someone posts to this thread, select the Notify me of replies check box. 7. Click Send. This is a new trial effort and your feedback and assistance are appreciated. We’ll keep links to these discussions in the Windows XP Expert Zone Community Columns Archive (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...s/archive.mspx). Truly Chris Norred Editor Windows XP Expert Zone Community |
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Pls help
JR wrote:
Just to let you know that I'm a person who knows nothing much when it comes to technology.I have a spybot- search and destroy software installed on my laptop which I run on a daily basis.I notice a spyware 'DSO EXPLOIT' appearing everyday and actually everytime I run the spy catching program.I wonder what I can do in order to block it for good.Again I'm not sure if this spy comes from some imp site I visit everyday.Pls advise. Regards You need to uninstall Spybot S&D 1.2 or the Release Candidate for 1.3 and install the FULL version of 1.3 and update it. Other advice to follow: 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 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! 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! 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 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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Pls help
That's an issue with Spybot.
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/contact/bugs.html -- 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| "JR" wrote in message news Hi Chris, Just to let you know that I'm a person who knows nothing much when it comes to technology.I have a spybot- search and destroy software installed on my laptop which I run on a daily basis.I notice a spyware 'DSO EXPLOIT' appearing everyday and actually everytime I run the spy catching program.I wonder what I can do in order to block it for good.Again I'm not sure if this spy comes from some imp site I visit everyday.Pls advise. Regards "Chris Norred [MSFT]" wrote: Hello and welcome to our first Ask-the-Experts discussion, moderated by the Windows XP Expert Zone Community. This is a new trial effort and our goal is to make it easy for you to ask questions and find answers on a specific topic from a recognized expert in the online community. We’ll continue this discussion in the newsgroups for one week and our volunteer expert will select one or two questions each day and respond. Other experts and users online may also chime in with advice. At the end of the week, we hope to have a single thread filled with good information that can be preserved for the benefit of other users in the future. This week, our expert host is volunteer MVP Walter Clayton who will be discussing the topic of spyware and adware and his experience helping users in the newsgroups deal with spyware issues. Walter is an IT professional from Frankfort, Kentucky. He is a self-trained computing pro with 20 years of experience, and he has been helping people in the online community for many years. Walter is a recipient of the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) award for his volunteer efforts helping Windows users over the past five years. A quote from Mr. Clayton: “I enjoy working the newsgroups because it forces me to think and learn. Everyday I get a slightly different perspective on something or see a new situation or problem. There is also the challenge of keeping communication skills sharp. Determining the answer to a problem, and communicating it in the newsgroups can present its own set of challenges, especially at times when the wrong answer can leave the user in a no-boot situation.” Our Ask the Experts discussion is different from the live chats hosted on the Windows XP Expert Zone Community site (http://communities2.microsoft.com/ho...iteid=34000077). In these discussions, you may not get an immediate answer. The hosts will check-in at a time convenient for them and answer questions. You can post a question any time. Then you may want to add the discussion to your Favorites list in Internet Explorer (Click Favorites, and then click Add to Favorites). You should check back later in the day, or the next day, to see if your question has been answered. Click the Refresh button to see if any new posts were added while you have been reading. If you’re more comfortable using Outlook Express or another newsreader, please do. To post a question or reply in this discussion, using the Web-based newsgroup reader: 1. Click Reply. 2. If prompted, sign in with your .NET Passport. 3. Edit the subject line if you like. 4. In the Reply form, type your message or question in the Message box. 5. Review the text you typed in the Body box to make sure it says what you want; you cannot revise your message after you click Post. 6. To receive e-mail notification when someone posts to this thread, select the Notify me of replies check box. 7. Click Send. This is a new trial effort and your feedback and assistance are appreciated. We’ll keep links to these discussions in the Windows XP Expert Zone Community Columns Archive (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...s/archive.mspx). Truly Chris Norred Editor Windows XP Expert Zone Community |
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Pls help
I'm not one of the whiz bangs you addressed your post to, but I can tell
you, DSO exploit is a known issue with Spybot S&D. You will see 5 entries each time you run S&D. There is nothing to worry about and a fix is supposed to be on the way. Do a Google search and it will confirm what I say. JAX "JR" wrote in message news Hi Chris, Just to let you know that I'm a person who knows nothing much when it comes to technology.I have a spybot- search and destroy software installed on my laptop which I run on a daily basis.I notice a spyware 'DSO EXPLOIT' appearing everyday and actually everytime I run the spy catching program.I wonder what I can do in order to block it for good.Again I'm not sure if this spy comes from some imp site I visit everyday.Pls advise. Regards "Chris Norred [MSFT]" wrote: Hello and welcome to our first Ask-the-Experts discussion, moderated by the Windows XP Expert Zone Community. This is a new trial effort and our goal is to make it easy for you to ask questions and find answers on a specific topic from a recognized expert in the online community. We'll continue this discussion in the newsgroups for one week and our volunteer expert will select one or two questions each day and respond. Other experts and users online may also chime in with advice. At the end of the week, we hope to have a single thread filled with good information that can be preserved for the benefit of other users in the future. This week, our expert host is volunteer MVP Walter Clayton who will be discussing the topic of spyware and adware and his experience helping users in the newsgroups deal with spyware issues. Walter is an IT professional from Frankfort, Kentucky. He is a self-trained computing pro with 20 years of experience, and he has been helping people in the online community for many years. Walter is a recipient of the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) award for his volunteer efforts helping Windows users over the past five years. A quote from Mr. Clayton: "I enjoy working the newsgroups because it forces me to think and learn. Everyday I get a slightly different perspective on something or see a new situation or problem. There is also the challenge of keeping communication skills sharp. Determining the answer to a problem, and communicating it in the newsgroups can present its own set of challenges, especially at times when the wrong answer can leave the user in a no-boot situation." Our Ask the Experts discussion is different from the live chats hosted on the Windows XP Expert Zone Community site (http://communities2.microsoft.com/ho...iteid=34000077). In these discussions, you may not get an immediate answer. The hosts will check-in at a time convenient for them and answer questions. You can post a question any time. Then you may want to add the discussion to your Favorites list in Internet Explorer (Click Favorites, and then click Add to Favorites). You should check back later in the day, or the next day, to see if your question has been answered. Click the Refresh button to see if any new posts were added while you have been reading. If you're more comfortable using Outlook Express or another newsreader, please do. To post a question or reply in this discussion, using the Web-based newsgroup reader: 1. Click Reply. 2. If prompted, sign in with your .NET Passport. 3. Edit the subject line if you like. 4. In the Reply form, type your message or question in the Message box. 5. Review the text you typed in the Body box to make sure it says what you want; you cannot revise your message after you click Post. 6. To receive e-mail notification when someone posts to this thread, select the Notify me of replies check box. 7. Click Send. This is a new trial effort and your feedback and assistance are appreciated. We'll keep links to these discussions in the Windows XP Expert Zone Community Columns Archive (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...s/archive.mspx). Truly Chris Norred Editor Windows XP Expert Zone Community |
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Ask Windows XP Expert Walter Clayton About Spyware
"Chris Norred [MSFT]" wrote: Hello and welcome to our first Ask-the-Experts discussion, moderated by the Windows XP Expert Zone Community. This is a new trial effort and our goal is to make it easy for you to ask questions and find answers on a specific topic from a recognized expert in the online community. We’ll continue this discussion in the newsgroups for one week and our volunteer expert will select one or two questions each day and respond. Other experts and users online may also chime in with advice. At the end of the week, we hope to have a single thread filled with good information that can be preserved for the benefit of other users in the future. This week, our expert host is volunteer MVP Walter Clayton who will be discussing the topic of spyware and adware and his experience helping users in the newsgroups deal with spyware issues. Walter is an IT professional from Frankfort, Kentucky. He is a self-trained computing pro with 20 years of experience, and he has been helping people in the online community for many years. Walter is a recipient of the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) award for his volunteer efforts helping Windows users over the past five years. A quote from Mr. Clayton: “I enjoy working the newsgroups because it forces me to think and learn. Everyday I get a slightly different perspective on something or see a new situation or problem. There is also the challenge of keeping communication skills sharp. Determining the answer to a problem, and communicating it in the newsgroups can present its own set of challenges, especially at times when the wrong answer can leave the user in a no-boot situation.” Our Ask the Experts discussion is different from the live chats hosted on the Windows XP Expert Zone Community site (http://communities2.microsoft.com/ho...iteid=34000077). In these discussions, you may not get an immediate answer. The hosts will check-in at a time convenient for them and answer questions. You can post a question any time. Then you may want to add the discussion to your Favorites list in Internet Explorer (Click Favorites, and then click Add to Favorites). You should check back later in the day, or the next day, to see if your question has been answered. Click the Refresh button to see if any new posts were added while you have been reading. If you’re more comfortable using Outlook Express or another newsreader, please do. To post a question or reply in this discussion, using the Web-based newsgroup reader: 1. Click Reply. 2. If prompted, sign in with your .NET Passport. 3. Edit the subject line if you like. 4. In the Reply form, type your message or question in the Message box. 5. Review the text you typed in the Body box to make sure it says what you want; you cannot revise your message after you click Post. 6. To receive e-mail notification when someone posts to this thread, select the Notify me of replies check box. 7. Click Send. This is a new trial effort and your feedback and assistance are appreciated. We’ll keep links to these discussions in the Windows XP Expert Zone Community Columns Archive (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...s/archive.mspx). Truly Chris Norred Editor Windows XP Expert Zone Community Have installed norton anti virue protection but since I have installed it my computer will not turn off. Have to push off button to get to turn off completly. Says windows is shutting down then it locks up. Also am recieving a script message that says ca version not defined email address is Http://value ad.com/code? casn you tell me how to correct all these problems and how do you stop all the pop up ad wares have tried everthing I know even blocking all the address on internet options. |
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Ask Windows XP Expert Walter Clayton About Spyware
Your system hang is probably unrelated to Norton directly. Most likely that
issue is a by product of your current situation. First there are three free apps you'll need to download. Trendmicro sysclean package from http://www.trendmicro.com/download/dcs.asp and the virus signature package from http://www.trendmicro.com/download/p...disclaimer.asp - be sure to read and follow the instructions. Get AdAwareSE from http://www.majorgeeks.com/download506.html and SpyBot from http://www.majorgeeks.com/download2471.html Run Trendmicro's scanner first. Once that completes run AdAware. Before letting AdAware run the first time, make sure that you allow it to do an update. This is *extremely* important. Failure to allow AdAware to update can cause it to miss things. If AdAware requests a reboot in order to complete cleanup then allow it to do so. After you run AdAware then run SpyBot. Again, it is *extremely* important that you update Spybot before first run. Repeat a scan with both products until clean. If they fail to clean then post back. Once you have the machine clean, go to http://www.majorgeeks.com/download2859.html and download and install SpywareBlaster. Follow the instructions. To minimize pop-ups, once you're clean there are a variety of pop-up blockers out there. I use Google Tool bar myself at http://toolbar.google.com -- 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| "chuckgolf" wrote in message ... Have installed norton anti virue protection but since I have installed it my computer will not turn off. Have to push off button to get to turn off completly. Says windows is shutting down then it locks up. Also am recieving a script message that says ca version not defined email address is Http://value ad.com/code? casn you tell me how to correct all these problems and how do you stop all the pop up ad wares have tried everthing I know even blocking all the address on internet options. |
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Ask Windows XP Expert Walter Clayton About Spyware
Mushabbar wrote:
Hello I would like to manage the windows 2000 active directory from my windows XP professional PC, kindly help me on this topic you could also email me on this ID Install the Windows 2003 Admin Kit -- - 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
I scrolled down the list of messages posted and didn't see any advice on
spyware removal software. I downloaded Spybot (free) and when I use it, it keeps finding the same 5 or 6 windows-related changes to the registry. If I click on "Fix the problem", it changes the registry. Is this really necessary, or should I get rid of this software. I had Ad-aware before, and it just removed suspicious cookies, never actually made any registry changes. Please tell me which of these two programs is the best to use. Fran "Chris Norred [MSFT]" wrote: Hello and welcome to our first Ask-the-Experts discussion, moderated by the Windows XP Expert Zone Community. This is a new trial effort and our goal is to make it easy for you to ask questions and find answers on a specific topic from a recognized expert in the online community. We’ll continue this discussion in the newsgroups for one week and our volunteer expert will select one or two questions each day and respond. Other experts and users online may also chime in with advice. At the end of the week, we hope to have a single thread filled with good information that can be preserved for the benefit of other users in the future. This week, our expert host is volunteer MVP Walter Clayton who will be discussing the topic of spyware and adware and his experience helping users in the newsgroups deal with spyware issues. Walter is an IT professional from Frankfort, Kentucky. He is a self-trained computing pro with 20 years of experience, and he has been helping people in the online community for many years. Walter is a recipient of the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) award for his volunteer efforts helping Windows users over the past five years. A quote from Mr. Clayton: “I enjoy working the newsgroups because it forces me to think and learn. Everyday I get a slightly different perspective on something or see a new situation or problem. There is also the challenge of keeping communication skills sharp. Determining the answer to a problem, and communicating it in the newsgroups can present its own set of challenges, especially at times when the wrong answer can leave the user in a no-boot situation.” Our Ask the Experts discussion is different from the live chats hosted on the Windows XP Expert Zone Community site (http://communities2.microsoft.com/ho...iteid=34000077). In these discussions, you may not get an immediate answer. The hosts will check-in at a time convenient for them and answer questions. You can post a question any time. Then you may want to add the discussion to your Favorites list in Internet Explorer (Click Favorites, and then click Add to Favorites). You should check back later in the day, or the next day, to see if your question has been answered. Click the Refresh button to see if any new posts were added while you have been reading. If you’re more comfortable using Outlook Express or another newsreader, please do. To post a question or reply in this discussion, using the Web-based newsgroup reader: 1. Click Reply. 2. If prompted, sign in with your .NET Passport. 3. Edit the subject line if you like. 4. In the Reply form, type your message or question in the Message box. 5. Review the text you typed in the Body box to make sure it says what you want; you cannot revise your message after you click Post. 6. To receive e-mail notification when someone posts to this thread, select the Notify me of replies check box. 7. Click Send. This is a new trial effort and your feedback and assistance are appreciated. We’ll keep links to these discussions in the Windows XP Expert Zone Community Columns Archive (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...s/archive.mspx). Truly Chris Norred Editor Windows XP Expert Zone Community |
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Ask Windows XP Expert Walter Clayton About Spyware
Both together. AdAware does in fact address registry issues. Spybot address
registry and some other things. The fact that you're clean and staying clean does not mean that either product is not working. If you want to see what really happens, load up with a boat load of crapware. However that's not something I really recommend you do unless you have a throw away copy of the OS. There's some serious stuff out there. ;-) -- 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| "Fran" wrote in message ... I scrolled down the list of messages posted and didn't see any advice on spyware removal software. I downloaded Spybot (free) and when I use it, it keeps finding the same 5 or 6 windows-related changes to the registry. If I click on "Fix the problem", it changes the registry. Is this really necessary, or should I get rid of this software. I had Ad-aware before, and it just removed suspicious cookies, never actually made any registry changes. Please tell me which of these two programs is the best to use. Fran |
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Ask Windows XP Expert Walter Clayton About Spyware
Fran wrote:
I scrolled down the list of messages posted and didn't see any advice on spyware removal software. I downloaded Spybot (free) and when I use it, it keeps finding the same 5 or 6 windows-related changes to the registry. If I click on "Fix the problem", it changes the registry. Is this really necessary, or should I get rid of this software. I had Ad-aware before, and it just removed suspicious cookies, never actually made any registry changes. Please tell me which of these two programs is the best to use. Fran Not really sure how you missed the posts like this: 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
"Chris Norred [MSFT]" wrote: Hello and welcome to our first Ask-the-Experts discussion, moderated by the Windows XP Expert Zone Community. This is a new trial effort and our goal is to make it easy for you to ask questions and find answers on a specific topic from a recognized expert in the online community. We’ll continue this discussion in the newsgroups for one week and our volunteer expert will select one or two questions each day and respond. Other experts and users online may also chime in with advice. At the end of the week, we hope to have a single thread filled with good information that can be preserved for the benefit of other users in the future. This week, our expert host is volunteer MVP Walter Clayton who will be discussing the topic of spyware and adware and his experience helping users in the newsgroups deal with spyware issues. Walter is an IT professional from Frankfort, Kentucky. He is a self-trained computing pro with 20 years of experience, and he has been helping people in the online community for many years. Walter is a recipient of the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) award for his volunteer efforts helping Windows users over the past five years. A quote from Mr. Clayton: “I enjoy working the newsgroups because it forces me to think and learn. Everyday I get a slightly different perspective on something or see a new situation or problem. There is also the challenge of keeping communication skills sharp. Determining the answer to a problem, and communicating it in the newsgroups can present its own set of challenges, especially at times when the wrong answer can leave the user in a no-boot situation.” Our Ask the Experts discussion is different from the live chats hosted on the Windows XP Expert Zone Community site (http://communities2.microsoft.com/ho...iteid=34000077). In these discussions, you may not get an immediate answer. The hosts will check-in at a time convenient for them and answer questions. You can post a question any time. Then you may want to add the discussion to your Favorites list in Internet Explorer (Click Favorites, and then click Add to Favorites). You should check back later in the day, or the next day, to see if your question has been answered. Click the Refresh button to see if any new posts were added while you have been reading. If you’re more comfortable using Outlook Express or another newsreader, please do. To post a question or reply in this discussion, using the Web-based newsgroup reader: 1. Click Reply. 2. If prompted, sign in with your .NET Passport. 3. Edit the subject line if you like. 4. In the Reply form, type your message or question in the Message box. 5. Review the text you typed in the Body box to make sure it says what you want; you cannot revise your message after you click Post. 6. To receive e-mail notification when someone posts to this thread, select the Notify me of replies check box. 7. Click Send. This is a new trial effort and your feedback and assistance are appreciated. We’ll keep links to these discussions in the Windows XP Expert Zone Community Columns Archive (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...s/archive.mspx). Truly Chris Norred Editor Windows XP Expert Zone Community |
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