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Article Submissions / How to Protect yourself from malware!
« on: October 30, 2005, 02:22:08 AM »
Make sure you get your system protected from ocurrences of malware problems. Below are some simple steps you can take to reduce the chance of infection in the future. I strongly encourage you to do them all. There is no perfect solution for totally preventing malware from getting on your PC, however, these steps will help.
1. Visit Windows Update: Make sure that you have all the Critical Updates recommended for your operating system and IE. The first defense against infection is a properly patched OS.
a. Windows Update - Do this at least once a month: Windows Update
b. Never add any site to your Trusted Sites Zone.
2) Anti Virus: make sure you have one and keep it updated. Here are some good free ones:
Avast! Home Edition
AVG Free Edition
AntiVir Personal Edition
These are better than Symantec/Norton or McAfee because they are free and because they are not so system resource hungry. The recent versions of Symantec/Norton and McAfee have become very bloated. This does not mean they do not work. If you have either of them and are happy with it, stick with them. But whatever you choose remember to Only Run ONE AV!
3) Firewall: if you don't have one get one of these below. The first three are free versions. I don't care if you're on dial up or High Speed....you must have a firewall or you can get infected faster than you can download any tools to fix your problems.
Sygate Personal Firewall Free <--- with the Symantec acquistion of Sygate, I do not know how much longer this will be around or be free!
Outpost Firewall Free
ZoneAlarmFree
Kerio Personal Firewall
Note: For Win XP SP2 users, after installing any of these firewalls, you must disable the firewall that is part of WinXP SP2. It is enabled by default and it does not provide adequate protection. Similar to antivirus applications, you must use only one software firewall. The information in the following will help you disable the firewall: Windows Firewall
4) Get a Temp File/Cookies/index.dat cleaner
CCleaner (Crap Cleaner)
5) SpyWare Scanners/Removers and Prevention (Some are even free)
Ad-Aware SE Personal
Ad-Aware VX2 Cleaner Plug-In
Ewido security suite - 15 day trial (only supports Win 2K/XP)
Microsoft® Windows AntiSpyware - (only supports Win 2K/XP/2003)
PestPatrol
SpyBot-Search & Destroy (Use the Immunize feature. I don't activate the TeaTimer)
SpyWare Blaster Install it, click Download Latest Protection Updates, Check for Updates, and then Enable All Protection, then exit. It does a great job of blocking known vulnerabilities as well as known malicious websites.
SpyWare Guard
Spy Sweeper - 14 day trial. First update free. Subscription service require to get more updates
NOTE: There are loads of bad (also called rogue) anti-spyware programs available out there. You should familiarize yourself with the list maintained at the Spyware Warrior website. See: Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products & Web Sites
6) Adjust Active X security settings
- In Internet Explorer, click Tools/Internet Options/Security. Click on the Internet globe. Then select 'Default Level', then click OK. Now select 'Custom Level' and scroll down to the ActiveX controls and plug-ins section (some may already be set correctly):
- Set 'Download signed Active X controls' to Prompt
- Set 'Download unsigned Active X controls' to Disable
- Set 'Initialize and Script ActiveX controls not marked as safe' to Disable
- Set the Installation of desktop items to Prompt
- Set the Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to Prompt
- Set the Navigate sub-frames across different domains to Prompt
Click OK and OK again.
7) Use Mozilla FireFox in place of Internet Explorer.
Uninstall Microsoft Java and Replace with Sun Java
Microsoft no longer supports Java and it is often a source of installed spyware and hijacks so it is a good idea to remove Microsoft Java Virtual Machine and Install Sun Java. To remove it follow these steps.
- Select Start > Run and Enter "RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection java.inf,UnInstall" in the Open box, and click ok.
- Click Yes to confirm that you want to remove the Microsoft VM
- When prompted, reboot the computer
- Remove the following items: (Systemroot is where windows is installed (usually C:\Windows)
The \%Systemroot%\Java folder
The file java.PNF from the \%Systemroot%\inf folder
The files jview.exe and wjview.exe from the \%Systemroot%\system32 folder
The registry subkey HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Java VM
The registry subkey HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ InternetExplorer \ AdvancedOptions \ JAVA_VM
- As an alternative to the above steps you can try the below tool to remove MS Java.
Download and run theMSJVM Removal Tool 1.0a
- Now install Sun Java here: http://java.com/en/
You can choose a different language if you need it from the top menu on that page. (Any files or registry entries not found or errors can be ignored and go to the next step)
1. Visit Windows Update: Make sure that you have all the Critical Updates recommended for your operating system and IE. The first defense against infection is a properly patched OS.
a. Windows Update - Do this at least once a month: Windows Update
b. Never add any site to your Trusted Sites Zone.
2) Anti Virus: make sure you have one and keep it updated. Here are some good free ones:
Avast! Home Edition
AVG Free Edition
AntiVir Personal Edition
These are better than Symantec/Norton or McAfee because they are free and because they are not so system resource hungry. The recent versions of Symantec/Norton and McAfee have become very bloated. This does not mean they do not work. If you have either of them and are happy with it, stick with them. But whatever you choose remember to Only Run ONE AV!
3) Firewall: if you don't have one get one of these below. The first three are free versions. I don't care if you're on dial up or High Speed....you must have a firewall or you can get infected faster than you can download any tools to fix your problems.
Sygate Personal Firewall Free <--- with the Symantec acquistion of Sygate, I do not know how much longer this will be around or be free!
Outpost Firewall Free
ZoneAlarmFree
Kerio Personal Firewall
Note: For Win XP SP2 users, after installing any of these firewalls, you must disable the firewall that is part of WinXP SP2. It is enabled by default and it does not provide adequate protection. Similar to antivirus applications, you must use only one software firewall. The information in the following will help you disable the firewall: Windows Firewall
4) Get a Temp File/Cookies/index.dat cleaner
CCleaner (Crap Cleaner)
5) SpyWare Scanners/Removers and Prevention (Some are even free)
Ad-Aware SE Personal
Ad-Aware VX2 Cleaner Plug-In
Ewido security suite - 15 day trial (only supports Win 2K/XP)
Microsoft® Windows AntiSpyware - (only supports Win 2K/XP/2003)
PestPatrol
SpyBot-Search & Destroy (Use the Immunize feature. I don't activate the TeaTimer)
SpyWare Blaster Install it, click Download Latest Protection Updates, Check for Updates, and then Enable All Protection, then exit. It does a great job of blocking known vulnerabilities as well as known malicious websites.
SpyWare Guard
Spy Sweeper - 14 day trial. First update free. Subscription service require to get more updates
NOTE: There are loads of bad (also called rogue) anti-spyware programs available out there. You should familiarize yourself with the list maintained at the Spyware Warrior website. See: Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products & Web Sites
6) Adjust Active X security settings
- In Internet Explorer, click Tools/Internet Options/Security. Click on the Internet globe. Then select 'Default Level', then click OK. Now select 'Custom Level' and scroll down to the ActiveX controls and plug-ins section (some may already be set correctly):
- Set 'Download signed Active X controls' to Prompt
- Set 'Download unsigned Active X controls' to Disable
- Set 'Initialize and Script ActiveX controls not marked as safe' to Disable
- Set the Installation of desktop items to Prompt
- Set the Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to Prompt
- Set the Navigate sub-frames across different domains to Prompt
Click OK and OK again.
7) Use Mozilla FireFox in place of Internet Explorer.
Uninstall Microsoft Java and Replace with Sun JavaMicrosoft no longer supports Java and it is often a source of installed spyware and hijacks so it is a good idea to remove Microsoft Java Virtual Machine and Install Sun Java. To remove it follow these steps.
- Select Start > Run and Enter "RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection java.inf,UnInstall" in the Open box, and click ok.
- Click Yes to confirm that you want to remove the Microsoft VM
- When prompted, reboot the computer
- Remove the following items: (Systemroot is where windows is installed (usually C:\Windows)
The \%Systemroot%\Java folder
The file java.PNF from the \%Systemroot%\inf folder
The files jview.exe and wjview.exe from the \%Systemroot%\system32 folder
The registry subkey HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Java VM
The registry subkey HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ InternetExplorer \ AdvancedOptions \ JAVA_VM
- As an alternative to the above steps you can try the below tool to remove MS Java.
Download and run theMSJVM Removal Tool 1.0a
- Now install Sun Java here: http://java.com/en/
You can choose a different language if you need it from the top menu on that page. (Any files or registry entries not found or errors can be ignored and go to the next step)