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gArGOyLe^^ · **Computer stuff: Removing Spyware, Increasing performace etc. -** 07-18-05

I wrote a short guide that lots of people could find useful I guess. I doubt that it's something new or that no one knows about it. But I do know that someone somewhere out there would like this information to fix their computers. I hope this can help.

The text

Quote:

Computer Problems? Pop-ups? Sluggishness? Viruses?

In my experience most of the computer users (running windows) have problems due to viruses and Spyware. CompUSA, BestBuy and other computer repair "specialists" regularly charge over $200 (sometimes they charge more than what a new computer would cost) for fixing these problems.

Here is the exact process most will go through to fix MOST computers with virus/spyware problems.

1. Check for Viruses.

Most computers nowadays ship with an antivirus that expects your to pay $40 per year for virus definition updates. If you would rather spend that money on something else you should get a free antivirus program. Here are two free good ones:

a. AVG Anti Virus
http://www.grisoft.com/doc/1
b. ClamWin
http://www.clamwin.com/

Most people in my experience go with AVG but ClamWin is also a good antivirus with almost daily updates. How do these guys make money? ClamWin is mainly volunteer work. AVG AV tries to sell you their firewall software and other stuff.

You may also want to check your university or place of work if they provide you with free antivirus software with free updates. Loooots of places do.

So step one would be to install, update and run the virus scanner. Set it up for automatic updates. Let it run till its finished and then delete every infected file that it detects. Usually deletion is the safest bet in my opinion. In the end its your decision based on how important the infected file is. If it is important go ahead and try to clean but more often than not it will tell you that it is unable to clean the file.

2. Run a trojan/worm scan

Sometimes antivirus programs MIGHT not be able to either detect or clean worms or trojans. That is the fault of the antivirus program but instead of getting mad at them just STINGER.

a. Stinger
http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger

This is a free program provided by the nice folks at McAfee Inc. Run it and let it scan. Remove everything it finds and then delete stinger. The next time you want to run Stinger download it again from the site because there will be a new updated version available.

3. Run anti spyware programs.

This is to FREE your poor computer from malware that has it shackled up. Unfortunately all these spyware programs never catch and remove ALL the spyware. So I usually end up downloading and running four different spyware scanners.

a. Microsoft Antispyware
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...e/default.mspx

Microsoft bought Giant (I think that was the name), a company that made antispyware stuff, and renamed it to MS antispyware. It's a nice little program that sits in your tray and tells you of potentially dangerous files. It also scans and finds a lot of bad stuff. Recently its been doing shady stuff like not recognizing some spyware because they were made by companies that are MS friendly. Just rumors (which MS denied) but still ... I try to be on the safe side... So after you run this go ahead and get.....

b. Adaware
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

Download, Install, Run. Then....

c. SpyBot
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

Download, Install, Run.. Then...

d. Yahoo AntiSpyware
http://toolbar.yahoo.com/ie

Install the Internet Explorer toolbar! Then run the anti spyware. Its the little button that looks like a target sign. Don't worry if you don't like toolbars .. because later on I'm going to recommend moving to Mozilla Firefox later on in this article.. (if I remember to).

Now after running four different Antispyware programs we are not FINALLY (quite) certain that our computer is spyware FREE! Hopefully when you ran yahoo antispyware it didn't detect anything. Now on to...

4. Software Updates

I can't believe how many people NEVER install any software updates. An essential responsibility of owning a computer is that you must maintain it by checking for updates! So DO IT!

a. Windows Update
http://update.microsoft.com/windowsu....aspx?ln=en-us

Alternately you can get to this by going to START >> ALL PROGRAMS >> Windows Update.
Run this and install updates until it says :

"High-priority updates No high-priority updates for your computer are available. To check for optional updates, return to our home page and click Custom."

You don't have to click custom but you check if you want to. If you don't want this trouble again go to your control panel and go into "Automatic Updates" and set your computer to update automatically. Be sure to set a time when your computer is usually on and your internet connection is active. Keeping your computer updated from now on is your job. Even with automatic updates enabled just make sure its working every now and then. It will keep your computer and you very happy!

b. Each computer has different components and I can't possibly cover all of them. But every now and then be sure to check for updates for stuff like your BIOS, Video card drivers, browsers, Java, etc.

5. Switch to an alternate browser

Microsoft is years behind every other major web browser. They are only now working on an update after they are quickly losing users. Why use a browser that is substandard, insecure, and has half the features that other browsers have? There is no reason. So go ahead and switch to Mozilla FireFox, Safari, or Opera.

I personally use FIREFOX! Maybe in a future post I will go over how to customize FireFox using extensions to get the best browsing experience! And if you don't want to wait just try a few out.
http://www.firefox.com

6. Remove stuff that starts when your computer starts

Lots of programs like RealPlayer, Quicktime, Instant Messengers start up when your computer starts up. You really don't need them to start up when your computer starts so how can you remove them?

One way is:

Click Start >> Click Run >> Type msconfig >> Click on the Startup tab. These are most of the things that start up when your computer starts up. Carefully look at each Startup Item and its Command and Location and determine what the program is and whether or not you want it to start up when your computer starts up. If you don't know what an Item is... go type in the name into Google. If you think you don't need it just uncheck the box. Be careful though because you WANT your antivirus to start up with your computer so carefully remove the stuff. You can remove RealPlayer, Winamp, Quicktime etc with out a second thought.

Another way:

http://www.sysinternals.com
http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/Autoruns.html

Download Autoruns, an excellent program by Sysinternals, that shows you everything that starts up when your computer starts up. Then just remove the stuff and it stays off. Highly recommended. Check their site for even more useful stuff for advanced trouble shooting. I love those guys *tear*.

7. Other stuff

Other you can do is to run a disk scan and disk defragmenter. Go to My Computer. Right click on your hard drive (most often C:\) . Click on Properties. Click on the Tools Tab. Under Error Checking click the Check now button. Let it scan and fix any errors it finds. Then come back to this place and click Defragment Now under the Defragmentation section.

Conclusion

The above mentioned techniques are what are followed by MOST "specialists" who end up charging hundreds of dollars thanks to the ignorance of users. Nothing wrong with that.. everyone needs to make a living... Hopefully this stuff will help you keep your PC healthy and fast for many years to come.

This is by no means at all meant to be a complete solution to all that ails computers these days. But I'm sure that MOST problems plaguing home users can be solved by this.

If you need help with something or have suggestions or comments.. or have found problems in this post (probably lots of spelling errors I'm sure) please leave me a comment

credit: http://gargrambles.blogspot.com/2005...ggishness.html

Uncletiggs · 07-18-05

Hey boss...

Whats with the blank ad below the first post in most of the threads now??
How can i remove that safely??

Crypt · 07-19-05

Top 10 Ways to Fight Malicious Code
written by Ed Skoudis on Thursday, February 05, 2004

Author Ed Skoudis gives 10 easy tips for keeping your system safe from attacks.
On tonight's episode of "The Screen Savers" Ed Skoudis, author of "Malware: Fighting Malicious Code," shows you how to keep viruses, trojan horses, and spyware at bay.

Here's Skoudis' list of actions you can take to prevent attacks on your computer. Visit Skoudis' Counter Hack Web Site to learn more about thwarting computer attacks and to participate in monthly hacker challenges to test your skills.

Top 10 tips for fighting malware

1. Get an antivirus tool. No, really get one. Don't just say you will.
Antivirus tools remain one of the easiest and most comprehensive defenses against malicious code. You can purchase a commercial antivirus tool such as Norton AntiVirus, Trend Micro PC-cillin, or McAfee VirusScan. There are also free tools such as AntiVir Personal Edition.

When you first install an antivirus tool, run a complete sweep of your hard drive. Remember to keep your antivirus software current by running its update feature at least once a week. Don't hesitate to update more frequently if you're prompted by the tool!

2. Get a personal firewall.
Again, really do it -- don't just pretend. Personal firewall software blocks incoming attacks. It also stops malicious code installed on your system from communicating across the network and revealing your secrets.

3. Keep your systems patched.
Believe it or not, Windows Update is your friend (if you run Windows). New Windows vulnerabilities are discovered almost every day. By visiting Windows Update once a week and making sure you've got all the critical updates, you'll be far safer from attack. It's remarkably easy to do.

4. Keep your browser security settings at Medium or even High.
The Medium security setting contains dozens of tweaks that block common malware-propagation techniques. The High setting goes even further, but it may keep legitimate applets and active scripts from running on your machine.

5. Never click 'Yes' when your browser asks if you want to install/run content from an organization you don't trust.
Watch out for organizations with tweaked names such as "Micro$oft" and "Paypa1" -- they're just imposters. If your browser pops up a "Do you want to install and run..." message, be afraid. Be very afraid. If you click "Yes," you may be inviting someone to have the same control over your computer that you have. The stakes are high, so don't be duped. Just say "No."

6. Install an anti-spyware tool to augment your antivirus protection.
To seek out and delete adware and spyware, it's a good idea to run software such as Lavasoft's free Ad-aware. Be very careful, however. There are Ad-aware imposters that are spyware-installing trojan horses. Download Ad-aware from Lavasoft's site and nowhere else!

7. Don't install a search-help bar in your browser unless it's from someone you trust.
Google and Yahoo! search-help bars are fine. Many of the other search helpers are just plain evil.

8. Check to see which companies' software certificates you're configured to trust.
Your browser will run code from sites in your trusted list without warning you, so make sure you trust every company on your list. In Internet Explorer, go to Tools > Internet Options > Content > Publishers to see which companies are on your good list. Delete the companies you don't trust.

9. Get a credit card to use solely for Internet purchases.
That way you can carefully watch all charges on that card. Also, if by chance someone nabs that card number from a vulnerable e-commerce site, your physical life won't be impacted. By law your maximum liability for a stolen credit card is $50. Never, ever, ever use a debit card for purchases on the Internet. The maximum liability you could suffer for a stolen debit card is the entire balance of your account. Ouch!

10. Don't run executable email attachments, even if sent by a friend.
Most worms today spread by infecting a machine and launching a mass email attack. You can stop that attack vector and protect your friends by not running attachments. If you get an attachment you really want to open, don't double-click it. Instead, download it (save the file to your hard drive) and then open it from within the appropriate application, such as Word for .doc files or Acrobat for .pdf files. Be especially careful not to execute .exe, .pif, or .scr files!

taken from http://www.g4tv.com/screensavers/fea...ious_Code.html

On top of this I would recommend another alternative browser being Opera. The free edition has a banner ad that's easily ignored.

I suggest getting a firewall installed on your PC regardless if you have an external firewall or router. Zonealarm and Sygate both ask permission for programs trying to access the internet which could provide you with information of potential threats on your computer.

This is also a very good website that provides further details into counter hacking: http://www.counterhack.net/

this is a list of programs taken from a post on: http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread...threadid=15179 which I think is very useful here:

AV/anti-trojan apps....
AV Apps
Programs designed to detect and hopefully, eliminate virus/worms and other harmful items.

Free
AVpe AntiVir Personal Edition (free for home use)
AVast
AVG
Bitdefender (DOS and IM versions) A DOS scanner and several plugin scanners for specific instant messaging apps

Pay
Kapersky Anti-Virus
Nod32
DrWEB (free DOS version)
F-prot (Free DOS version)
eTrust
Sophos
Norton Anti-Virus
McAfee Anti-Virus

Online Scans
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan/lic...ivescan-com.asp
http://security2.norton.com/ssc/vc_scan.asp
http://housecall.antivirus.com/

Anti-trojan

Programs that are specifically designed to detect and disable/remove common trojan worms.
TrojanHunter (pay)
Tauscan (pay)
TheCleaner (pay)
Spybot
Spybot quick tutorial
AdAware 6.0 (be sure you have at least build 162)
X-Cleaner

Diagnostic/Other Useful

Programs that aren't specifically protection but offer useful diagnostic or cleaning functions.
MRU Blaster
StartUp List
Hijack This
Hijack This Tutorial
SpywareBlaster

Cucking Funt · 07-19-05

Or, just get a mac

Aeternus · 07-19-05

... that's like saying... install OS/2 as your operating system >.<

Crypt · 07-20-05

hmmm, don't like MAC's do you. the other options would be installing a Unix based system such as Linux, Unix, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, or even go so far as run MenuetOS which can be seen here: http://www.menuetos.org/

Fallen_Star · 07-22-05

Don't ever get Norton Anti-virus. It doesn't work well. Every computer that I've installed AVG on it's found viruses that Norton didn't pick up. The best Anti-virus program is Norman.

Dark glasses · 07-27-05

There is a new virus trying to get through our systems at work and it not only turns Norton off but stop you from updating/downloading it.. Our company now uses McAfree. Although they still pay the going rate for a yearly subscription.