Sign of a Bad PC
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Get your PC “Squeaky Clean”
Now that you have a well functioning Firewall, we can begin to clean out all of the baddies that live in your system now. Don’t think you have any? You’re going to be very surprised, indeed. If your system isn’t loaded with quite a bit of Internet ad ware or spyware, I’ll be the one that’s surprised.
First off, you are going to be downloading almost a dozen little programs from various sites from around the globe. I am going to tell you about what they do and why you should have it. I am also going to run out of room for some of these giant Internet addresses, so I will insert a hyperlink onto the program name so you can just click on that to get to the good stuff. Don’t worry, you won’t get lost because each of these pages will open in a different window so we don’t get disconnected.
Find and Kill all Ad Ware
One of the first, and I think, one of the best is named Ad-ware SE from a company called Lavasoft. They have given this program away for many years now and they keep it well updated. It searches your system for any ad and spy ware programs that are out there and kills them with the touch of a button. The first deep scan or two may take a while as it wades through your junk-laden system.
The second, highly recommended, program is another Spyware killer. I strongly suggest that you run both programs as part of your security plan. What one of these programs may miss, the other will surely find and erase. This program is the aptly named Spybot-Search and Destroy by Safe Networking. This is a free program and site. As with all of these programs, please donate if you can to the developer so that he can continue to generate fine services like these.
Now protect your clean system
Now that you have had a chance to play with your new toys, I am betting that you’re kind of surprised that your computer was as full of junk as it was. Remember to update these two programs at least bi-weekly and run them to keep your system ad ware free. Now the next program will prevent any new ones from being installed on your system in the future.
It’s called Spyware Blaster by Javacool Software. It prevents any spyware or ad ware programs from being installed in the first place. Just in case you’re not aware of this little secret, but these ad ware companies don’t ask for your permission to install all this “crap” on your system. Spyware Blaster is a very good, one of a kind program---and it’s FREE!! As with the programs above, you need to keep this one updated regularly because the bad guys are always coming up with new ways to mess your system up.
Finally, in this department, Microsoft Corporation has developed a nice little tool to look for and remove any bad software that may have become installed on your system. These could have originated from web sites that you have visited, e-mail links you may have clicked on, etc. It’s known as (and a very apt name), the Malicious Software Removal Tool. It will run from the site and scans your PC for anything it has in its’ database as being a known “Baddie”. Here’s the link for this really overdue tool. Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool.
Now, a word of note here. You may be the proud owner of a PC that will not allow you to install these programs. If that is the case, reboot your computer and try again. Still not installing? Then that is usually a sure sign of a bad infestation of spyware of some other virus. I just saw a similar situation and there is only one course of action that will clean your unit out. A complete reformatting and reinstall of Windows. Not the end of the world but you will have to backup all of your important data (you have been doing regular backups, haven't you?), then check out this link for the basic process--Cyberwalker . This site is run by Andy Walker who has co-hosted Call For Help in Canada . This show has aired in the US previously and is now shown in Canada. I used to watch this show for years on satellite and had a monumental affect on getting my skills to where they are today.
A final Word
The steps above will assist you in protecting your PC from your data and everyone else connected to the Internet but in no way will they replace a good, well-updated Anti-Virus program. As I stated previously, I just worked on a friends PC that didn't even have one running because the subscription ran out! I can get you one for free-nada-zilch. Go to this site and download and use AVG Free From Grisoft . This company writes very good business-level antivirus software. As a service to the community, they give away a consumer version and I have used it for years. So no more excuses, folks, get it-use it-keep it updated.
Lastly, and of utmost importance, you need to do the next 5 safe behaviors to keep your computer virus and trojan free.
1. Don't opn e-mail attachments even if you know who they came from. Many viruses are spread by using private PC's as spambots. Unless you know a person is sending you an attachment, mail them and ask them if they did, in fact, send it.
2. Do not click on web links that appear on e-mails. The link may not take you to a place you's expect but to a hostile web page. This is a technique called "phishing".
3. Religiously download Microsoft Updates. These patch security holes and are released each second Tuesday of the month.
4. Run a firewall or a router to protect your PC from hostile port scans.
5. Back up your date regularly. That is all of your precious music, pictures and other documents.
5A: (a bonus safe behavior)-If you regularly download pirated MP3's-expect to get a serious dose of spyware and trojans. Download your music from a recognized music store such as i-Tunes.