Re: extra drive

Tech-Archive recommends: Fix windows errors by optimizing your registry

From: Shenan Stanley (news_helper_at_hushmail.com)
Date: 02/18/04


Date: Tue, 17 Feb 2004 19:40:59 -0600

Kathy wrote:
> Not sure if this is the right place to ask this or not. If you have a
> second hard drive with no operating system, just back up files, and
> get a virus. Would both hard drives get it or just the one with the
> operating system? I would like to have a second hard drive to use
> for backup, but had a virus one time and lost a bunch of stuff.
> Don't want that to happen again. If this is the wrong place to post
> this I am sorry.

Depends on the virus in question. Some viruses attack specific files,
others attack specific file types. Some don't attack any files, just use a
weakness in the system to do damage.

Better to just protect yourself with frequent backups, firewalls, updated
antivirus software and frequent scans with anti-malware apps.

Turn on that firewall...
http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsXP/home/using/howto/homenet/icf.asp
(It has been reported that it now works with AOL 9.0+)

Make sure you have all the updates (critical) installed from:
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
(Scan for updates, Review and Install)

Get rid of the spy/ad/mal-ware..
(Yes - using MORE than one of these..
I recommend at least the first three.)

 Spybot Search and Destroy
 http://www.safer-networking.net/

 Lavasoft AdAware
 http://www.lavasoft.de

 CWSShredder
 http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html

 Hijack This!
 http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/

 I also like "The Cleaner" and "SpywareBlaster" and "SpywareGuard".
  - http://www.moosoft.com/
  - http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/

The first is a PAY product, but useable for 30 days - it has found and
eliminated problems in the past the others did not. The latter two are
prevention mechanisms. I like SpywareGuard for those with enough processor
to have something running like antivirus software - and it prevents browser
hijacking quite well.

 And Assortment of Others:
 http://www.merijn.org/downloads.html

After you cleanup your PC somewhat of spy/ad/mal-ware, verify your antivirus
software is updated and run a full scan of your computer. If you have no
antivirus software - get one NOW! Grisoft AntiVirus:
http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php

Empty your Temporary Internet Files and shrink the size it stores to about
80 to 120MB (seems to be an optimal size for the normal user)
 - Open ONE copy of Internet Explorer.
 - Select TOOLS -> Internet Options.
 - Under the General tab in the "Temporary Internet Files" section,
   do the following:
  - Click on "Delete Cookies" (click OK)
  - Click on "Settings" and change the
    "Amount of disk space to use:" to something between 80MB
    and 120MB. (Betting it is MUCH larger right now.)
  - Click OK.
  - Click on "Delete Files" and select to
    "Delete all offline contents" (the checkbox) and click
    OK. (If you had a LOT, this could take 2-10 minutes or
    more.)
- Once it is done, click OK, close Internet Explorer
- Re-open Internet Explorer.

Uninstall any software you do not use often/ever. (If you have something
installed but never use it, uninstall it.) If you go through Control
Panel -> Add/Remove Programs and see things you seldom if ever use, it is to
your advantage to remove it.

-- 
<- Shenan ->
-- 


Relevant Pages

  • Re: uninvited addition to right mouse button menu
    ... > right mouse button menu on my XP Pro system. ... If only Antivirus software did spyware.. ... Empty your Temporary Internet Files and shrink the size it stores to about ... Once it is done, click OK, close Internet Explorer ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin)
  • Re: Annoying Pop-Ups on Desktop
    ... Get the Google toolbar! ... It can be configured to stop pop ups. ... >> antivirus software - get one NOW! ... >> - Once it is done, click OK, close Internet Explorer ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics)
  • Re: Strange Typing Problem - Shifting Keys
    ... (Scan for updates, Review and Install) ... to have something running like antivirus software - and it prevents browser ... Empty your Temporary Internet Files and shrink the size it stores to about ... Once it is done, click OK, close Internet Explorer ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Re: system restore
    ... > my computer is going to switch off in 60 seconds. ... You have not patched (or you did a repair installation and did not repatch) ... to have something running like antivirus software - and it prevents browser ... Once it is done, click OK, close Internet Explorer ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Re: pop up Hell
    ... > Google tool bar ... Google Toolbar is ... to have something running like antivirus software - and it prevents browser ... Once it is done, click OK, close Internet Explorer ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin)