Re: WINDOWS SECURITY

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

GENKOSIIE wrote:
I HAVE THE WINDOWS SECURITY CENTER WARNING ABOUT SPYWARE INFECTION. I HAVE RUN A CHECK WITH AOL SPYWARE PROTECTION AND AM CLEAN.


I'm sorry, but that doesn't follow, at all. In fact, because you use AOL, you're much more likely to become infected.

To deal with issues caused by any sort of "adware" and/or "spyware," such as Gator, Comet Cursors, Smiley Central, Xupiter, Bonzai Buddy, or KaZaA, and their remnants, that you've deliberately (but without understanding the consequences) installed, two products that are quite effective (at finding and removing this type of scumware) are Ad-Aware from www.lavasoft.de and SpyBot Search & Destroy from www.safer-networking.org/. Both have free versions. It's even possible to use SpyBot Search & Destroy to "immunize" your system against most future intrusions. I use both and generally perform manual scans every week or so to clean out cookies, etc.

Additionally, manual removal instructions for the most common varieties of scumware are available here:

PC Hell Spyware and Adware Removal Help
http://www.pchell.com/support/spyware.shtml

More information and assistance is available at these sites:

Blocking Ads, Parasites, and Hijackers with a Hosts File
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

The Parasite Fight
http://www.aumha.org/a/parasite.htm

There are several essential components to computer security: a
knowledgeable and pro-active user, a properly configured firewall,
reliable and up-to-date antivirus software, and the prompt repair (via
patches, hotfixes, or service packs) of any known vulnerabilities.

The weakest link in this "equation" is, of course, the computer
user. No software manufacturer can -- nor should they be expected
to -- protect the computer user from him/herself. All too many people
have bought into the various PC/software manufacturers marketing
claims of easy computing. They believe that their computer should be
no harder to use than a toaster oven; they have neither the
inclination or desire to learn how to safely use their computer. All
too few people keep their antivirus software current, install patches
in a timely manner, or stop to really think about that cutesy link
they're about to click.

Firewalls and anti-virus applications, which should always be used
and should always be running, are important components of "safe hex,"
but they cannot, and should not be expected to, protect the computer
user from him/herself. Ultimately, it is incumbent upon each and
every computer user to learn how to secure his/her own computer.

To learn more about practicing "safe hex," start with these links:

Protect Your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/default.asp

Home Computer Security
http://www.cert.org/homeusers/HomeComputerSecurity/

List of Antivirus Software Vendors
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;49500

Home PC Firewall Guide
http://www.firewallguide.com/

Scumware.com
http://www.scumware.com/



I HAVE WINDOWS XP. I WANT TO STOP THE WARNING SIGN FROM REPEATEDLY POPPING UP.


Then find and remove the malware that's triggering the warning.


PLEASE HELP. I'V BEEN TO THE SECURITY CENTER AND UNCHECKED THE WARNING BUT IT STILL REMAINS.


Also, please unstick your CapsLock key. Posting in all caps, as you have done, is the Usenet equivalent of shouting, and is considered very rude by a large number of people. More importantly, posting in all caps makes the post harder to read, further reducing your chances of getting help; a great many people won't even try to read such a message. If you really want help, simply comply with the dictates of common courtesy and the conventions of the milieu.



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: spyware
    ... But the Sony person suggested I had lots of spyware on my computer and asked whether I had a spyware removal program. ... No software manufacturer can -- nor should they be expected to -- protect the computer user from him/herself. ... All too few people keep their antivirus software current, install patches in a timely manner, or stop to really think about that cutesy link they're about to click. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics)
  • certainly just joe-six pack here !
    ... 2)eTrust antivirus by computer associates>This is a paid version but in the ... for current daily updates: it runs also every week in the early am so it ... >>>Just did a clean installation of xp pro sp1 and download 'avast anti ... >> Protect your PC ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: OT: *Must Have* Security and Maintenance Computer Programs
    ... that will take the place of most of the spyware, av, etc. ... I am not a fan of McAfee. ... I'll bet that the McAfee Security Center isn't as much of a resource ... How does Ad Aware protect you if it doesn't run in the ...
    (rec.boats)
  • Re: What does these programs actually do?
    ... all in, I used 12 applications to analyze, clean and protect my system excluding ... >> Windows users from spyware and other potentially unwanted software. ... >> improves Internet browsing safety by guarding over 50 ways spyware can ... >> BHO is installed on your system by another software program. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6.browser)
  • Re: Is there such a Utility tool for this...???????
    ... I was wondering if anyone knew of a Utility Program that I can buy to find and fix any errors on my computer such as Registery Errors, Program errors, unwanted Programs and anything else that might help cleaning and fixing things on my computer. ... reliable and up-to-date antivirus software, ... to -- protect the computer user from him/herself. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)