FAQ - Secuirty Tips and Tricks

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1. Keep all your softwares up-to-date.

2. Update Microsoft Critical Patches.

3. Watch what you download.

Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer

MBSA 2.0 is the next version of the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer, which utilizes the Windows Update Services infrastructure for security update scanning. Please help us improve the quality of this release. We are currently accepting nominations into the MBSA 2.0 beta program. To nominate yourself for the beta, visit http://beta.microsoft.com, sign in to the system using your Passport ID and a guest ID of "MBSA20" and complete the survey.

Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer V1.2.1

Microsoft Service Packs/Updates

What to Know Before You Download and Install Windows XP Service Pack 2

XP Service Packs and Updates - what do you need to download?

SP2 Review

What is the difference between viruses, worms, and Trojans?

What to do if your computer has become infected with a virus.

15 things you can do to prevent viruses

Q & A (frequently asked)

Q: "Everytime I reformat my harddrive, I tend to encounter alot of viruses."

A: *ethernet cable unhook = no internet connection.

- Be sure that the anti-virus and anti-spyware and firewall program(s) is used as a back up for installing after reformatting the hard drive.

1. Unhook the ethernet cable (internet plug/connection)

2. Reformat your hard drive*

3. After the computer has been reformated, immediately install the following programs*

- Anti-Virus / Free versions are listed, If you have an anti-virus yourself, use it and update immediately.

(AVG Anti-Virus FREE Edition, Kaspersky , Free AV, and Avast AV).

- Anti-Spyware / Free versions are listed. (Ad-Aware SE, Spybot S&D, and Spyware Blaster).

- Personal Firewall / Free versions are listed. (Sygate Personal Firewall, Zone Alarm Personal Firewall, and Keiro Personal Firewall).

4. Hook up the internet.

5. Microsoft Critical Patches or Download Microsoft Servive Pack 2).

6. Follow the 3 Steps (Keep all your softwares up-to-date, Update Microsoft Critical Patches, and Watch what you download).

7. Reviews of alternatives to Internet Explorer

Firefox *Best choice*

Mozilla *Best choice*

Q: "Where can I find good reviews on personal firewall, anti-virus, anti-Trojan, anti-spyware, spam stoppers, and hardware router Internet security products that we have been able to find online?"

A: Best Reviews

Q: "What are the best combination of security softwares?"

A: I use AVG Anti-Virus(FREE), Sygate Personal Firewall (FREE), Spyware Blaster, Ad-aware SE, Spybot S&D. It depends on what you feel comfortable with, all varies.

Q: "Why do some programs need payment such as anti-spyware programs?"

A: Never pay for anti-spyware programs. Besides these trusted programs; such as, Lavasoft (Ad-aware SE Plus/Professional), and Webroot.

More info about scam/fake anti-spyware programs (Info/List)

Q: "I keep on scanning my hard drive and I always find 1 or more viruses still on the computer help!"

A: If you still find viruses still in your hard drive even though you scanned/cleaned every single file in your computer, try to empty your temporary files.

Q: file it infected - C: \System Volume Information\_restore{241238A0-E690-49B9-8046-100FE9422EE0}\RP1\A0000013.exe ?UPX v12_m2 - Win32/TrojanDownloader.IstBar.ER trojan

anyone know how to remove it ?A:> If it does involve "C: \System Volume Information\_restore." You will need to turn off and turn on your system restore and that will remove it.

How to disable or enable system restore

AntiVirus Software List>Note: There is no single 'best' antivirus product available they all have pros and cons.>

AVG Anti-Virus FREE Edition *Best choice*

NOD32 *Best choice*

Norton AntiVirus

Mcafee AV Scanner

Trendmicro

Sophos

Kaspersky

Panda AV

Free AV

Avast AV

Fire AV

EZ AV

Norman AV

eTrust AntiVirus

Norton/McAfee Removal Tools>

  Quote

Norton Removal Tools

Viruses have become increasingly complex and virus infections involve more system elements than ever before. Symantec Security Response has developed tools to automatically conduct what would often amount to extensive and tedious manual removal tasks. If your system has become infected, the tools listed below should aid you in repairing the damage.>

  Quote

McAfee AVERT Stinger

Stinger is a stand-alone utility used to detect and remove specific viruses. It is not a substitute for full anti-virus protection, but rather a tool to assist administrators and users when dealing with an infected system. Stinger utilizes next generation scan engine technology, including process scanning, digitally signed DAT files, and scan performance optimizations.>

Online Virus Scan>Note: Most if not all will require the download of a few files, but not a full antivirus program.>

Panda Active Scan

House Call (Trend Micro) *Best choice*

BitDefender Free Online Virus Scan

Symantec Security Scan & Virus Detection

RAV AntiVirus Online Virus Scan!

Danish Antivirus scan

AntiVirus Software Reviews>

Virus Bulletin

Claymania

AV Test

HackFix Reviews

Test your AntiVirus>Important note: cannot be held responsible when these files or your AV scanner in combination with these files cause any damage to your computer. You download these files at your own risk. Download these files only if you are sufficiently secure in the usage of your AV scanner. cannot and will not provide any help to remove these files from your computer. Please contact the manufacturer/vendor of your AV scanner to seek such help.>

EICAR

What is the difference between viruses, worms, and Trojans?

What is a trojan horse? #1

What is a Trojan horse? #2

How did I get infected?

How do I avoid getting infected in the future?

Trojan Software List>

TDS-3

Trojan Hunter *Best choice*

Pest Patrol

Tauscan

BoClean

The Cleaner

Trojan Software Reviews - Download

Online Trojan Scan>Note: Most if not all will require the download of a few files, but not a full trojan program.>

Trojan Scan

Sygate Trojan Scan

Anti-Trojan Scan

WS Online Trojan Scan

What is Spyware/Adware?>

Has some sleazy web site taken over your browser? Are you getting pop up ads even when your browser has been closed for some time? Are you infected with a spyware program that refuses to go away?

More info about spyware and adware.

Never pay for anti-spyware programs>

It is a scam! Its spyware built-in to trick you!

More info about scam/fake anti-spyware programs (Info/List)

Spyware Software List>

Spybot S&D *Best choice/Recommended*

Ad-Aware SE *Best choice/Recommended*

Spy Sweeper

Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (BETA)

Spyware Blaster *Best choice/Recommended*

SpywareGuard

CWShredder

HijackThis

LSP-Fix>

LSP-Fix is a free utility to repair a specific type of problem associated with certain Internet software. This type of software is known as a Layered Service Provider or LSP, a piece of software that can be inserted into the Windows TCP/IP handler like a link in a chain. Note: However, due to bugs in the LSP software or deletion of the software, this chain can get broken, rendering the user unable to access the Internet.[/i]>

LSP-Fix

How to disable "Messenger Service", NOT "Windows Messenger" OR "MSN Messenger.">

Should a pop up box appear on your screen with the words "Messenger Service" in the title bar such as the one below, chances are that you have Windows Messenger Services enabled.How to turn off Windows Messenger Service

How to remove/disable Windows Messenger in XP>

Remove Windows Messenger

Disable Windows Messenger

Alternate Internet Browsers>

This isn't Microsoft's best moment. Because of the many security risks present in Internet Explorer--not the least of them the current attacks using the Browser Helper Object (BHO)--the U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team recommends that Windows users move away from Microsoft's Internet browser. Mac and Linux users aren't affected by the latest security flaws, but where can Windows users turn? Here's a quick overview of IE alternatives available today.

Reviews of alternatives to Internet Explorer

Firefox *Best choice/Recommended*

Mozilla *Best choice/Recommended*

Netscape

Opera

Pop-up blocker Programs> (Internet Explorer ONLY)

Pop-ups can lead to spyware installations and a good pop-up blocker can prevent that in some way.

Google Toolbar *Best choice*

Webroot Toolbar

Msn Toolbar

AdBlock

AdMuncher

Does your pop-up blocker really work?>

Test your pop-up blocker

What is a firewall? - Why you need a firewall?>

Information

Firewall Software List>Note: Most of the following companies offer free and pro versions, usually the free versions are either limited in terms of effectiveness or have fairly poor customisability.>

Sygate Personal Firewall *Best choice*

Zone Alarm Personal Firewall

Keiro Personal Firewall

Norton Personal Firewall

Tiny Personal Firewall

Black Ice Personal Firewall

Outpost Personal Firewall

McAfee Personal Firewall

eTrust Firewall

Online Port Scan>

GRC Shields Up

Other Links>

Home PC Firewall Guide

Questions? Well PM if you want to ask questions about anything that is related to this thread or anything that I should add.

Edited February 22, 2005 by RCJS

[fuBar.]

Anyone want to pin this?

[Pikey]

All good info! ... how about some stuff re. the Information Bar in IE? ... security settings and the like ... it's a pain in the butt for me sometimes and I'd like to override it but not sure what settings to change ..

[fuBar.]

Well, I will update it. I have a site running about security tips and tricks. I will improve it later in the future. Thanks.