[THIN] Re: Ad Ware

Yes, I had the same idea, my helpdesk could really use this.  Preferably,
our helpdesk would benefit from giving our customers with spy ware problems
a link to this article.

But of course, this is only if it's ok with Jim (?)

Tasita Ebacher
702 Communications
Data Systems Engineer
CCNA


-----Original Message-----
From: thin-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:thin-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of PETERSON, DAVID
Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2004 11:09 AM
To: thin@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [THIN] Re: Ad Ware

This is a great article. I'd like to send it to my Help Desk to give to
users if that's ok.

A couple of notes:
While AVG Free Edition is a good AV for what it costs, it should be noted
that the only E-mail client it directly supports is Outlook. Also, in terms
of updates, if I find a user has dialup, and hasn't been keeping their
system up to date, I usually have them order the Security CD from Microsoft.
It hasn't been updated in quite a while, but includes updates up to October
2003. It at least cuts down on the number of updates users have to download.
It also comes with CA E-Trust. I know many have some thoughts on CA, but it
does support more than AVG and includes a year of updates.

Every once in a while I also have to pull out the big guns and refer a user
to CWShredder for the CoolWebSearch spyware that Spybot and Adaware
sometimes have problems with. 

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Kenzig http://thin.net [mailto:jimkenz@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2004 8:50 AM
To: thin@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [THIN] Re: Ad Ware

On this subject I wrote the following the other day.  I sent it to Brian to
post on his site but haven't heard back from him:

Regards,
Jim Kenzig
http://thin.net

How to keep your PC Spyware and malware free for nothing!
Jim Kenzig http://thin.net

In this day and age simply connecting, logging on to, or surfing the
internet can subject your computer to numerous worms, viruses, hackers,
spyware and abuse.  Computer users must be security conscious or risk having
their computer compromised or even made to be unusable by hackers and
viruses.

Of course the most important and number one thing that must be done is your
computer must be kept up to date with the latest service packs and hotfixes.


This article is going to focus on Windows Operating System since that is
where the greatest percentage of users exist.

Enable Automatic Updates
In order to keep your computer up to date you should go into your control
panel of your computer by going to start/settings/control panel and double
click on the Automatic Updates icon to open the settings dialog.  
Click the second or third radio button on the updates dialog screen to
determine how to download the updates.  If you choose the second box you
will need to install the update once it is downloaded.  A globe icon with
the Microsoft Flag icon will appear in your task tray when updates are ready
to install that you must click on.  If you choose the 3rd radio button
updates will be downloaded when you specify 

Note: if you do not have DSL, a cable modem or direct connection to the
internet and do not keep your machine on, the third radio button is not the
best choice. If you keep your machine on every day at a certain time it is
most definitely the best choice. Schedule the update to be done when your
machine is on and click on the Apply button.  This way your updates will
automatically be downloaded from Microsoft and installed and you will never
have to worry that your PC is not up to date with patches and fixes. 

If you have an older PC and do not have the Windows Update service installed
you can manually install updates by opening Internet Explorer and going to:
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp
Scan for updates and install all critical updates. Once the updates are
installed you may have to return to the update page until all critical
updates have been installed.

Install a good Firewall
Next. If you are using Windows XP, enable Windows Internet Connection
Firewall.  If you are not on Windows XP obtain a good firewall software (or
purchase a router with a hardware firewall) and install it. I recommend
Sygate Personal Firewall. 

Good directions on how to install Windows Internet Connection Firewall are
on the Microsoft site at:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/learnmore/icf.mspx
 
If you are on a different version of Windows other than Windows XP, you can
download the Free version of Sygate Personal Firewall at:

http://smb.sygate.com/products/spf_standard.htm

Install sygate and you will need to reboot your PC. Once Sygate is running
you will receive a popup the first time that you run any program that tries
to access the internet asking if you want to allow it. If you want to allow
the program to access the internet you should choose the allow button and
click the check box to not prompt you again for that program. 
Sygate has many nice features and has a great logging and graphical readout
so you can see what is going on with your PC.


Antivirus
Next it is absolutely imperative that an antivirus program is installed on
every PC you own!
For people who cant afford an antivirus I recommend that they download and
install AVG Antivirus.
Get it at:
 http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php

As an alternative you can scan your PC online by using Trend Housecall.
 
Navigate to:

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Allow the Trend site to install the applet and you will be able to scan your
PC anytime on the trend site.
Note: This is only a Virus scanner and it does not prevent viruses from
getting on your PC. 

While AVG is free, antivirus is a necessity and is not something that you
should skimp on and I suggest that you do purchase a commercial program.
(If you are going to spend money on an Antivirus program Trend PC Cillin
available from http://www.trendmicro.com  is a fine choice.) 

Spyware and Ad Removal
I use exclusively 2 tools that are freeware for home users to remove Spyware
and adware programs from my PC. Adaware from Lavasoft and Spybot Search and
Destroy.

AdAware is available at  http://www.lavasoft.de/support/download/
To install Lavasoft Adaware free for personal use download and run the
executable and it will install the program.
Once in the program is installed and you have opened it by clicking on the
adaware icon on your desktop, click on the globe in the upper right corner
to do the web update. Obviously you need to be connected to the internet to
do this. Click on the connect button to get the latest pattern updates.
Choose OK to download the pattern file then click on finish when it is done.
Next click on the scan now button on the right pane of the program to scan
your system.  Follow the directions to clean your system after the scan is
done. You should update and run Adaware at least once per month.

Spybot Search and Destroy is available at
http://www.soft32.com/download_26568.html
Spybot Search and Destroy is free for personal use. Download and run the
executable and choose your language.Click on next, click the radio button to
accept the agreement and click on next. The default directory is OK to use
unless you need to change a drive letter. Click on next four more times then
click on install and finish. The program will start up and if you are
connected to internet download a new rules file. There is no need to create
a registry backup when it prompts you but you can do it. Note this takes a
long time. Click on next if you do not want to do this or when it is done.
Click on the Search for updates choice (be sure and be connected to the
internet still) and then click on download all available updates if it is
highlighted. Click on next.  Click on the immunize this system button then
click on next and then start using the program or read the help file.. Click
on the Search and Destroy icon in the left panel and then click on Check for
problems in the right pane.  Spybot will now scan your drive for problems
that you can fix when it is done. 

Using Spybot and adaware every few weeks along with the other suggestions
above will insure that your PC remains useable and virus and malware free. 

Security
Finally one more link to add to your favorites and visit often is
Microsoft's Security site at:

   http://www.microsoft.com/security/default.mspx

This site offers a wealth of information about security and keeping your PC
secure and virus and malware free.

Microsoft has also set up a free 866 telephone number that you can call for
FREE virus related support in the US and Canada only.  The number is
1-866-PCSAFETY


Copyright Jim Kenzig
http://thin.net


-----Original Message-----
From: thin-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:thin-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On
Behalf Of Claus, Brian
Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2004 8:36 AM
To: thin@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [THIN] Re: Ad Ware


Sygate personal firewall will help figure it out.

 
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custom-tailored solutions for each client?s mission and specific goals.
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