firewalls and toolbars

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I have two questions. How do you know if your computer has a firewall? When do you need one and how do you get one? Also there has been a new toolbar come up this one as little "e" like the explorer sign beside each option. The options Say "modem boot" "7500 credit Line" "Free MP3 Player" "Hottest LInks" and a search frame. How do I get this off. When I go to view and take the check off of it, it will go away but when I close my computer and turn back on then go back to Internet Explorer it shows up again. How do I keep it off? Also my xp speed is fine but my IE is very slow. why? I have DSL.
 
You know if your computer has a firewall because:
a) you installed one, or
b) you turned on XP's Internet Connection Firewall.

You always need a firewall. You get one by:
a) installing one, or
b) turning on Internet Connection Firewall. (Complete instructions are in
Help and Support.)

A third-party firewall has more useful features than XP's firewall, which is
quite basic (though effective).

To remove adware (the toolbar to which you refer) you need adware detection
and removal software. You also need to "think before you click",
particularly when presented with 'free' offers. There are many popular
adware detectors; here is one you might try:

Ad-aware 6 by Lavasoft
www.lavasoftusa.com

Rocky

tlove said:
I have two questions. How do you know if your computer has a firewall?
Click to expand...
When do you need one and how do you get one? Also there has been a new
toolbar come up this one as little "e" like the explorer sign beside each
option. The options Say "modem boot" "7500 credit Line" "Free MP3 Player"
"Hottest LInks" and a search frame. How do I get this off. When I go to
view and take the check off of it, it will go away but when I close my
computer and turn back on then go back to Internet Explorer it shows up
again. How do I keep it off? Also my xp speed is fine but my IE is very
slow. why? I have DSL.
 
I have Norton's Antivirus already on my computer is that the same as XP's Internet Connection Firewasll?
 
I have checked to see if I have a firewall and I do and it is Enabled. I am still working on the toolbar issue. It wasn't me on the "Think before you click" issue. I let my brother in law do some "research" and the toolbars appeared, as well as my speed slowed as well as my home page will not stay on what I put it on. I set it for Yahoo, turn off my computer then turn it back on later and get back on line and my home page comes up as "BIGWEBSEARCH" Any advice for that one or the speed.? Thanks Rocket Squirrel
 
A word on Firewalls: Windows XP SP2 has a new and much better firewall. Early reports are that it is good enough so as not to reuire the installation of say Norton Personal Firewall or Zone Alarm. Much the same as most case with a new version of Windows, Microsoft manages to inflict a blow on Norton's products.

As for all the other rubbish that has been sewpt up during the surfing done on your PC, check in Add / remove Programmes and unistall any items that are not installed by you or are no longer needed.

Get hold of a good Spyware Removal Application [so do a bit of research on the web, do a Google for Spyware] and install it.
 
Norton Antivirus is not a firewall.

Asking that question is a sign that you need to learn the ABC's of online
security. I'm very glad that you are asking these questions: Unfortunately,
the Internet is becoming an increasingly dangerous place, and we all need to
take extraordinary measures to protect our online security.

Here are some good places to start your research:

"Protect Your PC"
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

A description of some of the threats to your computer beyond viruses:
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/expanded_threats/

Rocky
 
As I mentionned in an earlier post, you are infected with spyware. That was
some 'research' your b-i-l did. Now you need to install Ad-aware, using the
link I gave in that post.

Because spyware is so difficult to remove from your system, it's a good idea
to use more than one anti-spyware program. (OTOH, you only use ONE firewall
and ONE antivirus program.) Here are two other well-known spyware detectors:

Spybot Search and Destroy
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

Pest Patrol
http://www.pestpatrol.com/

Rocky

tlove said:
I have checked to see if I have a firewall and I do and it is Enabled. I
Click to expand...
am still working on the toolbar issue. It wasn't me on the "Think before
you click" issue. I let my brother in law do some "research" and the
toolbars appeared, as well as my speed slowed as well as my home page will
not stay on what I put it on. I set it for Yahoo, turn off my computer then
turn it back on later and get back on line and my home page comes up as
"BIGWEBSEARCH" Any advice for that one or the speed.? Thanks Rocket
Squirrel
 
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