spyware/ virus protection for new user

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Guest

Hello, I recently purchased this computer from a friend.. every time I go to
get on the internet, and am directed to my homepage, the screen changes to a
search engine and then a spyware message pops up saying that my computer is
infected. I do not believe that this computer has any spyware or virus
protection on it, how do I choose which spyware program is best without
causing any damage to my system? I don't want this computer to crash and
burn.. I need all the help that i can get with this one... Any suggestions on
what to use for a Dell PC, used at home and using Windows XP?
 
Scan your PC for the presence of viruses and spyware:

Download Ad-aware SE and scan your PC for the presence of spyware:
http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html?part=69274&subj=dlpage&tag=button

Symantec Security Check
http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=827315

Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm

3 Steps to Help Insure Your PC is Protected:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

Frequently Asked Questions About Antivirus Software
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/antivirus.mspx

Top 10 Reasons to Install Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2)
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/topten.mspx

Symantec's Norton Internet Security 2005
http://www.symantecstore.com/dr/sat...840&PGRP=0&CACHE_ID=5549200000599570000074456

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| Hello, I recently purchased this computer from a friend.. every time I go to
| get on the internet, and am directed to my homepage, the screen changes to a
| search engine and then a spyware message pops up saying that my computer is
| infected. I do not believe that this computer has any spyware or virus
| protection on it, how do I choose which spyware program is best without
| causing any damage to my system? I don't want this computer to crash and
| burn.. I need all the help that i can get with this one... Any suggestions on
| what to use for a Dell PC, used at home and using Windows XP?
 
First. Make sure of these settings and nothing will install without you
answering YES. (Except what may install as part of some other software.)
Don't click YES if you don't know/trust the source.

Start | Settings | Control Panel | Internet Options | Advanced tab |
Make sure both of these are NOT checked.

 Enable Install On Demand (Internet Explorer)
[[Specifies to automatically download and install Internet Explorer
components if a Web page needs them in order to display the page properly or
perform a particular task.]]

 Enable Install On Demand (Other)
[[Specifies to automatically download and install Web components if a Web
page needs them in order to display the page properly or perform a
particular task.]]

Apply | OK

 Enable Install On Demand (Other)
Is part of the driveby downloading of unwanted programs. i.e. Scumware or
whatever will install w/o you even being aware of it.
=====

If you need a scan right now.

Follow the instructions!
THE PARASITE FIGHT QUICK FIX PROTOCOL
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.php

=====

Visit these sites. 1, 2, 3 and 4 are really good.
Download, install, run, update and run again; one or all. They are all
good, FREE utilities. Make sure you update every program, even if you
just downloaded it. You must have the latest updates. Without updates,
you have a gun without ammo.

1) CWShredder direct download:
http://216.180.233.163/~merijn/files/CWShredder.exe

2) SpywareBlaster
[[SpywareBlaster doesn't scan and clean for spyware - it prevents it from
ever being installed.
The most important step you can take is to secure your system. And
SpywareBlaster is the most powerful protection program available.]]
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

3) Spybot S & D (More for the advanced user)
http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?lang=en&page=download

4) HijackThis (some other stuff that may be of interest also)
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html

4a) HijackThis (direct download)
http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.zip

5) Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner v1.13
http://www.kephyr.com/spywarescanner/index.html?source=appvisit

6) ToolbarCop
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/toolbarcop.htm

7) Ad-aware SE Personal
http://www.lavasoft.de/support/download/

=====

MVPS HOSTS file is a free download from:
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/

Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts File
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

=====

Problems uninstalling? Here's some advice.
http://www.kephyr.com/spywarescanner/uninstallproblems.phtml

Additional information & instructions.
A wealth of information here, boys and girls.

THE PARASITE FIGHT QUICK FIX PROTOCOL
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm

THE PARASITE FIGHT
Finding, Removing & Protecting Yourself From Scumware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm

Bugs, Glitches & Stuffups
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/Darnit.htm

Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;827315

Spyware and Deceptive Software
http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/twc/privacy/spyware.mspx?gssnb=1

What you should know about spyware
http://www.microsoft.com/security/articles/spyware.asp

Cleaning Up XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_c.htm#cleanup
 
Kelly wrote on 27-Sep-2004 7:17 PM:
Hello, I recently purchased this computer from a friend.. every time I go to
get on the internet, and am directed to my homepage, the screen changes to a
search engine and then a spyware message pops up saying that my computer is
infected. I do not believe that this computer has any spyware or virus
protection on it, how do I choose which spyware program is best without
causing any damage to my system? I don't want this computer to crash and
burn.. I need all the help that i can get with this one... Any suggestions on
what to use for a Dell PC, used at home and using Windows XP?

Assuming you aren't yet infected, there are Four Things you need to do
to protect your computer. Microsoft advises on the first three:

1) enable Automatic Updates and keep your copy of Windows up-to-date
automatically. If you haven't installed SP2 yet, do so.

2) enable the Windows Firewall. Unblock file and printer sharing only if
you have a cable/DSL router to protect your shares from Internet access.
Otherwise, no need to allow exceptions

3) install and keep up-to-date on a daily basis, a good anti-virus
application. Make sure you enable background scanning. With background
scanning enabled, you don't need any explicit email protection. AVG from
www.grisoft.com is one of the best and it's free for personal use. I
recommend it first.


You also need to take steps to protect Internet Explorer from current
and future exploits. Wesley had some good advice on settings, but I
recommend a more stringent approach, as one option:

4a) Set Internet security zone to HIGH. Download IE5 Powertweaks from
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/previous/webaccess/pwrtwks.asp and
use the new Tools menu items to add sites to the Trusted zone, if you
need to run scripts or active content. This is equivalent to using
Mozilla or alternative browsers by disabling active content, but you can
still use IE in the Trusted zone. Remember the SP2 Information Bar is
your good friend. Learn how to use it.

another option:

4b) Download and install one of several tools to protect IE. I don't
really know which is best, but Merijn has Bugoff!, Quik-Fix from
www.pivx.com, SpywareGuard, SpywareBlaster, or Prevx Home from
www.prevx.com. On the whole, I like the prevx tool, since it has
comprehensive and sensible protections.

There is a step Five, but it doesn't require anything more than a
skeptical attitude in your wetware between your ears. Read up about
phishing and "social engineering" so you don't fall victim to any of
many hoaxes and ruses. A skeptical attitude will save your identity from
theft.
 
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