spyware/viruses

[jaygee]

Since we've had road runner we've had a multitude of
problems with spyware and viruses. We've downloaded some
spyware removal,but it seems that we have to clean out our
system daily in order to use our pc. Do you have a
suggestion on what we can do to avoid these problem. the
firewall that comes with roadrunner serves hardly no
help.W hen we do clean it out usually 2 viuses seem to
remain and we can't seem to eliminate them.

 

[Phil]

I'm on road runner and have never gotten a virus in 4 years of road runner
and haven't had spyware in over 2 years.

Always run a firewall, I reccommend Zone Alarm.
Always run a current anti-virus program and keep it updated regularly and
have it do scans daily.
Stay off of questionable sites. This is where most of the spyware, adware,
and such come from.
Don't install every junk thrid party program you can download. Many of these
programs contain spyware.
Never use Kazaa.
Don't use AOL.
If you have kids, set their users to limited accounts.
Always scan attachments in email with your anti-virus program before opening
them.
Use a more secure browser like FireFox.
Make sure you're always updated and patched from the windows update website.
And run these tools weekly:
Spybot -- http://www.safer-networking.org/
Ad-aware -- http://www.lavasoftusa.com/

CWShredder: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4086.html



Follow these rules and you'll be syware and virus free.

 

[Mike H]

One assumes that you have a firewall in place and that you have an
anti-virus program running as well..

 

[Guest]

I think it's better not to install this stuff then to try
to clean up after it. Here's what I do: run a firewall,
don't open executable or potentially executable email
attachments, don't enable scripting unless I'm VERY
trusting of the site and REALLY need to use it (there's
almost always another site with the same information that
doesn't require scripting), don't download activeX from
any place except Windows Update, don't use any file
sharing/stealing programs, download only well-known
programs only from well-known sites that check their
software for viruses.

I've had no viruses, spyware etc. in 28 years and that
saves me the time of having to update and run various
cleaners.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Since we've had road runner we've had a multitude of
problems with spyware and viruses. We've downloaded some
spyware removal,but it seems that we have to clean out our
system daily in order to use our pc. Do you have a
suggestion on what we can do to avoid these problem. the
firewall that comes with roadrunner serves hardly no
help.W hen we do clean it out usually 2 viuses seem to
remain and we can't seem to eliminate them.

Given today's widely-publicized and well-known hostile Internet
environment, only a
fool or a masochist would go on-line without both a firewall and
antivirus protection.

Because many of the newer viruses and worms can disable antivirus
applications whose definitions aren't kept up-to-date, and can even
prevent the installation of an antivirus application, try using one or
more of the free on-line scanners to double-check your system.

Trend Micro - Free online virus Scan
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

McAfee Security - FreeScan
http://www.mcafee.com/myapps/mfs/default.asp

Symantec Security Check
http://security.symantec.com/ssc/home.asp

Panda ActiveScan - Free online scanner
http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm

Then run, don't walk, to the nearest source of antivirus software
and get some sort of protection installed. The free version of
GriSoft's AVG (http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php is highly
recommended. I use it myself. And there are many others.

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

You should also scan your computer for other malware. 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

--

Bruce Chambers

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