You have several area to address.
Logon on to your user account as admin rights.
First - temp internet files - how much space each user is allowed. In the
browser tools options, reduce this to 4 MB which should cover their most
activite sites.
Next delete all cookies and files by clicking buttons.
(This may not not be global so do it for each user.)
Next - run disk cleanup and delete files.
Next - adware, spyware -
download Adware SE from lavasoft.com
install and run, click the update button above start and download the
current checker file.
Click start and it will scan for adware.
If you get a list, right click and select all, then delete, finish, close
the app using the x in top left.
Next - download and install a outbound port stopper firewall. The newest
version of Zone Alarm Pro can be download as a 15 days trial and then
reverts to Zone Alarm free. You really need this PRO version with all those
game player. It will not stop adlware but will stop it from connecting to
the internet from you side.
Next - download and install SpywareStopper.
check for updates. say yes to do you want to .. type messages.
It will instal registery entries to prevent many know malware from
activating. And it has a lot of outher useful items, and finally it runs in
the background as a blocker for spyware, adware, axtiveX, cookies.
Now you have you computer cleaned up and safe,
so the next thing is to defrag the c: partition with the defrag program.
(Don't bother if you are running FAT32.)
before you defrag run a checkdisk /f
Now your disk files are ordered and tuned.
Next - check for programs being loaded as suggested in earlier posts.
on going- Monitor ports and activity by the kids.
Many of the games my stop, the malware will stop, and the programs the kids
run may need a port(s) opened which ZA fw will notify you about and make a
suggestion.
Before you say yes, you should reaserch the program as being safe.
Lastly - autologoff with programs closed.
With the five kids loging on and off using fast user swithing there may be
open programs for all of them.
By installing this autologoff and close programs with a short duration it
will reduce such,
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/winexit.htm
How effective is all of this?
I just did it all on a W2K 266 mmx with 128 MB.
and it runs consistanly slowing down for the exceptions for a second or two
but it has no more junk and nothing gets in or out except for new cookies
which get flaged eventually by spywarestopper.
SJ
