Protecting your computer FAQ

[Will]

Originally posted by Buntina - May 2004

Thought I would post my 'armoury' here - my protection against everything nasty that arrives via email and your browser
All the utilities below are FREE - so NO excuses!

1) Windows Update
Please, please, do this - set your machine (in control panel) to alert you when new updates are ready - AND DOWNLOAD AND INSATLL THEM
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp

2) AVG - Anti Virus from Grisoft
The most excellent anti-virus tool, good protection (but you must keep the virus definitions updated) and light on processer usage (unlike certain well known anti-virus software)
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/ or
http://www.grisoft.com

2) Spybot - who is watching what you do?
(RTM - Read the manual for this one - excellent in advanced mode - A MUST HAVE)
http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=download

4) Adaware
great tool for removing annoying pop-ups and tracking cookies - similar to Spybot - well worth the install
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/

5) HiJack This
A general homepage hijackers detector and remover - lost control of your PC homepage? Heres the answer!
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/HijackThis.exe

5) CWShredder
A small utility for removing 'search' nasties - one of my favourites
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/CWShredder.exe

6) Sasser removal tool
http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.sasser.removal.tool.html

I have all the above installed and run them at least once a week - its amazing what rubbish gets in your system - esp. if you have kids!

Just remember to read the manual for SpyBot!

Updated 16 June 2004 - other AVG link added
Will (50)
Forum moderator