...read this first!

We get a lot of requests in the PC Help/Advice forum that all amount to one thing - a basic lack of IT security awareness. So, to help you out, these are the minimum things you should consider doing before you venture back out onto the internet:
  1. Go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com and download all the "critical updates" for Windows, including the latest version of Internet Explorer. This should patch many of the security holes through which attackers can gain access to your computer.
  2. In order to protect yourself against spyware, you should consider installing and running the following free programs:

    Ad-Aware SE
    A tutorial on using Ad-Aware can be be found here.

    Spybot-Search & Destroy
    A tutorial on using Spybot can be found here. You might also like to consider enabling Spybot's "Immunize" and "TeaTimer" features.

    SpywareBlaster
    A tutorial on using SpywareBlaster can be found here.

    SpywareGuard
    A tutorial on using SpywareGuard can be found here.

    Make sure to keep these programs up-to-date and to run them regularly, as they will prevent most spyware problems.
  3. Also make sure you run your antivirus software regularly, and keep it up-to-date. There is plenty of free antivirus software around.

    Trend Micro have an excellent online antivirus utility.
  4. Make sure you use and maintain a firewall. The firewall provided by Windows XP is actually very good but, if you need others, you can get good free firewalls from ZoneAlarm or Kerio.

    A tutorial on understanding and using firewalls may be found here.
  5. If you use Internet Explorer, there are some other ways in which you can protect yourself.

    Turn off third-party extensions by going to Tools, Internet Options, Advanced, scroll to the Browsing section and uncheck Enable third-party extensions.

    Make your IE settings more secure by going to Tools, Internet Options, Security. Select the Internet Zone, then click on Default. Make sure the slider is set to either High or Medium.

    If you're using XP and have installed the Security Centre, go to Start, Control Panel, Security Centre. Make sure that the Firewall is ON, and that Automatic Updates are ON. If you are using antivirus software make sure that is also enabled. If you don't have the Security Centre, then go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com and install it now.

    Enable the pop-up blocker by going to Tools, Pop-up Blocker. Turn it ON and then adjust the Pop-Up Blocker Settings to suit your browsing. As a minimum, the filter should be set to High or Medium.
  6. You might want to consider using an alternate browser. Personally, I don't but others rave about Mozilla's Firefox browser. If you are interested, Firefox may be downloaded from here
    http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/
  7. Use common sense when browsing:
    Don't click links you're not sure about.
    Don't click on any pop-up windows particularly ones that promise to "repair" your PC.
    Think twice before you follow any instructions that insist you over-ride the Active-X disabler that's built into the latest version of IE.
    Don't install taskbars, search bars, other other "helpful" utilities.
    Don't install smiley's, icon sets, screensavers, or animated cursors.
    Don't install programs, either as downloads from the net or attachments in your email, unless you're absolutely sure what they are and what changes they make to your system.
    Keep an eye on what your kids are doing online. If necessary, supervise their use and also make sure they have their own non-administrative XP accounts.
  8. Finally, don't panic if you get a problem. 99 per cent of them are easily solved especially if you've followed these guidelines. And don't fear the internet. 99 per cent of it is also perfectly safe so long as you keep your wits about you.


(c) GlosRFC @ Win2Win Racing