How To Keep Your Computer in Perfect Health
Well, our precious computers. In 2006, how could we survive without technology? However, all technologies have their flaws. With computers -viruses and malware. I've created a bit of a tutorial to keep your computer safe, at least as safe as it can get, against viruses, malware and hacking attempts. 1 - Make sure you version of Windows is up to date! I cannot stress this enough. As with other things, Windows has it's flaws, so every month they come out with critical security updates to prevent your computer from being vulnerable from viruses and hacking attempts. If you do not have Automatic Updates enabled (which is your choice really), go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and check for critical updates. 2 - Use a program that blocks spyware from installing on your computer. The best program for this is Spyware Blaster. Basically it just writes your 'hosts' file and edits your Internet Explorer/Mozilla activex block sites from known spyware activex's. Since this doesn't run 24/7 in the background, it will not slow down your computer. To install this amazing free program, follow these steps. Step 1: Download the SpywareBlaster software. Step 2: Install it. Step 3: Open SpywareBlaster Step 4: Click UPDATES on the left side. Step 5: Click CHECK FOR UPDATES. If there are updates it will download them. Step 6: Click PROTECTION on the left side. Step 7: then click "ENABLE ALL PROTECTION" near the bottom center Step 8: Close the program. Once you have done this, you are protected from most spyware/ adware/ malware that installs on your computer via MP3 download sites, warez sites, porn sites, popups, etc. Make sure you repeat steps 4-8 every 2 weeks or so, so you are up to date with the la-*test*-('") spyware definitions. 3 - Have a spyware removal tool. SpywareBlaster will prevent spyware from installing, but it will not remove any that has slipped through the cracks, or are currently existing on your computer. The best program to remove spyware is AdAware. It is free for home use. Remember - never pay for spyware removal tools, because chances are, it will cause more problems than solve them (ie - SpywareStrike, SpyAxe etc). To install and scan with AdAware, follow these steps. Step 1: Install Ad-Aware, during installation it will ask you to Update/Full System Scan/Read Help file via check boxes, uncheck all 3 of those boxes, you aren't ready to do this yet. Step 2: Open Ad-Aware. Step 3: Click CHECK FOR UPDATES NOW on the right side above the 'start' button Step 4: Click CONNECT Step 5: If there is an update available, click "OK" to download it. Step 6: Click FINISH Step 7: Click START Step 8: On this screen, select the bubble for "PERFORM FULL SYSTEM SCAN" Step 9: Click NEXT, this will start the scan, it might take anywhere from 5-10 mins depending on how much spyware you have! Step 10: When the scan is done, press NEXT. Step 11: On this screen, RIGHT CLICK and select "SELECT ALL OBJECTS" Step 12: Click NEXT Step 13: You will get a screen asking you to confirm "X OBJECTS WILL BE REMOVED. CONTINUE?", click OK Step 14: If all the spyware is deleted you will be returned to the main screen that you started on. In some occasions you will get a screen telling you that "The Following objects could not be removed" with a list of them, if you click "YES" it will remove them on the next restart of your computer, so click "YES", then restart your computer, upon restarting you will see the Ad-Aware screen come up, if it doesn't start scanning automatically (it should) follow steps 7 through 14 to start the scan. Step 15: Close Ad-Aware You should scan for spyware every month or so, depending on how many spyware ridden sites you visit! Remember to check for updates every time you scan. You are now protected from majority of the crapware out there, and you have removed and previous crapware that has been installed onto your computer. 4 - Virus protection and firewalling. Now, this one is an issue that has been debated a lot by computer whizzes on the net. Many argue that if you are careful with what you do on the computer, don't go to warez sites, porn sites, don't download internet attachments and so forth, you do not need virus protection. Other argue that regardless of how safe you are, there are viruses out there that can get on your computer via other means, and can screw your computer over. I tend to believe in the latter, mainly because I feel it's better to be safe than sorry. As for virus protection, there are many free programs out there, as well as many pay ones. AVG, Avast, Norton, McAfee, F-Secure, Trend Micro, NOD32 are just some of the many. Most internet providers offer an internet security suite for free with subscription, so check that out first. If your ISP does not offer this, then I recommend at least using a free antivirus program, if not purchasing one. As for firewalling, if you are behind a router, there is no need to worry. If you are not behind a router, again, there are ISP's that offer free firewalls, but if yours does not, I recommending finding a free software, using the Windows firewall, or purchasing one. Hopefully, if you follow these steps, and are safe with what you do on the internet, your computer should be in tip top shape for years to come :)
Well, our precious computers. In 2006, how could we survive without technology? However, all technologies have their flaws. With computers -viruses and malware. I've created a bit of a tutorial to keep your computer safe, at least as safe as it can get, against viruses, malware and hacking attempts. 1 - Make sure you version of Windows is up to date! I cannot stress this enough. As with other things, Windows has it's flaws, so every month they come out with critical security updates to prevent your computer from being vulnerable from viruses and hacking attempts. If you do not have Automatic Updates enabled (which is your choice really), go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and check for critical updates. 2 - Use a program that blocks spyware from installing on your computer. The best program for this is Spyware Blaster. Basically it just writes your 'hosts' file and edits your Internet Explorer/Mozilla activex block sites from known spyware activex's. Since this doesn't run 24/7 in the background, it will not slow down your computer. To install this amazing free program, follow these steps. Step 1: Download the SpywareBlaster software. Step 2: Install it. Step 3: Open SpywareBlaster Step 4: Click UPDATES on the left side. Step 5: Click CHECK FOR UPDATES. If there are updates it will download them. Step 6: Click PROTECTION on the left side. Step 7: then click "ENABLE ALL PROTECTION" near the bottom center Step 8: Close the program. Once you have done this, you are protected from most spyware/ adware/ malware that installs on your computer via MP3 download sites, warez sites, porn sites, popups, etc. Make sure you repeat steps 4-8 every 2 weeks or so, so you are up to date with the la-*test*-('") spyware definitions. 3 - Have a spyware removal tool. SpywareBlaster will prevent spyware from installing, but it will not remove any that has slipped through the cracks, or are currently existing on your computer. The best program to remove spyware is AdAware. It is free for home use. Remember - never pay for spyware removal tools, because chances are, it will cause more problems than solve them (ie - SpywareStrike, SpyAxe etc). To install and scan with AdAware, follow these steps. Step 1: Install Ad-Aware, during installation it will ask you to Update/Full System Scan/Read Help file via check boxes, uncheck all 3 of those boxes, you aren't ready to do this yet. Step 2: Open Ad-Aware. Step 3: Click CHECK FOR UPDATES NOW on the right side above the 'start' button Step 4: Click CONNECT Step 5: If there is an update available, click "OK" to download it. Step 6: Click FINISH Step 7: Click START Step 8: On this screen, select the bubble for "PERFORM FULL SYSTEM SCAN" Step 9: Click NEXT, this will start the scan, it might take anywhere from 5-10 mins depending on how much spyware you have! Step 10: When the scan is done, press NEXT. Step 11: On this screen, RIGHT CLICK and select "SELECT ALL OBJECTS" Step 12: Click NEXT Step 13: You will get a screen asking you to confirm "X OBJECTS WILL BE REMOVED. CONTINUE?", click OK Step 14: If all the spyware is deleted you will be returned to the main screen that you started on. In some occasions you will get a screen telling you that "The Following objects could not be removed" with a list of them, if you click "YES" it will remove them on the next restart of your computer, so click "YES", then restart your computer, upon restarting you will see the Ad-Aware screen come up, if it doesn't start scanning automatically (it should) follow steps 7 through 14 to start the scan. Step 15: Close Ad-Aware You should scan for spyware every month or so, depending on how many spyware ridden sites you visit! Remember to check for updates every time you scan. You are now protected from majority of the crapware out there, and you have removed and previous crapware that has been installed onto your computer. 4 - Virus protection and firewalling. Now, this one is an issue that has been debated a lot by computer whizzes on the net. Many argue that if you are careful with what you do on the computer, don't go to warez sites, porn sites, don't download internet attachments and so forth, you do not need virus protection. Other argue that regardless of how safe you are, there are viruses out there that can get on your computer via other means, and can screw your computer over. I tend to believe in the latter, mainly because I feel it's better to be safe than sorry. As for virus protection, there are many free programs out there, as well as many pay ones. AVG, Avast, Norton, McAfee, F-Secure, Trend Micro, NOD32 are just some of the many. Most internet providers offer an internet security suite for free with subscription, so check that out first. If your ISP does not offer this, then I recommend at least using a free antivirus program, if not purchasing one. As for firewalling, if you are behind a router, there is no need to worry. If you are not behind a router, again, there are ISP's that offer free firewalls, but if yours does not, I recommending finding a free software, using the Windows firewall, or purchasing one. Hopefully, if you follow these steps, and are safe with what you do on the internet, your computer should be in tip top shape for years to come :)