How To Minimize Getting Malicious Viruses, Worms,
Or Spyware On Your Computer

Virus & Spyware attacks on computers are evolving to find new ways to get into your system & the code is getting more malicious to the point where some attacks are more than just a nuisance, they can cripple a computer. Here are several ways of minimizing your risk.

UPDATE YOUR OPERATING SYSTEM, BROWSER & PROGRAMS WITH THE LATEST SECURITY PATCHES: Microsoft has had LOTS of security holes in it's various operating systems, programs & Internet Explorer browser. Hackers love to exploit Microsoft products to expose all this poor programming. Fortunately Microsoft usually knows about these security holes before major viruses are circulated via the internet, so go on the http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com site often & check for the latest security patches & install them. Newer operating systems such as Win ME, 2000 & XP have a feature built in that can automatically let you know when a new security patch is available.

SET ADMINISTRATOR PRIVILEGES TO "GROUP": Windows NT, 2000 & XP operating systems allow the administrator to boot the computer in "Group" mode which prevents the installation of programs by regular computer users. This forces users to come to the administrator who will ensure that the program to be installed is safe. Operating in "Group" mode won't stop the installation of all viruses & spyware, but it can minimize it. Some viruses & worms don't install as programs, but instead replace or rename files, which "group" privileges usually won't catch.

SET PRIVACY SETTINGS TO MEDIUM HIGH: If you set the privacy setting in your browser to "medium high" from the default "medium" position, you can reduce the risk of dangerous cookies while browsing. Setting the privacy setting to "High" will prevent you from retrieving your Hotmail email because it uses cookies that are blocked by the "High" setting. In Internet Explorer these settings are found under Tool/Internet options/privacy tab/ & then adjust the slider to the desired position (medium high is good), then click on the apply button & then the ok button.

DON'T OPEN (DOUBLE CLICK) CERTAIN EMAIL FILE ATTACHMENTS:  The following file name suffixes in GREEN that launch pictures, movies, or audio (such as .JPG .JPEG .GIF .BMP .RM .MOV .AVI .ASF .WMV .MPG .MP3 .WAV .RA & .WMA) are usually safe to open by double clicking on. The following file name suffixes in ORANGE usually don't contain a virus but could, so don't open them unless you know for sure that they come from a trusted source & you are expecting them, .DOC .XLS .PPT The following file name suffixes in RED often contain a virus when arriving as an email attachment, unless it is a file that you specifically requested from somebody you know, .VBS .WSF .PIF .SCR .LNK .COM .BAT .EXE .HTA .CPL  A .ZIP file is simply a compressed version of 1 or more files that makes it smaller for quicker emailing, so it is safe to open up a .ZIP file, but it may not be safe to double click on the files listed inside, depending on the suffix rules above.

INSTALL PROGRAMS USING THE "CUSTOM" OPTION: When installing any programs, never choose the "standard" install, always choose the "custom" install so you can see exactly what the program is & isn't installing. "Standard" installs of many programs often install extra programs that you don't want, some of which can be spyware programs.

ANTI-VIRUS PROTECTION PROGRAMS: I loath anti-virus protection programs (Norton/Symantec, McAfee, etc) because they tax the resources of a computer, thereby slowing down it's operation, sometimes prevent proper operation of a legitimate program & because these programs are written by fear mongering companies who would love you to always be living in fear of getting a virus if you don't install their latest updates. It's a bit like gangs & organized crime who extort protection money so you won't get hurt or robbed. Stocks usually increase for these anti-virus software companies each time there is a virus scare & there is no incentive for them to not keep on extracting money from you for protection. Life doesn't have to be lived in fear if you use some common sense. Never-the-less I do understand why some people install anti-virus programs, especially if they have careless users using the computer. As an alternative, if the administrator believes that most virus threats are coming into the computer as attachments to email, you can usually pay your Internet Service Provider a small monthly fee to filter your incoming email to eliminate viruses, thereby eliminating the slow down that would happen if you installed an anti-virus program on the computer. If you must use an anti-virus program try Spyware Doctor or the anti-virus online software at PC PITSTOP

INSTALL AN ANTI-SPYWARE PROGRAM: Spyware is also known as Adware, Badware, Malware or Trojanware. Spyware is usually a program with stealth scanning abilities, that reports on your browsing activities & reveals more information about your computer use than you would want to authorize, or it highjacks your browser start up home page, or it highjacks banner ads & sticks it's own ads in place. Sometimes it can be as invasive as a key logger which can capture your passwords or other private info & used in illegal ways. Spyware is often a secret component of free software that you have installed (such as Gator or many freeware & shareware utilities). Spyware is often like a virus, but not called a virus because you've inadvertently agreed to it by not reading the long terms & conditions list when installing the program. Sometimes Spyware is installed via malicious Java applet code when browsing on dangerous web sites (if you don't have the latest security updates for your browser). Some cookies even cross the line regarding how much information on you they report back & could be considered invasive. Anti-spyware programs often catch invasive cookies such as the "Avenue A Inc." cookie found on many popular web sites like CNN, Time/Warner, & Dr. Phil sites. All these small spyware programs running in the background & calling home to report on your computer can rob the computer of resources, slow regular programs down, cause system and browser instability & cause crashes. Anti-virus protection programs don't usually catch spyware. Anti-spyware programs such as the following may help: SPYBOT, Ad-Aware, OptOut, Spy Sweeper or, PestPatrol, or http://comparitech.net/antivirus .

Click here for a list of fake or rogue or suspicious anti-spyware.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SPYBOT (it's free): using the link below & install it on your computer. I was amazed at just how much spy software or old registry settings were on my computers & you probably will be too. When installing you can untick the extra languages box. After installing, open the program & click on the "search for updates" button, then on the "download updates" button to bring it right up to date. Next click on the "check for problems" button & this will survey the computer (takes several minutes) & list in red all the problem spyware areas. I usually first go into Internet Explorer & delete all the cookies so that only spyware programs & registry entries are listed (Tools/Internet Options/General button/click on "Delete Cookies" button & then OK button). If you want to have SPYBOT purge these problems & fix registry entries, click on the "fix selected problems" button. If you find that purging any of these spyware programs inadvertently caused a problem, you can undo this using the "recovery" button. You can also protect your computer from future installations of spyware by clicking on the "Immunize" button, then where it says "permanently running bad download blocker for Internet Explorer" menu to "ask for blocking confirmation" or "display dialog when blocking" & then click on the "install" button. This will warn you each time you go to a web site that is trying to stealthy install stuff you don't want. Download SPYBOT from http://www.safer-networking.org 

HAVE A SOFTWARE OR HARDWARE FIREWALL: A software firewall program or hardware firewall (such as a router/hub) can minimize the chance that a hacker could get into you computer & do malicious things or install virus/spyware software.

DON'T SET MOUSE CLICK TO ONE CLICK: In Windows operating systems, it is possible to change the default two clicks of the left mouse button, to open a program with just one click. Don't do it. Set at just one mouse click to open a program, increases the chance that you will inadvertently launch a virus attachment to email.

SET UP A USERNAME & PASSWORD WHEN NETWORKING: If you have two or more computers on a local network, make sure it is set up so that you must type in a user name & password before your computer can access other computers on the network & before they can access your computer. This can help prevent a virus that has infected one computer, from infecting the other computers on the network.

CONSIDER A SECOND COMPUTER FOR CONNECTION TO THE INTERNET: If you're running an application that is critical to your business or other uses, consider not attaching that computer to the internet, but instead buying a cheaper computer just for browsing, email, gaming, etc. If your kids have careless habits that invite viruses & cause grief for parents when they want to use the family computer, consider buying the kids their own computer & not letting them on your computer when they screw up their computer.

For additional detailed tutorials on related topics go to PCCITIZEN

By Doug Hembruff.