To "scan" a file with your anti-virus program:
1. Open the file manager (hold down the Windows key,
tap the letter E on your keyboard, or, go to "My Computer.")
2. Find the file you saved.
3. Right-click on top of the file name.
4. Select your anti-virus program from the list. Click on it.
The anti-virus (AV) program will "run." If it finds a virus, it will alert you, and then the program may give you choices as to what to do, or, its current settings will automatically respond according to whatever actions are currently "set" in the program.
You can change the settings by opening the actual anti-virus program, looking for "options," "preferences," or similar, and make changes. However, these programs usually install with settings that will protect you well, and, unless you're an intermediate level+ computer user, you probably should leave all as set by the program developers.
The Barest Basics–your actions:
a. Don't open e-mail attachments from anyone you don't know!
(Never, never, ever... curiosity can kill more than a cat.)
b. If you DO know the sender, save any file attached to an e-mail message; then use an anti-virus program to scan the attachment before you open it.
(Yup, even the new baby pics. Just make scanning "the thing you automatically do - no matter how silly it seems.")
(How do you scan the saved file? Click here for instructions.)
c. Stay away from cracker & porn sites.
You "up" your odds of unwanted "things" coming at you on those sites. (Cracker = malicious hacker)
d. Don't leave your computer connected to the Internet when you're not using the Net.
(i.e. Disconnect your dial-up modems, or physically unhook your cable/dsl modems.) Pathlock.com has an interesting piece of hardware designed to easily disconnect/reconnect high-speed connections.
e. Consider using less well-known web browsers and e-mail handling programs. Reduce your odds of receiving & passing on viruses to others by using programs that are not as frequently targetted by virus writers as Microsoft's products are. In addition, many other brands are considered to have more secure settings right "out-of-the-box."
e.g. I always use FireFox - www.getfirefox.com (free) for my web browsing, and I use The Bat ($) for my e-mail. See my list of free stand-alone e-mail clients and web-site-based e-mail-on the links page of this "Safe Hex" section.
KeyPost Computer Connections ~ Errington, BC Canada V0R 1V0 ~ E-mail: webservices
The Barest Basics–software protection-download, install, and activate
a. ...an anti-virus program (always "on" & scanning for viruses)–update the virus definition files 2/3 times per week.
I use, and, therefore, I can recommend the AVG anti-virus program; it's free for non-commercial use. (There's also a paid Pro version for commercial use.) This program has a small "footprint" and I get automatic daily updates of the "virus definitions." AVG found a virus for me that my (former) paid anti-virus program did not find. That's the day I switched to exclusive use of AVG.
Company: Grisoft.com - web site: www.grisoft.com
Check the test results for many anti-virus programs through the two links below. (Look for the Grisoft/AVG results.)
You'll see that there many programs attain 100% results. Some are rather costly to buy; some are free; and some are moderately priced. Price and recognizable brand name don't necessarily mean "the best".
b. ...an anti-trojan program (always "on" & scanning for trojans)–check for trojan definition updates 2/3 times per week.
I use Trojan Hunter–not
free.
http://www.trojanhunter.com/trojanhunter.jsp
(See reviews at Anti-Trojan Software Reviews - www.anti-trojan-software-reviews.com/ and at Wilders Org. www.wilders.org/anti_trojans.htm.)
c. ...a software firewall (always "on" blocking unwanted access to your computer, plus more...)
I use Zone Labs ZoneAlarm. There are paid & free versions. You have to make a few linked choices to actually get to the free version. (www.zonelabs.com)
Steve Gibson of www.grc.com is quoted on Leo LaPorte's "The Tech Guy Show" as recommending sygate's free firewall program. You can learn about it at the Sygate site: http://soho.sygate.com/
e. ...an e-mail filtering & previewing program. Open your mail only AFTER you've previewed it on the server-delete spam and other questionable "mail" from the server before bringing in your legitimate mail.
I have used MailWasher - www.mailwasher.net - in the past, but I now manage my own spam controls. However, I recommend that you might consider using the Mailwasher program, or one like it.
f. ...ad and spyware blocking programs. The following free programs are a great help in keeping annoyances and downright "nasties" off your computer:
The programs listed above are the ones I use, have used, or otherwise
believe to be excellent. Although they are free for personal use, it's nice if you can give each developer a small donation. They usually have a link to help you do that.
MANY other good programs are available for the same functions–free and otherwise, but you should know that there are some programs "out there" that purport to protect you, but, in fact, are either bogus or downright harmful.
To learn more, visit the Spyware Warrior excellent web site at:
http://spywarewarrior.com/
KeyPost Computer Connections ~ Errington, BC Canada V0R 1V0 ~ E-mail: webservices
The following links will lead you to other software choices, plus more information about practicing safe hex.
CKnow.com's
... list of protection guidelines:
http://www.cknow.com/vtutor/vtsafecompute.htm
David Stockbridge & Ted Quantrill's
... List of Lists:
http://lists.gpick.com/
The Wilders' Security Team
... has another good list to help you at:
http://www.wilders.org/
Steve Gibson's GRC site
... use "Shield's Up" to
test your computer's vulnerability to intrusions,
then stick around and learn a lot about securing
your computer:
http://www.grc.com/
Tech Support Alert, & Wilders Org:
... test of several anti-trojan programs:
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best_anti_trojans.htm
http://www.wilders.org/anti_trojans.htm
Virus Bulletin & AV-Test.org:
... Anti-virus software testing:
http://toronto.virusbtn.com/vb100/archives/
http://www.av-test.org/
Firewall Testing/Comparisons
... Agnitum's Comparison Chart (makers of Outpost--another
good FREE firewall):
http://www.agnitum.com/products/outpost/compare.html
ZDNet's
... Digital Defense Test:
http://techupdate.cnet.com/enterprise/0-20424045-724-20428906.html
Keypost
... Our links to good, free e-mail clients (programs) & web-based e-mail:
CKnow.com
... for a more in-depth look at intrusion threats, here's a good tutorial:
Security Guides from the NSA
... Check out Kevin Rose's TechTV page with links to a mix of PDF files from the NSA. Great tips for security various Windows OS's.
Anti-trojan.com
...there's lots of good information regarding trojans here...
KeyPost Computer Connections ~ Errington, BC Canada V0R 1V0 ~ services@keypost.com
Why worry?
Well, at the least, you will have to spend time solving the problem, and, unless you're an intermediate to advanced computer user, you'll probably have to spend some $ to have someone else restore your computer back to normal.
Not sure what a "virus," "trojan," or "worm" is? Read all about them (and more) at about.com 's antivirus section.
To learn about some of the current threats, check out the Trend Micro links on the left.
Malicious intrusions are compromising thousands of computers every day–this is something that CAN happen on your computer. The following guidelines are the minimum precautions you should take.
KeyPost Computer Connections ~ Errington, BC Canada V0R 1V0 ~ e-mail: webservices
(Note: most links below open in a separate window. It's best to close each link after you view a link, but if you don't do that, then look for the [button] link at the bottom of your screen.)
How would it affect your life if:
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a. ...you lose valuable documents you have stored on your computer? b. ...the data on your hard drive becomes so corrupted by a virus that you have to reformat the drive and start over (i.e. re-install all programs)? c. ...your hard drive is physically destroyed by a virus and you have to buy a new one, reformat it, and reinstall all your programs? (yes, that can happen) d. ...your BIOS is corrupted by a virus or worm and you have to start over with a BIOS flash, or even a new motherboard (which often requires even more new parts)? e. ...your computer is used by a "trojan" to attack other peoples' machines, steal private information from your machine and others, record your keystrokes, or any one of a few more unpleasant things? |
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KeyPost Computer Connections ~ Errington, BC Canada V0R 1V0 ~ E-mail: webservices
