Protect Yourself From Malware: Tools And Tips
The following are some tips to help avoid malware infestation. While nothing can guarantee 100% that you will not become infested, the suggestions below will go a long way toward safeguarding your computer from many of the evils lurking in the shadows of the Internet. I strongly suggest you heed them all!
1 - Be sure to visit Windows Updates often (at least once a month). It is vitally important to keep your OS and IE Up-To-Date! This is the first line of defense. I cannot stress this enough. Be sure to get those Critical Updates!!
2 - Make sure you are running a Good Anti-Virus program! Again, the watchword is Update. Your AV is most effective if you have the latest virus definitions, so make sure it is updated regularly (every 2-3 days).
Two of the best AV products I have found are Kaspersky and NOD32. The edge would probably go to NOD32.
Some good FREE alternatives are:
Active Virus Shield (KAV provided by AOL)
AntiVir Personal Edition Classic
Avast! Home Edition
AVG Free Edition
BitDefender Free Edition
Be sure to employ only 1 resident AV to avoid potential conflicts. Should you feel the need to have or scan with a backup, use one of the Online Scans listed below:
Panda Active Scan
Trend Micro Online Virus Scan
Symantec Security Check
BitDefender Online Scan
Kaspersky Online Virus Scan
3 - In addition to a good AV app, a Good Firewall is absolutely mandatory! Windows XP comes with a built in firewall, but it only monitors incoming traffic. Personally, I prefer a firewall that monitors both incoming and outgoing traffic. To that end, I would suggest employing one of the firewalls listed below:
ZoneAlarm Free — This is a very good FREE choice!
Kerio Personal Firewall — This is Shareware, but well worth the investment!
Outpost Firewall Free — This is an excellent Open Architecture Firewall by Agnitum that is well worth considering!
As with Anti-Virus, you should run only 1 software firewall to avoid potential conflicts. With that in mind, should you choose to run a software firewall other than the built-in Windows Firewall, be sure to disable the Windows Firewall.
4 - Employ strong resident Spyware Scanners and Spyware Blockers. Some of the better FREE tools include the following:
SpyBotSD — This Scanner/Remover is a Must Have! - Do not forget to use the Immunize feature!
Ad-awareSE — The ever-popular Scanner/Remover by Lavasoft.
AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5 — This is a free trial of the Full Feature “Plus Version” of this fine tool. After 2 weeks, some of the “Plus” features are deactivated. (Windows 2000 & XP Only)
Spyware Blaster — Another Must Have tool!! Blocks malicious ActiveX installs by implementing a kill bit to prevent those ActiveX programs with known CLSIDs from being executed. Highly recommended! From Javacool Software.
Spyware Guard — This handy tool from Javacool Software offers real-time scanning and download and browser hijack protection.
WebRoot Spy Sweeper — Paid vesion. Worth every penny!
Again, they will be at their most effective when Internet Updated regularly to the latest malware definitions!
**Also, bear in mind that it is quite easy to go overboard with the Anti-spyware tools; you do not need to run all of these tools select the few that best fit you and your computer!
5 - Check out a few other handy tools that merit strong consideration:
BHODemon — Keeps tabs on your BHOs and alerts you to to any changes.
CCleaner (Crap Cleaner) — This is a good index.dat / TEMP File / Cookie Cleaner. Definitely recommended!
WinPatrol — Let Scotty the Windows WatchDog keep an eye on your computer with this favorite from BillP Studios!
MWAV - Microworld Free Antivirus Toolkit Utility — Scan for Viruses, Dialers, Keyloggers and other malware threats.
NOTE: that the FREE version will only scan your computer and NOT clean any infection that it finds.
TrojanHunter — Easy to use and highly effective! One of the better Anti-Trojan tools available.
6 -Tighten your Active X Security Settings if you are using Internet Explorer.
To do this, Open IE and Click Tools >Internet Options > Security > Internet (Globe Icon) > Click Default Level and APPLY.
NEXT, Click the Custom Level Button and adjust the settings as follows (some settings will already be properly set):
* SET Download signed ActiveX controls to Prompt
* SET Download unsigned ActiveX controls to Disable
* SET Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe toDisable
* SET Installation of desktop items to Prompt
* SET Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to Prompt
* SET Navigate sub-frames across different domains to Prompt
Afterchanging these settings as noted, please Click OK. If you are prompted to save the settings, click YES.
Finally, click APPLY and OK to finalize these settings.
7 - Use an Alternate Browser (such as Firefox or Opera) which is not susceptible to the same evils as IE. Both of these are excellent, and many consider them a step up from IE in ease of use and versatility!
8 - Replace Microsoft Java Virtual Machine with SUN JVM. Uninstalling the MS Java VM
*If you already have Sun Java (and most of you probably do) it is important that you update it to the latest version. Do that here http://www.java.com/en/ Also note that, upon updating your Sun Java, you MUST remove the old version or you will still be vulnerable to some exploits/weaknesses. Do this via Add or Remove Programs.
***Additionally, you should be wary of Anti-Spyware tools with which you are not familiar!! There are all sorts of poor (and sometimes downright malicious) products of ill repute out there vying for your attention. These are called “Rogues.”
If you think you have one of these products or are considering a product not mentioned above, please check out this excellent resource:
While I have found that nothing can guarantee that your machine will remain malware-free, the above are definitely steps in the right direction!
Posted Here with Permission
