Protection Against Computer Viruses
Several friends have asked what they need to do to protect their computers from viruses. In a recent attempt to do computer phone support (mostly angry people calling to yell at somebody because their computer doesn't prevent them from messing things up), I learned a bit about computer viruses, adware, and spyware. In my short career as a computer phone tech, at least half the people who called were having problems caused by viruses or spyware.
What I Have Done to Avoid Viruses
I have avoided viruses mostly by not giving out personal information and taking steps to prevent my personal information from being taken from my computer. If I see an ad or other popup that wants me to download something I cancel it, close it, or tell it no, heck I close it even if it doesn't ask me to download something.
I try to make myself invisible on the Internet by using a firewall. I do not allow cookies unless it is a site I must have access to. If a site requires cookies and I can avoid it, I avoid it (this is more of a personal preference). I avoid making on-line purchases (they want personal information). Most sites that sell stuff will have a telephone number you can call. I also run antivirus software.
Spyware
Spyware or adware is becoming an increasing problem. For definitions on the difference between spyware and adware go to your favorite search engine and search on "spyware" or "adware". When I say spyware here, I am referring to both spyware and adware.
Spyware can cause a complete computer system failure. If your computer seems slow, some programs that were fine before are now not working properly, you have trouble installing new software, or some other bazaar behavior, you may have spyware. Spyware collects information and sends it back to its host web site. It uses up so much of your system resources that your computer no longer functions.
A quick check on computers running Windows 95, 98, ME, or 2000 that indicates you have spyware is: Right click on My Computer. Select Properties. Click on the Performance Tab. If the System Resources shown here is less than 85% and you have no programs running, it is an indication that you have spyware on your computer. For Windows XP, it is not so straight forward and I have not seen this work. You press Ctrl-Alt-Del and click on the Performance Tab. If "CPU Usage" fluctuates to more than 40% (with no programs running), it is an indication you have spyware on your system.
To detect and remove spyware I have heard good things about freeware programs spybot and ad-aware. I am using spybot myself, I have not used ad-aware, but I understand it is good. Ad-aware is suppose to be simpler to use. These programs are available from www.download.com.com (CNET.com). Go to download.com and enter "spybot" or "ad-aware" in the search box and click on Go. A nice description of the program will come up and you will be given the option to download it. I recommend downloading and periodically running one of these programs if you think you have spyware on your system or not.
Spyware, like many viruses, can cause additional problems when trying to remove it and can try to prevent you from removing it. On that note, it is best to avoid downloading spyware to start with. Most spyware is hidden inside those free downloads that pop-up when you are surfing the Internet. It is best to avoid these. The license agreement is suppose to tell you that it will be displaying ads or sending information to its host company. I would also avoid installing freeware or shareware programs that ask for personal information. There are other situations with and without pop-up ads that forcibly install the spyware without your knowledge. There are holes in Windows and other operating systems security that can allow spyware to be installed without your knowledge.
To help prevent spyware from being installed without your knowledge, go to the Microsoft (or other operating system) web site and download all the security updates you can find for your operating system. You can also use a firewall, as I do. Firewalls are discussed below.
To increase security in Internet Explorer, choose Tools > Internet Options. Select the Security tab. Make sure the Internet Zone is configured to Medium Security or above.
Virus Protection
For virus protection you need to purchase an antivirus program, install it, run it regularly, and download the virus definitions at the interval recommended by the antivirus program. After you install the antivirus software, you must run it regularly telling it to do a complete scan. It is also very important to download virus definitions. Because new viruses appear everyday, virus protection / removal companies update the information needed to detect and remove new computer viruses daily. These updates, referred to as virus definitions, are usually provided to customers weekly. Without the new virus definitions, your virus protection software may not detect new viruses.
When you purchase an antivirus program, you usually get a subscription for a year to download virus definitions. When this time is up you can renew the subscription; usually for about $15 per year. They may require an additional $10 if you want to order by mail or phone.
You can go to http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ and run a free virus scan from Trend Micro. Symantec also has a free virus scan at http://security.symantec.com/.
Firewalls
Firewalls help to make you invisible to spyware, viruses, and unscrupulous computer hackers. Viruses, spyware, and hackers can get on your computer through holes in your operating system's security. Hackers can gain access to credit-card numbers (if you make purchases on the Internet) and other personal information directly from your computer. Again, you need to download security updates for your operating system to help prevent this type of access to your computer. You can also download or upgrade to the latest version of the browser you are using for the latest security.
In articles I have read about Firewalls, all have favorably mentioned Zone Alarm from Zone Labs. I personally use Zone Alarm and think it is very good. It is freeware and can be obtained from http://www.zonelabs.com/. I think they ask for your email address, but you can always give a fake one if you don't like giving it out. They probably don't like my saying you can fake the email address, but I did say I liked their product. They want you to buy their Pro version that provides better protection. There are lots of Firewall products out there. You can search on Firewall in your favorite Search Engine and turn up lots of articles and products.
For a free scan to test your visibility on the Internet, you can go to http://grc.com/default.htm (Gibson Research) and click on Shields Up under Hot Spots. Symantec also has a free security scan at http://security.symantec.com/.
Cookies
Cookies may not directly cause the download of viruses or spyware, but they make you more visible on the Internet. Also, I just don't like the idea of somebody putting little files on my computer. This is more of personal preference than anything else.
If you want to set Internet Explorer to block all cookies, choose Tools from the menu bar > select Internet Options > click on the Privacy tab > click on the Advanced button. Then put a check mark beside "Override automatic cookie handling". Select "Block" in all the places available. Click on Ok. Click on Apply and then Ok.
To allow cookies for individual sites, also on the Privacy tab mentioned above, click on the Edit button. Enter the web site address in the "Address of Web site" box provided and click on Allow.
Email is another way in for computer viruses. Some viruses will launch (infect your system) just by viewing them in a preview pane. Others must be opened and still others require opening of an attachment before they launch. If your system is infected by a virus from an email, your antivirus program should be able to clean it from your system after-the-fact.
A good antivirus program will scan emails before you read them, check your antivirus documentation for specifics. As long as you upgrade your virus definitions regularly, you should be fairly safe.
Watch for suspicious emails. For example, I received an email once from a female co-worker with "I Love You" in the subject. I knew there was something fishy about that and deleted it. It turned out to be a virus that I avoided. I am also suspicious of emails from people or businesses I do not know and am not expecting.
To make Outlook Express or Outlook more secure do the following: In Internet Explorer, choose Tools from the menu bar at the top > select Internet Options > click on the Security tab > select Restricted Sites > click on Custom Level. Make sure "High" is selected at the bottom of the window. Then scroll through the list verifying all options for scripting of Java or ActiveX are disabled (if not select disable). Click on Ok. Click on Apply, then Ok. Next open Outlook Express or Outlook (which ever you are using for your email). Choose Tools from the menu bar at the top > select Options > click on the Security tab > in the middle of the window, under Secure content, change Zone to "Restricted Sites."
To make Netscape Mail more secure do the following: In Netscape Messenger, choose Edit from the menu bar at the top > select Preferences > select Advanced from the Category selections > remove the check mark next to "Enable Javascript for Mail and News" > click on Ok.
For other email programs consult the program documentation to disable Java, Javascript, and/or ActiveX for emails. You probably don't want to disable Javascript for normal web browsing as most web sites employ some kind of programming to present their web pages to you.
Also, make sure you check the email program's web site for updates and security patches.
I hope this page has been useful to you.