Computer Maintenance

• Always update your Virus Scanner and Ad-Aware before scanning.
  

• Internet Organizer Pro  is a browser cache, cookie and history cleaning utility.
  

• Clean the registry with a utility such as  RegClean by Jouni Vuorio.
  

• You should open your device manager and check for any conflicts if you are having  hardware problems. This is located in My Computer Properties under the Hardware tab.
  

•  To run system file check in Windows XP type in   SFC.exe in a command prompt.   
  

• If you're having problems in Windows XP with Java web pages download and install the latest JAVA Runtime .  
  

• FREQUENTLY go to Windows Update and download all critical and security updates as well as driver updates, etc.
  

•  Most new PCs come with some kind of Hardware Diagnostic utility. These can also be found on the web. Hard Drive can and WILL burn out and usually crash with no noticeable warning. Run your diagnostic at least once a month to ensure your hardware is in good shape.  Some PCs have a diagnostic that can be accessed during boot and others have access through windows.
  

• Its always a good idea to check your Add/Remove Programs wizard located in the Control Panel for installed programs. Check for unused or suspicious programs and uninstall if necessary.
  

• Right clicking on your hard drive located in My Computer (usually drive C) and going to properties will bring up yourDrive C Tools in Windows XP.   Disk Error Check should be set to automatically repair system file errors as well as scan and attempt repair of bad sectors. Running Disk Defragmenter will boost your computer's performance and should be performed regularly.
  

• Also make sure to check your firewall logs for security issues.
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  Get Security Task Manager! Check your computer for hidden running processes. Check all running processes against known file names. http://www.neuber.com/taskmanager/
  
  

  Pop-Up Ads

Frequent Pop Up ads appearing even while
not connected to the internet can also be a sign of spyware which should be removed.

No Ads

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VIRUSES

CLAMWIN FREE AV

  

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Firewalls

A SOHO Router is a relatively inexpensive NAT and basic filtering device such as a Netgear, Linksys, Dlink, etc. (Generally characterized by inbound filtering only.)

A Software Firewall is an application installed on the local machine to be protected that offers upper layer protection features such as application control. Some examples are Zone Alarm, Sygate, Outpost, BlackIce, etc.

A Standalone Firewall is a more professional/business-level device that, like a SOHO router, has no other purpose other than to protect the network behind it (it still uses software though - hence the name 'standalone' rather than 'hardware') This type of device is capable of both inbound and outbound filtering, and includes products/packages such as Checkpoint, Cisco PIX, Astaro, Smoothwall, Coyote Linux, Zywall 10, etc.

A DMZ is a setup where you have two firewalls in serial with a public and less trusted network in between them. The area in between the two firewalls is your DMZ. The term 'DMZ' is often confused due to SOHO router companies claiming to have a 'DMZ' configuration option. This marketing ploy does not give a user a true DMZ, but rather just forwards all traffic not already accounted for by other forwarding rules to a specified host. This is not a true DMZ.

The purpose of a DMZ is to have a buffer zone between systems that you allow public access to and your private systems on your internal LAN. In general, systems in the DMZ are not trusted and are allowed very little (if any) access back into your private network so that if a compromise were to take place in your DMZ, the attacker would have an additional (and more secure) layer to cross before getting to your most sensitive assets.


A few good free software firewalls are:   Sygate  Firewall ,   Zone Alarm Firewall ,   Tiny Personal Firewall , and Agnitum Outpost Firewall.     

Sygate Firewall

Zone Alarm Firewall

Tiny Firewall

Firewall Tester


Agnitum Outpost

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Privacy

 Here's an article on Cookies  .  Its a good idea to use a program such as window washer to erase cookies at the end of a surfing session. Even better to use a browser such as Mozilla or Opera which makes all cookies "session-only"; meaning they are erased when closing the browser. Internet Explorer users should check their Privacy settings under Internet Properties. Remember that some sites wont work properly with a privacy setting that's too high.

When you "delete" a file , that file can easily be recovered using specialized software even after you've emptied the recycle bin. OVERWRITE "deleted"  files forever with an Eraser utility program like this.


A window washing  program is also a very useful utility to have. This will clean all  
history of visited websites, erase all stored cookies, clean usage tracks, etc. 


Also make sure you check out Privacy.net for more info on cookies , etc.

For total protection  use  SpyBot- Search and Destroy  to do a complete privacy and spyware cleaning.

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Spyware

Here's a  website  about spyware. ALL computers that are connected to the internet should run a spyware scan frequently especially after downloading applications.

Click the spyware link below under more links for even more spyware info.

There are many services that will scan and delete spyware from your computer. My favorites are AdAware - from Lavasoft and Spybot - Search & Destroy.


Don't forget to download SPYWARE BLASTER which monitors active x downlaods and prevents spyware infection!!

Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta

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Trojans/Backdoors

Trojans and Backdoor threats are applications that make use of ingrained system resources to access the internet for numerous purposes without the users knowledge.  For more info on Trojans read here. Heres a list of the best Trojan removal tools. It is recommended that people use a Trojan detection prgram IN ADDITION TO an anti-virus scanner for total security.

Tauscan

  

SWAT-IT!

  

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Packet Sniffers

Packet Sniffer

NetworkActiv Sniffer

Port Scanners

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Resources

Microsoft's KNOWLEDGE BASE .

Search  the MICROSOFT NEWSGROUPS  .
 
Search  Google Groups

TechTV

TEK-TIPS  message boards

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More Links

     CEXX.ORG  : Security site.

    Free computer help site : Computer Hopes

     Internet utilities : GEEKTOOLS

     PRIVACY.net : Privacy Info.

     Anonymizer.com : Anonymous Surfing

     GRC.com  : Shields Up ,  XPdite , and  Unplug and Pray

Back to MCC
 

Email Rich at [email protected]

Note:  This compilation of information is from various sources.  All credit due to its authors.