| How to Protect Your Computer From Malware
- Keep your Operating System Up-to-date!!!
Be sure to visit Microsoft Windows Update often (at least once a month). It is vitally important to keep your Operating System and Internet Explorer Up-To-Date! This is the first line of defense. I cannot stress this enough. Be sure to get those Critical Updates!!
Having problems with Windows Update visit the Microsoft Update Solution Center
If your Operating System does not have the latest Service Pack installed. Get it!!!
Available Windows Service Packs:
- Windows 2000 - Service Pack 4
- Windows XP - Service Pack 3
Prepare your system for Service Pack 3.
- Windows Vista - Service Pack 1 & Service Pack 2
 There are two service packs for Windows Vista. Service Pack 1 (SP1), released in April 2008; and Service Pack 2 (SP2), released in May 2009. SP1 may already be installed on your PC (to find out, click on the Start button and enter "winver" in the search box). SP2 contains all the updates that have released since SP1, as well as support for new types of hardware and emerging hardware standards. You should install both Service Packs. SP1 must be installed before SP2.
- Windows Server 2003 - Service Pack 2
- Windows Server 2008 - Service Pack 2
If you have installed a prerelease version of Windows Server 2008 SP2, uninstall the prerelease version of the service pack, and then install the final product from the Microsoft Download Center.
So, you've decided to skip Windows Updates for whatever seemingly good reason you may think you have, and are going to forego installing the latest Service Pack for your Windows Operating System. Better rethink that decision, read Help: I Got Hacked. Now What Do I Do?
- A good Firewall is absolutely mandatory!
Windows XP & Vista come with a built in firewall. Personally, I prefer a robust full featured firewall that monitors both incoming and outgoing traffic. To that end, I would suggest employing one of the firewalls listed below:
Some good RETAIL Firewall programs are:
Some good FREE Firewall programs are:
Only 1 software firewall, should ever be installed, 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.
- Run a good AntiVirus program! Again, the watchword is Update. Your AntiVirus is most effective if you have the latest virus definitions, so make sure it is updated regularly (every 2-3 days).
Some good RETAIL AntiVirus programs are:
Some good FREE AntiVirus programs are:
Employ only 1 resident AntiVirus program to avoid potential conflicts. Should you feel the need to have or scan with a backup, use one of the Online Scans listed below:
- Run a good AntiSpyware program! Again, the watchword is Update. Your AntiSpyware is most effective if you have the latest spyware definitions, so make sure it is updated regularly (every 2-3 days).
Some good RETAIL AntiSpyware programs are:
Some good FREE AntiSpyware programs are:
Employ only 1 resident AntiSpyware program to avoid potential conflicts.
Some good FREE On-Demand AntiSpyware programs are:
- Check out a few other handy tools that merit strong consideration:
- WOT - Safe Surfing Tool -- The WOT add-on is a safe surfing tool for your browser. The traffic-light rating symbols show which websites you can trust for safe surfing, shopping and searching on the web.
- Secunia Personal Software Inspector (PSI) -- Secunia PSI is a FREE security tool designed to detect vulnerable and out-dated programs and plug-ins which expose your PC to attacks. Attacks exploiting vulnerable programs and plug-ins are rarely blocked by traditional anti-virus and are therefore increasingly "popular" among criminals.
The only solution to block these kind of attacks is to apply security updates, commonly referred to as patches. Patches are offered free-of-charge by most software vendors, however, finding all these patches is a tedious and time consuming task. Secunia PSI automates this and alerts you when your programs and plug-ins require updating to stay secure.
- hpHosts -- hpHOSTS is a community managed hosts file. What that means to you is that you have a key role to play in improving hpHOSTS by submitting undesirable sites you think should be listed or by requesting removal of sites you think may have been added in error. This process is performed in the hpHosts public forums and all decisions to add or remove sites are subject to public criticism and ongoing re-evaluation.
- Sandboxie -- Sandboxie runs your programs in an isolated space which prevents them from making permanent changes to other programs and data in your computer..
- Spyware Blaster -- Blocks malicious ActiveX installs by implementing a kill bit to prevent those ActiveX programs with known CLSIDs from being executed.
- 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! Definitely recommended!
- FamilyShield Powered by OpenDNS -- The single easiest way to keep your kids safe online – and away from adult websites – on your home Internet for free. No software to install.
Choose FamilyShield if you're looking for a quick, no-fuss way to protect your children from adult content online for free. Choose OpenDNS Basic if you'd like a more customizable alternative – you can block or unblock lots of other types of sites, see reports on how your family uses your Internet connection, and more. OpenDNS Basic offers everything FamilyShield does, and it's also free, but it requires a few extra setup and customization steps.
- 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 to Disable
- 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.
- If you are still using Internet Explorer 6 update immediately. IE6 is not a secure browser, nor is it standards compliant.
Get Internet Explorer 8 Here . . .
- Consider the use of an alternate Browser, such as Firefox, Google Chrome, or Opera, which are not susceptible to the same vulnerabilites of Internet Explorer.
Get Firefox Here . . .
Get Google Chrome Here . . .
Go Here For Opera . . .
- If you have Oracle Java it is important that you keep it updated to the latest version. Do that here http://www.java.com/. 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.
- If you have Adobe Reader it is important that you keep it updated to the latest version. Do that here http://get.adobe.com/reader/.
- If you have Adobe Flash Player it is important that you keep it updated to the latest version. Do that here http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/.
- Keep the software on your system up-to-date.
Additionally, you should be wary of security 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:
Lavasoft Malware Lab's Rogue Gallery
While I have found that nothing can guarantee that your machine will remain malware-free, the above are definitely steps in the right direction!
 You may not reproduce this article in whole or part without the express permission of the author and MalwareTeks.
REVISED: July 19th, 2010
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The following are some tips to help avoid malware infection. While nothing can guarantee 100% that you will not become infected, the tips listed below will go a long way toward safeguarding your computer from many of the evils lurking in the shadows of the Internet.
