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Due mainly to the global success of the Microsoft operating system, it is most susceptible to cyber attacks such as viruses, spyware, and malware.
We at Harmony Service did a test: We hooked up a brand new Windows XP system to a broadband internet connection without virus software or system updates and without any programs running. After about 3 minutes, unusual Internet Explorer pop-up windows started to appear. After about 10 minutes, the computer shut down suddenly. On restart, the pop-ups continued and the system eventually froze. We managed to install virus software after this and found 16 "trojans" (a type of virus), 22 "viruses," and certain types of "spyware."
Results may vary in such a test, but the moral of the story is clear: If you use Windows and are connected to the internet in any way, you must protect yourself completely.
Luckily, this isn't that difficult and takes only a bit of due diligence. But make no mistake, these steps are absolutely mandatory with Microsoft Windows.
If you have just purchased a new computer, do the following:
1. Get connected to the internet.
2. Locate your anti-virus software on your system (usually McAfee or Norton Antivirus) and open it.
3. Follow the instructions to register the product and then immediately click the "update" button ("Live Update" in Norton and "Update" in McAfee). This will connect the program to the internet and update the software so that it can protect you from the latest threats.
4. Set your virus software to be updated at least every 14 days automatically and then double check that it is getting updated.
5. Now open Internet Explorer and go to the following website:
http://www.windowsupdate.com
6. Follow the instructions on the site to check for operating system updates. Then install every update available.
7. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until there are no updates left to install.
8. Repeat steps 4 - 6 at least once a month or set your system to automatically update your system software. This can be found in your start menu, settings, control panel.
The other basic steps you can take to keep your system secure requires behavior modification:
a. Be careful what you download and install. Be sure to scan any download with your virus scanner.
b. Make sure your virus scanner has an email scanner and have it set to automatically scan your email.
c. If pop-ups begin to appear more often, run a virus scan on your entire system and follow the instructions on how to remove viruses.
d. Don't use spyware removal software. We've found that these sorts of software tend to attract spyware.
e. If an advertising pop-up appears asking you to install anything or check anything on your system, don't click anywhere on that window. Rather, click once on the red X on that window. Many pop-ups have scripts built in to install software if you click the "ok," "cancel," "continue," etc., buttons.
f. Use a more secure web browser like FireFox and a better email client like Thunderbird (both available at mozilla.org). Many attackers seek out the weaknesses of Internet Explorer and Outlook.
If you've had your computer for a while, feel your system has been compromised, or your free virus subscription has expired (usually new computers come with free virus software for only 1 year then requires payment to keep the software working), do the following:
1. If you can get online, go directly to a safe free online virus scan like:
http://housecall.trendmicro.com
Follow the instructions and run the scan on all hard drives. Let it automatically clean any viruses.
2. Go to the Start menu/Settings/Control Panel and click Add/Remove programs.
3. Look for your old virus software, click on it and all it's parts and click "Add/Remove." You want to select the "Remove" or "Uninstall" option. When your virus software is removed, you will have to restart your computer.
4. Now you need to get online and find free antivirus software to install. If you are not a business/non-profit/school you can go to:
http://www.grisoft.com
and download the great and free version of AVG. Install the software and update it. Set it's scheduler to update the software every 14 days.
5. Now follow steps 5-8 above to update your operating system software using windowsupdate.com. Also, read the behavior modifications above.
6. If all these steps don't help and you still get pop-ups out of control, unusual freezing, or shutting down, you will be best off backing up your important data, reformatting your hard drive and reinstalling your operating system clean. This can be a tricky process and you may want to seek professional help. If this is the case, please email us at support at harmonyservice.com and we'll help you find a competent cheap repair service in your area. Of course, if you do reinstall Windows, you'll need to follow the steps in this How To from the beginning or you may end up with the same problems. In certain cases, dropping Windows all together is a reasonable security option. Linux is coming on strong in the desktop operating system world, check it out! |
