If your computer is running Microsoft Windows XP and you are using email and/or surfing the internet,
it's essential to use secure your computer and protect your data. It takes some time and effort to secure your computer, but if you don't take precautions, you will have problems. Period. You may even lose all of your data. So, here's what you need to do:
Use
a firewall.
Use antivirus software.
Prevent spyware and adware.
Use a pop-up blocker in your browser.
Keep Windows XP and all other Microsoft
products updated.
Create System Restore points.
The programs I recommend on this page are free. You must keep these programs updated in order for them to be effective.
Click here for Update instructions. Microsoft has released their own firewall and spyware removal tools
and there are others available, but I use the programs listed here
and have had no problems.
Step 1
Make a folder on your desktop (or in My Documents) and call it Security.
This is where you will keep your downloaded programs.
When you have completed the necessary steps to download a program and receive the File Download Security Warning prompting you to Run or Save
this file, choose Save. In the top box, where
it says Save In:, click on the arrow to the right of the drop-down menu and choose
Desktop (or My Documents), or wherever you created your Security file. Then, in the big box,
double-click on Security. Note the file name at the bottom of the box.
Firewall
If you don't use a firewall, attackers can find and attack your computer within 15 minutes of connecting to the internet. If you use an "always-on" form of internet access, such as satellite, cable modem or DSL, it's especially
important that you install a firewall.
Firewalls come in two forms: hardware and software. A hardware-based firewall is usually a router, or a personal computer that's been tweaked to act as a firewall
to the rest of your home network. For the majority of internet users a software firewall is sufficient. There are many firewalls available, for free or by paid subsription. Windows XP includes it's own firewall, however, it does not provide outgoing protection. I recommend
Zone Alarm.
The free edition is sufficient for home users.
Zone Alarm
Firewall
To download Zone Alarm,
click here.
Click on the Download Now button and follow any prompts to download.
After installing the program, be sure to choose the free version, not Pro.
Zone Alarm is easy to use, the program includes a tutorial.
The important thing to remember is, in the Program Control,
Never allow ANY program to accept connections from the internet or act as a Server. Doing so leaves your computer vulnerable to hackers. If an alert comes up with any program wanting to
accept connections from the internet, or act as a server, check the box to
Remember This Setting and click on Deny.
After the program is installed, a box will come up asking if
you'd like to run a system scan. This is not necessary, Zone Alarm is a
great program, but they would like you to buy their products instead of using
the free version, so this scan will always find problems, and offer products for
you to buy
to fix them.
Once in awhile, open Zone Alarm and check the Programs (Program Control, Programs
tab) and make certain that all of the items in both the server columns are blocked. If you see any item in the
Server column with a checkmark, click on it and choose
Block.
If you use Zone Alarm or any other firewall, you
need to disable the built-in Windows Firewall so that the two don't conflict and
create problems. To disable the Windows Firewall:
1.
Go to Start, Control Panel.
2. Double Click on Windows
Firewall.
3. Choose the radio button Off.
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Anti-Virus
AVG Anti-virus is a good program, I've used it for years and
have never gotten a virus. To download the free version,
click here.
Click on the Download Now button. Save this file to your Security folder. There is also other documentation available if you want to download it.
When the program first runs, just make
sure you update it.
The
new versions of AVG will update automatically every day. Even on dialup,
this works ok, but if you want, to update manually,
click here for instructions.
I do not like the window that comes up when emails are being scanned. To disable this,
double-click on the AVG Icon in the System Tray in the lower right corner of
the screen near the clock. Double click on Email
Scanner. On the next screen uncheck the box: Display notification window
while email is being scanned, then click on Save Changes.
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Spyware and Adware Prevention
If you surf the internet, your Windows XP computer will get spyware and adware
installed without your knowlege or consent. If you,
or anyone else using your computer, share files or do instant messaging, you'll get spyware and adware even faster.
The best defense against spyware and adware is not to download it in the first place.
Here are few helpful tips that can help protect your computer from downloading potentially dangerous programs:
Download programs only from websites you trust.
Read all security warnings, license agreements, and privacy statements associated with any downloads.
Never click Agree or OK to close a window. Instead, click the red X in the upper-right corner of the window or press Alt+F4 on your keyboard to close a window.
Be cautious about using music and movie file-sharing programs, and be sure you clearly understand all of the software packaged with those programs.
Install the anti-spyware program
Spyware
Blaster and keep updated.
No matter how careful you are, you will
eventually end up with some sort of spyware and need to delete it.
You should download and install the following anti-spyware
programs and run them at least once a month. I
recommend two programs, as Ad-Aware may find items that
Spybot - Search and Destroy does not, and vice-versa.
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Spyware Blaster
To download Spyware Blaster,
click here. Click on the download link, and on the next page, choose a download location and follow the prompts to download and save to your Security folder.
After installing this program, click on Updates, then click on Check for Updates. After the updates are downloaded and installed, click on
Enable Protection for all Unprotected Items. This is all you need to do for this program, other than keeping it updated.
Ad-Aware
To download Ad-Aware click here. On the left side of the screen, click on Ad-Aware Personal.
Click on Download Now. You will be redirected to a 3rd Party mirror site. Follow the prompts to download and save to your Security folder.
Run this program weekly at first. If you don't have any problems, after awhile you can go to monthly.
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Spybot Search and Destroy
To download this program,
click here.
Click on the Download Here link, and on the next page, choose a download location and follow the prompts to download and save to your Security folder.
The first time the program runs, it will bring you through some setup steps. Just do everything it says, including updates.
When all the updates have loaded, click on Immunize on the left hand side of the screen. Click on Immunize at the top of the screen.
To run the scan, click on Search and Destroy on the left hand side of the screen, if it is not already there. Then click on Check for problems. The program will scan your computer, this will take awhile.
When the scan is finished, the screen will show the results. Click on
Select All in the menu at the top of the screen. Then click on Fix selected problems. In the box that comes up after the System Restore point is created, click
Yes. When it has finished, close the program.
Sometimes Spybot will not be able to fix a problem and will ask if you want it to run on the next boot. If this happens, say yes, then restart the computer.
Run this program weekly at first. If you don't have any problems, after awhile you can go to monthly.
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Pop-up Blocker
There is a Pop-up Blocker in Internet Explorer
6. You use this by clicking
Tools, Pop-up Blocker, Turn on Pop-up Blocker.
Using the default settings will block most pop-ups, you
don't want to block all of them, as there are many websites
that legitimately use them. Most other browsers
nowdays include some form of a built-in pop-up blocker.
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Windows/Microsoft Updates
Click here for instructions on Windows and Microsoft Updates.
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Create System Restore Points
Windows XP does not automatically backup the registry daily like Windows 98 did. While it’s not necessary to create a daily restore point, it’s a good idea to create one once a week or so. Especially when things are going well! System Restore is found here: Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Restore. When the program opens, select Create a Restore Point. In the next window, type Manual Checkpoint. When it’s finished click Close.
