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After having a particularly horrible bout with viruses or spware you may have installed
all the recommended products. More likely than not, you solved the problem only to be
given a new one. Now your computer runs much slower than before and you’re unable to
access many of your favorite websites. There is a way for your computer to be
secure and fully functional. |
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Around 2000-01 spyware* entered the scene and quickly began to rival
viruses as the biggest security threat to our lives and computers.
Spyware found it particularly easy to enter through internet explorer
or through tool bars, applets or add-ons to internet explorer. Once in,
bad cases of spyware would add registry keys that were often next to
impossible to find and delete. A few companies came quickly to the
forefront to combat spyware and pop-ups with now well-known names like
Spysweeper,
Adaware,
Pop-up Cop, and
Pest Patrol.
They found a niche that the big companies (Symantec, Mcafee, Trend Micro)
weren’t so quick to jump into. Mozilla offered Firefox,
a toned down web browser that couldn’t take many of the applets and add-ons
that Internet Explorer could. Many techs considered Firefox more secure and
because it's free, began installing it on business computers all over the
country. Microsoft quickly responded by producing service
pack 2 for XP which included an updated version of Internet Explorer which had
a built in pop-up blocker and better default settings so that the little
nasties were stopped before they got in the door. SP2 also updated the Windows
firewall so that it worked better with programs installed on the computer.
It didn’t take long for Symantec and the others to incorporate firewalls,
pop-up blockers, antispam software and spyware protection into their new editions.
Then enter Dell, who leads the way in packaging Antivirus software with 3 free months of virus
definitions in new (home, not business) computers. Some new computers come with your
choice of Mcafee and Norton, both already pre-installed and already causing conflicts. |
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So let’s look at an average network today, say a small business has three or four computers.
How many firewalls do they have? Well, they have a router, which is also a firewall so that’s 1.
Then, if they have SP2 then they have the windows firewall for a total of 2.
If they’ve installed Norton Internet Security then they have 3. They may even have 4 or more
if they have other products installed. With that many firewalls, there’s bound to be conflicts
like blocked sites or programs that won’t work.
Now how many Pop-up blockers do they have. Well,if they have SP2 then Internet Explorer has
a built in pop-up blocker (1).
Norton internet security
also blocks pop-ups (2). Tool bars like
Yahoo! Toolbar (3) and
Google toolbar (4)
both block pop-ups. Again the possibility for conflict is pretty high.
What about antivirus and anti-spyware programs? Antivirus and Anti-spyware programs need full access
to the computer to run their scans so if you have two or more programs on the same computer,
(Mcafee, Norton, Spysweeper, etc.) then because they're all fighting for control
again the potential for conflict is high. |
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You need at least one firewall, however two firewalls, one hardware and one software,
are a good idea. If you have a router, you’ve got the hardware firewall down. I recommend
that you use Windows built in software firewall, which now runs with few problems.
Open Control Panel, click on Windows Firewall and turn it on. Check the exceptions tab and
notice what programs are allowed through the firewall. On install, windows usually asks you
if you want to allow an exception for the program. If the program is already installed you
may have to allow an exception for the program to work correctly.
What about pop-up blockers? Turn off all the pop-up blockers except one. I usually go with
Internet Explorer’s pop-up blocker, but if you like your tool bar then turn off the pop-up
blocker in Internet Explorer by opening I.E and clicking on Tools/Internet Options/Privacy
and uncheck the Block Pop-ups checkbox.
What about Spyware and viruses? I recommend Norton Antivirus 2006 (not Norton Internet Security).
Norton Antivirus 2006
catches both viruses and spyware, but doesn’t have all the extra redundant security that is already taken care of
by I.E. and SP2. Before you install it, be sure to uninstall all other editions of Norton, Mcafee, Spysweeper etc. After the programs are fully uninstalled, delete the related folders out of the program files folder on the C drive. Then install Norton Antivirus 2006. This is the best way to avoid conflcts on install.
What about Spam? I recommend using
Outlook 2003’s junkmail filter,
if you can afford to upgrade to Office 2003. Or get to the root of the problem and take
your e-mail addresses off the internet and out off of as many mass mailers as possible*.
Also develop a junkmail address that you use for online orders etc.
I have three e-mail addresses, one for close friends, one for business and one for junkmail.
* Spyware are programs that come down from the internet with the sole intention of monitoring
what you do on the internet in order to send you advertisements. Bad cases of
spyware, like viruses, can freeze your computer. The majority of spyware is legal and enters
as soon as you click that I Agree button.
Spyware, like viruses, can also be used by identity theives.
** Don’t respond to those mailers, call up the person or company if possible and ask to be
taken off their list. Responding will only guarantee that your e-mail address is good and they’ll
send you more. |
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| Systems Optimization ensures that your network is Reliable, Secure, and Fast! |
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| See what the Techs say about what and where to buy. |
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| Some Do-It-Yourself Tips for maintaining, repairing and troubleshooting your computer. |
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