How To: Virus and Spyware Protection - Overclock.net

Bdog · 05-16-06

What to use to protect yourself from Viruses, trojans, spyware and other forms of malware.
And where to find that protection.

A Windows XP computer experiences an average safe period of 26 minutes on the Internet before hackers identify it as vulnerable, according to the SANS Institute, a cooperative Internet security organization.
Before you do anything on the internet...

You need protection which will you will use to detect, delete and protect from malware to keep your computer running fast smooth and secure.

You detect with: Anti Virus, Anti Spyware and Firewall
You delete with: Anti Virus and Anti Spyware
You protect with: Anti Virus, Anti Spyware and Firewall
You always keep updated your Windows, Anti Virus, Anti Spyware and Firewall

There are many software tools you can use to protect your computer.
I have installed these programs on many systems and have had great results.
Most are free, cost is $0-$40

* AntiVir: http://www.free-av.com/
AntiVirus: Works well, not as easy to use as AVG.

* AVG: http://free.grisoft.com
AntiVirus: Grisoft software. Includes email scanner. Simple self installer and free virus definition updates. Free to use for personal use.

* NOD32: http://www.eset.com/
AntiVirus: Can find viruses that others can't. Not as easy to use as the others.

* Avast: http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html
AntiVirus: Another popular anitivirus known to work. Not as easy as AVG.

* Adaware: http://www.lavasoft.de/
AntiSpyware: Scans your RAM, registry, hard drives, and external storage devices for known data-mining, advertising, and tracking components.

* Windows Defender: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en
AntiSpyware: Helps protect your computer against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware and other unwanted software. It features Real-Time Protection, a monitoring system that recommends actions against spyware when it's detected.

* Spybot: http://spybot.safer-networking.de/
AntiSpyware: Spybot Search and Destroy searches your hard drive for so-called spy- or adbots; that is, little modules that are responsible for the ads many programs display. Many of these modules also transmit information, including your surfing behavior on the Internet. If it finds such modules, it can remove them. In most cases the host still runs fine after removing the spyware/adware.

* SpySweeper: http://www.webroot.com/consumer/downloads/
AntiSpyware: Works well, it can find problems other anti spywares don't.

* Zone Alarm: http://www.zonelabs.com/store/conten...=en&lid=nav_za
Firewall: ZoneAlarm is designed to protect your DSL- or cable-connected PC from hackers. This program includes four interlocking security services: a firewall, an application control, an Internet lock, and Zones. The firewall controls the door to your computer and allows only traffic you understand and initiate. The application control allows you to decide which applications can and cannot use the Internet.

* Windows Firewall: Comes with SP2
Firewall: Doesn't work as well but is easier to use than Zone Alarm.

* SpamFighter: http://www.spamfighter.com/
SPAMfighter uses the power of a very large community of people that instantly report if they receive a spam mail. When several people have reported the same spam mail, it's automatically filtered for the rest of the community.

You can also find most of this and other software at CNET Download: http://www.download.com.

I also use Eudora http://www.eudora.com/email/index.html for email and Firefox http://www.mozilla.com/ for web browsing as they are less susceptible to hacking exploits compared to Outlook and Explorer. I am most familiar with these applications but there are other software tools that work well too. Even so, none of them is perfect. I run 3 antispywares on my computer to catch what the other antispywares missed. And it is possible I might still pick up an infection. It can get to the point that all you can do is erase, format and reinstall your software. Arrgh!

Backing up your data very important, since it is likely one of these days your computer will go down. You have all kinds of files on your computer. Files like lists, preferences, email, bookmarks, images, music, and movies you want to keep safe.

When you run into major problems you will have to run your antispywares and antivirus multiple times to eradicate stubborn infections.
And then a good reg cleaning to make sure.

1. Update your Windows operating system.
2. Run a firewall.
3. Run antivirus.
4. Run at least 2 antispyware.
5. Update your Antivirus and Antispyware. (Update daily.)
6. Scan. (Scan minimum once a week.)
7. Back-up your data. (Back-up once a week.)

A few more links to other OC Malware FAQS:
http://www.overclock.net/faqs/100165...e-trojans.html
http://www.overclock.net/faqs/20952-...s-trojans.html
http://www.overclock.net/faqs/45096-...antivirus.html
http://www.overclock.net/faqs/18804-...-why-do-i.html