Posts tagged XP

Computer Virus or Spyware? Try this first!

If you suspect your computer has become infected by a virus or spyware program (sluggish performance, pop-up windows, internet search takes you to an unknown site etc.) following the steps outlined below may save you some time and money. Simply running the programs listed below could correct the problem(s). If additional help is needed, the programs listed will generate reports you can submit here for more precise removal instructions.  

If you feel your computer is infected and/or a program below confirms it you should NOT continue to use your computer for online banking or other sensitive operations such as logging into your work computer. Many infections include programs that track and record your keystrokes! Things like account info and passwords are highly sought after on the “black market”.

Download, Install, Scan instructions After installing and updating each one, Do the Scan to clean in SAFE MODE, offline with IE closed How to start the computer in Safe mode Windows 98: »support.microsoft.com/kb/180902 Windows XP: »support.microsoft.com/kb/315222 Windows Vista: »windowshelp.microsoft.com/Window···033.mspx Copy the instructions in the link above for easy use in safemode since you will not be able to access online information. (Note: Safe Mode with Networking is not recommended) Copy any other instructions you need to operate the programs you are using so you More >
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Virus scanning recommendations – Microsoft Windows OS

For computers that are running Windows Server 2003, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7 source: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822158

Do not scan the following files and folders. These files are not at risk of infection. If you scan these files, serious performance problems may occur because of file locking. Where a specific set of files is identified by name, exclude only those files instead of the whole folder. Sometimes, the whole folder must be excluded. Do not exclude any one of these based on the file name extension. For example, do not exclude all files that have a .dit extension. Microsoft has no control over other files that may use the same extensions as the following files.

  • Microsoft Windows Update or Automatic Update related files
    • The Windows Update or Automatic Update database file. This file is located in the following folder: %windir%\SoftwareDistribution\Datastore

      Exclude the Datastore.edb file.

    • The transaction log files. These files are located in the following folder: %windir%\SoftwareDistribution\Datastore\Logs

      Exclude the following files:

      • Edb*.log

        Note The wildcard character indicates that there may be several files.

      • Res1.log. The file is named Edbres00001.jrs for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.
      • Res2.log. The file is named Edbres00002.jrs for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.
      • Edb.chk
      • Tmp.edb
    • You want to add the following files in the %windir%\security More >
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Are you using one of the Top Ten most common passwords?

PC Magazine has compiled a list of the 10 most commonly used passwords by computer users today. Some are understandable – like numbers 1, 2 and 3 (see below) – while others (such as 6 and 9) are just plain odd.

Here’s the Top 10 list of most commonly used computer passwords:

1. password

2. 123456

3. qwerty

4. abc123

5. letmein

6. monkey

7. myspace 1

8. password 1

9. blink182

10. (your first name)

If you have any of these, change them immediately.

Computer experts agree you shouldn’t use the same password for everything. Ff a malicious type figures it out, they can do some serious damage, especially when it comes to online banking (uploading a picture of a pig wearing a fedora as your Facebook profile, however, is relatively harmless).

It’s also recommended to use a combination of letters and numbers that would be virtually impossible to guess, such as “w8llpap6r” and refrain from writing these down on pieces of paper or in a document on your PC (e.g. mypasswords.doc).

http://www.sync-blog.com/sync/2008/05/top-10-most-com.html

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Securing Windows XP

  1. Visit Windows Update: Make sure that you have all the Critical Updates recommended for your operating system and Internet Explorer. This includes SP1, SP2 and Sp3 if you use Windows XP. The first defense against infection is a properly patched Operating System. 
    • Windows Update: Windows Update
    • If you have Word, Excel, Outlook or other Office programs installed. Consider using Microsoft Update instead of Windows Update. See the FAQ page here for more information: Microsoft Update 
  2. Also, download and install Microsoft Baseline Analyzer. (Note that MBSA is only for Win 2000 SP3 or later and Office XP or later) When run, it will check system for security exposures, including missing updates. I suggest running it weekly. You can obtain more information here: MS Baseline Analyzer
  3. Adjust your security settings for ActiveX: Select Internet Options from the Control Panels, or from Internet Explorer (Tools -> Internet Options) Press ‘default level’, then OK Now press “Custom Level.” 
    • In the ActiveX controls and plug-ins section set these options: ‘Download signed ActiveX controls’ – Prompt ‘Download unsigned ActiveX controls’ – Disable ‘Initialize and script ActiveX controls not maked as safe’- Disable All other options accept the default 
  4. For Windows XP SP2+ users, check this link for additional steps you can take to secure Internet More >
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