How to get rid of spyware and cookies Spy ware removal, cookie cleaning and general habits you should form every time you get off the Internet. (Also click here on how to prevent modem hijacking)

Based on the latest published tests, therefore, the best four products for comprehensive protection against hackers are a Linksys hardware firewall, the ZoneAlarm Security Suite, and CounterSpy antispyware, as well as keep your Microsoft Windows Updated.     For small-office Wi-Fi networking, the most affordable secure firewall is the Linksys Wireless-G WRT54G router (left, about $55 USD street) or DLINK.  To cover more than a few adjacent rooms, consider the Linksys WRT54GX ($160), which doubles the usual "g" range. Be sure to enable WPA or WPA2, either of which provide strong Wi-Fi security. (The older WEP is worthless.) For SOHO wired networking, a top-rated model is the 4-port Linksys BEFSX41 router ($65). All of these devices are PC Magazine Editors' Choice winners and support stateful packet inspection (SPI), an essential security feature.   ZoneAlarm Security Suite (left, $60) holds PC Magazine's Editors' Choice as the best all-in-one software firewall, antivirus program, and antispam filter. PC World also named the security suite as No. 11 in its "100 Best Products of 2005" awards. With ZoneAlarm Security Suite, produced by Zone Labs, there's no longer any reason to purchase separate antivirus, antispam, and software-firewall applications. .Kaspersky or Trend Micro Antivirus. Contact Tom for more Information. Sunbelt Software CounterSpy 1.0 (left, $20) is the most effective remover of spyware for individual PC users, according to reviews in Laptop Magazine and multiple rounds of tests by PC World. When used with the free HijackThis program, PC World says the two apps caught 100% of the unwanted malware. (HijackThis is an advanced program that's supported by free technical forums.) For small to medium businesses, Sunbelt CounterSpy Enterprise ($255 for 10 machines) is top-rated by both eWeek and Windows IT Pro as a centrally managed program

When finished off the Internet, close Internet Explorer, but then right click the Internet Explorer icon on your desktop and select properties.  If you don't have IE showing, then open up Internet Explorer again, select TOOLS and then Internet Options.  Under the General Tab, Temporary Internet Files section, click DELETE COOKIES and then OK.  Then select DELETE FILES, and then OK.  Finally click CLEAR HISTORY and OK. Click OK to close the window.

DO this every time you come off online purchases on banking!

To make your computer run faster, click the SETTINGS button that you saw beside DELETE COOKIES and DELETE FILES.  Make it only 12MG in size.  Also resize your RECYCLE BIN.  Right Click on your RECYCLE BIN, Properties, and move the slider to 1%.

Scandisk and Defragment your computer.
1. Double click on MY COMPUTER, then right click on your C: drive, select PROPERTIES.
2. Click on TOOLS tab
3. Click on Scandisk for Win98, or ERROR CHECK in 2K/XP. Check only the standard scan, not full or thorough.  It will tell you it will do an ERROR Check on next reboot.  Reboot and let it run.
4. Go back and do steps 1-2 and now select Defragment Hard drive.  (You can also do this via Right Click MY COMPUTER and pick MANAGE.

Do the above once a month at least.

Windows 98:
1. Open Windows Explorer
2. Go to C:\Windows\Cookies - make sure it is showing on the left column.
Delete everything in the right hand column of your screen. One file cannot
be deleted "index.dat". This is ok.
3. Go to C:\Windows\Temp - same thing, highlight (CNTL+A) everything on the
right hand column/side of your screen. Delete.
4. Go to C:\Windows\Temporary Internet Explorer highlight (CNTL+A)
everything on the right hand column/side of your screen. Delete.
5. Close Windows Explorer
6. Right click on Internet Explorer on your desktop/ click Properties
7. Delete Cookies, Temporary Internet Files, (check the box for off line
files also), Settings set to 12 MB.
8. Clear History
9. Right click on Recycle Bin/Properties, set to 1%.

Other tips:

- It goes without saying in having updated anti-virus on your computer (whether or not you click on the attachment doesn't protect you. Some email
virus codes propagate as soon as they hit the mailbox).
- Do not have the "Preview Pane" open in Outlook and Express (View/Preview Pane, Uncheck.)
- Get updated versions of the freely available Windows patches and service packs, http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp
- Remove all "free downloading" programs like Kazaa, Download.com, Rocket, Warez and so on, because reputable repair companies will tell you there is no warranty given for work done if these programs reside on the machines.
 

Get These Programs:

- CounterSpy anti spyware program.  One of the best products out there.
http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/CounterSpy.cfm

- AD AWARE 6 spy ware killer
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/ - left column, Support/Downloads, pick Standard Edition, but you should purchase a version for full protection.

- SPY BOT spy ware killer
http://www.safer-networking.org/ - don't forget to at least donate $10 to this guy as he is giving this product away for free!

- PANIC WARE - pop up stopper
http://www.panicware.com/popupstopper.html  - right column, click on the FreeVersion
This kills all pop up and pop under programs.
To get a pop up window to work, say a legit link, hold CNTL then click on the link.

Antivirus Program:
Trend Micro PC-Cillin 2005
- http://www.trendmicro.com or contact me for special deals on this product
Kaspersky
- http://www.kaspersky.com/store?AID=1110836&PID=1227513

- FREE ONLINE VIRUS CHECKER - if you can't afford to update your antivirus for some reason, you can use these:

http://www.avast.com/eng/down_home.html
http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php 
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ 

Cheers, Tom

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T.I.McLaughlin, b-admin, mcse, a+, net+ (mct, ccna, linux, solaris)
Making learning fun again!
Visit: http://www.tomax7.com
Remember to Smile :-) God Loves You!
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