Lambskin for Windows

A couple days ago I had a friend contract an evil wicked virus from a terrible cesspool of bile, known only as MySpace.com. I lent a limited hand and gave some advice over Instant Messenger on how to clean up the mess being made by the browser gremlins.

Well it got me thinking about all the preventative steps I go through to make certain that I get infected as infrequently as possible. I have a number of steps that I follow each time I reinstall a computer, and if I think I have a bug up my chimney. I figured I should share it with you – just in case you don’t know some of the tools out there that are designed just for plugging your Windows holes.

These may not be the same thing a security specialist would recommend, but I get infected with MAYBE one virus every 18 months… if that. So I’m doing something right.

NOTE: All my tips are quite seriously free. The applications I mention are all available for free downloads (sometimes with options to upgrade for a fee) and work well as-is.

Antivirus Software
First things first. If you want to make sure that you don’t get viruses – don’t volunteer yourself or your browser as a welcome mat. Be a smart internet surfer and stay away from downloading miscellaneous ActiveX controls, screensavers, and crap from untrusted sites. Don’t open emails from people you don’t know. Do I mean just the attachments? No – if you don’t know they sender, why open it? Trust me, there are no millions of dollars waiting for you in Nigeria. I promise.

Get yourself a good antivirus program that can keep your machine clean and perform regular scans for threats. A decent program to use is Avast! Avast! is a free product that does a good enough job of keeping your knickers out of the crease of your butt. I personally use the Full Notorn/Symatec System 2007 software – which is a subscription based program and service – but I got a good deal on it at the time (and it came packed with several system tools I liked).

Avast! – http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html

If you think you already have a virus and want to scan for proof, or just want a second opinion, TrendMicro has a good application that can run in your browser and check your system. You have to let it install a browser control to grant it access, or download a Java Application so it can do its thing. I personally use this on servers our company maintains when I am troubleshooting and suspect foul play.

TrendMicro Housecall – http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Adware, Spyware and Malware
Call it what you want, but those persistent applications that install themselves onto your computer when you thought all you were doing was installing Smash-a-mole or some Porn Dialer. Yeah, chances are you actually gave it carte blanche permission to load and run whenever it wants. These applications may just serve pop-ups, or make bigger holes in your system for other malicious stuff to come in, or even send private data or surfing habits back home to momma.

I use three different applications to check my system routinely:

Adaware is a nifty little program, and was the first one I ever used to clean my computers back in the day. It does a remarkable job and remains my favorite – out of loyalty I guess. It has an auto update feature and nice user interface. I use two additional programs, because well you can’t put all your eggs into one basket.

Adaware – http://www.lavasoft.com/products/ad-aware_se_personal.php

Spybot Search and Destroy is a program that was recommended to me by a systems admin. It too has an update feature, as well as an immunize button that they claim inoculates your PC kind of. I am not certain of that – but I’m still bug-free.

Spybot Search and Destroy – http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html

Also recommended to me was SpywareBlaster. Both of these apps are scanning programs and although they do have some real time protection features, they are great as simple monthly tools. In some cases I have seen systems bog down with all the extra checking and monitoring when they are set to “live assistance” – but to each his own.

SpywareBlaster – http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/sbdownload.html

Again, these are preventative tools that I personally use about once a month to assure me that I am clean of nasties. They can also be used reactionary to clean off any bugs you suspect or know about.

Firewalls
After they are installed, you’ll probably find that you forget it is even running in the background. They are silent little guardsmen watching your ports for the evil that lurks in some people’s pants… and stuff. Depending on how you set it up, you may see security messages each time a program tries to communicate to or from your PC. I have mine set so that I only get notified when incoming traffic on unused ports are pinged or scanned.

Opening your control panel may be an entirely different story. Mine currently says that it has blocked 309 access attempts. That’s 309 potential people or bots trying to commandeer my computer. “Just say no, to thugs.”

I used to use Sygate’s personal firewall but I see they have been bought-out by Symantec, and they don’t give anything away. I currently use ZoneAlarm Personal Firewall – which works just great. The only pain about a firewall on a PC is that you have to teach it what is good traffic and what is bad traffic. Each first attempt to communicate, either way (in or out) it will ask you for permission for it to conduct that communication. You can then let it know who you trust, and who you don’t.

ZoneAlarm – http://www.zonealarm.com

Other System Tools
I also use this great little program called WinPatrol, or Scotty the Watchdog. The free version of this app I use primarily to watch my startup applications and settings. Whenever a new program is added to my startup items, it asks if I actually want it to be there. Nothing like not thinking your computer just installed something – and them Scotty pops up, barks, and says “DUDE you sure about this?”… Thanks Scotty.

Ever notice your computer is booting MEGA slow? Mine does, or used too. Scotty helps keep those unwanted apps out of your startup and not to start unless you ask them too. Its worth the install to me.

WinPatrol – http://www.winpatrol.com/download.html

Finally on my list of tools is Windows Defender. It comes in Service Pack 2 for Windows XP (I think) and does routine checks for you. I think it works like Adaware, but it also checks to see that you ARE protected by Antivirus programs and have been updating your Windows for any Security Updates that have been released. It bugs me sometimes with its automatic running and scanning when it wants – but I have had an occasional glitch where my antivirus was turned off – and it caught it for me. I like having my butt covered.

Well that’s about it. This may have been a mega boring blog for a lot of you – but if any of this info or programs can save anyone from any trouble… then my work here is done. Happy Surfing!