This stuff put together by paul4 and with additions by Simon Moxley - neither of us are experts, I just have informed opinions, and Simon has 25 years
experience in the IT Industry. We agree in the main but don't necessarily do things exactly the same way.
There is not one set of advice that will be the be all and end all. If you are happy with what you use then fine. These are our own personal views, reforumlated due to recent increases in problems experienced according to support forums, and it's what I do on my own computers. Others may have varied opinions, fine.
These morsels of advice are for those with Windows XP and XP Home.
Windows and Java updates :
Ensure your Windows is up to date - use Windows Update - either automatic or manual as is your choice
Regarding manual MS$ Update - with IE disabled/uninstalled, the only way to manually activate an update is to do it via help/support -> Windows Update - this is one option (Simon's preference)
Another option, and this is my (paul4's) preference - IE is enabled but is ONLY used for the update process, setting and restrictions apply to any other sites.
Also, ensure your Java is up to date - http://www.java.com/en/download/installed.jsp and/or http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp
Other updates :
I disable automatic update mechanisms for programs including Firefox (and other browsers), Adobe ....... in fact for all programs I have and use, if I want to see if there are any updates I'd rather check myself.
Guarding against viruses, malware etc :
I used to be easy. Run Ad-Aware & Spybot and job done! It used to be thought ok to entrust the care and health of your computer to single program, but recent events relating to malware/spyware have suggested all is not well with this strategy.
If you think you have a problem you might want to try (but ONLY if you have a fast'ish broadband connection) this Online scanner (but it takes ages and ages) it is http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
This online virus scanner is good (housecall) - and can also be run in safe mode (with networking), but to run this, obviously, you need to have a network connection, and a browser that works (hasn't been hijacked)
anti-Malware programs - recommended all 3, one after another of course, and to use default settings is ok
http://www.malwarebytes.org/
http://www.superantispyware.com/
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
anti-Virus programs
try http://free.avg.com/
Regarding Anti-Virus - you're only as good as your last update/signature file - therefore it's imperative to keep the AV updated - We also recommend running a daily scan (usually at night) & check the results in the morning. AVG 8 is good, as is Kaspersky. Avoid Norton.
If you are caught with a virus, one of the first things to do is disable system restore - since the virus will replicate itself using this loophole.
Boot into safe mode (f8), and run your scan.
Firewall - an alternative to Windows Firewall
try http://www.zonealarm.com/...ecurity-free-firewall.htm
I'm not recommending the above programs as better than any you might use, it is personal choice, I will just say that they are what I use myself.
Just be sure that you update regularly and run scans regularly.
Cookies :
It is sometimes worth deleting your cookies, don't worry they'll regenerate. Also, recent events have made it more important to adjust settings relating to "third party cookies"
I've never used Internet Explorer, and never will. In fact I avoid as much MS software as I can (including Outlook and Outlook Express)
These sad people who write malicious program stuff will target the majority to do the most damage, and as MS is the most widely used then I guess it's not rocket science to guess that MS will be the most targetted.
I have used Firefox since it came out, and I use Firefox2 on my desktop PC and Firefox3 on my laptop. However there is something well worth checking/doing, and this relate to "third party cookies" that have been a cause of concern in the last few weeks week or so.
Firefox3 : "tools / options / privacy" - tick "accept cookies from sites", UN-tick "accept third party cookies"
Firefox2 : there is no equivalent setting but it can very easily be done - PM me if you need help with this 30 second fix (you don't have to be an expert)
Internet Explorer 6 : "tools / internet options / privacy / advanced" - tick "override automatic cookie handling", tick "accept first-party cookies, tick "block third party cookies", UN-tick "always allow session cookies"
Internet Explorer 7 : Sorry, I don't have this available but I guess it's much the same as for IE6?
Firefox :
Ok, most people are likely to be using Internet Explorer. I only have it on my computers to enable Manual Windows Updates, and never use it apart from that, I much prefer Firefox, but again, it's personal choice.
Firefox updates do NOT go from FF2 to FF3 - they remain separate. Currently I use FF2.0.0.20 and FF3.0.3 and NEVER update to a higher version unless I check out the comments on the support forums.
If you do like, and use, Firefox then apparently this will help (got it from a "friend" in the techy guru nerdy forums) - I have changed all my machines. Admittedly it might look a bit daunting, but take it slowly
Firefox tweaks :
1. Type "about:config" (no inverted comms, no spaces) into the address bar and hit return. You may get a warning message saying something like "take care..." you will be taking care so just click ok
Scroll down and look for the following entries:
network.http.pipelining,
network.http.proxy.pipelining,
network.http.pipelining.maxrequests
2. Normally the browser will make one request to a web page at a time. When you enable pipelining it will make several at once, which really speeds up page loading.
3. Alter the entries as follows:
4. Set "network.http.pipelining" to "true" by double-clicking it.
5. Set "network.http.proxy.pipelining" to "true" by double-clicking it.
6. Set "network.http.pipelining.maxrequests" to 8 by double-clicking it. This means it will make 8 requests at once. There is no point setting it higher then 8 as it is capped at 8 max. [The default value for this setting is 4]
7. Lastly right-click anywhere and select New-> Integer. Name it "nglayout.initialpaint.delay" and set its value to "0". This value is the amount of time the browser waits before it acts on information it receives.
8. If you're using a broadband connection you'll load pages MUCH faster now! (they say)
email :
You're better off NOT using Outlook or Outlook Express. Better to use an online email facility like hotmail or better still googlemail. OR if you do want an email client (email program on your computer which downloads email) try Mozilla Thunderbird
Some obvious things - don't open attachments from people you don't know, don't fall for phishing scams by clicking on the links - check them first, and if they use an IP address, then they are fake.
some other notes (by Simon) :
General speed/performance can be greatly improved by running http://www.iobit.com/advancedwindowscareper.html - this will do all anti-virus/registry and includes a cool de-fragger to boot. Running this will improve system performance greatly, and the de-fragger is better than ms$. This tool is FREE
Take a backup. I use a tool (Macrium Reflect Free Edition - www.macrium.com) which makes use of MS capability to take a "volume shadow copy", without having to shutdown or boot from another media. It will take an image copy of your hard drive (usually the one you boot from), allow you to build a bootable CD, which will then give you the possibility to restore it in the event of catastrophic failure of the hard drive.
Hijackthis - is a tool that will take a snapshot in a text file of all your registry settings and programs. This log can be posted in order to diagnose virus/malware issues on sites like www.suggestafix.com
There is not one set of advice that will be the be all and end all. If you are happy with what you use then fine. These are our own personal views, reforumlated due to recent increases in problems experienced according to support forums, and it's what I do on my own computers. Others may have varied opinions, fine.
These morsels of advice are for those with Windows XP and XP Home.
Windows and Java updates :
Ensure your Windows is up to date - use Windows Update - either automatic or manual as is your choice
Regarding manual MS$ Update - with IE disabled/uninstalled, the only way to manually activate an update is to do it via help/support -> Windows Update - this is one option (Simon's preference)
Another option, and this is my (paul4's) preference - IE is enabled but is ONLY used for the update process, setting and restrictions apply to any other sites.
Also, ensure your Java is up to date - http://www.java.com/en/download/installed.jsp and/or http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp
Other updates :
I disable automatic update mechanisms for programs including Firefox (and other browsers), Adobe ....... in fact for all programs I have and use, if I want to see if there are any updates I'd rather check myself.
Guarding against viruses, malware etc :
I used to be easy. Run Ad-Aware & Spybot and job done! It used to be thought ok to entrust the care and health of your computer to single program, but recent events relating to malware/spyware have suggested all is not well with this strategy.
If you think you have a problem you might want to try (but ONLY if you have a fast'ish broadband connection) this Online scanner (but it takes ages and ages) it is http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
This online virus scanner is good (housecall) - and can also be run in safe mode (with networking), but to run this, obviously, you need to have a network connection, and a browser that works (hasn't been hijacked)
anti-Malware programs - recommended all 3, one after another of course, and to use default settings is ok
http://www.malwarebytes.org/
http://www.superantispyware.com/
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
anti-Virus programs
try http://free.avg.com/
Regarding Anti-Virus - you're only as good as your last update/signature file - therefore it's imperative to keep the AV updated - We also recommend running a daily scan (usually at night) & check the results in the morning. AVG 8 is good, as is Kaspersky. Avoid Norton.
If you are caught with a virus, one of the first things to do is disable system restore - since the virus will replicate itself using this loophole.
Boot into safe mode (f8), and run your scan.
Firewall - an alternative to Windows Firewall
try http://www.zonealarm.com/...ecurity-free-firewall.htm
I'm not recommending the above programs as better than any you might use, it is personal choice, I will just say that they are what I use myself.
Just be sure that you update regularly and run scans regularly.
Cookies :
It is sometimes worth deleting your cookies, don't worry they'll regenerate. Also, recent events have made it more important to adjust settings relating to "third party cookies"
I've never used Internet Explorer, and never will. In fact I avoid as much MS software as I can (including Outlook and Outlook Express)
These sad people who write malicious program stuff will target the majority to do the most damage, and as MS is the most widely used then I guess it's not rocket science to guess that MS will be the most targetted.
I have used Firefox since it came out, and I use Firefox2 on my desktop PC and Firefox3 on my laptop. However there is something well worth checking/doing, and this relate to "third party cookies" that have been a cause of concern in the last few weeks week or so.
Firefox3 : "tools / options / privacy" - tick "accept cookies from sites", UN-tick "accept third party cookies"
Firefox2 : there is no equivalent setting but it can very easily be done - PM me if you need help with this 30 second fix (you don't have to be an expert)
Internet Explorer 6 : "tools / internet options / privacy / advanced" - tick "override automatic cookie handling", tick "accept first-party cookies, tick "block third party cookies", UN-tick "always allow session cookies"
Internet Explorer 7 : Sorry, I don't have this available but I guess it's much the same as for IE6?
Firefox :
Ok, most people are likely to be using Internet Explorer. I only have it on my computers to enable Manual Windows Updates, and never use it apart from that, I much prefer Firefox, but again, it's personal choice.
Firefox updates do NOT go from FF2 to FF3 - they remain separate. Currently I use FF2.0.0.20 and FF3.0.3 and NEVER update to a higher version unless I check out the comments on the support forums.
If you do like, and use, Firefox then apparently this will help (got it from a "friend" in the techy guru nerdy forums) - I have changed all my machines. Admittedly it might look a bit daunting, but take it slowly
Firefox tweaks :
1. Type "about:config" (no inverted comms, no spaces) into the address bar and hit return. You may get a warning message saying something like "take care..." you will be taking care so just click ok
Scroll down and look for the following entries:
network.http.pipelining,
network.http.proxy.pipelining,
network.http.pipelining.maxrequests
2. Normally the browser will make one request to a web page at a time. When you enable pipelining it will make several at once, which really speeds up page loading.
3. Alter the entries as follows:
4. Set "network.http.pipelining" to "true" by double-clicking it.
5. Set "network.http.proxy.pipelining" to "true" by double-clicking it.
6. Set "network.http.pipelining.maxrequests" to 8 by double-clicking it. This means it will make 8 requests at once. There is no point setting it higher then 8 as it is capped at 8 max. [The default value for this setting is 4]
7. Lastly right-click anywhere and select New-> Integer. Name it "nglayout.initialpaint.delay" and set its value to "0". This value is the amount of time the browser waits before it acts on information it receives.
8. If you're using a broadband connection you'll load pages MUCH faster now! (they say)
email :
You're better off NOT using Outlook or Outlook Express. Better to use an online email facility like hotmail or better still googlemail. OR if you do want an email client (email program on your computer which downloads email) try Mozilla Thunderbird
Some obvious things - don't open attachments from people you don't know, don't fall for phishing scams by clicking on the links - check them first, and if they use an IP address, then they are fake.
some other notes (by Simon) :
General speed/performance can be greatly improved by running http://www.iobit.com/advancedwindowscareper.html - this will do all anti-virus/registry and includes a cool de-fragger to boot. Running this will improve system performance greatly, and the de-fragger is better than ms$. This tool is FREE
Take a backup. I use a tool (Macrium Reflect Free Edition - www.macrium.com) which makes use of MS capability to take a "volume shadow copy", without having to shutdown or boot from another media. It will take an image copy of your hard drive (usually the one you boot from), allow you to build a bootable CD, which will then give you the possibility to restore it in the event of catastrophic failure of the hard drive.
Hijackthis - is a tool that will take a snapshot in a text file of all your registry settings and programs. This log can be posted in order to diagnose virus/malware issues on sites like www.suggestafix.com
