Update PC without being vulnerable?

Question

Here's the conundrum: in order to make a pc safe for internet use, you have to connect to it and get all the Windows Updates (Critical security ones, Service Pack 2 etc). I did this, and by the time it all came, I got the Win32/Rbot.gen virus. How can I reinstall my O/S and get updated WITHOUT exposing it to the net in the process? Any help much appreciated.

Answer 1

First, install your O.S.; then a firewall. Then Avast and Ewido. Then connect to the net and activate windows and get the updates. Its a nuisance.
Before attempting to remove malware you must switch off System Restore as back up files will be hiding in there, and it will just restore itself. Go to Start - programs - accessories - system tools - system restore.
Run Avast and Ewido in Safe Mode. To get into Safe Mode repeatedly press the F8 key after the bios screen loads but before Windows loads. You'll know if you made it because the screen will be at 800 x 600 and your pc will be slow.

Then beef up your security. Its easier to prevent malware getting on to your sytem in the first place rather than trying to remove it.

The Windows firewall doesn't stop malware on your pc from dialling out. Either of these firewalls are free for personal use and stop unwanted incoming and outgoing traffic. You choose which programs are allowed to access the internet. They are both fairly easy to use and updated regularly.
http://www.zonelabs.com Zone Alarm firewall
http://www.kerio.com Kerio firewall

Shields Up security site, check your firewall works
https://www.grc.com

http://www.mozilla.com/ Firefox web browser
http://www.opera.com/ Opera web browser
Instal both these web browsers, turn off javascript on one and use that browser for vising unknown websites. They don't support Active X so thats one less way for problems to get on your pc.

Winpatrol is a handy utility that tracks cookies on your pc and stops unwanted changes to your startup folder.
http://www.winpatrol.com

Spywareblaster works with Internet Explorer and Firefox. It won't uninstall spyware that is already on your pc, but it will prevent hijacks and other malicious changes to your browser.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com

http://www.siteadvisor.com -Site Advisor warns about malware on sites you are about to visit.

http://www.avast.com - Avast Antivirus

http://www.ewido.net - Ewido anti trojan

Ad-Aware SE Personal anti adware
http://www.lavasoft.com

Spybot Search and Destroy anti spyware
http://www.safer-networking.org

http://spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm - The Spyware Warrior site identifies fake anti spyware programs.

http://www.bitdefender.com -BitDefender can be used as a second, on demand anti virus.

http://www.ccleaner.com Cr*pcleaner Registry cleaner and privacy tool

Microsoft have two free online scanners that look for malware.
http://safety.live.com/site/en-US/default.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
You can also download Microsofts free Windows Defender from the official Microsoft site, and the Malicious Software Removal Tool.

Remember to update and run all of you anti malware programs at least once a week.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

My brother gave me an old computer with an old OS. For some reason, because the system was old, my brother thought that the computer would be safe, and so there was no protection on it. I had to update and the very first time I connected and downloaded the updates (which took forever), my machine was bombarded with pop-ware and spam. I ended up with spyware/malware on it, which eventually shut me down and I had to reformat my hard drive and reinstall my OS. The VERY first thing I did then, before anything else, was install both antivirus and antispyware programs. THEN I updated; and I've had no problems since. Trust me, do not go out there without protection. You can find some very good free antivirus, antispyware programs and firewalls at download.com. That's C/Net - free software downloads & software reviews, an excellent site, very safe. You should join, membership is free, and whenever a product you have installed is updated, they notify you (You have that option - you can choose notification - they don't send unsolicited emails). Now, I have 2 antivirus programs on my computer & 2 antispyware programs & no more problems. I have also installed McAfee SiteAdvisor; I love this program and highly recommend it. Go to downloads.com, C/Net gives excellent advice about protecting your computer and can provide you with great freeware. It really is a great site and I love it. Good Luck & Happy Surfing!

Answer 4

Rather than reinstall, just clean the virus. Download and run AVG virus scanner from http://free.grisoft.com/softw/70free/setup/avg71free_405a782.exe for free

If you do reinstall, have a virus scanner and firewall (ZoneAlarm) on CD ready to install before you go on the net. Then you can not get infected during the updates.

Also, the security patches, SP2, etc. are available as donwloads. Rather than letting MS do the automatic update, you manually download all the patches, PS2, etc, save them to CD and then after reinstalling Windows you run the updates from the CD rather then the net.

Answer 5

Order update Cd's / DVDs from Microsoft, and perform the updates offline. Install & configure cocktail of anti-malware apps. Scan for malware. Perform a defrag & disk cleanup. Create a full System Restore point and/or create a backup of your system.

You should be innoculated enough to fight off viri, when you go online. I'd also invest in a primary firewall in addition to the Windows firewall.

If anything goes wrong, you can restore back to the restore point or backup.

Answer 6

before you connect to the Internet make sure your firewall is on. Also install a virus checker. If you don't have one, try www.avast.com where you can find a free one.

You can locate the firewall settings by going to the control panel and clicking the windows firewall icon.

I hope this helps.

Answer 7

The automatic update service is by far the easiest way to keep your pc up to date. You just need a good anti-virus program as well.

Answer 8

Install firewall which you can down load from the net

Answer 9

dont rely on windows to stop all virus's get your own security

Answer 10

partition hard drive put windows cd in bin and install linux
ubuntu good pclinuxos or suse