What is the best way to protect my computers... I have 4 kids and they are always getting ad crap popping up, trojans and spy stuff... Even my computer gets crap coming up and I really try to keep it all clean. I run the yahoo protection suite, pop up blocker, anti virus etc... here is the kick, I think it was installed by a program and every 3-5 minutes crap comes up, I have tried ad-aware free version norton internet security... You would think there is a better way or some place that lists ALL questionable programs so you can look at your task manager etc... PLEASE HELP
2006-09-23 08:39:19 · 17 answers · asked by George Berz <<<<< 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Security
The easy answer to this question is "don't let your 4 kids use the computer to go on the internet", but I'm sure that is not the answer you are looking for. The next thing is to educate them on what is appropriate and what is not for downloading, but that is a tough one also if you yourself don't know what is safe.
I do spyware removal for a living and there is no "ONE" tool that will solve your problem. I use 4 or 5 pieces of free software (including Adaware SE) and it takes many hours to completely clean an infexted computer.
Many of the products being sold on the internet to help you remove this kind of stuff is itself spyware/malware. If the popups are telling you that you are infected and click here to purchase, DON'T.
There are several free websites with people that will help you clean your computer of these infections, however they are volunteer people and it maky take a couple days of back and forth efforts to complete the cleaning. Here is one that I volunteer at:
http://www.malwareremoval.com/
Good luck
2006-09-23 08:50:32 · answer #1 · answered by always_trying_to_learn 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Firstly download, and update Spybot Search and Destroy here:
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/Spybot_Search_and_Destroy/1043809773/1
run it and update it but don't scan. Also update the anti-virus you were talking about.
Now restart your PC and on the boot screen, the part with the black background and white writing press F8, press enter on the running in "Safe Mode" part. (Don't be worried when everything is bigger and the colour bad!).
Now run Spybot and remove problems. Then the anti-virus. But not at the same time. Then if you still have Ad-Aware try that.
Restart your PC so it runs normally.
Try deleting all files you do not need.
Run safe mode again.
Run Disk Defragmenter in safe mode.
Restart into normal mode. You may want to try a program like Net Nanny if your children and between 5-15 to make sure they are not "accidentally" going on to things which may harm your PC.
Hope this helps,
Luke.
2006-09-23 08:49:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are using WinXP for your home turn on Block pop-ups!
Also try these:
Free Parental Control for home users:
http://www.k9webprotection.com/
http://www.icra.org/
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827545/en-us
Have fun but be safe!
Forget about Norton!
Remove Norton:
Just so you know you should use some type of antivirus protection.
Removing Symantec / Norton AntiVirus and LiveUpdate
Click on Start and then Control Panel.
In the control panel, double-click on Add / Remove Programs.
Look through the list of installed programs for any item that says
either Symantec, Norton, or LiveUpdate (for example "Symantec
AntiVirus Corporate Edition" or "Norton AntiVirus 2002").
Begin looking for Symantec or Norton items. LiveUpdate should be
done last. For each Symantec, Norton, or LiveUpdate item, select
the item and click Remove or Change / Remove or Add / Remove.
Follow the instructions, and click Yes or Yes to all when prompted.
NOTE: If you attempt to remove LiveUpdate and receive a warning
message about other Symantec applications being registered with
LiveUpdate, click Yes to ignore the warning and remove LiveUpdate.
When you are done, there should be no items in the list that say
"Norton,""Symantec," or "LiveUpdate."
Close the Add / Remove Programs window. Close the Control Panels
window.
Reboot your computer if it hasn't already automatically rebooted.
If present, delete the C:\Program Files\Symantec folder.
If present, delete the C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus
(or C:\Program Files\Norton) (or C:\Program Files\NavNT) folder.
If present, delete the
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared folder.
Other AntiVirus Options:
Free Anti-virus:
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
http://www.free-av.com/
http://www.trendmicro.com/hc_intro/default.asp
http://www.superantispyware.com/
Other Anti-virus help:
http://www.f-secure.com/v-descs/
http://www.cert.org/other_sources/viruses.html
Free Online Virus Checks:
http://onlinescan.avast.com/
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-virus-cleaner.html
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
http://support.f-secure.com/enu/home/ols.shtml
http://www.kaspersky.com/scanforvirus.html
http://us.mcafee.com/root/mfs/default.asp
Free Anti-Adware/Malware/Spyware protection:
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1 I recommend ewido!!!
http://www.safer-networking.org/
http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Personal-Edition/3000-8022_4-10045910.html?part=dl-ad-aware&subj=dl&tag=top5
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
http://www.superantispyware.com/
Free Online Spyware Scan:
http://www.spywareguide.com/onlinescan.php Very good for newbies!
2006-09-23 08:47:03 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
first of all use from now on Firefox (it is secure, reliable, has a powerful pop up blocker and good scripts scan - that could easily install a virus or malware)
Download from
http://freewww.uv.ro/browser/info/no2.html
also, make sure you use always an antivirus, firewall and spyware/adware removal - go here to get the best and free for personal use
http://freewww.uv.ro/security/security.html
I recommend AVG, ZoneAlarm and SpyBoot. After installation make sure you update them first and than scan
this way you will keep your PC safe from the internet threats
2006-09-23 08:45:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You bought a cheap PC and now you're paying for it. So you want better security? Get a Mac! You want a cheap PC? Stick with what you've got and accept all the problems that come with it. (By the way, Macs and PCs cost about the same. Some Mac models cost less than Dells comparables for example, and some cost a little more.)
http://www.apple.com/getamac
2006-09-23 08:50:54 · answer #5 · answered by nospamcwt 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can use Norton AntiVirus protection system. This system uses Auto-Protection, Email Scanning, Script Blocking, Full System Scanning. It blocks every pop-up but still allows you to look at them if you want to.
This is the system I use on my new Inspiron B130. I also have McAfee.
Hope this helps.
2006-09-23 09:05:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
1>in run type msconfig- and then go to startup! disable all the programs that start with windows!!! (don't forget to manually start your anti-virus and firewall before going on internet)
2>> carefully note down the name of the pop-ups and suspicious processes in task manager
3>>go to my computers>>control panel>>appearance and themes >>folder options>view --now check "show all hidden folders"
uncheck>>hide extensions to file types
>>hide system files
it will show you almost every single file on your computer which are usually hidden!!and u may manually search and delete unwanted files,spywares,viruses etc usually found in windows/system32 folder or ~~localsettings/temp
extreme caution: use this step only after through research and proper knowledge or u may accidentally delete system files.
!
try these or share more details like name of processes in task manager or starting with windows!
2006-09-23 09:03:30 · answer #7 · answered by rockyjsa 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
We switched over to Clear Wire broadband for our ISP in I believe it was June. They provide pop-up blocker & I can guarntee it. We have NOT had a single pop-up, or ANY other problems like that since then. We also have McAfee just as a double insurance.
2006-09-23 09:03:09 · answer #8 · answered by More Lies & More Smoke Screens 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sounds strange. the first thing i would do is check all the settings on your anti virus/pop up blockers and check they are switched on and up do date. then run your anti virus program. it should matter which browser you have, if you have the correct anti virus it should stop it.
go to the McAfee site and download a free-bee called site advisor, this will tell you if you are accessing dodgee sites.
2006-09-23 08:54:54 · answer #9 · answered by Bob Bob 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
hi, i recommand you to use firefox with Google toolbar. which is most powerful in popup blocking.
besides, firefox can block any any poppus and disable any virus and adware, spyware on webpage, so, firefox is much safer than IE. as you know, most of the virus is spread throught internet and webpage.
firefox is much smaller than IE, so i run faster than IE.
download firefox for free:
http://www.bernanke.cn/firefox/
Best Wishes && Good Luck!
2006-09-23 14:05:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋