One computer,3 profiles, plenty of anti virus/spyware (too much?) and still those varmints are plaguing me.?

Question

My question is, how are they still getting in and wreaking havoc, esp with my e-mail program, I have to date, spybot,ad-aware and AVG installed on my computer, as back ups to my subscribed NormanVC.
I update regularly and run the other programs different times just to catch what Norman is letting thru. But still they come and I am getting mighty sick of always cleaning up. I use Firefox but kids prefer IE7 and I am almost sure this is where these things are coming from. So even if I have all these programmes etc, I am now not sure if thier profiles are properly protected.
I will be grateful to hear any other theories and ideas as to how I can better the situation. I do hope I've made myself understandable, not very fluent in computer speak I'm afraid..
Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

You have to set the browser security settings separately in each profile. For example, In Internet Explorer you can set your security to High in Internet Options. Then if it's a safe site, put it in your trusted list and have that setting to Medium High.

You need a real time Spyware program that blocks bad sites, deletes cookies and spyware on the fly before they get on your system. You generally have to buy the advanced version of a spyware program to get the real time shield.

You have to get 'Downloader Trojan' off your hard drive. This loads new viruses and spyware eveytime you go online. That may be why it seems there's endless spyware.

Be careful with the Restore feature. It can sometimes re-load spyware back on your system you deleted. Turn Restore off until you know the HD is clean, then turn it back on and save an image.

If you get totally frustrated, it's sometimes faster to save all your data on a DVD and then reload Windows. First do a low level format with the software for your hard drive. You can get this off the manufacturers website. The resean for a full lowlevel format it to turn all the bits to ones, therefore eliminating the possibility of a virus in the boot sector of the hard drive.

Another thing to consider is parental controls. Give yourself full access while limiting your kids from porn, hacking sites, warez , kazaa, limewire or even chats depending on their age.

The last thing is to buy your own computer, and when the kids machine doesn't work anymore, leave it a day or two and then fix it. Explain to them they can't click on ads that look enticing and be careful with free games. There're lots of sites for kids that are virus free with no porn ads in the corner.

Answer 2

Three things:

1. delete all your Internet history and temp. files every time you are done with the Internet. This can be done in Tools on the IE toolbar.

2. Get a "Mask" networking router. This gives your computer a fake IP address. I use one made by Asante It works. It identifies my computer address as another location. Doing this you do not need to use the Microsoft Firewall which slows your cruising down.

3. Use Microsoft Internet Explorer not Firefox. Firefox leaves you open to all sorts of attacks. I have used firefox and its clones and see no advantage to it. In the past these open source browsers used to be faster but no longer. IE 7 is just as fast.

If you do these three things you will never have a problem. Spybot is also excellent for some spyware that rarely gets through these other three items.

Answer 3

Delete IE7 off your computer, end of problem.

Run Windows Update and make sure the every single Windows security patch is installed. A lot of people turn it off because it's annoying, but you NEED THIS!

Make sure their profiles are not administrative (i.e. can't install software). Try it by logging into their profile and try to upgrade Adobe Acrobat or something, it shouldn't work.

Also consider upgrading your email program because some email programs are "stupid". You didn't say, so I'm guessing you're using a Microsoft email program, Outlook etc. Dump it and get Thunderbird, which is Firefox but email.

If it continues to be a hassle, go Mac instead of Vista. Macs are very good at security and multi-user!

Answer 4

If you don't mind one more product ...

Javacool's FREE Spyware Blaster doesn't remove spyware from the computer, it keeps it from getting there in the first place. It maintains a list of sites that are known spyware risks and places those sites into the Restricted Sites zone of Internet Explorer. That way, if you or a kid happens onto one of those sites, the computer already has its guard up and won't allow things from one of those sites to run as easily as if they were on a site that wasn't in the Restricted zone. Spyware Blaster also has the same kind of protection for Firefox.

You don't have to run scans with Spyware Blaster. All you have to do is use its update utility once a week or so to get the latest additions to the list of sites it's protecting against. Also, Spyware Blaster does not run in the background, so it doesn't drain your computer's resources. The only time it's active is when you're downloading updates and adding them to the browsers' Restrcited Sites lists. Other than that, it stays entirely out of your way.

If you keep getting spyware infections over and over, and you can't get people to change their surfing habits, Spyware Blaster might help. Download link (and more information) below ...

Answer 5

First, go back to Firefox...the kids can live with hit, it does the same thing! Next, watch your kids on the computer, make sure they are not clicking things that pop up on the screen, like "You've Won This" or "You have spyware". Also, ensure that you have both AVG Free Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware and that they are up-to-date! Teach your kids when to click "OK" and when to just close the window! One more thing, make sure your kids are not going onto sites with questionable security, like some gaming sites, hacking sites, cracking site. You can always search on the Internet to see if they are not "safe". It's also possible that some of these "things" are saving to your computer's registry (a place where things are stored about your computer) and then when you remove them, they are "programmed" to come back!

Answer 6

AVG is a pretty good virus scanner. You only want 1 virus scanner, otherwise the two will conflict, and start picking up eachothers quarenteen files.

As far as spyware goes, you have two of the best freeware programs out there. That should be sufficient. Make sure you immunise with SBSn'D.

Next, several viruse or spyware (depending on which) has to do with your surfing habbits. If you are getting alot of viruses, do you have a pier to pier file shareing program like bearshare or limewire? If so, this is a welcome invitation to viruses, and it is how you are likley getting them.

You will find the following link to be quite usefull

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm

Answer 7

particularly there may be NO high-quality. But I use spybot and I LOVE it. It regularly does the process and should you get a mac dont believe approximately having a anti-virus spy ware to your Mac considering the fact that Macs are cool

Answer 8

Watch this video and do what it says and your problems will be solved. Of course you will have to clean up your existing infections first.