SPYWARE - VIRUSES - TROJANS

"My computer is slow"
"My computer hangs or crashes"
"I get pop-ups even when off-line"

Surfing internet is risky. You may have to browse through many unwanted popup windows. Your start page may be changed without your consent, or new bookmarks may be added without your permission. Those who engage in high-risk web surfing (Such as pornographic, free music, and software pirating sites) often get viruses and spyware even when they have anti-virus and anti-spyware programs installed and updated. Because new threats are created continuously, no anti-malware program can protect you 100% of the time. You must combine safe surfing habits, fully-updated anti-malware soiftware, and a little common sense in order to surf safely.

The most common reason why people get viruses is that their anti-virus program has stopped updating itself and the user ignores warnings. This usually happens 30, 60, 90, etc. days after a new computer is purchased when the pre-paid protection period ends. If you don't want to pay to continue to receive updates, then you should uninstall the unused anti-virus program and install a free anti-virus program, such as AVG.

Your computer can be infected by programs called adware (unsollicited advertising), spyware (recording your surfing activity to sell your personal information), viruses, and trojans. These programs are commonly referred to as "Malware". Malware programs come from many sources. Webpages can entice you to install them unknowingly, or popular software like Kazaa or Divx can install them onto your computer.

If you use Windows, make sure you update it with securty patches and updates as often as possible (you should set it to automatic). You can install windows updates by following this link: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

Recommended Software for Web Surfers:

Firefox Browser - Surf safely & faster. Less malware problems.
Windows Defender - The best on the web many people say.
Windows updates - Make sure you have all the latest updates.
AVG Antivirus & Antispyware - Great protection and it's free!

If you want to surf the web in TOTAL safety, there are a few options:

1. Download a "Live CD" image, burn it to a CD, then boot from the CD. Any changes made during surfing will be lost when you restart. If you want to save anything, plug in a USB drive and save to that during your "safe" surfing. Make sure you scan the USB drive for malware before using it in your real operating system.

2. PURCHASE a copy of DEEP FREEZE software. ($30) http://www.faronics.com and install it. Rebooting will restore your computer to a previous state. (See installation recommendations below.)

Common problems and terms you hear about when you surf the internet:

Virus

What is a computer virus?

A computer virus is a computer program that overwrites, replaces or attaches itself to some part of a program or operating system in order to make a copy (or copies) of itself. It comes with instructions that set off some task(s) that affect the infected computer. These may range from the harmless to destructive. Some viruses display text or pictures, but other than that, they are relatively harmless. Others, reduce memory space, modify existing data, or use up CPU processing time. Destructive viruses may overwrite or destroy all of your files or even crash your system!

How does a computer get a virus?

A virus can be introduced to a computer in various ways. It can be attached to any file or program that you copy from floppy disks, or download from the Internet. Many viruses spread through email and are released not only by opening the attachment but sometimes by simply opening the email itself.

The virus can be activated the second it is installed on your computer or it can remain inactive until you run or execute the program that contains it. You will not usually be aware of the presence of the virus, and may innocently spread the virus to others.

An ounce of prevention

A virus can do its dirty work on your personal computer or your network; but there have been many cases that a particular virus wreaks havoc on the entire world, severely compromising many corporate businesses and government functions. Thus, it is important to take necessary precautions before it is too late.

As the world gets connected with today’s intricate cyber world, viruses spread faster than ever. So when you notice that your computer is acting a bit weird or erratic, you should immediately scan for a virus.

Malware Definitions:

Trojans

What is a Trojan?

A Trojan is a type of program that enables a hacker to intrude and make changes to your computer. It is a threat in disguise. Like the Trojan Horse popular in the Greek history, it appears safe (in the form of software program and e-mail attachment). But once opened, the Trojan may install itself on your computer and gain access without your consent.
Generally, the initial objective of a Trojan is to browse your hard drive to determine anything of worth such as credit card information, passwords, confidential documents, email addresses, confidential designs or pictures, or even calendar information regarding the user’s whereabouts. Once found to be a potential source, the intruder then gets inside and manages your files. The intruder can rename, create, delete, view and even transfer files to or from your computer.
Trojans will enable the intruder to open and close your CD-ROM drive, spam and gain control to your keyboard and cursor. Trojans can also use a program manager that will allow the intruder to install, execute, open or close any software programs. Indeed, trojans are a big security threat.

How does a trojan affect my computer?

The problem starts first by the user installing the trojan itself. This is done by deceiving the user with a seemingly useful system enhancement or perhaps a free game containing trojans. By installing a free game, for example, the trojan will be automatically installed with it. Trojans can also come in common disguises such as files from unknown sources, e-mail attachments from unknown sources, and files from any online activity client like ICQ. Once contaminated by a trojan, any distant user will inevitably have free access. The dirty work then starts.
Other types of Trojans are: Remote Access Trojans, Mail Trojans, FTP Trojans, Telnet Trojans, Keylogger Trojans, Fake Trojans, and Form Trojans.

Protect your Computer from Trojans

Trojans can also be distributed as email attachments or bundled with other software programs. You should always be wary of opening attachments and downloading programs from the Internet. Make sure it is from a secure and trusted source. If possible, confirm with the sender.

Dialers

What is a dialer?

A dialer is a type of program that can alter the settings of a user’s dialup connection. Dialers can disconnect your computer from your local Internet provider and then reconnect you to other sites usually connected with expensive pornography, toll, or international phone number. A connection to international phone numbers happens instead of connection to local internet provider. Although still in existence, dialers are not as prevalent as in the past since the number of dial-up connections has decreased over time. (Thank you, cable & dsl.)

What does it do?

Dialers will generally grant you internet access by dialing a country like AFRICA from YOUR HOME PHONE.  Once they are connected, charges as high as $5.99 per minute can occur.  Now-a-days, most dialers will ASK YOU TO CONNECT, be sure to NEVER ACCEPT these charges.  Unlike other viruses, dialers do not scout your files and other personal belongings on your computer but rather may rack up these significant long distance phone charges. Some dialers will turn off your PC speaker and dial these far off contries without you knowing!!

Be Aware

Any time you happen across a POP-UP AD or Program on your PC asking you to connect/dial a phone number to get internet access, OPEN YOUR TASK MANAGER AND END THE PROCESS. CLICKING CANCEL MAY ACTIVATE THE VIRUS! Or restart your PC!!. Also verify the number you use to access the internet, be sure it was the one provided by your ISP or Internet Service Provider. Another easy way to tell if you have become a victim is unexplainable tremendously high bills!!

Spyware

What is Spyware?

Spyware is a software that attacks the user’s internet connection in the background without the user’s knowledge. Spyware can do a lot of things that you wouldn’t generally want to happen, such as: capture all the information that you enter through the web, add unknown sites to your internet favorites or to your desktop (as icons), hijack your default settings and homepage, monitor your browsing activity, and append unwanted and disruptive search bars and toolbars to your browser. Your privacy will be compromised because Spyware makes it possible for someone to sell any of your personal information that you entered on your PC, and the writers of spyware programs don't care about the effect on your computer. Your hard drive will fill up with ad-related garbage and your PC will slow down.

How does Spyware attack the computer?

Spyware can enter your computer in different ways. It may be pop-ups or window ads, through an instant messenger service, attachment of spam through your e-mail, by sharing files, music and photos, or it can be installed by a hacker or someone who uses your computer. At times Spyware is bundled with another program.
Once the programs have entered your PC, they will install themselves in various locations on your computer. Most Spyware programs ensure their survival by sprinkling traces of the program throughout your system to make full removal more difficult (and sometimes nearly impossible). Once installed, Spyware operates insidiously in the background.
Spyware can invade your privacy: bank account numbers; social security numbers; and even passwords.

What can you do?

There are some very good programs that can help you protect your computer from this threat. Install, run, and update them regularly to ensure your system’s protection.

Mailware  (Not to be confused with the word "Malware")

What is Mailware?

Have you had enough of those unwanted pop-ups that are a source of endless annoyance while surfing the net? Even your mails are being bugged by those pop-ups from authors that are investing a wide range of targets for advertisements. They make big money but at a great price for you and your computer.

How it works?

Mailware generally dwells on your mailbox, as what the term suggests. It may come in the form of spam on your mail or even disguise through the popular chain letters. Once the Mailware has entered your mail server, it starts to generate information that can be easily traced by spammers or the creators of Mailware. When you respond to these Mailwares, the authors will have an automatic confirmation on your address and would continue on sending you spam and more spam. Mailware is mainly characterized by unusually strange unsolicited commercial e-mail and bulk e-mail.

A variation of this is sending spam to mailing lists, either public or private email discussion forums. Spammers will take advantage of automated tools to subscribe to as many mailing lists as possible. Thus, they are able to get the lists of addresses, or use the mailing list as a direct target.


Adware

What exactly is Adware?

Adware is a software application that can show advertisements on your computer in the form of pop-ups, pop-unders, and banner ads. Usually they disrupt the user -- giving an option to either continue on the web or click the pop up. Certain Adwares have the ability to track the surfing habits of any user, without prior knowledge or consent, thus being a threat to your privacy since it is being sent to unauthorized parties.

How does it work?

Adware applications technically run in the background of the computer and function as a spy watching all your moves. The information gathered will then be logged and used to create a user profile that is relayed to advertisers. The user profile may include unrelated personal information. It is sent to a data collection site. It is extracted to narrow online search results to match the profile or, as a data mining tool, to evaluate surfing habits.

Adware usually enters your computer by being installed with a freeware program which you install. By installing the freeware program, you have inadvertently signed up for unlimited pop-up ads.

Common examples of freeware that may include Adware are computer games, unusual mouse pointers, instant news or weather updates, applications boasting to improve efficiency of your computer, and even the smileys being used on e-mails.

What can you do?

You can block unwanted ads by installing a reputable Adware scanning and removal tool. Make sure that you update it with the latest version because new versions of Adware are cropping up daily.

Your hosts file can be hacked and modified

There is a way for dis-honest webmasters to add popups and other nasty stuff to almost every page you visit. With the use of an exploit they can hack your computer files and modifiy a very important one :

- Windows 98: c:\windows\hosts
- Windows 2000: c:\winnt\system32\drivers\etc\hosts
- Windows XP: c:\windows\system32\drivers\hosts

By editing this file they can steal traffic from any site they want, they can block your access to any site, or they can add advertising (popup(s), dialers) to them. To hack your hosts file hackers only have to have you visit their page. You don't have to click anywhere on the page, you don't have to install anything, it is a very malicious hack; you will not even notice that your computer has been exploited...

Open your hosts file (it has no extention) with notepad. It should contain only this line :

127.0.0.1 localhost

If you see other domain names below it, it may have been changed by a malware program. Just delete everything but 127.0.0.1 localhost. Save the file and close it.

If you really don't understand how to do this, or if you want a more advanced protection against this problem and others, read the next topic.

Free anti adware and spyware tool : Spybot, Search & Destroy

Do you have an unwanted toolbar installed in your web browser? Do most of the pages you visit contain annoying popups? Can you not access some of your favorite sites anymore? Install and run Spybot Search & Destroy. You will find download links from their homepage but here is a shortcut to the download link on download.com :

Click here to download Spybot

It is very easy of use and will remove most of the adware, spyware and dialers from your computer. It will also tell you if your hosts file has been hacked and will automatically remove invalid entries. Even if your computer is fine, I highly recommend you download and install Spybot.

Don't forget to update spybot frequently, you can find the update button on the first window when you launch the program.

Better safe than sorry : update your Windows system and IE browser

Hackers use security flaws to install unwanted programs. Update your software frequently and you will be fine. Microsoft systems and browsers, being the most popular, are the main target of malware.

Keep your browser up to date, visit http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.asp and get the latest version and patches for MS Internet Explorer.

Go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and download the latest upgrades and security patches for Windows systems.

If you update regularly you can really avoid a lot of surfing problems. Click here to add this page to your bookmarks so you can find the download links handy in the future.

The parasite test online

Click on this link (opens in a new window), this will launch the parasite test (javascript), then read the results below detection script. If your computer is infected they will tell you how to uninstall the parasite.

You might prefer to download and install spybot, though, as it is much more simple to use and can detect much more unwanted programs; the parasite test often only tells you how to remove the parasites manually, meaning editing the registry, typing dos commands, etc.

Free Popup-Killer

Google, the world #1 search engine, has included a great popup-killer ability with its latest toolbar : Google Bar. With it you will be able to stop popups entirely, or allow popups only from specific sites (white list). Best of all, it is 100% free, and does not require any signup.

Installation is extremely easy and only takes a few seconds : click here to visit Google Bar's Homepage and install it.

For detailed help regarding their popups-blocker ability, just visit this page : Google Bar Popups Help.

Another option is to upgrade to Service Pack 2 or higher of Windows XP, it auto blocks popups as well.

Removal of the browser hijacker known as CoolWebSearch

This 'hijackware' has many forms and is very hard to remove so the best we can do is point you to this complete information page :

The CoolWebSearch Chronicles, thanks to Spywareinfo.com.

If you surf risky sites a lot, chances are you have encountered or will encounter a site run by a scammer that will use Cool Web Search to steal traffic (redirect you when you try to access some pages). Remember the best offense is a strong defense: always keep your browser and operating system up to date.

Anti-adware/spyware/popups/ viruscanners/dialer links

Anti SPYWARE software

Keep your computer safe from Spyware. Check out the following links.

Windows Defender

Windows Defender is a security technology that helps protect Windows users from spyware and other potentially unwanted software. Known spyware on your PC can be detected and removed. This helps reduce negative effects caused by spyware including slow PC performance, annoying pop-up ads, unwanted changes to Internet settings, and unauthorized use of your private information. Continuous protection improves Internet browsing safety by guarding over 50 ways spyware can enter your PC.

SpySweeper
http://www.webroot.com/products/spysweeper/

Spy Sweeper is the only software that has Active Shield technology that stops Spyware in its tracks before the infection takes place using a constantly updated database of thousands of known Spyware threats. It then quarantines the suspected threats by disabling their functionality for your immediate protection.

You can experience for yourself the full protection of Spy Sweeper by downloading a 30-day trial software.

You can also scan your system online with the Spy Audit, which only takes seconds to run. Unfortunately, it can only show you the list of Spyware in your system, but can’t modify or remove any of them.


Spyware Eliminator
http://www.aluriasoftware.com/

AluriaSoftware, the company who brought you the widely trusted Spyware remover, Spyware Eliminator, offers a FREE Spyware Scan. You can download it from their website.

Spyware Eliminator offers you defense against Spyware including adware, keyloggers, and ActiveX applications. Once detected, they are removed form your system, consequently improving its performance. It also offers Automatic Updates to ensure future protection.


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

Spybot Search and Destroy can detect and remove Adware and Spyware, dialers, keyloggers, Trojans and usage tracks. It is compatible with Microsoft Windows operating systems, but is not currently available for Macintosh and Unix/Linux. You can download it for FREE!

Anti TROJAN software

Below are some links to protect your computer from harmful Trojans.

a-squared (a2)
http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/

a2 Free is a great complimentary tool to antivirus software. It provides protection against Trojans, currently detecting around 20,000 Trojans. It is also useful against Spyware and Dialers. Updates can be downloaded manually with the integrated updater. a2 Free can be downloaded and used for FREE.

System Requirements: Windows 95, 98, ME, NT4, 2000, 2000 Server, XP and 2003 Server.

PestScan
http://www.pestscan.com/

PestScan is a FREE online tool that you can use to scan your PC for Trojan horses, Spyware, Adware, keyloggers and other malicious programs. Unfortunately, the program does not have the capability to remove pests, if any was found. You can prefer to manually edit your registry to remove it, or purchase a fully licensed copy of PestPatrol to automatically remove what PestScan has found -- and protect your computer against any further invasions in the future.

System Requirements: Windows 98, ME, NT 4 or later, 2000, or XP; Internet Explorer 4 or later.

You can also download a 30-day evaluation software of PestPatrol.

PC DoorGuard
http://www.astonsoft.com/products/pdg/download/

Aston soft features PC DoorGuard, an intrusion scanner that scans email messages and any media on your PC for Trojan horses. It can remove any Trojan and check every incoming email and monitors your system to prevent further infection, using weekly updated Trojan database consisting of more than 7,161 entries.

You can download and use PC DoorGuard for 30 days for FREE.

System Requirements: Win95/98/ME/NT/2000.

Anti ADWARE software

Block those unwanted ads with adware tools.

Ad-Aware SE Personal
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/

Ad-Aware SE Personal is a privacy tool designed to detect Adware/Spyware related issues such as Data-mining, aggressive advertising, Browser hijackers, Trojans, Dialers, Parasites, Scumware, Malware, and tracking components. After it has finished scanning your computer, it lists the results and offers to remove or quarantine the components.

It can be updated with the latest signatures with the built-in update utility. The Personal edition is FREE for home users and non-commercial use.

Ad-Aware SE is compatible with Microsoft Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003.

SpyWare Nuker
http://www.catlab.us/

You can scan your PC for Spyware and Adware infections with SpyWare Nuker. It recognizes 78,000 programs lurking in the Net today. You can download it from their website FREE of charge.

System Requirements: Microsoft Windows 98/Me/NT4/2000/XP (not compatible with MAC, Linux, or any other non-Microsoft operating system).

Anti DIALER software

Dialers can cost you hundreds of dollars! Prevent expensive and unwanted bills. Check out the following links.

Ad-Aware SE Personal
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/

Ad-Aware SE Personal is a privacy tool designed to detect Adware/Spyware related issues such as Dialers, Data-mining, aggressive advertising, Browser hijackers, Trojans, Parasites, Scumware, Malware, and tracking components. After it has finished scanning your computer, it lists the results and offers to remove or quarantine the components.

It can be updated with the latest signatures with the built-in update utility. The Personal edition is FREE for home users and non-commercial use.

Ad-Aware SE is compatible with Microsoft Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003.

a-squared (a2)
http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/

a2 Free is a great complimentary tool to antivirus software. It detects and blocks dialers immediately when they attempt to dial. Updates can be downloaded manually with the integrated updater. a2 Free can be downloaded and used for FREE.

System Requirements: Windows 95, 98, ME, NT4, 2000, 2000 Server, XP and 2003 Server.

Anti MAILWARE software

Avast!
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home2.html

ALWIL software presents Avast! 4.5 Home Edition, the latest version, of the antivirus designed exclusively for home and non-commercial users. You can download it FREE of charge. With its email scanners, it is useful in protecting you against new, unknown viruses and worms from Mailware programs. When an email message shows suspicious signs that exceeds the user-defined levels, it is considered dangerous and the user is warned.

It also features real-time resident protection of the computer and automatic updates to ensure up-to-date protection.

System Requirements: Windows 95/98/Me/NT4/2000/XP.

If you are not a home user or you use your computer for profit, you can try the commercial version Avast! 4.5 Professional Edition. This product also works as a 60-day trial version.

Anti VIRUS software

Here are some virus scanners that are available on demand or downloadable from the Internet.

McAfee
http://us.mcafee.com/root/mfs/default.asp?cid=9435

McAfee FreeScan is an on-demand service which you can use online to scan your computer. It can help you detect thousands of viruses on your computer, including the latest known "in the wild" viruses, and displays a detailed list of any infected files. If there are viruses found, FreeScan even provides links to more information about the viruses and what you can do to clean your system.

System Requirements: Windows 98, ME, 2000, or XP; Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher.

You can also try out McAfee’s FREE security tools including 30-day trial versions of security services such as ViruScan, Personal Firewall, Privacy Service, SpamKiller, and Parental Controls.

Symantec
http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym

Symantec Security Check is a FREE and efficient tool which you can use to test your exposure to a wide range of online threats and viruses.

System Requirements: For Microsoft Windows 98/ME or NT 4.0 Workstation/2000 Pro/XP: Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or newer, Netscape 4.5 or newer, latest AOL browser; For Macintosh: Macintosh OS 8.1 or higher, Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.5 or newer, Netscape 4.5 or newer, Safari 1.0 or newer.

Symantec also provides a host of trial ware such as Norton AntiVirus, Internet Security, Personal Firewall, AntiSpam, Password Manager, and AntiVirus for Handhelds. You can try these out in 15 days (30 days for AntiVirus for Handhelds) FREE of charge.

Panda
http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/activescan/principal2.asp?idlang=2

Panda ActiveScan detects and eliminates your computer for viruses.

System Requirements: Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP; 32 MB of RAM for Windows 95/98/Me, 64MB of RAM for Windows NT/2000/XP; Internet Explorer 4.0 or later.

There are other Panda evaluation software that you can download for FREE. This includes Titanium Antivirus, Platinum Internet Security, TruPrevent Personal, etc.

Trend Micro
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Trend Micro HouseCall allows you to scan your computer online for FREE.

System Requirements: Windows 95, 95 OSR2 2.0, 95 OSR2 2.1, 95 OSR2 2.5; Windows 98, 98 SE, NT Workstation 4.0 and Service Pack 3 or above, NT Server 4.0 and Service Pack 3 or above, NT Enterprise 4.0, Windows 2000 Professional, Server, Advanced Server, Windows XP Home, Professional; Internet Explorer 4.0, 4.0 SP1, 4.0 SP2 or above. Macintosh and Netscape browsers are not supported in the current release.

Trend Micro also presents several 30-day evaluation copies of their software products that you can download for FREE inclusing PC-cillin Internet Security and OfficeScan Corporate Edition.

AVG
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/1/

Grisoft presents AVG Free Edition, designed and made available for individual home PC users. It features automatic updates, Resident Shield, E-mail Scanner, On-Demand Scanner, free virus database updates, and Virus Vault.

System Requirements: Windows 95, 98, Me, NT, 2000, or newer; Internet Explorer 5.01 or higher.

AVG Free Edition is for private, non-commercial, single home computer use only. It may not be used for business, commercial or organizational set-ups. For these purposes, you can download a 30-day trial version of the AVG Professional Edition.

BitDefender
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan/license.php

BitDefender Free Online Virus Scan is FREE and accessible from anywhere in the world through an Internet browser. It scans system's memory, all files, folders, drives' boot sector, system processes, e-mail databases, network drives, and archives for over 70,000+ viruses, worms, Trojans and other malicious applications. You can also choose to automatically clean the infected files.

System Requirements: ActiveX enabled browsers (unavailable for Netscape family browsers).

BitDefender also features defense solutions for Linux systems, Windows CE and Palm.

Avast!
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home2.html

ALWIL software presents Avast! 4.5 Home Edition, the latest version, of the antivirus designed exclusively for home and non-commercial users. You can download it FREE of charge. It has an almost 100% detection of in-the-wild viruses and Trojan horses. It features real-time resident protection of the computer and automatic updates to ensure up-to-date protection.

System Requirements: Windows 95/98/Me/NT4/2000/XP.

If you are not a home user or you use your computer for profit, you can try the commercial version Avast! 4.5 Professional Edition. This product also works as a 60-day trial version.

Other handy downloads

Spyware Info, the spyware and hijackware removal specialists, information and software download links.
Spybot homepage, there you can download this great anti-scam program for free and find plenty of information.
Scumware, a global information page regarding unwanted advertising and how some companies are messing with us.
Doxdesk, this site will help you detect adwares and such on your computer and provides removal explanations.
Google Bar, their clean toolbar for internet explorer has the ability to block all unwanted popups, for free.

Sometimes preventative software still lets malware enter your computer. Even when computers are fully protected and updated, it seems that junk still finds its way on your computer. Usually the junk gets in your system via your children, or you if you like to go places that are high-risk, such as searching websites for pirated software, pornography, following pop-up ads, and clicking on junk mail (spam.)

Here is a detailed analysis of the two solutions mentioned at the top of this page. My favorite method of safe-surfing is to boot from a live-cd.

DEEP FREEZE

Deep Freeze works great, but requires some major work:

1) Back up everything on your computer that you want to save, then wipe the hard drive clean using the windows xp installation disk.

2) Reinstall a fresh copy of your operating system using only a part of your hard drive. (During setup it will ask you if you want to use the entire drive - say no and then tell it how much to use. You should have at least 20 GB (20,480 Megabytes) on your operating system partition (Usually called C: drive)

3) Create a partition on the unused hard drive space and format it for use as a SAVE drive.(You can do this in disk management - start run compmgmt.msc) Install all the software you need, making sure you dont expose the computer to viruses or spyware during the setup process.

4) After formatting the SAVE drive and rebooting, your computer should automatically assign a drive letter to the SAVE drive.

5) Install anti-virus and anti-spyware software as desired. You should install the anti-virus software in the SAVE partition created in step 3 (So that downloaded updates will persist after re-booting.)

6) PURCHASE a copy of DEEP FREEZE software. ($30) http://www.faronics.com

7) Create a folder on the SAVE drive and move your "My Documents" folder to the new folder on the SAVE drive. (Right-click on the My Documents icon on the desktop and click MOVE). You can hack the registry and force your system to save your "Favorites" and "Desktop" on the save drive too!

8) Install DEEP FREEZE and freeze the C: drive. This software will restore your computer to its current state on every restart. Make sure to save any important files on the SAVE drive. You will need to create a password to unlock deep freeze at a later date. DO NOT tell your kids the password!

9) Now you will be able to go get viruses and spyware, and restarting the computer will make them all go away.

LIVE CD

My Favorite! Download a live-cd image. I used the KANOTIX image (716 MB) and was very impressed. Just restart your computer, boot from the Live-cd, and surf away!

WHAT IF YOUR SYSTEM IS ALREADY INFECTED???

Try to install the above malware-prevention programs anyway.
If they can't help, then you may want to
check the following stuff:

It helps if you know where to look. Bad stuff likes to hide where it will automatically start with your computer. There are three main areas that they like to hide. You can really HOSE your computer by messing around with this stuff, but sometimes its the only option:

1) Startup folder (Start - Programs - Startup)

Just delete anything in startup that you dont want to auto-start.

2) Registry Run Keys (Start - Run - type "REGEDIT" and hit ok)

Browse to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE MICROSOFT WINDOWS CURRENT_VERSION RUN
and
HKEY_CURRENT_USER MICROSOFT WINDOWS CURRENT_VERSION RUN
and
HKEY_USERS DEFAULT MICROSOFT WINDOWS CURRENT_VERSION RUN

delete anything under the RUN key
that you don't want to auto-start

(Note - there are more areas but these are the most abused)

3) Run as a service

Start - Settings - Control Panel - Administrative Tools - Services

Double-click and change startup to manual or disabled if it is bad.

WHAT IF IT STILL WONT WORK?

There is a possibility that your computer is suffering from a hardware problem, hardware conflict, bad software installation, etc. If you have eliminated viral or spyware invasion, then you may want to scan your hardware for problems. Many computers come with a system cd. Insert the CD and re-boot. Booting to the CD may require different keystrokes during the initial startup process, but the screen will usually tell you what to press. Follow the on screen instructions to test your computer.

The two most common hardware problems are:
a) Bad Hard Drive
b) Bad Power Supply

If your hardware checks out, then you may want to wipe out your computer and reload a fresh operating system. Saving your old files can be tricky, so I recommend purchasing a new hard drive, installing it, and removing your "BAD" hard drive. Set up windows on your new hard drive, and when all done, re-install your "BAD" hard drive as a secondary (non-boot) drive. (It may appear as a "D" drive.)

When you get your computer working again,
protect it:

Lavasoft Adaware

Spybot Search & Destroy

Windows Defender

Grisoft AVG Free Edition

Deep Freeze