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Spyware Removal and Virus Removal - How To Cleanup Your System
First off, one of the most common spyware programs that people get is called about:blank. You will know when you have this as your IE browser
will begin pointing to about:blank no matter what you do. For simple step by step instructions to remove this, you came to the right place.
See the instructions for about:blank removal. Another common
spyware or adware program that has been appearing is known by the name of aurora. See the instructions for
removing aurora popups here.
As mentioned earlier, one of the best ways to prevent spyware, is to be familiar with your program startup list. These include the programs that run
whenever your pc is shutdown or rebooted. Since viruses or spyware need a way to begin running again, they put entries in your startup list so they can
restart when you reboot. Click Start-Run and type "msconfig" in the box and hit enter. Click the startup tab to view your startup list. These are all
the programs that run whenever your pc is rebooted. Become familiar with this, it can save you alot of trouble in the long run.
Most people run spyware removers, but spyware changes so quickly that its difficult for any one program to find all of them, so you need to take it
to the source. Monitor your startup list and become familiar with it, this will allow you to remove spyware and reboot so it cannot startup again.
I would also switch to a browser that does not allow activex, like Firefox. It is free, fast, and you have both Firefox and Internet Explorer both on your
system.
Some spyware/adware/malware arrive as a hidden "add on" when you install free software "gimmies". Remember that free software (called freeware, freeware is different
from shareware, as shareware usually costs money after a free trial period ends and includes full support, while freeware is always free and normally has
no support or limited support). Normally freeware is free for a reason. Most companies will not spend all their time supporting and writing
something to give away free, unless they have a way to get some money in return (can't blame them, it makes business sense), so they get paid to embed
hidden programs in with your freeware. These programs (called spyware or adware) track you, display ads to you, create pop up windows, or use
your machine resources, among other things. The best thing you can do is become familiar with programs that run in your task list, and become familiar
with programs that run when you reboot your computer, as all spyware/adware/malware need a way to reactive in case you shutdown. This will always lead you
to the source of your popup windows, or advertising popups that are being caused from adware or spyware. You may also want to use a program
like Disk and Registry Alert, which allows you to
track or view any changes made to your hard drive and registry.
Note also if you want to know what all those tasks
are showing in your ctrl-alt-del task list, view the
computer task list directory here.
Continue reading more about virus and spyware removal here.
Wireless Internet Security - Routers and Firewalls
Routers - You absolutely must be using a router if you have broadband internet access (through cable, dsl, etc., anything access except dialup). This is the
simplest and most effective security measure anyone can take. Routers are small boxes, can cost anywhere from $20 to $80 depending upon many factors,
and can be found in any electronics or computer store. There are some simple steps everyone can take, some more advanced then others, but even doing
the basics can make your security far better then most, and keep intruders out of our computer.
More detailed information on these is listed in the link below.
Firewalls - By default, if you already have a router as mentioned above, then you already have a firewall too. Software firewalls (software that
you install on your pc to keep intruders out) can be found all over the internet, but a hardware router is one of the best firewalls you can get. If you
have a router, then by default you also have a firewall already.
More detailed information on these is listed in the link below.
Wireless connections must be made secure, if you are using a wireless router as most are, make sure you have done a few
simple steps to keep your information from being stolen out of the airwaves. You can password protect your router by setting up encryption. This
should be done by everyone who is using a wireless router. Thats why you can see your neighbors computer, its because they haven't bothered to set
this up. If password encryption is setup, your neighbors will not be able to see your computer or access it. You can also setup remote access by only
allowing only specific computers to access your router. This means you tell the router which computers can access your connection, anyone else (or
any new laptop, etc.) would not be able to access it unless you say so. If you have done either of these methods, then you have a secure system (at
least far more secure then most would do!).
Continue reading more about wireless internet security.
Disk and Internet Cleanup - File Removers
IE's ActiveX files are executable files which run in your browser. This is one of the major culprits for installing spyware on your machine without you
knowing it. Either turn off ActiveX in the IE settings, or use one of the other free browsers like Firefox. It is free, has just as many features, and
does not allow ActiveX.
Many files are left behind on your pc when you browse the internet. These can contain all the webpages you have viewed, cookies, internet history, and
many other file types. Anyone sharing your pc with you can easily stumble across this history of information, and if you ever sell or give your pc
away then this information will always be waiting there to be found. There are also many non internet related files left behind on your computer just
from running various programs. The internet files can be cleaned up fairly easily by using your browser settings, however I would recommend downloading
a utility program that does this for you as it will make it far easier and more thorough. See next page link below for more details on this.
One of the best ways to prevent spyware, is to be familiar with your program startup list. These include the programs that run whenever your
pc is shutdown or rebooted. Since viruses or spyware need a way to begin running again, they put entries in your startup list so they can
restart automaticallly when you reboot your pc. Click Start-Run and type "msconfig" in the box and hit enter. Click the startup tab to view your startup list. Become
familiar with this, it can save you alot of trouble in the long run.
Continue reading more about disk and internet cleanup here.
Computer Tips
Internet cookies - Go here tips and detailed information on internet cookies.
Spyware Database and System Tasks - Identify spyware and adware programs, system tasks, and their hard drive locations.
Common Tasks:
Teatimer (Teatimer.exe)
Ose (Ose.exe)
Msascui (Msascui.exe)
Wininet (Wininet.dll)
Browseui (Browseui.dll)
Distnoted (Distnoted.exe)
Misc Stuff
Tips and Misc Help
Forum - Messageboard Help - Ask questions and get answers.
Popular Discussions:
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Computer Software Help
Disk and File Software Directory - Download disk or file related shareware and freeware programs.
Internet Software Directory - Download internet related shareware and freeware programs.
System Tools Software Directory - Download system related shareware and freeware programs.
Miscellaneous Software Directory - Download miscellaneous shareware and freeware programs.
Audio and Video Software Directory - Download video or audio related shareware and freeware programs.
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