Re: mysearchweb/lop.com etc - having got rid of them how to keep them out?

From: Kent W. England [MVP] (kwe_at_mvps.org)
Date: 08/19/04 

Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 20:17:47 -0700

Steve wrote on 18-Aug-2004 12:12 PM:

> I'd be grateful for ideas and info on how to prevent the attack in the first
> place, rather than do a cleanup job afterwards.

1) turn on Automatic Updates to stay up-to-date with critical Windows
updates and IE updates
2) a good AV is essential. update it daily.
3) a firewall is good. The Windows firewall in SP2 is more configurable.
A personal firewall will help you find malware that is "phoning home"
4) there are extra protections required for IE:
   a) I recommend Quik-Fix from www.pivx.com
   b) SpywareBlaster and Spybot can innoculate against bad extensions
   c) there are lists of bad sites to put in the Restricted Zone
   d) clamp down on the Internet zone settings and put your favorite
sites in the Trusted zone

An alternative that many are recommending is to switch your browser to
avoid activex. Easier to disable activex in the Internet zone and stay
with what you know. 

-- 
Kent W. England, Microsoft MVP for Windows Security

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