Re: popup windows - nasty

From: Lanwench [MVP - Exchange] (lanwench_at_heybuddy.donotsendme.unsolicitedmail.atyahoo.com)
Date: 11/22/03 

Date: Sat, 22 Nov 2003 13:50:21 -0500

See the firewall section in particular, but also follow the whole thing -
antivirus, anti-spyware, etc...

*** Good security housekeeping tips, in no particular order: ***

* See http://securityadmin.info/faq.htm

* Go to www.lavasoftusa.com and download AdAware...install, launch, update &
run it. This will rid your computer of spyware/adware.

* Use antivirus software (www.grisoft.com has a freebie) and update it
regularly - at least once a week; daily if possible.

* Use a good firewall to block access to your computer from the Internet
(www.sygate.com is a decent freebie for a standalone workstation; hardware
appliances are a better choice for networks). For software firewalls, see
BlackIce or the freebie at www.sygate.com - but you do get what you pay for.
For a good hardware firewall, see NetGear or Linksys or DLink - they all
make easy to use products, but make sure they're true firewalls and not just
NAT devices, as those are not going to stop anyone. Expect to pay about
$100-$120 USD for a good hardware firewall.

* Get a popup blocker to stop IE popups, such as www.panicware.com (they
offer a free one) or try the new Google toolbar 2.0 which does the same
thing (and is just plain cool)

* Run Windows Update regularly (http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com) to get
all the latest patches for your operating system.

* See http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/Darnit.htm for lots of information on
browser hijacking and how to stop it

* Do not use Imesh or Kazaa any other peer-to-peer file sharing software,
ever.

* Do not use Hotbar.
Jazae wrote:
> This morning, while checking email, some very nasty pop up
> windows came up (nasty as in porno - verbal) and I could
> not shut them down. Instead, each told me to go to a
> certain website. When I did, it said these pop up windows
> were created by Microsoft so I would buy the popup blocker
> for $19.95. I shut down, started up again and there they
> were. When you try to close them "x", a worse one appears,
> and so on.
> I know this is not Microsoft doing this, so what are they
> going to do about it?
> I depend on my computer for work and school. I am afraid
> to use it now for fear any email I send or place I go
> these nasty-grams will follow and I do not want to send
> them to school or work.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: password protection
    ... and cable] and should really consider Windows 2000 / XP. ... sure you're also running antivirus and firewall, ... Internet] to bypass this security. ...
    (microsoft.public.security)
  • Re: Port 3128
    ... > that port to send out Spam. ... > need a firewall app to do it or is there some other way? ... Also consider using a trojan scanner such as ... www.pestpatrol.com and an antivirus scanner such as Norton to look for other ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.security)
  • Re: been hit by hacker, servudaemon installed
    ... Windows 2000 hardening checklists from www.microsoft.com/technet/security ... use antivirus and a file change checker such as ... where to get a firewall and antivirus program ... Consider installing an antivirus program that is ...
    (microsoft.public.inetserver.iis.security)
  • Re: message at start up
    ... It sounds like you're not running a firewall, ... You also failed to mention what version of Windows you are using, ... Antivirus programs generally detect some ... Consider installing an antivirus program that is configured to ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.security)
  • Re: syscfg32.exe accessing the internet?
    ... where to get a firewall and antivirus program are all below: ... You can also use the NETSTAT -A command that comes with Windows to look at ... Antivirus programs generally detect some ... Consider installing an antivirus program that is configured to ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.security)