Re: HELP Securing XP Broadband Cable Connection

From: Kent W. England [MVP] (kwe_at_mvps.org)
Date: 09/04/03 

Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2003 22:22:14 -0700

6) Don't open attachments from strangers and don't even open attachments
from friends because they might have a virus sending the email. Don't
open attachments from Microsoft. Save attachments and scan for bugs,
don't open directly.

7) Don't give out your private email address to web sites. Don't put
your friends private email addresses on web sites (no Tell a Friend
about Us).

8) If you use file sharing networks or instant messaging, beware of
those files too and make sure they are scanned for bugs. If in doubt,
save the file and scan it manually. 

-- 
Kent W. England, Microsoft MVP for Windows
"JButton" <wagunther@hotnospammail.com> wrote in
message news:0c8d01c37168$d6be0260$a401280a@phx.gbl...
> Here are a few good starting steps:
>
> 1) Make sure your firewall is properly configured.  Get a
> 3rd party firewall if necessary.
>
> 2) Go to windowsupdate.microsoft.com and download all the
> critical patches.
>
> 3) Update antivirus software and run at least weekly.
>
> 4) If you must use file sharing software, use some without
> spyware, like Kazaa Lite, not Kazaa or Morpheus.
>
> 5) Download, update and run Spybot and Ad-aware.  You can
> download both from pcworld.com, just search for them.
>
> - Jeremy
> >-----Original Message-----
> >I'm new to XP and cable modems. Just installed one and
> >and after an record round of closing pop-ups and unwanted
> >garbage from spam scum, discovered that I had several new
> >items on my start menu, new desktop icons, and several
> >directory trees on my hard drive. The scum also added
> >about 50 new items to my favorites list. This was after
> >enabling Internet Firewall. I suspect it may have
> >something to do with 'Morpheus', a P2P music sharing
> >search utility. I could fool around w/ this and think I
> >have it secured but what I'd really ike is for some super
> >knowledgable person to direct me to a list of procedures
> >for securing this, or just tell me what I eed to do. This
> >is a little scary. I've always had hardware people at
> >work to handle this, but this install is in my home where
> >I'm on my own. Please help me!
> >
> >Sincerely,
> >
> >Dave Reed
> >.
> >