Re: Help - Hacker attack

From: Alberto (a.forlai_at_nospam.virgilio.it)
Date: 09/04/05

  • Next message: Carey Frisch [MVP]: "Re: Task Manager" 
    Date: Sun, 4 Sep 2005 22:32:57 +0200

    I have no words ...
    I have to spend 1 week to translate your super resposnse.
    Thank you very very much it seems to be REALLY exaustive.
    By the way there was nothing of importatnt on my pc.
    There was a collection of pic of my daughter (completely destroyed) and some
    personal code in my docs, just changed (also if crypted).
    My concern is about this msg I have found Firewall log : "Microsoft Multiple
    Application/OS GDI+ JPEG Processing Buffer Overflow Vulnerability attempt
    detected (CAN-2004-200)" becuase of too tecnical language I don't
    understand is completey ... by the way I don't like it ...

    "Shenan Stanley" <newshelper@gmail.com> ha scritto nel messaggio
    news:udvylyYsFHA.1168@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
    > Alberto wrote:
    >> I have had an hacker attack that completely cancelled the document
    >> folder of my daughter.
    >> I have had the Symantec AV, Win/XP PRO firewall, and Sygate Filewall
    >> (now I'm using Sygate Filewall PRO) and also Spybot.
    >> Of course my system was up-to-date (Win/XP PRO Sp2 - last update
    >> Aug/2005)
    >> If I look to security properties of some files in my system I was
    >> able to see a strange user with admin authority : user = S-1-5-7-1324
    >> ......
    >> Now I have re-installed the whole system, but it's happen that
    >> sometimes some IE bar changes (i.e GOOGLE toolbar for italian verosin
    >> to english one .....)
    >>
    >> How can I be sure to have no "strange thinks" on my system ?
    >>
    >> I have had some encrypted files on my PC (encrypted via native XP
    >> utility right click on the file ....-> encrypt and so on ....) after
    >> the attack it was impossible for me to open these files (access
    >> denied) What was on ? What kind of action this hacker has done on my
    >> files ?
    >> this means that encryption is un-usefull better dangerous .... ?
    >>
    >> Thanks for any idea about that
    >
    > Sounds like over-reaction to me. If you are really as secure as you say
    > you are, the hacker would have had to really care about what was on your
    > computer - because there are so many EASY targets out there - bothering
    > with you (unless they know you) would be a waste of their time..
    >
    > Sounds like you are getting "Access Denied" - possibly someone just
    > changed (you, your daughter - anyone with physical access and a spare 20
    > minutes) the file/folder permissions. Take ownership of the files in
    > question..
    >
    > How to Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP
    > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421
    >
    > How to disable simplified sharing & set permissions
    > on a shared folder in Windows XP
    > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/30787
    >
    >
    > You've got a good start on system maintenance it seems (perhaps one too
    > many software firewalls) - but you may get something out of these tips to
    > not only clean up the problem with your system (Spybot Search and Destroy
    > is good - it is not *that* good) but also better secure it.
    >
    > Microsoft has these suggestions for Protecting your computer from the
    > various things that could happen to you/it:
    >
    > Protect your PC
    > http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/
    >
    >
    > Although those tips are fantastic, there are many things you should
    > know above and beyond what is there. Below I have detailed
    > out many steps that can not only help you clean-up a problem PC but
    > keep it clean ,secure and running at its top performance mark.
    >
    > I know this text can seem intimidating - it is quite long and a lot
    > to take in for a novice - but I assure you that one trip through this
    > list and you will understand your computer and the options available
    > to you for protecting your data much better - and that the next time
    > you review these steps, the time it takes will be greatly reduced.
    >
    > Let's take the cleanup of your computer step-by-step. Yes, it will take
    > up some of your time - but consider what you use your computer
    > for and how much you would dislike it if all of your stuff on your
    > computer went away because you did not "feel like" performing some
    > simple maintenance tasks - think of it like taking out your garbage,
    > collecting and sorting your postal mail, paying your bills on time,
    > etc.
    >
    > I'll mainly work around Windows XP, as that is what the bulk of this
    > document is about; however, here is a place for you poor souls still
    > stuck in Windows 98/ME where you can get information on maintaining
    > your system:
    >
    > Windows 98 and 'Maintaining Your Computer':
    > http://www.microsoft.com/windows98/usingwindows/maintaining/
    >
    > Windows ME Computer Health:
    > http://www.microsoft.com/windowsME/using/computerhealth/articles/
    >
    > Pay close attention to the sections:
    > (in order)
    > - Clean up your hard disk
    > - Check for errors by running ScanDisk
    > - Defragment your hard disk
    > - Roll back the clock with System Restore
    >
    >
    > Also - now is a good time to point you to one of the easiest ways to find
    > information on problems you may be having and solutions others have found:
    >
    > Search using Google!
    > http://www.google.com/
    > (How-to: http://www.google.com/intl/en/help/basics.html )
    >
    >
    > Now, let's go through some maintenance first that should only have to be
    > done once (mostly):
    >
    > Tip (1):
    > Locate all of the software you have installed on your computer.
    > (the installation media - CDs, downloaded files, etc)
    > Collect these CDs and files together in a central and safe
    > place along with their CD keys and such. Make backups of these
    > installation media sets using your favorite copying method (CD/DVD Burner
    > and application, Disk copier, etc.) You'll be glad to know that if you
    > have a CD/DVD burner, you may be able to use a free application to make a
    > duplicate copy of your CDs. One such application is ISORecorder:
    >
    > ISORecorder page (with general instructions on use):
    > http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/beta.htm
    >
    > Yes - it is BETA software - but very useful and well tested.
    >
    > More full function applications (free) for CD/DVD burning would be:
    >
    > DeepBurner Free
    > http://www.deepburner.com/
    >
    > CDBurnerXP Pro
    > http://www.cdburnerxp.se/
    >
    > Another Option would be to search the web with Pricewatch.com or
    > Dealsites.net and find deals on Products like Ahead Nero and/or Roxio.
    >
    >
    > Tip (2):
    > Empty your Temporary Internet Files and shrink the size it stores to a
    > size between 128MB and 512MB..
    >
    > - Open ONE copy of Internet Explorer.
    > - Select TOOLS -> Internet Options.
    > - Under the General tab in the "Temporary Internet Files" section, do the
    > following:
    > - Click on "Delete Cookies" (click OK)
    > - Click on "Settings" and change the "Amount of disk space to use:" to
    > something between 128MB and 512MB. (Betting it is MUCH larger right
    > now.)
    > - Click OK.
    > - Click on "Delete Files" and select to "Delete all offline contents"
    > (the checkbox) and click OK. (If you had a LOT, this could take 2-10
    > minutes or more.)
    > - Once it is done, click OK, close Internet Explorer, re-open Internet
    > Explorer.
    >
    >
    > Tip (3):
    > If things are running a bit sluggish and/or you have an older system
    > (1.5GHz or less and 256MB RAM or less) then you may want to look into
    > tweaking the performance by turning off some of the 'resource hogging'
    > Windows XP "prettifications". The fastest method is:
    >
    > Control Panel --> System --> Advanced tab --> Performance section,
    > Settings button. Then choose "adjust for best performance" and you
    > now have a Windows 2000/98 look which turned off most of the annoying
    > "prettifications" in one swift action. You can play with the last
    > three checkboxes to get more of an XP look without many of the
    > other annoyances. You could also grab and install/use one
    > (or more) of the Microsoft Powertoys - TweakUI in particular:
    >
    > http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx
    >
    >
    > Tip (4):
    > Understanding what a good password might be is vital to your
    > personal and system security. You may think you do not need to password
    > your home computer, as you may have it in a locked area (your home) where
    > no one else has access to it. Remember, however, you aren't always
    > "in that locked area" when using your computer online - meaning you likely
    > have usernames and passwords associated with web sites and the likes that
    > you would prefer other people do not discover/use. This is why you should
    > understand and utilize good passwords.
    >
    > Good passwords are those that meet these general rules
    > (mileage may vary):
    >
    > Passwords should contain at least six characters, and the character
    > string should contain at least three of these four character types:
    > - uppercase letters
    > - lowercase letters
    > - numerals
    > - nonalphanumeric characters (e.g., *, %, &, !, :)
    >
    > Passwords should not contain your name/username.
    > Passwords should be unique to you and easy to remember.
    >
    > One method many people are using today is to make up a phrase that
    > describes a point in their life and then turning that phrase into their
    > password by using only certain letters out of each word in that phrase.
    > It's much better than using your birthday month/year or your anniversary
    > in a pure sense. For example, let's say my phrase is:
    > 'Moved to new home in 2004'
    > I could come up with this password from that:
    > 'Mv2n3whmN04'
    >
    > The password tip is in the one time section, but I highly
    > recommend you periodically change your passwords. The suggested time
    > varies, but I will throw out a 'once in every 3 to 6 months for
    > every account you have.'
    >
    >
    > Tip (5):
    > This tip is also 'questionable' in the one time section; however -
    > if properly setup - this one can be pretty well ignored for most people
    > after the initial 'fiddle-with' time.
    >
    > Why you should use a computer firewall..
    > http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/viruses/fwbenefits.mspx
    >
    > You should, in some way, use a firewall. Hardware (like a nice
    > Cable Modem/DSL router) or software is up to you. Many use both of
    > these. The simplest one to use is the hardware one, as most people
    > don't do anything that they will need to configure their NAT device
    > for and those who do certainly will not mind fiddling with the equipment
    > to make things work for them. Next in the line of simplicity would
    > have to be the built-in Windows Firewall of Windows XP. In SP2 it
    > is turned on by default. It is not difficult to turn on in any
    > case, however:
    >
    > Enable/Disable the Internet Connection Firewall (Pre-SP2):
    > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/283673
    >
    > More information on the Internet Connection Firewall (Pre-SP2):
    > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/320855
    >
    > Post-SP2 Windows Firewall Information/guidance:
    > http://snipurl.com/atal
    >
    > The trouble with the Windows Firewall is that it only keeps things
    > out. For most people who maintain their system in other ways, this is
    > MORE than sufficient. However, you may feel otherwise. If you want to
    > know when one of your applications is trying to obtain access to the
    > outside world so you can stop it, then you will have to install a
    > third-party application and configure/maintain it. I have compiled a
    > list with links of some of the better known/free firewalls you can choose
    > from:
    >
    > BlackICE PC Protection (~$39.95 and up)
    > http://blackice.iss.net/
    >
    > Jetico Personal Firewall (Free)
    > http://www.jetico.com/index.htm#/jpfirewall.htm
    >
    > Kerio Personal Firewall (KPF) (Free and up)
    > http://www.kerio.com/kpf_download.html
    >
    > Outpost Firewall from Agnitum (Free and up)
    > http://www.agnitum.com/download/
    >
    > Sygate Personal Firewall (Free and up)
    > http://smb.sygate.com/buy/download_buy.htm
    >
    > Symantec's Norton Personal Firewall (~$25 and up)
    > http://www.symantec.com/sabu/nis/npf/
    >
    > ZoneAlarm (Free and up)
    > http://snipurl.com/6ohg
    >
    > You should find the right firewall for your situation in that
    > list and set it up.
    >
    > Every firewall WILL require some maintenance. Essentially checking for
    > patches or upgrades (this goes for hardware and software solutions) is
    > the extent of this maintenance - you may also have to configure your
    > firewall to allow some traffic depending on your needs.
    >
    > ** Don't stack the software firewalls! Running more than one software
    > firewall will not make you safer - it would possibly negate some
    > protection you gleamed from one or the other firewall you run.
    >
    >
    > Now that you have some of the more basic things down..
    > Let's go through some of the steps you should take periodically to
    > maintain a healthy and stable windows computer. If you have not
    > done some of these things in the past, they may seem tedious - however,
    > they will become routine and some can even be automatically scheduled.
    >
    >
    > Tip (6):
    > The system restore feature is a new one - first appearing in Windows
    > ME and then sticking around for Windows XP. It is a useful feature
    > if you keep it maintained and use it to your advantage. Remember that
    > the system restore pretty much tells you in the name what it protects
    > which is 'system' files. Your documents, your pictures, your stuff is
    > NOT system files - so you should also look into some backup solution.
    >
    > I have seen the automatic system restore go wrong too many times not
    > to suggest the following.. Whenever you think about it (after doing a
    > once-over on your machine once a month or so would be optimal) - clear
    > out your System Restore and create a manual restoration point.
    >
    > 'Why?'
    >
    > Too many times have I seen the system restore files go corrupt or get
    > a virus in them, meaning you could not or did not want to restore from
    > them. By clearing it out periodically you help prevent any corruption
    > from happening and you make sure you have at least one good "snapshot".
    > (*This, of course, will erase any previous restore point you have.*)
    >
    > - Turn off System Restore.
    > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310405
    > - Reboot the Computer.
    > - Review the first bullet to turn on System Restore
    > - Make a Manual Restoration Point.
    > http://snipurl.com/68nx
    >
    > That covers your system files, but doesn't do anything for the files
    > that you are REALLY worried about - yours! For that you need to look
    > into backups. You can either manually copy your important files, folders,
    > documents, spreadsheets, emails, contacts, pictures, drawings and so on
    > to an external location (CD/DVD - any disk of some sort, etc) or you can
    > use the backup tool that comes with Windows XP:
    >
    > How To Use Backup to Back Up Files and Folders on Your Computer
    > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308422
    >
    > Yes - you still need some sort of external media to store the results
    > on, but you could schedule the backup to occur when you are not around,
    > then burn the resultant data onto CD or DVD or something when you are
    > (while you do other things!)
    >
    > A lot of people have wondered about how to completely backup their system
    > so that they would not have to go through the trouble of a reinstall..
    > I'm going to voice my opinion here and say that it would be worthless to
    > do for MOST people. Unless you plan on periodically updating the image
    > backup of your system (remaking it) - then by the time you use it
    > (something goes wrong) - it will be so outdated as to be more trouble than
    > performing a full install of the operating system and all applications.
    >
    > Having said my part against it, you can clone/backup your hard drive
    > completely using many methods - by far the simplest are using disk cloning
    > applications:
    >
    > Symantec/Norton Ghost
    > http://www.symantec.com/sabu/ghost/
    >
    > Acronis True Image
    > http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage
    >
    >
    > Tip (7):
    > You should sometimes look through the list of applications that are
    > installed on your computer. The list may surprise you. There are more
    > than likely things in there you know you never use - so why have them
    > there? There may even be things you know you did *not* install and
    > certainly do not use (maybe don't WANT to use.)
    >
    > This web site should help you get started at looking through this list:
    >
    > How to Uninstall Programs
    > http://snipurl.com/8v6b
    >
    > A word of warning - Do NOT uninstall anything you think you MIGHT need
    > in the future unless you have completed Tip (1) and have the installation
    > media and proper keys for use backed up somewhere safe!
    >
    >
    > Tip (8):
    > Patches and Updates!
    >
    > This one cannot be stressed enough. It is SO simple, yet so neglected
    > by many people. It is especially simple for the critical Windows patches!
    > Microsoft put in an AUTOMATED feature for you to utilize so that you do
    > NOT have to worry yourself about the patching of the Operating System:
    >
    > How to configure and use Automatic Updates in Windows XP
    > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525
    >
    > However, not everyone wants to be a slave to automation, and that is
    > fine. Admittedly, I prefer this method on some of my more critical
    > systems.
    >
    > Windows Update
    > http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
    >
    > Go there and scan your machine for updates. Always get the critical ones
    > as you see them. Write down the KB###### or Q###### you see when
    > selecting the updates and if you have trouble over the next few days,
    > go into your control panel (Add/Remove Programs), insure that the
    > 'Show Updates' checkbox is checked and match up the latest numbers you
    > downloaded recently (since you started noticing an issue) and uninstall
    > them. If there was more than one (usually is), uninstall them one by one
    > with a few hours of use in between, to see if the problem returns.
    > Yes - the process is not perfect (updating) and can cause trouble like I
    > mentioned - but as you can see, the solution isn't that bad - and is
    > MUCH better than the alternatives.
    >
    > Windows is not the only product you likely have on your PC. The
    > manufacturers of the other products usually have updates. New versions
    > of almost everything come out all the time - some are free, some are pay
    > and some you can only download if you are registered - but it is best
    > to check. Just go to their web pages and look under their support and
    > download sections. For example, for Microsoft Office you should visit:
    >
    > Microsoft Office Updates
    > http://office.microsoft.com/
    > (and select 'Check for Updates' and/or 'Downloads' for more)
    >
    > You also have hardware on your machine that requires drivers to interface
    > with the operating system. You have a video card that allows you to see
    > on
    > your screen, a sound card that allows you to hear your PCs sound output
    > and
    > so on. Visit those manufacturer web sites for the latest downloadable
    > drivers for your hardware/operating system. Always get the manufacturers'
    > hardware driver over any Microsoft offers. On the Windows Update site I
    > mentioned earlier, I suggest NOT getting their hardware drivers - no
    > matter
    > how tempting.
    >
    > How do you know what hardware you have in your computer? Break out the
    > invoice or if it is up and working now - take inventory:
    >
    > Belarc Advisor
    > http://belarc.com/free_download.html
    >
    > EVEREST Home Edition
    > http://www.lavalys.com/products/download.php?pid=1&lang=en
    >
    > Once you know what you have, what next? Go get the latest driver for your
    > hardware/OS from the manufacturer's web page. For example, let's say you
    > have an NVidia chipset video card or ATI video card, perhaps a Creative
    > Labs sound card or C-Media chipset sound card...
    >
    > NVidia Video Card Drivers
    > http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp
    >
    > ATI Video Card Drivers
    > http://www.atitech.com/support/driver.html
    >
    > Creative Labs Sound Device
    > http://us.creative.com/support/downloads/
    >
    > C-Media Sound Device
    > http://www.cmedia.com.tw/e_download_01.htm
    >
    > Then install these drivers. Updated drivers are usually more stable and
    > may provide extra benefits/features that you really wished you had before.
    >
    > As for Service Pack 2 (SP2) for Windows XP, Microsoft has made this
    > particular patch available in a number of ways. First, there is the
    > Windows Update web page above. Then there is a direct download site.
    >
    > Direct Download of Service Pack 2 (SP2) for Windows XP
    > http://snipurl.com/8bqy
    >
    > If all else fails - grab the full download above and try to use that.
    > In this case - consider yourself a 'IT professional or developer'.
    >
    >
    > Tip (9):
    > What about the dreaded word in the computer world, VIRUS?
    >
    > Well, there are many products to choose from that will help you prevent
    > infections from these horrid little applications. Many are FREE to the
    > home user and which you choose is a matter of taste, really. Many people
    > have emotional attachments or performance issues with one or another
    > AntiVirus software. Try some out, read reviews and decide for yourself
    > which you like more:
    >
    > ( Good Comparison Page for AV software: http://www.av-comparatives.org/ )
    >
    > AntiVir (Free and up)
    > http://www.free-av.com/
    >
    > avast! (Free and up)
    > http://www.avast.com/
    >
    > AVG Anti-Virus System (Free and up)
    > http://free.grisoft.com/
    >
    > eset NOD32 (~$39.00 and up)
    > http://www.eset.com/products/products.htm
    >
    > eTrust EZ Antivirus (~$29.95 and up)
    > http://ca.com/store/home/us/hp2/
    >
    > Kaspersky Anti-Virus (~$49.95 and up)
    > http://www.kaspersky.com/products.html
    >
    > McAfee VirusScan (~$11 and up)
    > http://www.mcafee.com/
    >
    > Panda Antivirus Titanium (~$39.95 and up)
    > http://www.pandasoftware.com/
    > (Free Online Scanner: http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/)
    >
    > RAV AntiVirus Online Virus Scan (Free!)
    > http://www.ravantivirus.com/scan/
    >
    > Symantec (Norton) AntiVirus (~$11 and up)
    > http://www.symantec.com/nav/nav_9xnt/
    >
    > Trend Micro (~$49.95 and up)
    > http://www.trendmicro.com/en/home/us/personal.htm
    > (Free Online Scanner:
    > http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp)
    >
    >
    > Most of them have automatic update capabilities. You will have to
    > look into the features of the one you choose. Whatever one you finally
    > settle with - be SURE to keep it updated (I recommend at least daily) and
    > perform a full scan periodically (yes, most protect you actively, but a
    > full scan once a month at 4AM probably won't bother you.)
    >
    >
    > Tip (10):
    > The most rampant infestation at the current time concerns SPYWARE/ADWARE.
    > You need to eliminate it from your machine.
    >
    > There is no one software that cleans and immunizes you against
    > everything. Antivirus software - you only needed one. Firewall, you
    > only needed one. AntiSpyware - you will need several. I have a list and
    > I recommend you use at least the first five.
    >
    > First - make sure you have NOT installed "Rogue AntiSpyware". There are
    > people out there who created AntiSpyware products that actually install
    > spyware of their own! You need to avoid these:
    >
    > Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products & Web Sites
    > http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm
    >
    > Also, you can always visit this site..
    > http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
    > For more updated information.
    >
    > Install the first five of these: (Install, Run, Update, Scan with..)
    > (If you already have one or more - uninstall them and download the
    > LATEST version from the page given!)
    >
    > Lavasoft AdAware (Free and up)
    > http://www.lavasoft.de/support/download/
    > (How-to: http://snipurl.com/atdn )
    >
    > Spybot Search and Destroy (Free!)
    > http://www.safer-networking.net/en/download/index.html
    > (How-to: http://snipurl.com/atdk )
    >
    > Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner (Free!)
    > http://www.kephyr.com/spywarescanner/
    > (How-to: http://snipurl.com/ate3 )
    >
    > SpywareBlaster (Free!)
    > http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/sbdownload.html
    > (How-to: http://snipurl.com/ate6 )
    >
    > IE-SPYAD2 (Free!)
    > https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/resource.htm
    > (How-to: http://snipurl.com/ate7 )
    >
    > CWShredder Stand-Alone (Free!)
    > http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract/cwshredder_download.html
    >
    > Hijack This! (Free!)
    > http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html
    > (Log Analyzer: http://hjt.iamnotageek.com/ )
    >
    > ToolbarCop (Free!)
    > http://windowsxp.mvps.org/toolbarcop.htm
    >
    > Microsoft AntiSpyware BETA (in testing stages - Free!)
    > http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/
    > (How-to: http://snipurl.com/fqur )
    >
    > Browser Security Tests (Free Tester)
    > http://www.jasons-toolbox.com/BrowserSecurity/
    >
    > Popup Tester (Free Tester)
    > http://www.popuptest.com/
    >
    > The Cleaner (~$49.95 and up)
    > http://www.moosoft.com/
    >
    > Sometimes you need to install the application and reboot into SAFE MODE in
    > order to thoroughly clean your computer. Many applications also have
    > (or are) immunization applications. Spybot Search and Destroy and
    > SpywareBlaster are two that currently do the best job at passively
    > protecting your system from malware. None of these programs (in these
    > editions) run in the background unless you TELL them to. The space they
    > take up and how easy they are to use greatly makes up for any
    > inconvenience
    > you may be feeling.
    >
    > Please notice that Windows XP SP2 does help stop popups as well.
    >
    > Another option is to use an alternative Web browser. I suggest
    > 'Mozilla Firefox', as it has some great features and is very easy to use:
    >
    > Mozilla Firefox
    > http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/
    >
    >
    > So your machine is pretty clean and up to date now. If you use the
    > sections
    > above as a guide, it should stay that way as well! There are still a few
    > more things you can do to keep your machine running in top shape.
    >
    >
    > Tip (11):
    > You should periodically check your hard drive(s) for errors and defragment
    > them. Only defragment after you have cleaned up your machine of
    > outside parasites and never defragment as a solution to a quirkiness in
    > your system. It may help speed up your system, but it should be clean
    > before you do this. Do these things IN ORDER...
    >
    > How to use Disk Cleanup
    > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310312
    >
    > How to scan your disks for errors
    > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265
    >
    > How to Defragment your hard drives
    > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314848
    >
    > I would personally perform the above steps at least once every three
    > months.
    > For most people this should be sufficient, but if the difference you
    > notice
    > afterwards is greater than you think it should be, lessen the time in
    > between its schedule.. If the difference you notice is negligible, you
    > can
    > increase the time.
    >
    >
    > Tip (12):
    > SPAM! JUNK MAIL!
    > This one can get annoying, just like the rest. You get 50 emails in one
    > sitting and 2 of them you wanted. NICE! (Not.) What can you do? Well,
    > although there are services out there to help you, some email
    > servers/services that actually do lower your spam with features built into
    > their servers - I still like the methods that let you be the end-decision
    > maker on what is spam and what is not. I have two products to suggest to
    > you, look at them and see if either of them suite your needs. Again, if
    > they don't, Google is free and available for your perusal.
    >
    > SpamBayes (Free!)
    > http://spambayes.sourceforge.net/
    >
    > Spamihilator (Free!)
    > http://www.spamihilator.com/
    >
    > As I said, those are not your only options, but are reliable ones I have
    > seen function for hundreds+ people.
    >
    >
    > Tip (13):
    > ADVANCED TIP! Only do this once you are comfortable under the hood of
    > your
    > computer!
    >
    > There are lots of services on your PC that are probably turned on by
    > default
    > you don't use. Why have them on? Check out these web pages to see what
    > all
    > of the services you might find on your computer are and set them according
    > to your personal needs. Be CAREFUL what you set to manual, and take heed
    > and write down as you change things! Also, don't expect a large
    > performance
    > increase or anything - especially on today's 2+ GHz machines, however - I
    > look at each service you set to manual as one less service you have to
    > worry
    > about someone exploiting.
    >
    > Black Viper Service Configuration Tips
    > http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm
    >
    > Configuring Services
    > http://snakefoot.fateback.com/tweak/winnt/services.html
    >
    > Task List Programs
    > http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm
    >
    > Processes in Windows NT/2000/XP
    > http://www.reger24.de/prozesse/
    >
    > There are also applications that AREN'T services that startup when you
    > start
    > up the computer/logon. One of the better description on how to handle
    > these
    > I have found here:
    >
    > Startups
    > http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php
    >
    >
    > If you follow the advice laid out above (and do some of your own research
    > as
    > well, so you understand what you are doing) - your computer will stay
    > fairly
    > stable and secure and you will have a more trouble-free system.
    >
    > --
    > Shenan Stanley
    > MS-MVP
    > --
    > How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
    > http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
    >

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