Keeping Your Computer Clean and Healthy
Disclaimer: Humboldt Internet
cannot provide support for these 3rd party programs.
If you need help using these programs, you can contact the vendors, or you
can contact Humboldt Internet Computer Repair Division at 825-INET (825-4638)
4
Steps
1.
Antivirus
Software
2.
Anti-adware/malware/spyware
Software
3.
Windows
Updates
4.
Firewalls
1.
Anti-Virus Software
a. Some popular vendors
iii.
www.free.grisoft.com (Free)
b. What it Does:
i.
Finds
and deletes viruses and trojan horses.
ii.
A
virus is a parasitic computer program written intentionally to enter a computer
without the user's permission or knowledge.
iii.
The
word parasitic is used because a virus replicates itself, thus continuing to
spread.
iv.
Though
some viruses do little but replicate, others can cause serious damage or affect
legitimate programs and sytem preformance.
v.
A
virus should never be assumed harmless and left on a system.
c. Symptoms
i.
Emails
are sent out automatically.
ii.
Your
computer suddenly slows down.
iii.
Your
computer shuts down by itself.
iv.
Your computer
starts behaving strangely. For example disc drive lights may begin to
flash.
v.
Any
unexpected changes in the content of your files
vi.
Programs
no longer work as they previously did
vii.
Parts
of the compuer will start to become unstable
d. How to use it
i.
Connect
to the Internet.
ii.
Make
sure that you have a current subscription with the Antivirus vendor.
1.
An
Antivirus program needs to know what is and what is not a virus. It does this by keeping a list of known
viruses.
2.
This
list is sometimes called a "virus definition list".
3.
However,
new viruses come out practically every day, so the Antivirus program needs to
keep this list updated.
4.
It
does this by connecting to the Antivirus Vendor's website and downloads the new
list of known viruses.
5.
Antivirus
vendors typically require you to purchase an annual "subscription" in
order for you to be able to download the current list of viruses.
6.
To
see if you have a current subscription with the Antivirus vendor, you can
7.
Look
in Antivirus program itself, it might tell you the expiration date of your
subscription.
8.
Go to
the vendors website, or contact the vendor, and they will be able to tell you
if you have one, and if so, what date it is good through.
iii.
Get
the list of virus definitions updated.
1.
Once
you have your subscription with the Antivirus endor established, you will use
the Antivirus program to download the current virus definition list.
2.
Every
antivirus program handles this slightly differently, but normally there will be
an option or a button in the program that reads: "Update".
3.
If
you don't know where that is, you should be able to find out by clicking on
"Help" or by going to the Vendor's website for instructions on how to
update the Antivirus program with current definitions.
4.
Some
vendors have a telephone Technical Support line that you can call and get
instructions on how to use their program.
iv.
Disconnect
from the Internet.
1.
You
only need to be connected to the Internet to verify subscription and download
updates.
2.
You
do NOT have to be connected to the Internet to scan your computer for
viruses.
v.
Have
the Antivirus program scan your computer for viruses.
1.
Now
that you have updated your Antivirus program with the current list of virus
definitions, you will need to have the Antvirus program scan your computer for
viruses.
2.
Again,
every antivirus program handles this slightly differently, but normally there
will be an option, or button, that reads: "Scan"
3.
If
you can't find how to start the "Scan", then you might be able to
consult the Help, the vendor's website, or their telephone Technical Support
line.
vi.
Keep
running the Antivirus program until it tells you that it has found NO viruses
on the computer.
1.
If
your Antivirus program finds a virus on your computer, it will usually
quarantine the infected program.
2.
Some Antivirus
programs only quarantine the virus, while others delete them
automatically.
3.
Again,
check the Help, the vendor's website, or their Technical Support on how their
program handles viruses.
vii.
Once
the viruses are cleaned off your computer, it is recommended that you run the
antivirus program again until it tells you that it has found NO viruses on the
computer.
2. Anti-Spyware
a. Some popular vendors:
b. What it does
i.
An
Anti-Spyware program is a program which finds and deletes spyware and adware.
ii.
Spyware
is a term used to describe software that track your computer usage and reports
it to a third party, often without your consent. Spyware often comes attached
to Utilities such as a time and date manager, music download software, or
"toolbar buddies"
iii.
Adware
is different than spyware in that it does not necessarily spy on the user.
Sometimes working in conjunction with spyware, adware displays pop-up ads, or
changes your home page.
c. Symptoms
i.
When
you open a browser or connect to the Internet, unexpected pop-up ads show up.
This is adware.
ii.
Your
computer (not just your connection speed) slows down significantly whether
online or offline. This is the result of spyware using up memory and bandwidth.
iii.
The
homepage has been reset to something that you did not expect.
iv.
If
you have installed software from the Internet and it installed a second piece
of software automatically, that second piece of software is often spyware.
d. How to use it
i.
The
procedure to use an Anti-Spamware program is exactly like using an Antivirus
program.
ii.
See
the How to use it section in the Antivirus section.
3. Windows
Updates
a. What it does
i.
Keeps
your Windows Operating System current with any security patches that Microsoft
has come out with.
ii.
Microsoft
discovers potential security holes in their products such as Windows XP or
Outlook Express often.
iii.
They
provide "patches" for these potential exploits.
iv.
These
patches are also called Critical Updates
v.
It is
imperative that you keep your computer updated with the lastest security
patches from Microsoft to help prevent attackers from using your computer.
b. How to use it
i.
Connect
to the Internet.
ii.
Get Windows
Updates
1.
On
some computers, you can click on Start and then on Windows Updates.
2.
If
you don't see that on your computer. Go to the next step
iii.
If
you are prompted with
iv.
"Do
you want to allow software such as ActiveX controls and plug-ins to run?"
v.
Click
on Yes
vi.
Click
on Scan for Updates
vii.
If
Windows detects that your computer doesn't have the most current Critical
Updates, you will be prompted to install the updates.
viii.
Follow
the instructions on the website on how to install the updates.
ix.
If
your computer is up to date, the website will read:
x.
There
are no Critical Updates at this time.
4. Firewalls
a. Some popular vendors
iii.
Windows
XP SP2 Firewall (this comes with Windows XP SP2) - www.microsoft.com
b. What it does
i.
A firewall
is a piece of hardware or software that limits incoming and/or outgoing
Internet traffic.
ii.
Be
aware of “false positives”. The term
“false positive” in reference to firewalls is traffic that you want to receive,
but it categorized as “attack”, and thus blocked.
c. How to use it
i.
Refer
to the manufacturer’s instructions