AumHa Forums

[SPLIT from http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=44212 by ~Admin]

My computer got infected yesterday. The malware disbled the firewall, the MS Windows antivirus and the AVG 9.1 anti-virus. Eventually someone helped me get back to normal (some of the ways I read here were the same). My question is: what good is having a firewall and anti-virus softwares if none of these stopped the malware infecting all the software I had in the computer? Now I am back to normal but I can expect this to happen at any time in the future.

Steps To Help Prevent Spyware
http://www.microsoft.com/security/spyware/prevent.aspx

Steps to Help Prevent Computer Worms
http://www.microsoft.com/security/worms/prevent.aspx

Avoid Rogue Security Software!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/antivirus/rogue.aspx

Risks & Benefits of P2P file sharing
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/data/downloadfileshare/filesharing.aspx
http://blogs.technet.com/mmpc/archive/2008/10/06/the-cost-of-free-software.aspx

<IMHO>

Don't let ANYBODY else use your computer (or your User Account): Not your kids, not your grandchildren, not even your spouse/mate!

Don't open emails from someone you don't know or that you weren't expecting. Don't open any attachments that you weren't expecting, even if the email appears to be "from" someone you know: When in doubt, ask the sender about the attachment by sending them a New Message, not a Reply To the received message.

In your case, Henry, ditch AVG ASAP! Replace it with, e.g., Avast5, Avira AntiVir, or Microsoft Security Essentials (all free) or NODS 32 or Kaspersky (paid).

And when your budget will allow it, buy a new Win7 computer: Win7 is infinitely more-secure than WinXP. Until then, upgrade to IE8 if you've not done so already.

</IMHO>

The above notwithstanding, there isn't a security application or browser or Operating System in the world that can stop you from infecting your own computer if you're determined to do so, wittingly or not.

I agree with what Robear wrote, however ... Be careful in that you should only have one AntiVirus (don't confuse with AntiSpyware) application loading at boot to actively protect your system. More than one will lead to conflicts between the two and make your system less, not more secure.

Additional thoughts follow ...

Properly Closing Pop-ups
These days if one doesn't know how to properly close a popup, life can get very difficult as I've worked on many machines where users venture (unknowingly) to very legitimate but infected websites. Read Bill's summary here => viewtopic.php?f=26&t=32872

Windows Update
Using Internet Explorer (only), check in at Windows Update , use the Express button and install all updates offered; reboot if prompted to do so.

Tip: Critical updates are offered on the second Tuesday of every month. Security updates can be released at any time though most "out of band" updates tend to be released on the 4th Tuesday of the month.

Windows Updates should be configured such that Automatic Update is enabled, at least to just notify.

How to configure and use Automatic Updates in Windows XP: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525/

Consider hardening your defenses
Consider adding the additional layers of AntiSpyWare (don't confuse with AntiVirus, you can run in tandem unlike AntiVirus where you should only have one) protection noted below:

• Download, install, and keep updated Spyware Blaster (free):
  http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
• Click here to read about and download the freeware version of WOT => WOT
  Web of Trust warns you about risky websites that try to scam visitors, deliver malware or send spam. Protect your computer against online threats by using WOT as your front-line layer of protection when browsing or searching in unfamiliar territory. WOT's color-coded icons show you ratings for 21 million websites, helping you avoid the dangerous sites:
  
  • Green to go
  • Yellow for caution
  • Red to stop
  WOT has an addon available for both Firefox and IE.

Learn to stay safe
Spend some time reading about how to keep your computer safe on the Internet (courtesy of AumHa member and MS-MVP miekiemoes): http://users.telenet.be/bluepatchy/miek ... ntion.html

Good Luck

KB brings up a good question: What's "MS Windows antivirus," Henry? Is it Windows Defender (which is not an anti-virus application) or Microsoft Security Essentials (which should not be installed if AVG's installed & vice versa).