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| [Spyware Best
Practices] |
How to Combat Spyware:
WARNING: The information below is only a recommendation
for handling Spyware. We highly suggest that you have a qualified computer
technician use the tools below to clean and immunize your computer. InSwift
takes no responsibility for the use of any of the tools below. Use at your own
risk.
Start by downloading each of the following additional free tools:
AdAware <http://www.lavasoftusa.com/>
CWShredder <http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4086.html>
HijackThis <http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=3155>
LSP-Fix and WinsockXPFix <http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm>
Stinger <http://us.mcafee.com/virusInfo/default.asp?id=stinger>
Create a separate folder for HijackThis, such as C:\HijackThis - copy the
downloaded file there. AdAware and Spybot S&D have install routines - run
them. The other downloaded programs can be copied into, and run from, any
convenient folder.
First, run Stinger. Have it remove any problems found.
Next, close all Internet Explorer and Outlook windows, and run CWShredder. Have
it fix all problems found.
Next, run AdAware. First update it ("Check for updates now"), configure for
full scan (<http://forum.aumha.org/viewtopic.php?t=5877>),
then scan. When scanning finishes, remove all Critical Objects found.
Next, run Spybot S&D again. First update it ("Search for updates"), then
run a scan ("Check for problems"). Trust Spybot, and delete everything ("Fix
Problems") that is displayed in Red.
Then, run HijackThis ("Scan"). Remove any suspicious entries.
(search engines, etc.) Save the HJT Log. <http://forums.spywareinfo.com/index.php?showtopic=227>
<http://www1.spywareinfo.com/articles/hijacked/prevent.php>
Finally, have your HJT log interpreted by experts at one or more of the
following security forums (and please post a link to your forum posts, here):
Aumha: <http://forum.aumha.org/index.php>
Net-Integration: <http://forums.net-integration.net/>
Spyware Info: <http://forums.spywareinfo.com/>
Spyware Warrior: <http://spywarewarrior.com/index.php>
Tom Coyote: <http://forums.tomcoyote.org/>
If removal of any spyware affects your ability to access the internet (some
spyware builds itself into the network software, and its removal may damage
your network), run LSP-Fix and / or WinsockXPFIx.
Last, improve your chances for the future.
Harden your browser. There are various websites which will check for
vulnerabilities, here are three which I use.
http://www.jasons-toolbox.com/BrowserSecurity/
http://bcheck.scanit.be/bcheck/
https://testzone.secunia.com/browser_checker/
Block Internet Explorer ActiveX scripting from hostile websites (Restricted
Zone).
<https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/main.htm>
(IE-SpyAd)
Block known dangerous scripts from installing. <http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html>
Block known spyware from installing. <http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareguard.html>
Make sure that the spyware detection / protection products that you use are
reliable:
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm
Harden your operating system. Check at least monthly for security updates.
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
Block possibly dangerous websites with a Hosts file. Three Hosts file sources I
use:
http://www.accs-net.com/hosts/get_hosts.html
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
(The third is included, and updated, with Spybot (see above)).
Maintain your Hosts file (merge / eliminate duplicate entries) with: eDexter
<http://www.accs-net.com/hosts/get_hosts.html>
Hostess <http://accs-net.com/hostess/>
Secure your operating system, and applications. Don't use, or leave activated,
any accounts with names or passwords with trivial (guessable) values. Don't use
an account with administrative authority, except when you're intentionally
doing administrative tasks.
Use common sense. Yours. Don't install software based upon advice from unknown
sources. Don't install free software, without researching it carefully. Don't
open email unless you know who it's from, and how and why it was sent.
Educate yourself. Know what the risks are. Stay informed. Read newsgroups, and
various web pages that discuss security problems. Check the logs from the
security products that you use regularly, look for things that don't belong,
and take action when necessary.
-The InSwift Team
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