To all computer users!
Every year it gets worse. More than ever, you really need to be on guard. Some viruses out there are incredibly destructive. In fact, our own email virus checker has detected a record number of incoming viruses recently. These, combined with recent warnings given by McAfee and Symantec, have prompted our ‘community service’ message. While our localized and email form of protection does tend to minimize the risk to computers at the school; for your computer's performance and your personal security, we would like to remind you to update your virus checkers on your personal computers.
There are four main areas to keep up to date and in this order:
-
Windows Updates (VERY Important)
-
Anti-Virus Software
- Anti-Spyware Software
- Change Your Browser
1) Windows Updates
Problem: Did
you know that you can get a virus from just connecting to the Internet? It used
to be that you’d have to open an attachment in an email or run a downloaded
program, but due to flaws in Internet Explorer and Windows, you can be infected
behind a virus checker by means of a
flaw in Windows. This means that no matter how good your virus
checker is, it will not fully protect you if you don't have Windows updated.
How to fix this: Visit this link: windowsupdate.microsoft.com Get all ‘Critical’ updates. If you are on a dial-up connection this may take a long time. At the end of the installation, you will get a message telling you to reboot. Do so. When you machine reboots, reconnect to the Internet, revisit Windowsupdate and make sure that you have all critical updates installed.
Note on Windows XP Service Pack 2: Most updates have been rolled up into a HUGE download called Service Pack 2. You can get this from Microsoft directly but you will almost certainly need a broadband connection to download it. If you can download it, Service Pack 2 offers the most security and fixes.
How to keep things fixed: If you would like to avoid missing updates in the future and are running Windows XP you can automate the downloading of the most critical patches. Right-click on ‘My Computer’, and go to the ‘Automatic Updates’ tab. Click on the ‘Automatically download the updates’ option and select a time you are normally online. When future updates are released you will see a small Windows globe appear in the lower right hand corner. Select it and update when needed.
2) Anti-Virus / Anti-Spyware Software
Problem: Just because you have a virus checker installed doesn’t mean you are safe from viruses. Like the Flu shot, virus checkers need to be kept current with the latest updates. If you got a Flu shot two years ago, it won’t protect you this season. The same goes for virus checkers. If you have a virus checker that hasn’t been updated in months or years, you are not protected. Our own email server is updated against threats six times a day now!
If
you haven’t updated your software within the last month or so, we strongly advise
you to do it ASAP.
Solution: Select your anti-virus software and look for an ‘updates’ section. Connect to the Internet and update to the latest patch. Also, see if you can set it to automatically grab updates as they are released. If you don’t have a virus checker, a free one can be had at Grisoft:
Update: Grisoft now offers an excellent free spyware checker as well. While there are other anti-spyware software programs out there, this one seems to be one of the best for eradicating already-installed
As long as you intend to get email or connect to the Internet, you need to have an updated virus checker. This sad fact is unlikely to change anytime soon.
3) Other Anti-Spyware Software
Problem: Has
your computer been running slooowwww
lately? Sometimes,
there are worse annoyances then even viruses! Certain software comes with
hidden programs that secretly operate in the background. The most common forms
of this are peer-to-peer file sharing programs like, Bearshare,
Kazaa, Morpheus, iMesh, Grokster, Limewire, Net2Phone; or even ‘helpware’
like, Comet Cursor, Bonzai Buddy, Gator, Offer Companion, Time
Sync, Date Calendar, Xupiter, and quite a few others.
When these programs are
installed on your computer, they install their own programs that have their own
designs. Some of these hidden applications spy on your surfing habits
and report the information to shadowy companies of questionable repute
(spyware) or present pop-up ads at sites like Yahoo that do not usually
have any pop-up ads (adware). Other software can
cover ads with their own messages (scumware), or
permanently change your home page preferences. Many
programs like Kazaa will install 5-7 individual
spyware programs! After a while your speedy new computer may start running
slowly or you may start to see odd error messages.
Most of these hidden programs
are parasitic in nature and hurt the performance or stability of your computer.
So, you've never personally installed any of the above programs? That may
not matter. If you have kids, or others have used your computer from time
to time, it is certainly possible that they have. Sometimes, just
visiting a web site can install these programs without your permission or
knowledge. In any case, you
should probably scan your computer for them. Many of these programs present
themselves very innocently (like the purple Bonzai
Buddy monkey), but secretly wreck havoc on your computer or endanger
your privacy and/or security.
Solution: The best solution we've found so far is free – Adaware, from LavaSoft. Please use the link below to download Adaware as there are quite a few 'fake' applications by the same name.
Next to the 'Search' field, type in 'adaware'. Download Adaware SE.
Before running Adaware for the first time, be sure you are connected to the Internet as Adaware will need to update immediately after installation. After running Adaware, simply 'next' your way through it until it finishes installing. When you run this program for the first time it will ask you to update. You must be connected to the Internet to do this.
If you are trying to connect from Linden Hall, click on 'Configure', check the red 'x' next to HTTP Proxy, and type in: lindenisa, and '8080' next to 'Port'.
Once the updates have finished you'll have a screen like the one below. Select 'Start'. This part may take anywhere from a few minutes to up to a 1/2 hour. Once finished, you will see a list of spyware components listed.
Right-click on the list of files and click 'Select All Objects'. Then click the 'Next' button. Most of the time this is enough to clean your computer, however it may ask you to restart your computer and run it again. This happens because some spyware cannot be uninstalled while it is running. In that case, answer 'yes' and reboot/recheck your computer again. If it does, you'll want to say 'yes' and restart. The program will run again when your computer reboots.
4) Change your Internet Browser
Still using Internet Explorer 6? We'd recommend you switch ASAP. Most of the worst trojan horses have gotten installed through the use of Internet Explorer. There are a few options for you, but we'd recommend the free one - Firefox. It's faster, it's more compatible with standard web sites, and it's far safer. Here's where you can download this for Windows or the Mac:
Thank you for taking the time to look over this information. Feel free to share this page with anyone you think might be at risk or interested. If you need assistance, please contact Mr. Hunnefield or Mr. Rothwell and we will do our best to help you. If you found this article helpful, send us an email and let us know!
Sincerely,
|
Mr. Hunnefield admin@lindenhall.org Technology Director Linden Hall School |
Mr. Rothwell jrothwell@lindenhall.org Asst. Technology Coordinator |