[Dr Dave]

Will give you a procedure to fix it yourself to keep it running
[1] Download, install and run Webroots, Spysweeper
[2] Download. install and run Firefox 1.0.1 Browser.
[3] Get yourself a good virus program like Avast Anti-Virus which automatically updates its program and definitions.
[2 and 3] are free programs, Spysweeper, which has won numberous
awards is well worth the money. http://www.webroot.com/
http://www.mozilla.org/
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
[4] Defrag
[5] Use program to check your system files for errors
[6] Clean out your temp files
[7] Each day put in a restore point, for System Restore
[8] Keep a copy of your Registry

[jillian2]

Hi Dave, I have Firefox 1.0.1 and AVG free version . Recently , MSN 9 has provided all their dialup customers with Spy Sweeper by Webroot. I installed it. But this is version 3.2 and their is a version 3.5. So, apparently they are letting MSN use the 3.2. When I click on update, it tells me that I have the latest version. It is good.

[sle]

Originally Posted by Dr Dave

[5] Use program to check your system files for errors

Hey, Dr. Dave, and thx for the tips. Is this like running ScanDisk to physically check the hard drive?

[Dr Dave]

Originally Posted by jillian2

Hi Dave, I have Firefox 1.0.1 and AVG free version . Recently , MSN 9 has provided all their dialup customers with Spy Sweeper by Webroot. I installed it. But this is version 3.2 and their is a version 3.5. So, apparently they are letting MSN use the 3.2. When I click on update, it tells me that I have the latest version. It is good.

I really like Spysweeper, If you use alot of programs, like spybot, adaware, etc
they will sooner or later have conflict by picking up each others quarantines so
I just rely on Spysweeper, it works really well.

[Dr Dave]

Originally Posted by sle

Hey, Dr. Dave, and thx for the tips. Is this like running ScanDisk to physically check the hard drive?

Yes, it checks it for errors and fixes them.
* Double click My Computer
* Highlight a local hard disk drive by clicking on it once.
* Right click the highlighted local drive
* Click properties
* Click the tools tab and click check now to check the drive for errors.
* The computer will need to restart in order to run scandisk in a safe mode.

[sle]

Gotcha. Not something I'm in the habit of doing, but I'll work on keeping it in mind. Thx.

[mach9]

Dr.Dave:
Do all of the things on your list, regularly. Thanks for the list though. Its good to double check. I've used Spy Sweeper for years; it's gotten better and better. Run A squared, Spybot, Ad-aware, TDS-3, Anti-Keylogger, CWShredder, Spyware Guard and SpywareBlaster. Various shields. So far they aren't reading each other as spyware. Wait. I generally delete. Clean out all temps regularly.Dump restore everytime a bit of spyware is found. Almost only false positives, and those rarely.

An addition to the list- disable dangerous services if there aren't complicated dependencies. Used Thomas C. Greene's book "Computer Security for Home and Small Office" especially chpt. 2 "Vectors". However that can be too dangerous for many users to do. But for more experienced I'd recommend they take a gander. He's Associate Editor at The Register. I'm sure you're familiar with him.
Thanks for all your valuable contributions. Read each and every post of yours.

[bkpeck]

mach9 what do you run for anti-keylogger?

[Big-K]

Has anyone else noticed an overabundance of this type of thread lately?

[mach9]

Originally Posted by bkpeck

mach9 what do you run for anti-keylogger?

bkpeck:

I use anti-keylogger by Raytown Corporation LLC- an Independent security software developer. Have used since v. 5.1. Just repurchased- new version 6.0.
Sits there quietly and detects any attempts to insert a keylogger. Its first on startup list. Require little or no effort/intervention by the user. It's $50-$60 or so. I also buy the CD's of antispyware in case of a crash, don't have to go "naked" back online to download. Super cautious, I know. Esp. as I've never had a crash. But it's getting more and more dangerous out there, so I overprepair.
Mary Ann. Oh, you can read about this at http://www.anti-keyloggers.com/

[bkpeck]

Thanks Mary Ann!!