Tips for Virus, Spyware, Adware & Malware prevention.

Virus, Spyware, Malware & Adware Practical Prevention Tips for new computers...

This page is for users who have new computers where the only performance issues are too many programs pre-loaded from the manufacturer!

We will install over 500 Internet Protection software programs next Year! Our customers will expect us to recommend the best latest and the greatest prevention tools for their networks and because they are usually small offices, many have 5 or more user's on the network where the server performs dual duty as a workstation as well!

So when we say mission critical we mean it.

Unbelievably, many soon to be new customers do not check that their backups are actually backing up or that they can restore files when needed! When your computer has been literally wiped clean or hard disk drive has failed is not the time to check if your backups have been working or that your anti-virus is up to date!

What we have found during the almost 15 Years in this service industry is this:

• Most larger Anti-Virus companies get complacent when they are on top! Resulting in lack luster customer service when "You" the customer needs it the most?
• New virus, spyware, malware and adware comes out all of the time! Not all antivirus companies will have a cure right away.
• At least weekly data backups and computer anti virus scans are necessary to maintain a healthy productive computer and do not forget defragmentation.
• Common sense is critical, if you are not sure of the download, website or email then do not open or visit it!
• A good pop up blocker will prevent pop-up malware & Ad ware sites.
• Uninstall options like a software program removal utility tool from the software manufacturer are critical.
  
  When you have decided that you want another software product to protect your computer is not the time to find out you cannot uninstall or get rid of the old antivirus program!
   
• Always patch your operating system and keep it up to date!
• Not all Anti-Virus companies offer backward compatible programs. If you still have Windows 98 then make sure the Anti Virus software will run on that operating system platform before you purchase it! Or if you have a Mix of Operating Systems make sure they are all supported.

Buying at retail is a waste of time unless they throw in a freebie :)

Assuming you're happy with downloading software rather than paying postage for an oversized box filled with air and a single CD, the prices offered on company sites are generally as good or better than those offered by 'conventional' brick and mortar retailers, so you might as well skip them. Make a CD copy of the download for future needs, some companies like Panda will give you a 3 three user license for all your home computers, be sure to check the details before you buy! Purchasing multi-license bundles is nearly always cheaper, regardless of your preferred package.

One of the things that I hate about Dell, Toshiba, Compaq, HP and eMachine computers is the pre-installed software. Every PC that ships is stacked with all sorts of garbage, from media players to broadband trial offers and even Anti-Virus Trial Programs. After some coaxing, you remove almost all the unwanted applications, except for the worst of the bunch: the all-encompassing security and antivirus trial package pre-installed on the PC? Did I hear you say, just uninstall it using the add remove programs?

If only I could!

Attempts to uninstall the suite via the add/remove dialogue in the Windows control panel failed, with the system indicating that an executable belonging to it is still in memory and couldn't be deleted.

Okay. So you right click the system tray control and open the control centre of the suite. Disable all components of the suite, then run the uninstaller again.

Same error.

Fine. CTRL + ALT + DEL, terminate process tree, run the uninstaller yet again.

Same error.

A quick browse online, and you discover "to your horror" that many people are in the same boat. The only solution available to the problem is to boot your PC into safe mode, and then run the uninstaller.

This is entirely unreasonable. How dare a program, which you didn't ask to have installed in the first place, embed itself so deeply into the system that it requires safe mode to uninstall?

So I ask you - Isn't this the definition of malware?

In the case of the antivirus vendor of these trial internet security suites, You can't help thinking that the difficulty in uninstalling it was an attempt to push you into buying a subscription from them. Those kind of strong-arm tactics usually result in boycotting any and all of a company's products.

1. Uninstall the trial version AntiVirus program from that shinny new computer!
2. Get (Download) Mozilla FireFox with the Google Toolbar
3. Get Mcafee's SiteAdvisor www.siteadvisor.com plug in for Firefox or Microsoft's Internet Explorer. Use this to ensure your downloads are from a trusted site. Offers protection from adware, spam, viruses, and online scams! Once installed you can search for your favorite downloads in your favorite search engine where you will see the SiteAdvisor's Icon move your mouse over it to tell you any details they have for that site.
4. Get a total internet protection suite and keep it up to date. Usually you will have to pay Yearly, do not get a 3 year agreement because they may not be next Years Pick at review time! Saving money is great but when you loose hours having to wipe out and reinstall the operating system and software programs, then uninstall all the un-needed junk programs or you can try to repair your PC and spend hours on end only to have it in some cases run even slower, well it's your choice.
5. We actually use two Internet Anti Virus software programs, Panda Internet Security 2008 - $15 Discount Coupon which we run at the workstation level and if we get a problem we use Trend Micros online scan to double check against Panda, if Trend's online scan does find a problem they have a online cleaner as well and best of all it is FREE.

Trend Micro™ HouseCall is an application for checking whether your computer has been infected by viruses, spyware, or other malware. HouseCall performs additional security checks to identify and fix vulnerabilities to prevent re-infection.

Last, uninstall all those un-needed software programs from your computer.

Since we get a lot of donated Step x Step, White Papers and Faq's please let us know if they contain errors by emailing us here.
 

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Webmasters, please don't throw away your old whitepapers or Faq's or let them fade away, we would be more than happy to host them here on our site, even if they are antiquated and outdated!