Below are some steps to follow in order to dramatically lower the chances of reinfection
You may have already implemented some of the steps below, however you should follow any steps that you have not already implemented
- Turn off System Restore.
On the Desktop, right-click My Computer.
Click Properties.
Click the System Restore tab.
Check Turn off System Restore.
Click Apply, and then click OK.
Reboot.
Turn ON System Restore.
On the Desktop, right-click My Computer.
Click Properties.
Click the System Restore tab.
UN-Check *Turn off System Restore*.
Click Apply, and then click OK.
NOTE: only do this ONCE,NOT on a regular basis - Keep your antivirus and firewall updated
- Keep windows up to date with the latest patches
IMPORTANT: You Need to Update Windows and Internet Explorer to protect your computer from the malware that is around on the Internet. Please go to the windows update site to get the critical updates.
If you are running Microsoft Office, or any portion thereof, go to the Microsoft's Office Update site and make sure you have at least all the critical updates installed (Free) Microsoft Office Update. - Install spywareblaster
Spyware blaster is a program that stops known malicious activex controls from installing on your computer. It works by changing settings in your registry. It makes
kill bits
in the registry, so that certain activex controls can't install.
If you don't know what activex controls are, see here
You can download SpywareBlaster here here
Make sure to update it on a regular basis - Install IE-SPYAD
Dowload and instructions located here
Make sure to update it on a regular basis - Use a HOSTS file
- Every version of windows has a hosts file as part of them.
- In a very basic sense, they are used to locate webpages.
- We can customize a hosts file so that it blocks certain webpages.
- However, it can slow down certain computers.
- This is why using a hosts file is optional!!
If you decide to download the hosts file, the slowdown problems can usually be avoided by following these steps:- Click the start button (at the lower left hand corner of your screen)
- Click run
- In the dialog box, type services.msc
- hit enter, then locate dns client
- Highlight it, then double-click it.
- On the dropdown box, change the setting from automatic to manual.
- Click ok
Instructions are located here
Make sure to update them on a regular basis
Two good alternative browsers are
Firefox
Opera
It is essential to update to the latest version of your browser, as the updates fix known security holes
This can be done by following these simple instructions:
From within Internet Explorer click on the Tools menu and then click on Options.
Click once on the Security tab
Click once on the Internet icon so it becomes highlighted.
Click once on the Custom Level button.
Change the Download signed ActiveX controls to Prompt
Change the Download unsigned ActiveX controls to Disable
Change the Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe to Disable
Change the Installation of desktop items to Prompt
Change the Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to Prompt
Change the Navigate sub-frames across different domains to Prompt
Change the allow paste operations via script to Disable
When all these settings have been made, click on the OK button.
If it prompts you as to whether or not you want to save the settings, press the Yes button.
Next press the Apply button and then the OK to exit the Internet Properties page.
I use and recommend ATF Cleaner by Attribune
To use it, follow these instructions
- Double-click ATF-Cleaner.exe to run the program.
- Click Main at the top and choose Select All from the list.
- Click the Empty Selected button.
- Click Firefox at the top and choose Select All from the list.
- Click the Empty Selected button.
- NOTE: If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click No at the prompt.
- Click Opera at the top and choose Select All from the list.
- Click the Empty Selected button.
- NOTE: If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click No at the prompt.