How Did My Computer Get Infected?

A PC Protection Guide

Computers are constantly at risk of being infected or attacked with viruses / malware / phishing scams / spyware / rogue anti-virus programs and so on. This guide will help you understand how to keep your system better protected.

Anti-Virus Protection:

Anti-virus software must be installed on every machine. To NOT do so is just plain stupid. The software must be updated to the latest version of the program and virus definitions. Most new computers / laptops come with a time limited subscription so in case your's has ran out, or you don't have one installed, here are some decent FREE ones:

• AVAST

• Avira

• Microsoft Security Essentials

• AVG
  

• Update and manually scan with your anti-virus software regularly or set daily / weekly schedules

• Only install ONE realtime anti-virus program as more than one will cause conflicts and slow your system down.

Online Anti-Virus Scanners:

As well as running your own installed anti-virus program you should also run an online anti-virus scanner atleast once a week such as:

• Trend Micro HouseCall

• F Secure

• BitDefender

• ESET

• Upload suspicious files to: Kaspersky File Scanner or  VirusTotal

Anti-Malware Protection:

• Anti-virus software IS NOT enough. We recommend installing and scanning your system with: and

• We recommend updating and scanning your system with both atleast once a week.

• The above FREE versions are fine for manual scanning, however we recommend purchasing one of the paid versions for realtime protection. We sell them both with lifetime licenses. Please Contact Us for details.

Monitor System Changes:

• Monitor changes to your system with WinPatrol - Host-based Intrusion Prevention System(HIPS)

Host File Protection:

• The host file is used to map hostnames to IP addresses and it is not uncommon for malware / spyware etc to alter this file. You might enter http://www.google.com into your browser and malware alters the hosts file to redirect Google to some unwanted page or nothing at all. This is known as a redirect.

• Use HostsXpert to protect and restore your Hosts File

• Use WinPatrol to lock and monitor changes to your Hosts File

• HostsMan - HostsMan is a freeware application that lets you manage your Hosts file with ease.

 

Temp Files:

• Clean your temp files regularly using TFC
  
• This will make anti virus / malware scans run quicker and reduce the risk of viruses / malware hiding in your temp files

Rogue Anti-Virus / Malware Programs:

• Make sure that you are not running a rogue anti-virus / malware program

Firewall Protection:

• Do you have a firewall installed? NEVER go online WITHOUT some sort of firewall present. It takes approximately 8 seconds for an unprotected computer to get infected. We DO NOT recommend using the firewall built in to Windows as it does not block everything that tries to gain access to your system. Some good FREE ones here:
• Sunbelt Personal Firewall
• Comodo

• Test your firewall online with ShieldsUP

• As with anti-virus software only ever install ONE firewall as more will cause conflicts and degrade system performance

Browser Protection:

• Use FireFox instead of internet explorer

• Use the NoScript add-on for FireFox

• Install SpywareBlaster

• Install SpywareGuard - Works as a Spyware "Shield"
  
• Install IE-Spyad - puts over 5000 sites in your restricted zone so you'll be protected.

• Install McAfee Site Advisor - Award-winning, free protection that uses intuitive icons to give you safety and phishing advice before you click on a risky site.

Email Attachments / Spam:

• DO NOT open attachments from people you do not know not matter how tempting they look especially ones with .exe, .bat, .com extensions.

• Spam is a nuisance as well as a threat. Install a FREE Spam protection program such as: Spamfighter or Comodo Antispam

Websites:

• Stay away from porn, warez, crack sites.

Windows Updates:

• Is your Windows operating system up to date with ALL updates?

• XP guide

• Vista guide

Cracked / Pirate Software:

• It may seem a great and cheap idea to install cracked or pirate software, however most of these programs come with keygens / cracks which are usually infected.

Software Updates:

• Keep all your programs up to date with: FileHippo UpdateChecker.

Instant Messaging:

• DO NOT click any links sent via MSN etc. Check with the person who sent it.

• Use Miranda or Digsby instead. These are less virus prone than MSN and let you use all your IM clients such as MSN, AOL, ICQ, IRC Yahoo etc in ONE application

Peer To Peer Programs:

• DO NOT install or use peer to peer (p2p) downloading applications such as Limewire, blubster, Kazaa, uTorrent etc as these are a well known source of viruses / malware.

Web Content Filtering:

• Use a web content filtering such as: K9 or OpenDNS.

Limited Users:

• Create limited user accounts (ideal for kids, limited users, public users etc) with Windows Steady State

System Restore Points:

• Create a new system restore point by Get SysRestorePoint here.

• Get rid of all old, possibly infected system restore points. XP guide here. Vista guide here.

FREE Backup:

• Once all this has been done then create a system backup - preferably a system image. FREE solutions are:
• Drive Image XML
• DiscWizard (FREE for Maxtor / Seagate drives)
• Easeus Todo Backup
  

Implementing the above simple, FREE steps should help keep your computer from getting infected or greatly reduce the risk of it.