Lanwench
Fri Aug 15 23:06:45 CDT 2003
See the AdAware section below (but it's all good advice). Also note - best
to have posted in an Outlook Express newsgroup - this one's for Outlook.
*** Good security housekeeping tips, in no particular order: ***
* See
http://securityadmin.info/faq.htm
* Go to www.lavasoftusa.com and download AdAware...install, launch, update &
run it. This will rid your computer of spyware/adware.
* Use antivirus software (www.grisoft.com has a freebie) and update it
regularly - at least once a week; daily if possible.
* Use a good firewall to block access to your computer from the Internet
(www.sygate.com is a decent freebie for a standalone workstation; hardware
appliances are a better choice for networks).
* Get a popup blocker to stop IE popups, such as www.panicware.com (they
offer a free one) or try the new Google toolbar 2.0 which does the same
thing (and is just plain cool)
* Run Windows Update regularly (
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com) to get
all the latest patches for your operating system.
* See
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/Darnit.htm for lots of information on
browser hijacking and how to stop it
* Do not use Imesh or Kazaa any other peer-to-peer file sharing software,
ever.
* Do not use Hotbar.
Grant wrote:
> Some online ad company has taken over the main window in
> my OE. It is now blank white until I connect to my ISP,
> then a lame imitation of the default OE main window
> appears with links to various products and services.
> The "Tip of the Day" area now talks about what to do if I
> have bad credit!
> I can get the default window back with System Restore but
> two days later it's the same crap again.
> Somebody must have installed some sort of spyware or
> homing pinger on the computer that solicits these
> intrusions.
> Any ideas on how to find the culprit code and delete it so
> that OE can remain unmolested and the same, repeated
> series of pop-ups can be banished?