Shenan
Wed Jul 23 00:03:16 CDT 2003
Gary <> wrote:
> I have Windows XP home addition and I heard that there was
> a download for security against viruses, hackers, etc at
> the Windows homepage. I downloaded the file and I have
> found that I have difficulty getting onto the intenet via
> my server. Has anyone else had this problem?
Where did you "hear" this information?
Did someone EMAIL you a file and you installed it?
If so, you have likely screwed up your system.
Microsoft does NOT email their customers patches and/or any files.
The only "updates" most users need for their Windows Systems are found at:
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
Where you can SCAN for UPDATES and INSTALL them.
As for protection against other things like viruses, etc - you have to get
your own protection.
You need these things to keep your system clean, updated and running as well
as possible (AT LEAST these things):
1. Keep your operating system (Windows XP Home in your case) patched by
frequently visiting the windows update page listed above.
2. Keep your hard drive cleaned up by running "cleanmgr" every so often.
You can do this by clicking on the start button, finding and selecting RUN
and typing in "cleanmgr" in the "Open" area and clicking OK. Or by clicking
on the Start button, going to Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools and
selecting "Disk Cleanup".
3. Keep your system defragmented and scan for errors approximately once per
month. To do this, just open My Computer or Windows Explorer and
right-click on your hard drive(s) - usually "Local Disk C:" and maybe
others. Choose properties, select the "Tools" tab and for defragmenting,
choose the "Defragment Now" button. For scandisking, choose the "Check Now"
button. Note that when scandisking, you should check both options and if it
asks you to schedule for the next reboot, say yes, then my suggestion is
right before you go to bed that night, reboot. It will handle the rest.
4. Download a free antivirus software or purchase a commercial level one.
Install it, set it up for scheduled scans of your PC and for automatic
updates of its virus definitions. And out of date or unused antivirus
software is almost as useless as none at all - not quite, but close enough.
5. Either use the built in Windows XP firewall or download one to use on
your system. A good firewall, even just the built in one, can help keep
some annoyances out and keep your machine being seen by the "casual hacker".
Know that the built in firewall, while sufficient for most, may not be
enough for you if you download/install software often. Because if you
install something like a trojan, it will not tell you that you are sending
signals out to the world and such, where some of the other firewalls will do
this.
6. Install and frequently update/run an adware/spyware elimination program
like Ad-Aware and SpyBot S&D. You get lots of cookies every day that send
information to various web pages about you. You also may have spyware and
adware from the installation of programs you would have never expected to
contain such things. Better to be rid of it.
7. Keep all of your hardware drivers up to date through frequent visits to
the manufacturer websites and checking for the latest driver downloads. For
example, if you have an NVidia chipset video card (GeForce?) - visit
www.nvidia.com every so often and see what driver they have for download.
If it is newer than yours, try it out. The good thing about Windows XP is
that if it causes an issue, you have driver rollback and system restore
capabilities built in - never forget those!
8. Keep all of your other software up to date as well. Visit the software
manufacturer web pages as often as you do the hardware ones. They may have
come out with a patch that stabilizes it on Windows XP, makes it run faster,
or fixes a problem you may not have even noticed.
9. Keep that PC in a cool, well ventilated place. A lot of PC problems are
caused by heat. You want plenty of space for circulation, to let the hot
air out of your PC. Along with that, every few months, it is not a bad idea
to completely unhook everything and dust around your PC, clean out your
keyboard and mouse, and even open your PC up and blow out any dust
accumulation found there. It will tremendously increase the length of life
of your computer.
Some other general rules:
1. Don't trust random files - meaning files sent by instant messengers,
files sent by email, etc. If you were not expecting them - and sometimes
even if you were - they could be infected with all sorts of nastiness. Scan
them for viruses and look them up using a Google search before running them,
if possible. General rule - you don't know the person who sent it
PERSONALLY - don't even open it. Delete. Unless of course this is a
business deal of some sort, then take as many precautions as possible before
opening it.
2. Learn to use online searches and built in help files. The difference
between the so-called experts and novices are sometimes just knowing where
to get the information. If you learn to use Google searches and newsgroup
searches and your built in help and support for Windows and your other
applications, you too can be called an "expert" by some.
3. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Sure, if you learn to search the web
and use online help, you will have fewer questions, but they will still come
up. If you cannot find the answer on your own after extensive searching,
then ask away! Someone is bound to know or at least point you in the right
direction.
--
Shenan Stanley
"Just trying to help"
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How to use XPs Help and Support
http://tinyurl.com/fltf
How to Use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups
http://tinyurl.com/fkja
How do I go about posting an informative question?
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to use Google
http://www.google.com/help/basics.html
http://tinyurl.com/fkmc
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