Great Article from Lockergnome IT Professionals on 06/16/04 by Matt Hartley:
JUST ASK MATT!: Regaining Control
By Matt Hartley
Welcome to "Just Ask Matt!" - The IT industry's answer to the help column, only slightly more medicated. Today, Julian writes:
I am so frustrated with MS IE installing programs on my desktop. I've tried everything short of formatting the drive and switching to Linux. Is there a way to stop this? I'm using WinXP Pro and have Spybot-S&D. I run this but these dang programs keep coming and coming. Yes, I've turned off Messenger, too. I hope you can help. Thanks!
Before going any further, let's get any existing spyware off of your system.
Make sure you have the lastest version of Spybot-S&D on your PC. If you are not sure, uninstall it and then go to their Web site to reinstall it from scratch.
Be sure you use the Web update feature to keep it up to date. Just like an anti-virus, it needs to be kept up to date on the newest threats.
Download and install Ad-aware. With spyware on such a rampage, lately I have found that using both programs is a necessary evil when cleaning a severely infected system.
Update and run your anti-virus. Sometimes you can end up with a trojan horse program on your computer that requires your anti-virus program for proper removal.
Now as for prevention, there are actually a variety of things you can do. The first is to disable your ActiveX and Java settings within IE's security settings. Just go to Tools, Internet Options, then click Security. Click on Custom Level, and then go ahead and disable the settings mentioned above.
Realistically, this will be quite limiting as this does not allow you to use the functionality of many Web sites such as Windows Updates. My recommendation is to only use IE when you absolutely have to. This way you can leave the Java and ActiveX settings on for those Web pages that require it. So consider using Mozilla's Firefox for your every day browsing. Do not install the ActiveX or Java plugins and this browser will keep you VERY secure. Having Firefox as your secure browser will alleviate many of the spyware headaches that most of us experience.
For added security, also consider a combination of SpywareGuard and SpywareBlaster. Readers of Inside Matt's Head are already aware of how this software rates and what its strengths and weaknesses are. I have used it as a last line of defense and have not had a real problem with spyware since installing both of those programs (I am using these programs because I do, in fact, have the Java plugin installed on my Firefox browser). If you need more detailed assistance with spyware removal, check out my article below. Good luck, Julian!
Do you have an IT-related question? Perhaps you are just burnt out on writing on the walls with crayons? Whatever the comments may be, drop me a line and you, too, can "Just Ask Matt!"
Enjoy:
Bruce Jarrett-Norton
Bruce Jarrett-Norton
Have a good day!
GO STATE!
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