My friend's notebook was infected by SPYWARELOCK [formerly SPYLOCKED] a nagging malware that is usually disguised as an Audio or Video Codec installer. Which when installed shows fake alerts and tries to get you to purchase crap software. Don't buy it!!! Though it was fairly easy to remove [this is the 2nd time the same notebook had been infected by a similar malicious app, and this is the 4th time I've done this 2x more with different notebooks of different friends]. It maybe frightful to people who don't know what to do.
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First off don't panic. Identifty the infection and see if it can be treated. Worst case scenario is that you have to rebuild or reformat your system which is a PITA. Best case scenario you find the infection and clean your system. Although some say once you get bit you're system is un-secure forever and opt to reformat after backing up their data. Well a quick Google search turned up these instructions and tools and I was done in 5-10 mins. tops. Kudos to the author of the site and app. [Bleeping Computer's Spyware Removal Guide]
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If you've been infected by Spyware/Malware/Adware or Viri your system and data are at risk. Luckily the infection on her notebook was just a ploy too make you buy some crap software.
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So here is how to protect [or atleast try to protect] against these.
1. Use a Firewall - Windows XP [check your control panel] has one and it will suffice for normal use.
2. Keep your OS updated - Turn on Windows Update so you get the best protection MS has to offer.
3. Use Anti-Virus Software - You can go commercial or freeware for this. Norton is a popular choice but is expensive and a resource hog. I've gone freeware with Alwil's aVast, another popular one is AVG. It's not enough to have Anti-virus software you have to update it to.
4. Safe Usage - I can't stress this enough. I'm devoting the next part of this post to this...
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DON'T BE A BABY JAMES AND READ ON!
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SAFE USAGE:
1. Keeping Data Secure, Keep it somewhere else - If you have a largish HDD make 2 partitions when you're building your system. After you load XP/Vista. Click Start Menu>Right click My Documents and change the target to point to the 2nd partition this way your data doesn't have to go when the drive with the OS needs to be hosed. If you have 2 HDDs point it to the 2nd one.
[before]
[after]
It's not a guarantee that your files won't be infected but it gives you better odds on saving your data in an event the partition or HDD with the OS becomes unstable.
2. Surf Safe - don't be a dumbass and go to dubious sites. Use a secure browser Firefox 2 or IE7 are pretty secure already. I use both but have been using IE7 more lately [past 3 months]. Read before you click!
3. E-mail with Caution - Be careful in opening emails. Apply SPAM blockers and common sense in dealing with your emails. Note be suspicious of attachments even if they come from people you know. Ask yourself do you really need to see Britney_Spears_shaving_her_head.exe or some other silly thing?
4. Scan, Scan, Scan - If you download stuff from the net scan it with your AV app before extracting/clicking/opening/running it. Better safe than sorry, make this 2nd nature.
5. You Don't Need Codec Installers - You need Codecs [Coding and Decoding stuff for content] but that does NOT necessarily mean you need to download codec installers. I'm including this because I suspect most people get infected by attempting to play files and downloading malware codecs. You don't really need to download em. Just get VLC Media Player [it's free and plays most formats] and use that if Windows Media Player or Quicktime can't handle the file you got. If the 3 apps can't play it look for another format of the same content.
6. Backup - most people don't think of this but even if you do #1 your data may not be secure. Invest in time [and or apps] to backup your data. DVD's are big 4.7Gb and cheap nowadays, even the burner is cheap. Make it a habit to backup your data. I do weekly backups on my UX and plan to do the same to my Office box.
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This is all I can think off right now. I'll post some more tips if I find more. However if you have more tips/tricks regarding securing your system please do share them by dropping a comment and/or emailing [contact is on top of my blog] me so I can include it to this post.
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--
First off don't panic. Identifty the infection and see if it can be treated. Worst case scenario is that you have to rebuild or reformat your system which is a PITA. Best case scenario you find the infection and clean your system. Although some say once you get bit you're system is un-secure forever and opt to reformat after backing up their data. Well a quick Google search turned up these instructions and tools and I was done in 5-10 mins. tops. Kudos to the author of the site and app. [Bleeping Computer's Spyware Removal Guide]
--
If you've been infected by Spyware/Malware/Adware or Viri your system and data are at risk. Luckily the infection on her notebook was just a ploy too make you buy some crap software.
--
So here is how to protect [or atleast try to protect] against these.
1. Use a Firewall - Windows XP [check your control panel] has one and it will suffice for normal use.
2. Keep your OS updated - Turn on Windows Update so you get the best protection MS has to offer.
3. Use Anti-Virus Software - You can go commercial or freeware for this. Norton is a popular choice but is expensive and a resource hog. I've gone freeware with Alwil's aVast, another popular one is AVG. It's not enough to have Anti-virus software you have to update it to.
4. Safe Usage - I can't stress this enough. I'm devoting the next part of this post to this...
--
DON'T BE A BABY JAMES AND READ ON!
--
SAFE USAGE:
1. Keeping Data Secure, Keep it somewhere else - If you have a largish HDD make 2 partitions when you're building your system. After you load XP/Vista. Click Start Menu>Right click My Documents and change the target to point to the 2nd partition this way your data doesn't have to go when the drive with the OS needs to be hosed. If you have 2 HDDs point it to the 2nd one.
[before]
[after]
It's not a guarantee that your files won't be infected but it gives you better odds on saving your data in an event the partition or HDD with the OS becomes unstable.
2. Surf Safe - don't be a dumbass and go to dubious sites. Use a secure browser Firefox 2 or IE7 are pretty secure already. I use both but have been using IE7 more lately [past 3 months]. Read before you click!
3. E-mail with Caution - Be careful in opening emails. Apply SPAM blockers and common sense in dealing with your emails. Note be suspicious of attachments even if they come from people you know. Ask yourself do you really need to see Britney_Spears_shaving_her_head.exe or some other silly thing?
4. Scan, Scan, Scan - If you download stuff from the net scan it with your AV app before extracting/clicking/opening/running it. Better safe than sorry, make this 2nd nature.
5. You Don't Need Codec Installers - You need Codecs [Coding and Decoding stuff for content] but that does NOT necessarily mean you need to download codec installers. I'm including this because I suspect most people get infected by attempting to play files and downloading malware codecs. You don't really need to download em. Just get VLC Media Player [it's free and plays most formats] and use that if Windows Media Player or Quicktime can't handle the file you got. If the 3 apps can't play it look for another format of the same content.
6. Backup - most people don't think of this but even if you do #1 your data may not be secure. Invest in time [and or apps] to backup your data. DVD's are big 4.7Gb and cheap nowadays, even the burner is cheap. Make it a habit to backup your data. I do weekly backups on my UX and plan to do the same to my Office box.
-------
This is all I can think off right now. I'll post some more tips if I find more. However if you have more tips/tricks regarding securing your system please do share them by dropping a comment and/or emailing [contact is on top of my blog] me so I can include it to this post.
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