|
How do I create a Clean Virus Free Restore Point in Windows XP?
You need to logon to your computer
as administrator to complete these tasks.
Connect to the Internet and update your antivirus program.
If you are unable to update call the software company where you
bought the anti-virus program.
While online visit www.lavasoft.de
Download the free adaware program.
Run this to remove any spyware, malware and other parasites from
windows.
Open Internet Explorer and click tools and windows updates.
Run all of the critical updates that are listed till the number
shows zero. If you have not done the updates in awhile this
could take a very long time on dial-up.
A broadband dsl or hybrid dial-up with high speed satellite will
only take ten to twenty minutes depending on the number of
updates that need to be done. This may require rebooting several
times and reconnecting to the Internet.
Disconnect from the Internet and open my computer. Right click
on the C:/ drive. Click the Disk Cleanup button.
To speed up sluggishness uncheck Allow Indexing Service to index
this disk for fast file searching.
Disk Cleanup will calculate how much space will be freed up.
Place a check mark beside of items that are Temporary Internet
Files, Recycle Bin, Temporary Files and WebClient/Publisher
Temporary Files.
If you select Compress old files you will still be able to
access them and no files will be deleted that have not been
accessed in the number of days set under the options button.
Under the tools folder click the Check Now option to check the
hard disk for errors and correct them. Select Automatically fix
file system errors and Scan for and attempt recovery of bad
sectors.
You will get a message
"The disk check could not be performed because the disk check
utility needs exclusive access to some Windows files on the
disk. These files can be accessed only by restarting Windows. Do
you want to schedule this disk check to occur the next time you
restart the computer?"
Click Yes
If you have multiple drives then repeat the process for all of
them but not your CD drive.
Click Start and Control Panel. Look under the add remove
programs to really uninstall any unused programs that are no
longer used.
Click on the system icon and select system restore. Place a
check mark in turn off system restore. Click apply and click yes
to the Do you want to turn off System Restore? This will delete
all restore points that have been created manually or
automatically that may have an uncleaned virus in them.
Wait for the light to stop flashing on the front of your
computer and click
ok.
Close the control panel and any other windows that may be open.
Click start and run. Type msconfig.
Click on the boot.ini file and select /safeboot
Click apply and OK and click Restart.
Check Disk will scan the disk for errors Click the yes button to
continue to work in safe mode.
When in safe mode click the start button and locate your
anti-virus program.
Click Virus Scan. Make sure that a full scan is being done. All
subfolders, all files, compressed files, unknown viruses, and
unwanted applications.
After the virus scan has completed. Delete any infected files
that are found.
Now open my computer and right click and select properties.
Click the tools folder and Defragment.
When the defragmentor starts click Analyze.
When the results say you do not need to defragment click
Defragment. This moves everything back to the start of the disk
as contiguous blocks of data making it easier to find data. This
can take quite some time to complete on a large hard drive.
Close Disk Defragmenter, close my computer.
Click on Start Run type in msconfig and select Normal
Startup and click Apply and ok. Click Restart.
After restart Click on Start, All Programs, Accessories, System
Tools, System Restore, Click yes to turn System Restore on. Once
system restore is open remove the check mark from turn off
system restore and click apply.
Click the Remote folder and remove the check mark from Remote
Assistance to keep invitations from being sent out from your
computer. Close System Restore.
Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System
Restore. This time a wizard starts. Place a dot in the Create a
Restore Point. Click Next and give it a name like
virusfreerestorepoint. Click Create. A date and time will be
appended to the name that was given. Click Close.
Congratulations you are now ready for safe surfing and if
anything happens you can return to this restore point.
--return to questions
|
|
What is a
firewall and do I need one?
A firewall is either a software or
hardware solution that can be configured to protect your
computer or network from outsiders. There are many inexpensive
firewall software applications available, such as Zone Alarm and
Tiny Personal Firewall. Symantec and McAfee products are also
available.
Network administrators will want to to choose a hardware or
software based solution and implement at their network's
perimeter as a component of their network's defense strategy. In
addition, all workstations on a home or business network should
use a personal firewall application.
All computers connected to the Internet should use a firewall.
--return to questions
|
|
Why
can't my password be a word in the dictionary?
For security reasons, we don't
allow you to use a simple password.
There are programs used by crackers/hackers that use dictionary
entries to try to guess user passwords so they can gain access
and either use your account for attacks on other systems, or
engage in malicious activities against you.
For our customers, this would be limited to unauthorized use of
e-mail or web space, but imagine the trouble you'd have if your
web site were defaced or your e-mail was used to send
threatening or harassing e-mail to someone else.
Passwords should be a combination of letters (upper and lower
case), numbers and special characters.
--return to questions |
