Fighting Malware (Adware/Spyware/Scareware and Trojans/Worms/Viruses)

Most important practice -  prevention!

• Make sure that you have all current Microsoft "high priority" updates.  This applies to Windows, Office, etc.
  

• If you have Java, Flash and/or Adobe Acrobat Reader installed, make sure it is the most recent version.  If it is not the most recent version, uninstall all versions and install the most recent version.  If you have the most recent version installed already, make sure to uninstall all older versions.

• Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software and make sure that both the program itself and the definition files are kept up-to-date.

• Even though anti-virus and anti-spyware software may run in the background and scan your computer in real time, it's a good idea to run occasional full-system scans.  If possible, run scans while in safemode and disconnected from the Internet.  If malware is found and removed, re-run scans again until no malware is found.

• Use a firewall.  Firewalls come in both software and hardware forms.  You can use one or both!  If you are getting a hardware firewall, look into getting one with Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) as that is more secure than your basic hardware firewall.

• Be very conscientious of the websites that you plan to visit and the e-mail attachments that you receive.  Probably the most damaging websites are the ones relating to pornography, online gaming, coupons and pirated ("cracked") software/music/movies.  Unfortunately, even legitimate websites can have ads embedded in them that can attempt to install malware on your computer.  Also, be careful about visiting sites that appear to be registered in foreign countries.
  

• Be very conscientious of how you respond to web browser popups that you receive on your computer.  If you receive a popup similar to the one shown below, scan the computer for malware.  To close the popup, instead of clicking on any buttons (including any Close, No, Cancel, Exit buttons or the X in the upper right corner), attempt to close the popup by holding down the Alt key and hitting the F4 key.  That should close the active window (i.e. the popup window in this case).  Here's an example of a bogus web browser warning popup window and how not to close it:

 

 

• Beware of alerts that you receive from the system tray (the lower right corner of your desktop).  Malware that is already installed on your computer can try to trick you into installing additional malware or buying software to remove their own malware!  Should one of these alerts be displayed, do not respond as it describes.  Scan the computer immediately for malware.  Here's an example of a bogus system tray warning (note the incorrect spelling of words - a certain giveaway!):

• Beware of "free" software.  Much of the "free" stuff out there has a license agreement with something in it to the effect of  "by installing this software you agree that you will receive advertisements from our sponsors."  Read the license agreements when you install software!  Of course, other "free" software exists that never even tells you it will install garbage on your computer.  Probably the most common examples of "free" software which may install malware on your computer are screensavers, cursors, smileys, emoticons, games, coupons and web search tools.

• Another reason to be careful of free software - some free software may truly be free but so poorly written that it trashes your computer.  Do your research on something you plan to download and install! 

• Beware of any P2P (peer-to-peer) file sharing software you may be tempted to install and use.  Many of these programs also install garbage on your computer, such as popups or tracking/usage programs.