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COMPUTER PROBLEMS?--TRY THIS

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COMPUTER PROBLEMS?--TRY THIS Empty COMPUTER PROBLEMS?--TRY THIS

Post by just_a_mom Tue Nov 11, 2008 3:11 pm

Try these steps to clean up computer

1. Go to your Start button; Microsoft Update (or Windows Update, on some computers). You'll be taken to Microsoft.

2. Once at Microsoft, your computer will be scanned and you'll be shown two types of updates: Express and Custom ... this can take a while

3. When the page finally loads, download and allow to be installed EVERYTHING listed as an 'Express Update' . . . . .OR . . . a 'Critical Update'

4. Often, these Windows updates will require that you reboot your computer, after they've downloaded and installed . . . . if this request is made, that's okay.

Thru your browser controls, do this:
5. Delete ALL your Temporary Internet files (in most browsers other than Internet Explorer, these are called your 'Cache')

6. Delete ALL your cookies

7. Delete ALL your Internet History files
. . . . . . Why this should be done thru your Browser controls: Deleting the foregoing files thru Internet Explorer will NOT delete the same types of files accumulated by other browsers. Since a lot of people are now using alternative browsers, it's important to get rid of these files thru your browser controls. Each browser knows where it stores all this 'stuff' . . . and each browser stores these files in places of its own choosing.

8. Empty your Recycle Bin (make sure there's nothing of value to you, there, before taking this step)

REASON for the above steps: There are several forms of malware that can take up temporary residence in any of the above places . . . . until the next re-boot. On the boot cycle is when this malware will actually install to other, harder-to-investigate areas. Also, some AV software doesn't scan the Recycle Bin files very closely.

. . . . . then ...

9. Make sure that your Anti-Virus software is totally current . . . if it isn't . . . update it.

10, You can update any Anti-Spyware software you're using, at this time, also . . .

. . . . . then . . . . .

11. Restart your computer into "SAFE" mode. Your screen will look "fat and ugly" . . . this is normal.

* If you don't know how to boot into Safe Mode, this link will give good step-by-step instructions for most versions of Windows:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial61.html

. . . . just pick the version of Windows that you're running and follow the instructions . . .

Most Anti-Virus software runs just fine, while in Safe Mode . . . . Anti-Spyware software runs well, too . . . computers don't mind being booted into Safe Mode, at all . . . their work load is lighter, in Safe Mode. Users hate Safe Mode because the screen looks so different.

12. Run a full-system Virus scan ... scan EVERYTHING! Your scan may be a little slower, in Safe mode, but it will be as thorough as is possible. continued....

* If the scan shows something abnormal, follow your Anti-Virus software's instructions for the removal of the malicious code
. . . . then . . . run your scan, again and remember to change your password . . . . . again.
* If the scan shows nothing . . . then . . .

13. Run your Anti-Spyware scan, also . . . have it remove any intruders it might find . . . . then . . .

14. Restart your computer normally

15. Check for any updates for any software you might be using that doesn't update thru the Windows/Microsoft Update process.
. . . This includes, but is not limited to:
Any Browser OTHER THAN Internet Explorer (which updates thru the Windows Update process) that you might be using .
. . . this includes Firefox, Opera, Netscape, Mozilla, etc.

> Any Adobe Software . . . including the Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat . . . almost everyone has the Adobe Reader installed.

> The Flash or Shockwave Media Player(s) . . . . these are used to create the animations in banners, etc., that we frequently see online.
. . . . . The Flash/Shockwave Players now belong to Adobe, so any updates for these can be obtained from the Adobe.com site.

> Any Media Player OTHER THAN the Windows Media Player that you might have installed
. . . This includes QuickTime, WinAmp, RealPlayer, MPlayer, the Nero Player, and countless other media players . . .

> Any version of the Sun Java software you may have downloaded. If you haven't downloaded the Sun Java software, disregard this item. continued...


WHY checking on all these updates is so important: In recent months, hackers have found several very serious security vulnerabilities in all of the above products. Thru these vulnerabilities, it's possible for strangers to access or even take control of your computer, monitor your actions, and steal your confidential data. Hackers seem to be able to keep finding vulnerabilities in many of the above products, even as the older vulnerabilites are fixed. Some software makers are exceptionally good about notifying the user of any of the above products that an update is available and should be downloaded and installed. Other software makers are not so diligent . . . the user can always check, without being prompted . . . Anti-Virus software may not catch intrusions that utilize the above types of software to gain access to a computer.

The above-mentioned products should be checked for updates at intervals of about one month, if the updates aren't set to download automatically — and not all of those above-described products automatically notify the user about updates. There have been exploits written for other products, such as alternative browsers, 'Office-Type' software, etc. It doesn't hurt to check for updates to anything that wasn't issued by Microsoft that happens to be installed on our computers.
The exploits are written to capitalize on flaws inherent in the software itself . . . thru these flaws, assorted malware can find its way onto our computers — and so can hackers. Some of the malware is transmitted via e-mail, some of it can be transmitted from viewing malicious websites or portions thereof . . . and hackers can just 'walk right in and help themselves', thru the security flaws . . . . this is why all of this 'seemingly-unrelated stuff' has been listed . . . it all ties in together, in the overall view of how ill-intentioned people gain access to user data. continued......

16. Then . . . . once you've taken all the above actions, and you're sure that there's nothing on your computer that could be 'leaking' your data to some stranger . . . . you might consider changing your password(s) one more time . . .

BEST OF LUCK!
just_a_mom
just_a_mom
Supreme Commander of the Universe With Cape AND Tights AND Fancy Headgear
Supreme Commander of the Universe With Cape AND Tights AND Fancy Headgear


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