Archive for the ‘Windows XP’ Category

• What is our favorite antivirus program?

  Date: 2010.08.24 | Category: Computer Security, Malware, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP | Response: 0

  We get asked this question all the time and the answer is Microsoft Security Essentials. Why do we like it? First of all it’s easy, lightweight, integrates into windows update and it’s free. While Microsoft has had it’s ups and downs in producing quality anti virus software, this one changes the game. The main reason that we recommend it is that it works. Anti-malware testing group AV-Comparatives.org not only gave Microsoft Security Essentials a top rating for malware removal, but now they’ve given it their best ranking in their performance test as well.

  AV-Comparatives.org ran a series of tests like downloading, extracting, copying, and encoding files, installing and launching applications, and they also ran through an automated testing suite as well. When it was all over, Microsoft Security Essentials was one of only three products that both blocks and removes malware well, but it’s also very light on system resources.

  Out of all the products tested, Microsoft Security Essentials was the best-performing free antivirus solution, and one of only two that received “very fast” on each of the real-world tests, earning it their top award: an “advanced+” ranking.

  I have been recommending this application to friends, family and clients for some time now and was very pleased to see MSE ranked alongside the top paid apps in both malware removal and performance.

  Here is the article from PC Mag
  http://blogs.pcmag.com/securitywatch/2009/12/av-comparatives_rates_anti-mal.php

  Here is the report from AV-Comparatives
  http://www.av-comparatives.org/comparativesreviews/performance-tests

  Here is where you can download Microsoft Security Essentials
  https://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

• How to use Autoruns for malware hunting.

  Date: 2009.08.15 | Category: Adware, Computer Security, Malware, Trojans, Virus, Windows 2003, Windows Vista, Windows XP | Response: 0

  One of my favorite tools for hunting malware is Autoruns from Sysinternls. When malware infects a computer it will register itself as an autorun in the registry. Autoruns are programs that start when the system boots up ensuring that the malware starts when Windows starts. Autoruns shows you these entries and allows you to remove them.

  

  From the image you can see that there are lots of entries to look through. Here is how to find suspicious entries. First narrow down the list by clicking options and check Verify Code Signatures and Hide Signed Microsoft Entries.
  Now scan the list looking for entries that are missing a description or publisher. If you are not 100% sure what it is, Google the entry and the search results should tell you if it is a malicious program. Once identified you can disable or delete the entry.

  

• How to block malicious websites using the HOSTS file

  Date: 2009.07.16 | Category: Computer Security, System Hacks, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP | Response: 0

  Malware is often bundled with browser hijackers. Browser hijackers redirect web browser to rogue websites. These websites are dangerous because they are the storefronts set up to sell fraudulent products and services. Depending on your browser settings some of the websites opened by browser hijackers are able to infect your computer without any notification.

  Find and open the HOSTS file.The Hosts file is located in WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc.
  Open the file using Notepad or any other text editor.

  

  Type an entry containing the website you want to block.The entry must have two parts: an IP address and the address of the website you want to block.

  

  Choose 127.0.0.1 as an IP address, leave a space and then type the address of the rogue website. Here’s an example:

  

  You can find a very comprehensive blocklist at http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.txt

  For more information on the hosts file and how it can be used check out my earlier post HERE