Four Things You Should Do to Your Computer Today Jim Mann OLC IT Division Southwest Chapter Conference Spring 2005

The Four Things 1. Automatic Updates 2. Firewall 3. Antivirus 4. Adware/Spyware Removal That’s all I’m saying; you may go to another session. If you need to know more or want to argue, please stay.

Just One More Thing Have your original disks, serial numbers,, etc. Make regular backups and keep backup safe  CDRW, USB, DVDRW Don’t let the skunks keep you out of the woods

Quick Quiz Are you surprised that your IP is visible to anyone on the Internet? Do you think an animated cartoon woman in a bikini knows your computer contains porn? Can you live without WeatherBug or WebShots?

My Objectives Doing anything is better than doing nothing. My recommendations may not be the absolute “best” thing you can do -- that’s a moving target anyway. I’ll present a baseline of what you must do, some recommendations of how to do it, and we’ll discuss what you can do above and beyond the minimum.

Credit where it’s due OPLINTECH list, 30 June 2004 “How to keep your PC spyware and malware free for nothing!” Jim Kenzig, Cuyahoga County PL Network Manager

What I’m talking about Personal computers (at home or library) Windows operating system (esp. XP) Any Internet connection (esp. broadband)

1. Enable Automatic Updates Latest service packs and hotfixes To enable:  Go to your Control Panel  Automatic Updates or Security Center  Second or Third radio button Second option? You have to install Third button not good choice if you don’t have broadband at home

Older PC without Automatic Updates Update manually through Internet Explorer Scan for and install all critical updates Return repeatedly to get all updates Office updates are separate

2. Install a good firewall If you have Windows XP, enable Windows Internet Connection Firewall. [Automatically enabled in Service Pack 2] Directions on Microsoft site

Not Windows XP? Obtain good software or purchase router with a hardware firewall Norton/McAfee firewall and antivirus Jim Kenzig recommends Sygate Personal Firewall WindowsSecrets.com recommends Linksys hardware firewalls and ZoneAlarm Pro/Security Suite With software firewalls, the first time that you run any program that tries to access the Internet, a pop-up will ask if you want to allow it. (You will be amazed).

3. Maintain Antivirus No excuses. Spend the money. Update definitions daily. Review leaders: ConsumerSearch.com says “PC Magazine, CNet.com, PC World”  Trend Micro PC-cillin (includes personal firewall) Trend Housecall Trend SysClean  Grisoft AVG Free edition  Symantec/Norton

Ohio library pricing Christine McCauslen, SARCOM OPLIN Antivirus Quote 2505 (12/07/04)

4. Remove Adware Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware [beta] SpyWare Sweeper Sunbelt Software CounterSpy (PC World recommendation)

Prevention Recommendation Javacool SpywareBlaster Free for personal and educational use. Paying gives you automatic updates.

Updates Updates Updates Critical updates to your operating system Access updates in your firewall rules Definition updates for your antivirus Definition updates for adware removal

Other things that help Spam management  MSN, Yahoo, AOL Pop-up blockers  Google advanced toolbar Get off the bandwagon  Use Firefox (Thunderbird is nice too) Content filtering  I’m not talking about patrons; I mean you.  AdSubtract.com or userContent.css

Questions? OPLINTECH list The unofficial member list of the OLC IT division Don Yarman OPLIN Library Services Jim Mann Technology Coordinator GCPL This presentation is available online at