Freedog Solutions

An infected computer can NEVER be returned to a pristine state. One can spend hours running scans and hunting for nasties and never get them all. Your best option is to backup your data and run the recovery process so you start with a clean slate. However, this approach is normally the last step, not the first.

If you are already infected, your first step is to make backups of all your data. Copy everything to CD/DVD, to an external hard drive, or use an online backup service such as Acronis Online, or copy everything to a networked computer. Whatever your route, your data is your first priority!

Once your data is secure, I recommend a structured and targeted approach to ridding your computer of issues. Start with a good virus scanner. There are many options, but I have found that AVG Anti-Virus 2011 (free version available) to be an excellent starting point.

Next, install and run scans with some anti-spyware utilities. Out of the literally hundreds of options, I have had good luck with a relative few. As a bonus, these tools are also free. They are Spybot Search & Destroy, MalwareBytes and SuperA Anti-Spyware. Download, install, and run thorough scans with all of these software packages. Remember to reboot your computer every step of the way.

The next steps use software that transgresses into the voodoo realm. I have saved many computers using HijackThis, Startup Control Panel and CCleaner - but a word to the wise - each of these can completely destroy your computer. You have backups...right?

It should be noted that many spyware removers are actually just spyware in disguise. So how do you know which ones to use? There is no easy way. When I learn of new utilities, I invest some time Googling everything I can about that software before I click or load anything.

At this point, it is very likely that several hours of your time have been expended and the results may or may not be satisfactory. This is why we generally recommend a complete restore of your computer and then an immediate lock down of the system to help prevent any future infestation. Please contact us for some additional tips and tricks or to schedule an appointment to take a look at your computer.

The very first application you should install on any computer is an anti-virus application. You have many choices between free and paid software. Microsoft's Essentials is a great starting point. You can also choose from many other free vendors such as AVG, Avira, Avast! Free. Many new computers come pre-loaded with a commercial anti-virus trial such as Norton or Mcafee. Both of these commercial applications work great but know that once your free trial ends, you will have to pay subscription fees to keep your software up to date.

Most version of Windows since XP have shipped with the basic Windows Firewall active and blocking. I generally recommend that you look into a more robust firewall program, especially for laptops. One of the top rated free firewall apps is Comodo Firewall. You will also find Zone Alarm Free to be a complete solution. Many of the commercial all-in-one security suites mentioned above also come with built-in firewall support. In any case, upgrading from the built-in MS firewall to a complete solution will improve your protection. One note on firewalls is that they do increase the complexities of sharing files and media, especially in the home network. Windows 7 has really simplified managing firewall protections within a work group or home group.

Now that you have installed an updated anti-virus solution and an upgraded firewall, remember to leave them both on and running. You will also want to schedule daily scans with your anti-virus program.

Next up, and one of the least used security measures is to create a regular user account for your daily use. I cannot stress enough that a large amount of virus and malware activity can be avoided if you are using an account with limited capabilities. I understand the hassle of having to log out and log back in with an administrator user just to make changes to your system, and then logging back out and back in with a limited user for daily use to be an inconvenience. The question you need to address is what do you find more inconvenient - cleaning an infection or logging on and out as different users? Vista and Windows 7 users really have no excuse. The new "run as administrator" function removes the need to even log on or off as another user to access administrative level functions. There is no excuse, use a limited user account for your daily activities.

Another vital step is to install an Intrusion and Prevention app. Many times these are identified as an IPS or HIPS app. The best one I have found at the time is Threatfire. You can also try WinPatrol or Malware Defender although I have found both to be a bit more bothersome. Threatfire just runs with very little interaction.

So a combination of Anti-virus, firewall, and threatfire on the software front as well as running daily scans, using a limited user account and avoiding risky surfing activities on the user front and you are well on your way to enjoying a much cleaner, and better running computer.

Disaster recovery is for everyone! From the single home computer to the most complex corporate networks, protecting your data is important. And if the question arises as to whether a disaster can happen, all it takes is one virus to take out your entire system.

For the home and small business user, most computers purchased from brand name manufacturers come with recovery CD's and utilities. The problem with these recovery utilities is that they restore the computer to an "as shipped" condition. Your settings, installed applications, and your data are all left unprotected and unaccounted for in the event of a system recovery.

Businesses must definitely take a more proactive approach to minimize downtime. Our solution is to get a fresh computer installedputer. yes, most modern computers come with a recovery CD, but what you get if you ever have to use this CD is the computer as it and configured to your specifications. We then like to install Acronis True Image and take a "snapshot" of your com was shipped. All your installed software and customizations are gone. A customized recovery disk means that you run the recovery and the computer is rebooted to the exact configuration as that saved. We also recommend a full backup solution, including on-site backup as well as a web-based off-site solution. Done properly, your computer can go from trashed to pristine in a matter of an hour.

Unfortunately there is no single method of spam control that works in all situations. If you are serious about reducing the amount of spam into your inbox, you will have to take several steps to immunize yourself, including some behavioral changes.