XP Security, NATURALLY!

As a Windows XP User you can have natural security.  It is called the Limited User Account.  Using the default User Account of an XP computer places you in a higher risk category no matter what additional security software you use.  This is because the Administrator account has full privileges to modify critical computer resources.  Any Malware (Virus) that is able to use an unknown vulnerability can now gain access to these same resources because it will use the same privileges of the logged in user.  By using a Limited User Account that has limited privileges naturally provides for the security of the computers crucial resources.

This is not a small point but an essential point.  The existing and growing numbers of infected computers using the Internet boils down to lacking a solid firewall, poor Anti-Malware Software, bad habits and not using the natural defenses that a limited User Account provides.  Don’t wait until you have a super big headache, instead make the transition today.

Several resources are available; such as the Computer Appliance Learning Maintenance Manual which will take you step-by-step AND stay tuned to read the 3 Part – BLOCK the HACKER series.  This series will give more details on how to make the transition along with the instructions on how to do it!

I have Real Time Protection why do I need to Scan?

Every so often it is reported that an AIRPORT is having everyone leave the terminal and re-enter through the security screening stations because a person without proper clearance has bypassed security.  Security Software has a similar situation, it uses a  SIGNATURE file that is compared to files on the computer.  This is like a Most-Wanted-List.  If a file matches the indicators of the SIGNATURE file it is identified as MALWARE (a virus).  Since, MALWARE is created daily the Security Software updates the SIGNATURE file at least daily.  But what happens if a MALWARE not already identified by the SIGNATURE FILE is attached to an email you receive or downloaded via a malicious website?  Without additional security layers it is likely to make it through the Anti-Malware Software without being detected to begin its criminal activities.

Here is why a SCAN is required.  The SECURITY SOFTWARE community identifies, by the minute,  new MALWARE and updates the SIGNATURE file so it is likely that the new MALWARE that made it to the computer can now be identified.  This time when you run a SCAN the SECURITY SOFTWARE is using the new SIGNATURE file and this MALWARE will be identified.  Without running a regular scan this FILE could go undetected until it is activated or it could be TROJAN HORSE that quietly PICK-POCKETS your computer.  Thus, the need for regular scans.  Make sure that the SIGNATURE File for your SECURITY SOFTWARE is current and that the SOFTWARE itself has tested out in the high percentages for detecting MALWARE.

In the next article HIPS will be explained which is the SECURITY SOFTWARE industries new effort to protect in real-time against the situation just described in this article.

STRAIGHT TALK

If you traveled here from the C-A-L-M-M website you may be undecided about why you need this book and website? When I perform a maintenance and security audit it typically takes a minimum of 2 hours to complete. On average the customers Computer is installed with an Anti-Virus Program, an Anti-Spyware Program and is using Internet Explorer with the Windows Firewall enabled. So far, sounds good, but the customer is typically calling because the Computer is not performing as it did out of the original package. Sound familiar?

They know the computer appears to be slow but they’re not aware of the number of Viruses, Spyware and Adware infected files floating around on their computer. So what do I do? I perform all the key instructions that appear in the Manual. The Manual has more than can be accomplished in a single computer auditing session which is why it is such a complete nuts & bolts manual. In addition, since it is written so you can do everything I do even if you are starting with basic computer skills it will improve your computer skills. So, what does a typical maintenance and security audit include?

The beginning starts determining if there are any Hardware Device Conflicts and next checks any Events that are causing repeated problems. Next, the computer of cleaned of all sorts of files that build up from Internet Surfing, abrupt closing of a Program, and older backup files. This is a good time to uninstall Programs that are never used. A scan and clean of the Registry is performed to again delete places that Malware or Spyware may be lurking. In addition, by performing this computer cleaning it will decrease the time it takes to perform scans and other maintenance operations. Now, a top-rated Anti-Spyware Program is run which takes about 20 minutes to run and any detections are cleaned. Next, a top-rated Anti-Malware (Virus) is run which will take another 20 minutes or more depending on the size of the Hard Drive. Good time for coffee. Any of these results are now cleaned. Breath.

Detections you may be asking since they have Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware already? Yep, and it can be easily over 100 detections. The worry though is usually with about 2 or 3 of these detections that will be the electronic pick-pocket types! What next?

With the computer clean it is time to install the Firewall. With a little research you will find that computer criminals have tools to kill the Windows Firewall to gain access. So, a robust and tested Firewall is installed. Next, Anti-Malware and Anti-Spyware Software with a detection rates closer to 100% is installed. All of these are described in the part of the website that works in conjunction with the book.  And, guess what, they’re free for home use! What’s the catch? The catch is these Software Manufacturers figure they can either up-sell you with additional features, or they hope that if you are convinced of their abilities at home you’ll pay for this same protection for the business. And, there is the category of those who ask for a donation to help them pay the bills.

With the Protection in place it is time to tackle the computer performance. [The Manual provides step-by-step instruction to do everything described here.]  If not already completed, this consists of looking through the installed Programs and seeing if any can be removed. Now, is also a good time to Defrag the computer to put all the bits and pieces together in an orderly fashion. There is one last and important component. The Browser that used to POP open now takes forever to start. It is time to go through the Add-Ons and startup programs to do some house cleaning. At this point the essentials of the maintenance and computer audit have been completed. And you know what? The computer runs like it used to when I first bought it! Get it? Get the book, register and get your computer up to speed and with the Manual at hand, the next time you have a computer problem just open the RECOVERY Section and walk step-by-step to find and resolve the problem Most, importantly DO NOT skip the BACK-UP Section so you won’t be crying if a file is deleted or becomes corrupt. Find PEACE ON-LINE and OFF-LINE today.