PC is being a bitch

[Debaser]

Excellent, sounds impressive!

I will try and find a moment over the Christmas holidays to instal Firefox.

I don’t think I will bother running Zonealarm again.
Honestly with the XP firewall / AVG / and now Threatfire running in the background (doing a great job may I add), im feeling pretty secure for the first time in ages!

[emuler]

Some sites will only work with IE, e.g. Windows Update. Plus IE is so deeply integrated into the OS that getting rid of it completely is a job for an expert. You can leave IE on your system and remember to use it ONLY on sites that you know are safe. For example. I use it only for Windows Update and for logging into my ISP (my ISP makes me keep a browser window permanently open to the login website; if I close that window I get logged out).

ZoneAlarm is a pretty decent firewall; easier to configure than Windows firewall. PCTools also have a free firewall. You need a degree in networking to configure Kaspersky firewall.

AVG is a decent anti virus package. So is PCTools anti virus. Norton/Symantec used to be a resource hog, but 2008 was not so bad, and 2009 is great. Trend Micro also
make a decent package.

ThreatFire is good at rootkits. Use it in addition to a regular anti virus package.
(Can you believe the technology for rootkits was designed by legitimate software developers (Sony) in an effort to fight software piracy? The road to hell is paved with good intentions).

I have already mentioned Norton Internet Security 2009 several times. No, they don't pay me. There is a hack which extends the trial period indefinitely, or so they say.

Nothing can protect you from yourself. A few months ago i was hit by a rootkit virus. I downloaded it and ran it. My anti virus warned me, ThreatFire warned me, Windows Explorer warned me, Windows File Security warned me. And yet I ran it anyway. What a brain fart that turned out to be.

Do not turn off browser alerts. There is a box at the bottom of the alerts that says do not show this kind of warning again; checked by default. Uncheck that before continuing. It is a fair guess that that's what you did wrong in IE. To save having to do that again and again for frequently visited sites, use 'trusted sites' feature to identify sites that you know are safe. E.g. FLM.

[Debaser]

Some sites will only work with IE, e.g. Windows Update. Plus IE is so deeply integrated into the OS that getting rid of it completely is a job for an expert. You can leave IE on your system and remember to use it ONLY on sites that you know are safe. For example. I use it only for Windows Update

Why do I need IE to get Windows updates?
Aren’t Windows updates something different to IE?
Usually I get a little shield by my clock that updates Windows for me.

I want to keep things dead simple, and don’t want use a new browser if I end up needing to do more work.

Id like to add Firefox (if I like it), and never go back to IE.

ZoneAlarm is a pretty decent firewall; easier to configure than Windows firewall. PCTools also have a free firewall. You need a degree in networking to

configure Kaspersky firewall

Someone mentioned in this thread that I don’t need a firewall if I have the XP wall turned on.

Iv always used Zonealarm but have to admit that the program control function pisses me off now.
This wants to act as a server, that wants to act as a server, it’s so tedious.

Now I don’t have ZA, and XP appears to be doing a fine job.

[emuler]

That little shield means that you have configured Windows to update itself automatically. Personally, I don't let it do that. I just go to the web site and manually update every week or so. But that's my preference. Nothing wrong with doing it your way, except sometimes it installs updates while you're busy doing something important, and then it keeps nagging you to restart. AFAIK this still uses some IE components, so if you rip out IE totally this might stop working.

Those who are totally allergic to IE can update using Firefox from here:
http://windizupdate.com/

When ZA says something wants to act as a server, all it means is that the program wants to be able to accept/receive incoming connections. Eg. eMule. Allow on a case by case basis.

XP firewall is quite good at blocking unwanted incoming connections, but allows almost everything to go out from your computer. That means lots of proggies get to phone home, like Windows Explorer (while doing searches), Acrobat Reader (checking for updates), Windows Media Player (checking for media information???) etc. etc. etc.

Most firewalls have a white list of applications that are trustworthy. If you select the automatic configuration option, firewall rules for these apps will be configured automatically for you. I tend to do that for a few minutes in the beginning, then switch to manual mode and adjust settings for individual programs.

[FLL]

Why do I need IE to get Windows updates?
Aren’t Windows updates something different to IE?
Usually I get a little shield by my clock that updates Windows for me.

Since your preference (like most people's) is to just set it up to download them automatically, you don't need IE for that.

I want to keep things dead simple, and don’t want use a new browser if I end up needing to do more work.

Id like to add Firefox (if I like it), and never go back to IE.

There is no downside to just leaving IE alone but never clicking on it unless you need to use a site which demands it. In fact it's recommended you do so.

Iv always used Zonealarm but have to admit that the program control function pisses me off now.
This wants to act as a server, that wants to act as a server, it’s so tedious.

Security is always a balance between convenience and risk. The more you opt for convenience on a daily basis the more likely you are to have problems like the ones you just had. I think because your general preference is for less hassle, you should pick programs that do the best job with the least hassle and you will probably still be just fine, the raised risk will be minimal. I personally think Firefox is a good step in that direction because it is updated more quickly and completely when vulnerabilities are discovered. Plus you have addons like AdBlock and (especially!) NoScript. NoScript only turns on scripting for sites you want it to. Scripting makes for pretty pages and for nice features like the FLM Shout Box but it is also the way that most nasty stuff gets downloaded from a website and installed without your knowledge. So in my opinion get Firefox, get NoScript, and put up with the relatively minor hassle NoScript presents and you will be a lot safer than before.

[loverboy]

Good sense coming from emuler & FLL here. As well as the security aspect it's also slightly faster than IE7 by default & especially so with the two add-ons mentioned.
I still occasionally use IE7 & see no reason to uninstall it.......just make sure Firefox is set as your default web browser & consider removing the IE7 shortcut from your desktop.
During installation of Firefox you get the opportunity to transfer your IE7 settings, so no problem there.
If you're still using Outhouse Express consider changing to Mozilla's Thunderbird email client...........one more piece of satisfaction gained from getting rid of Microsoft products.
Something to play with over the holiday........let us know how you get on.

[ghost]

Interesting thread

I've been away for some days, otherwise i would have replied earlier to Debasers computer desaster...

But his problem seems to be solved now

I also prefer Firefox, because it is fast, small and i like the addons, which make your browser much more comfortably.

About firewalls: they only work if they are set up in the right way. I still don't trust the Windows firewall. Atm i am using Comodo Firewall.

One thing about all: Use a backup program like Norton Ghost or Acronis True Image. Make dayly backups of your C: partition and your system will be restored within a few minutes!

[plonkah]

Do NOT uninstall IE - just leave it alone unless uou visit a site which REQUIRES ActiveX (moviekids does to show the graphics for example).

Windose Update - set to alert you of any security updates - then you get choice if/when to download and/or install. Most updates are OK, but a couple this year if installed would have broken your OS !!

Windos FW = PITA.

Try free Comodo - preety easy to set up and no harm in you learning a bit more about how personal FWs work DB

Glad to hear you got it fixed - Rootkits bury themselves so deep it is somtimes impossible to identify let alone get rid of them.

Set FF to block all popups, surf wherever you can with both Java and Javascript OFF - use the aforementioned plugin.

Good luck dude.

[Debaser]

It’s so nice that everyone came together for me.
Looking back at this thread has made me realise what stress head I am!
To be honest I was just about to throw my machine across the room, so thank god for the perseverance of my friends here, and thank god for this Threat-Fire thing.

I noticed the Threat-Fire icon was missing from the clock area this morning, but it still appears to be running.
It must be a little glitch.

One thing about all: Use a backup program like Norton Ghost or Acronis True Image. Make dayly backups of your C: partition and your system will be restored within a few minutes!

Well this is something I do want to do next, but have little understanding of.
I have more questions about that than you could wave a stick at!

[Debaser]

Well this is something I do want to do next, but have little understanding of.
I have more questions about that than you could wave a stick at!

Sod it, im bored at work so have to time to layout my questions now.

What really confuses me is this idea of backing up an image of my OS.
I have no understanding of what that actually means, and whenever the word ISO is mentioned, I completely draw a blank.

1. Why cant I, and why don’t others simply make a complete back up of the OS, including programs?

2. Surely if I made a true back up of everything in my OS partition, I can just drag & drop MY OS and programs from an external HD at will?

3. How does an image actually become everything I have in my OS & programs partition?... Surely that would be like me taking a photograph of a car, and then the resulting photograph becomes a true car.

4. Please can someone explain to me what it is to make a back up of an OS in plain English?

Thanks