Maintenance
Software
As
more and more people are using broadband to connect to the Internet, it is
essential to use Antivirus Software, a Firewall, and Spyware Cleaning Software.
The following articles suggest a number of options, and some further security
precautions you can take. In addition there are a number of free utility
programs that can make it easier to use your computer effectively.
Overview
Making sure your computer is secure when using the
Internet is not simple to do yourself, so your need to either
- pay for a solution that is easy to run
yourself
- invest time and effort learning how to do
it yourself using free software - see below
- or take advantage of the talented youngsters
around and have them do it for you...
Simplest solution
1. If you buy a new PC, make sure it has the latest
version of Windows (XP or 2003). Make sure it has XP Service pack
2 installed and that you know how to use Windows Update
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com. Perhaps invest in a
second hard drive so that you can easily keep back up copies of valuable
files.
2. Use a simple all in one-solution, called a
Security Suite, that includes a firewall and
antivirus software. When you pay for this, you get upgrades for
the next year, and you can then pay a subscription to keep the updates
running after that. Warning: Just running a security suite without
keeping Windows up-to-date may not work - Years ago I suffered spyware on my
machine despite Windows XP and updated Norton Firewall and AntiVirus.
3. Always keep any files you may want to use
again backed up safely onto CD, DVD or an external hard-drive.
For Users who are confident with downloading
and installing software from the web -
1. Install and use all the recommended
security software
on this page. All the recommendations are the software that I
currently. They're free and they work!
2. Backup Data AND
your main disc drive. Back up date using SyncBack
every week onto a separate Hard Drive. Use disc imaging
software such as Acronis True Image
9 to backup a copy of your main hard drive, and create a
bootable CD. If your hard drive breaks, you can buy a new hard
drive, install it, boot up on the CD, then copy the old image onto
it. Your computer will then work as it was within maybe 15
minutes. Think of the hours to reload the entire operating
system!!!!
3. Keep up-to-date with the latest news at
4. Use this Password Encrypter
to remember all you logons.
5. Network more than one PC to share an internet
connection:
Chris Sharples
22/06/2008
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Acronis Disc Imaging Software
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| Use
- to copy an image of your hard disc in case it fails... |
|
| Cost
- approx £20.00 |
| Description
|
|
Use disc imaging software such as
Acronis True Image 9 to backup a
copy of your main hard drive, and create a bootable CD. If your
hard drive breaks, you can buy a new hard drive, install it, boot up on
the CD, then copy the old image onto it. Your computer will then
work as it was within maybe 15 minutes. Think of the hours to
reload the entire operating system!!!! You can even keep a spare hard
drive in your PC ready to go...
If you have to rebuild windows XP then try
http://tweakhound.com/blog/?page_id=376 |
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|
AntiVirus Software - Various
|
| Use
- to protect against viruses from e-mails and the Internet |
|
| Cost
- Free / buy |
| Description
|
|
Antivirus software scans e-mails and e-mail
attachments to warn against viruses. you can also schedule regular
antivirus scans to ensure there are no viruses on your computer.
Any antivirus software MUST offer regular downloads to ensure your
protection is up-to-date against the latest viruses. Useful
Downloads -
1.
The simplest solution is to get
Antivirus software as part of a
Security Suite
2.
The cheapest and best solution if you have a little bit of computer
know-how (there is no documentation or support) is to use
AVG Free Edition which is
free to home users AND includes free weekly updates.
free
v8 (June 2008)
http://www.grisoft.com/us.product-avg-anti-virus-free-edition
Useful links
1.
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/
2. Put
'antivirus' and 'review' into Google.
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|
File Manager - Xplorer² Lite
|
| Use
- File Manager |
|
| Cost
- freeware |
| Description
|
| I
recommend this utility as a big improvement on Windows file
manager. A particular favourite (for music information...) is the
ability to export file information as text for printing etc |
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|
|
File Renamer - Rename Master
|
| Use
- use it to rename multiple files. |
|
| Cost
- freeware |
| Description
|
| I
recommend Rename
Master as a FREE utility for renaming large groups of files with a few
clicks. Anyone that has worked with websites, file archives, or collections
of music, videos, or pictures has probably spent way too much time renaming
hundreds of files.
This utility will add, remove, or replace
parts of the filename with ease and also supports renaming via file
properties, MP3 tags, JPEG JFIF and EXIF tags. Batch renaming that's simple
to use, yet still very powerful. This
program is a must for organising MP3 files or any other batch file renaming
required. Check out the online help sheet. |
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|
Firewalls - Various
|
| Use
- firewall |
|
| Cost
- Free / buy |
| Description
|
| Means
that you can control incoming and outgoing contact with the internet to
avoid hackers and spyware causing you problems. Useful
Downloads -
ONLY
USE ONE FIREWALL
1.
You could use windows XP firewall (but this only stops incoming
not outgoing connections);
2.
Use a firewall as part of a Security Suite
3.
I
Recommend
ZoneAlarm OR
Kerio KPF4 personal Firewalls
4.
Better still (the solution I use) is to
download Kerio
Personal Firewall 2 here
and then this configuration file.
Install KPF2, then click File / admin / Misc open up the admin panel ->
miscellaneous -> Load and select this file. Thanks to MB for this! Check you are fully
secure by going to
shields up.
|
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|
Useful
links
Shields up by Steve Gibson
- Test your firewall and find out lots
more
http://www.pcflank.com/art41b.htm - all you need to know about
firewalls. Use Leaktest, Firehole and copycat to test your firewall.
Zone Alarm
help at
http://www.donhoover.net/adding.html
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|
Microsoft
Internet Explorer
|
| Use
- web browser |
|
| Cost
- comes with Windows |
| Description
|
|
The
most commonly used browser by far... see google zeitgeist.
Beware
security loopholes and use a personal firewall and virus software - use
Mozilla Firefox in preference.
Both work with
with Avant Browser and Roboform
for easy web browsing.
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|
|
Mozilla - Firefox 3
|
| Use
- browser |
|
| Cost
- free |
| Description
|
| Highly
recommended free browser. Much less risk than using Internet
Explorer. Use with
Add-ons
Especially
"NoScript"
June 08 -
Firefox 3
guide |
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|
|
Networking more than one PC to share an
Internet Connection
|
| Use
- Using Kerio Firewall 2 to protect your
Internet machine AND allow another access via Internet Connection
Sharing. |
|
| Cost
- Free (plus a network cable). |
| Description
|
|
1. Make sure both
computers have a network interface card (NIC), and the chosen gateway
machine has a separate connection to the Internet eg. ADSL modem.
2. Make sure the host
machine runs XP, the client(s) can be anything from Win98SE or later.
3. Get a crossover
network cable to join the two together.
4. Follow the instructions at
Start / My Network Places / Set up a home or small office network / Next
/ Checklist for creating a network.
|
 |
|
5. Find article Q306126 on
http://support.microsoft.com/
6. Download Kerio
Personal Firewall 2 here
and then this configuration file.
Install KPF2, then click File / admin / Misc open up the admin panel ->
miscellaneous -> Load and select this file. Thanks to MB for this!
7. Check you are fully
secure by going to
shields up.
Other useful links
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/
http://www.windowsnetworking.com/articles_tutorials/Windows_XP/ |
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Roboform
|
| Use
- automatic form filling when surfing the web |
|
| Cost
- Freeware for 10 or less (unlimited needs pro version, £16 @ 20-01-05) |
| Description
|
| Roboform enables you to fill in forms
on web pages automatically. As
you browse the web, you often have to fill in 'forms'. This add-on
to any browser allows you to set up
'pass-cards' for frequently visited web sites. This makes browsing
the web much quicker and easier as you can autocomplete usernames and
paswords as you browse. You can also set up your identity to quickly
fill in personal information when required. All passcards can be
protected with a single password.
The
author, see developer website, assures that this is not spyware, but it is
strongly recommended not to add credit card details to a passcard...
Update - 31-12-04 - Roboform only allows
10 passcards now, before you have to pay.
Update - 20-01-05 - Roboform adaptor for
Mozilla firefox now available - Recommended.
I recommend Mozilla Firefox, and then use the Mozilla Roboform
version for the 10 websites I log onto most
often.
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Spyware Cleaners - Various
|
| Use
- preventing and detecting 'spyware' on your computer |
|
| Cost
- Free |
| Description
|
| Detects
'spyware' on your computer and deletes it. Spyware is software that can install itself when you are browsing
the internet, and then automatically connect your computer to sites you
may not want. Useful
Downloads -
I recommend
this link:
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=44525
and I recommend the following
free spyware cleaner software:
1.
Free - Adaware SE
(www.lavasoft.com)
and the VX plugin and/or
spybot
search and destroy.
2.
CCleaner - Temp
File/Cookies/index.dat cleaner
3.
Spyware Blaster
For
advanced users only, if your computer is infected, investigate
http://hijack-this.net/ and use the
web forums to help.
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|
SyncBack Freeware v3.2.7
|
| Use
- Backup and synchronise your files |
|
| Cost
- Freeware. |
| Description
|
| I
recommend this software that helps you easily backup and
synchronise your files to: the same drive; a different drive or medium (CDRW,
CompactFlash, etc); an FTP server; a Network; or a Zip archive. More... |
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Whisper32
|
| Use
- software to keep all you usernames and passwords safe. |
|
| Cost
- freeware, Needs latest version to work on XP. |
| Description
|
| I recommend
this software that runs on your computer,
not connected to a browser. You can save all of
your usernames and passwords on it, safely encrypted. And then
access them with only one username and password that you need to remember!
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