Computer Troubleshooting

Have you ever tried to remove Spyware off your PC only to find out it never left or it came back? Tired of all those annoying Popups, Viruses, and Ads on your system day in and day out? Well, listen closely because the day has come to remove Spyware programs and Viruses - forever!

I will give you some very useful tricks and tips to remove Spyware and Viruses for good! Follow closely:

Steps to Remove Spyware, Viruses, and Adware

1. There are many types of software available today that claim to remove spyware off our system, but which one REALLY does the job? What you need is software that not only will remove spyware, but TOTALLY removes it for good and keeps it off. After searching for the best of the best, here is THE BEST: Panda Online Scan. Why? It does not constantly run on your system, slowing it down and using bunches of memory! In other words, it runs from Panda on the web, then searches your whole system, will remove spyware and other bugs, then gives detailed info on the bug and tells you how to keep it off your system! Here is the address to get started:
http://www.stopspywareforfree.com/scan.html

It only installs a few plug-ins to run on your system, and no full installation!

2. Check your system services and systray items! The biggest mistake people make is never checking what programs are running in the background or memory of the system. A key step to remove spyware from your system is knowing this. Without knowing these things, you probably have bugs running on your system, and never know it! Why? They like to hide! Download and install a program called HIJACK THIS. It tells you exactly what is running and what is not running so you know exactly what might be hiding behind closed doors! Here is the address for this:
http://www.stopspywareforfree.com/hijackthis.html

3. Shutdown the SYSTEM RESTORE! (Windows XP)

Spyware and Viruses attach themselves to your system’s restore files. This is an easy way for them to hide, even after you reinstall Windows! Right click on ‘MY COMPUTER’, then click on ‘Properties’. Look for a tab on top called ‘System Restore’, and click there. Check the box that says ‘Turn off system restore on all drives’. Click ‘APPLY’, then ‘OK’. That’s it!

4. Use an Anonymous IP address when surfing the web!

This is a huge step in keeping bugs off your system forever! Bugs get onto your system and retrieve info about you by capturing your IP address. Your IP address tells everyone who you are, where you’re located, your system info, what kind of Windows you use, your browser, etc. An anonymous IP hides your IP by using an Anonymous address and makes you invisible to everyone, including Spyware and Ads! Here is an address to a good proxy list:
http://www.stopspywareforfree.com/proxylist.html

Please follow these instructions carefully for Microsoft Internet Explorer:

a) Scroll down on the page from the above link. On the list, look at the numbers listed under IP:Port Host name. Make sure the uptime on the right is at least 97 to 99 %.

b) Go to the Control Panel in Windows.

c) Open up ‘ Internet Options’.

d) Click on the ‘Connections’ tab on top.

e) Click on ‘LAN Settings’.

f) Put a check-mark where it says PROXY SERVER.

g) In the Address box, copy and paste the IP address listed on the proxy list (for example: 148.244.150.58 - These are the numbers shown BEFORE the ‘:’ (semi-colon).

h) Copy and paste the port number into the PORT box (for example: ‘80′ - the number immediately after the semi-colon).

i) Click OK, and OK again to close, and close everything.

j) Go ahead and open up your browser and try surfing the internet to test.

Thats it! You are now surfing invisibly!

For the Firefox browser:

a) Open up the browser and go to ‘TOOLS’ then ‘OPTIONS’.

b) Go to ‘GENERAL’ on the left, then click the ‘Connection Settings’ button below.

c) Choose ‘Manual’ proxy config from the choices.

d) Check the ‘use the same proxy’ checkbox.

e) In the ‘HTTP Proxy’ box, copy and paste the anonymous IP, and the PORT number in the PORT box (remove the zero first).

f) Click OK, then OK again to close.

g) Now test your browser by surfing the web.

You are now invisible.

**note - if your browsing gets super slow or has a problem, look for another IP and Port number on the list and try again. Most of the time the proxies from Mexico work best. Happy surfing! The free proxy list can be found here:
http://www.stopspywareforfree.com/proxylist.html

5. Download and install the new FIREFOX browser!

Please get rid of Microsoft Internet Explorer on your system! It is like a pipe that feeds Spyware, Ads and Viruses onto your system. There are just too many holes there letting everything in. Mozilla is a fairly new company that introduced a new breed of browser that blocks popups, and tries hard to keep these bugs off your system. It has very few or even NO holes or pipes to let the bugs in! Many people use it for this very reason, and it has a great look, better speed, and lets you change the theme of it! Awesome! Here is the address:
http://www.stopspywareforfree.com/firefox.html

Well that about sums up how to remove spyware in 5 steps. Follow them CLOSELY and you will see how great it is to surf virus free Forever! Guaranteed!
About The Author
Rafael Nunez

For more tips, tricks, and secrets on protecting your PC and making it run faster and without problems, sign up on our mailing list at: http://www.stopspywareforfree.com.

What is a Computer Virus?

A computer virus is a self-replicating program that destroys other system programs like .EXE files and .COM files. When an infected program is run, the hidden virus is activated in memory and transfers the virus code to another executable program. Computer virus performs two basic functions: (1) it copies onto itself previously-uninfected programs or files and (2) it executes whatever the VIRUS author included in it. These instructions can do anything like displaying a message of thanks or peace, erasing Viruses typically infect a system through the sharing of transportable media, such as an infected diskette or through communication links such as local area networks or programs downloaded from remote system via a modem.

Types of Viruses

1. File Virus

The FILE VIRUSES attach themselves to executable files (i.e. COMMAND.COM and WS. EXE). The virus attaches its code at the end of the original program file, modifying certain portions of the file. That when the program is run, the virus code is loaded first. The virus then modifies the system so that whenever an operation involving files is made, such as doing a DIR or running another program, the virus gets a chance to attach itself to other files. After setting itself up, the virus then runs the original program.

2. Boot Viruses

The BOOT VIRUSES target the boot sector of the disk, such that when that disk is used for booting up the computer, the virus loads itself to the memory, and is ready to attack the other disks whenever they are accessed for run. There are some boot viruses that infect the hard drive’s Master Boot Record that contains information on the disk’s partition; if the virus somehow damages this information, the files on the drive will be useless or inaccessible. Early made boot and file viruses can be easily distinguished. Today, since there are various virus programmer and a numerous amount of viruses, the art of MULTIPARTITE infection is made. That is, the virus which was originally attached to a file may infect boot sectors, and a virus which was originally designed to attack a file, now attacks the boot sectors. (more…)

Today, more and more people are using their computers for everything from communication to online banking and investing to shopping. As we do these things on a more regular basis, we open ourselves up to potential hackers, attackers and crackers. While some may be looking to phish your personal information and identity for resale, others simply just want to use your computer as a platform from which to attack other unknowing targets. Below are a few easy, cost-effective steps you can take to make your computer more secure.

1. Always make backups of important information and store in a safe place separate from your computer.

2. Update and patch your operating system, web browser and software frequently. If you have a Windows operating system, start by going to www.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and running the update wizard. This program will help you find the latest patches for your Windows computer. Also go to www.officeupdate.microsoft.com to locate possible patches for your Office programs.

3. Install a firewall. Without a good firewall, viruses, worms, Trojans, malware and adware can all easily access your computer from the Internet. Consideration should be given to the benefits and differences between hardware and software based firewall programs.

4. Review your browser and email settings for optimum security. Why should you do this? Active-X and JavaScript are often used by hackers to plant malicious programs into your computers. While cookies are relatively harmless in terms of security concerns, they do still track your movements on the Internet to build a profile of you. At a minimum set your security setting for the “internet zone” to High, and your “trusted sites zone” to Medium Low.

5. Install antivirus software and set for automatic updates so that you receive the most current versions.
6. Do not open unknown email attachments. It is simply not enough that you may recognize the address from which it originates because many viruses can spread from a familiar address.

7. Do not run programs from unknown origins. Also, do not send these types of programs to friends and coworkers because they contain funny or amusing stories or jokes. They may contain a Trojans horse waiting to infect a computer.

8. Disable hidden filename extensions. By default, the Windows operating system is set to “hide file extensions for known file types”. Disable this option so that file extensions display in Windows. Some file extensions will, by default, continue to remain hidden, but you are more likely to see any unusual file extensions that do not belong.

9. Turn off your computer and disconnect from the network when not using the computer. A hacker can not attack your computer when you are disconnected from the network or the computer is off.

10. Consider making a boot disk on a floppy disk in case your computer is damaged or compromised by a malicious program. Obviously, you need to take this step before you experience a hostile breach of your system.