|
Posted by =?Utf-8?B?c2NvZmFt?= on August 26, 2005, 7:53 am
If you were Registered and logged in, you could reply and use other advanced thread options
from the lower bar where the icons are, and I beilve they pop up from the MS
shield. One does ask me if I wnt to find out how to protect my computer and
if I click yes it takes me to a Microsoft site that list security products.
the other just tells me to check my virus software becasue of activity that
looks like spyware.
I had a problem with CWS a while ago and downloaded and used all the
software you mentioned (and more), but the problem presissted even then.
I've even gone into safe mode and ran the BITDEFENDER online scan (a great
one in my opinion). the freewear virus and spyware products always found
things the Verizon software didn't catch, either in real-time or in a manual
virus check, which is why I switched back to McAfee, which always worked well
in the past.
I will go through your suggestions though and get back. Won't be able to
unti Sunday night though. Again, thanks.
"Bruce Chambers" wrote:
> scofam wrote:
> > I am getting messages from what I think is the MS security suite telling me
> > either that my virus software isn't working properly, or that suspicious
> > activity has been detected and do I want to find out how to protect my
> > system. I had Verizons software, traded it in for McAfee. I don't have
> > andy viruses or spyware on the system. How do I stop the messages from
> > poping up?
>
>
> What specific kind of pop-ups are you seeing? There are at least
> three varieties of pop-ups, and the solutions vary accordingly.
>
> 1) Does the title bar of these pop-ups read "Messenger Service?"
>
> This type of spam has become quite common over the couple of
> years, and unintentionally serves as a valid security "alert." It
> demonstrates that you haven't been taking sufficient precautions while
> connected to the Internet. Your data probably hasn't been compromised
> by these specific advertisements, but if you're open to this exploit,
> you may well be open to other threats, such as the Blaster Worm that
> swept across the Internet last year and the currently active Sasser
> Worm. Install and use a decent, properly configured firewall.
> (Merely disabling the messenger service, as some people recommend,
> only hides the symptom, and does little or nothing to truly secure
> your machine.) And ignoring or just "putting up with" the security
> gap represented by these messages is particularly foolish.
>
> Messenger Service of Windows
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;168893
>
> Messenger Service Window That Contains an Internet Advertisement
> Appears
> http://support.microsoft.com/?id=330904
>
> Stopping Advertisements with Messenger Service Titles
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/communicate/stopspam.asp
>
> Blocking Ads, Parasites, and Hijackers with a Hosts File
> http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
>
> Oh, and be especially wary of people who advise you to do nothing
> more than disable the messenger service. Disabling the messenger
> service, by itself, is a "head in the sand" approach to computer
> security. The real problem is not the messenger service pop-ups;
> they're actually providing a useful, if annoying, service by acting as
> a security alert. The true problem is the unsecured computer, and
> you've been advised to merely turn off the warnings. How is this
> helpful?
>
> 2) For regular Internet pop-ups, you might try the free 12Ghosts
> Popup-killer from http://12ghosts.com/ghosts/popup.htm, Pop-Up Stopper
> from http://www.panicware.com/, or the Google Toolbar from
> http://toolbar.google.com/. Alternatively, you can upgrade your WinXP
> to SP2, to install IE's pop-up blocker. Another alternative would be
> to use another browser, such as Mozilla or Firefox, which has pop-up
> blocking capabilities. (But I'd avoid Netscape; it carries too much
> extraneous AOL garbage.)
>
> 3) To deal with pop-ups caused by any sort of "adware" and/or
> "spyware,"such as Gator, Comet Cursors, Xupiter, Bonzai Buddy, or
> KaZaA, and their remnants, that you've deliberately (but without
> understanding the consequences) installed, two products that are
> quite effective (at finding and removing this type of scumware) are
> Ad-Aware from www.lavasoft.de and SpyBot Search & Destroy from
> www.safer-networking.org/. Both have free versions. It's even
> possible to use SpyBot Search & Destroy to "immunize" your system
> against most future intrusions. I use both and generally perform
> manual scans every week or so to clean out cookies, etc.
>
> Additionally, manual removal instructions for the most common
> varieties of scumware are available here:
>
> PC Hell Spyware and Adware Removal Help
> http://www.pchell.com/support/spyware.shtml
>
> More information and assistance is available at these sites:
>
> Blocking Ads, Parasites, and Hijackers with a Hosts File
> http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
>
> The Parasite Fight
> http://www.aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
>
> Neither adware nor spyware, collectively known as scumware,
> magically install themselves on anyone's computer. They are almost
> always deliberately installed by the computer's user, as part of some
> allegedly "free" service or product.
>
> While there are some unscrupulous malware distributors out there,
> who do attempt to install and exploit malware without consent, the
> majority of them simply rely upon the intellectual laziness and
> gullibility of the average consumer, counting on them to quickly click
> past the EULA in his/her haste to get the latest in "free" cutesy
> cursors, screensavers, "utilities," and/or wallpapers.
>
> If you were to read the EULAs that accompany, and to which the
> computer user must agree before the download/installation of the
> "screensaver" continues, most adware and spyware, you'll find that
> they _do_ have the consumer's permission to do exactly what they're
> doing. In the overwhelming majority of cases, computer users have no
> one to blame but themselves.
>
> There are several essential components to computer security: a
> knowledgeable and pro-active user, a properly configured firewall,
> reliable and up-to-date antivirus software, and the prompt repair (via
> patches, hotfixes, or service packs) of any known vulnerabilities.
>
> The weakest link in this "equation" is, of course, the computer
> user. No software manufacturer can -- nor should they be expected
> to -- protect the computer user from him/herself. All too many people
> have bought into the various PC/software manufacturers marketing
> claims of easy computing. They believe that their computer should be
> no harder to use than a toaster oven; they have neither the
> inclination or desire to learn how to safely use their computer. All
> too few people keep their antivirus software current, install patches
> in a timely manner, or stop to really think about that cutesy link
> they're about to click.
>
> Firewalls and anti-virus applications, which should always be used
> and should always be running, are important components of "safe hex,"
> but they cannot, and should not be expected to, protect the computer
> user from him/herself. Ultimately, it is incumbent upon each and
> every computer user to learn how to secure his/her own computer.
>
>
> To learn more about practicing "safe hex," start with these links:
>
> Protect Your PC
> http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/default.asp
>
> Home Computer Security
> http://www.cert.org/homeusers/HomeComputerSecurity/
>
> List of Antivirus Software Vendors
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;49500
>
> Home PC Firewall Guide
> http://www.firewallguide.com/
>
> Scumware.com
> http://www.scumware.com/
>
>
> --
>
> Bruce Chambers
>
> Help us help you:
> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>
> You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
> both at once. - RAH
>
| 
XML site map