Prevent infections by making windows more secure...

[gameshak]

i think another way to make windows more secure is by having backup copies of taskmanager, msconfig, and registry editor.

These programs are extremely helpful, and usually necessary in helping to rid your computer of a viral infection. Many virus programs will intercept these programs, based on their original file name, and prevent them from running. The alternate copies will not encounter this problem. Simply navigate to the C:\EmergencyUtils folder and double click the file you need to run.

here is the site you can get the backups
http://dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_emerutils.htm

 

[alidabiri]

there's a problem with this though. the virus gaelicum.exe will infect any, and i repeat any .exe file, including these puppies.

 

[Pazuzu]

Using a limited account

I have used an account with administrative rights since I got the PC

"Use a limited account! - This can't be stressed enough. To be using an acount with administrator status for day to day stuff is just asking for trouble. Log into your administrative account, install the programs you intend to use, add a strong password to the account (ONE YOU CAN REMEMBER!), create a limited account for day to day use (browsing the web, using programs, etc), and add a password to that account too. After setting up your computer, only ever log into the administrative account if you need it's priviledges. For the most part, use the limited account."

What could I do to remedy the situation with least disruption? I now have an external hard drive & Casper XP so at least have a backup in case I mess up - so it would be good to start using a limited account but I do not understand how to do this simply.

 

[TimeParadoX]

Thanks for this guide! I use to have some problems with virus / spyware before I came to this site, now my computer is hella fast with only 21 processes running


Also I have a question about:

8, Clear the page file - The page file isn't cleaned out regularly, and as a result can accumulate data, personal info, and passwords, all of which can me extracted by someone with the right tools and knowledge. A quick registry change can have windows clear it out every time the machine is shut down. Open "regedit" and make your way to HKEY_Local_Machine\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SessionManager\Mem oryManagement. Create a new DWORD value called ClearPageFileAtShutdown if it's not already there, and set its value to 1. This will take effect the next time windows is restarted, and will purge the pagefile every time thereafter.

Is it normal for it to take super long time to shutdown windows? Because when it's set to 0 instead of 1 it takes about 10-15 seconds to shutdown, when it's set to 1 it takes about 7 minutes :haha:

 

[casper11]

hi,
may i know how to perform step 10?? could u pls show me?

 

[Rik]

This is an old thread, perhaps this will help - http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

 

[casper11]

i sound complex.. could u show me what should i do now?

 

[Rik]

Just read it thoroughly and follow their instructions.

 

[casper11]

unzip it , click on mvps.bat ,cut the HOSTS file ,paste to C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC. yes to replace the file and finish. correct?

 

[Rik]

Sounds right, but i didn't have time to go through the instructions thoroughly as i am currently helping several people out.

 

[casper11]

currently I'm using computer administrator user( and i've no other user beside guest user) . but i wish to follow the step so i go control panel n find icon of user account, clicked n click on create a new account, type a name n it is said that " you must create at least one computer administrator account before you can create other account. so is that a problem?

can anyone tell me what is happening to my computer? n why this is happening?