Virus Prevention

Virus Prevention for Home Users

Is my Computer Infected?
Since it isn't always obvious that a worm or virus has infected your computer, normal warning signs may consist of Windows XP systems rebooting every few minutes without user input or Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000 systems becoming unresponsive.

If you are using Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, or Windows XP, you should follow the steps in this series to help guard your computer and to recover if your computer has been infected.

Enable a Firewall

Bring Windows Up-to-Date

Utilize Antivirus Software

Eliminate the Worm

Enable a Firewall

Verify you have a firewall turned on to help protect your computer against infection prior to you taking other steps. If your computer is infected, turning on the firewall software will help control the outcome of the worm on your computer.

The most recent Windows operating systems have a firewall included. Windows should print or save the subsequent instructions for how to make their firewall available. If your computer is rebooting repeatedly, disconnect from the Internet before you enable your firewall.

To disconnect your computer from the Internet:

Broadband connection users: Locate the telephone cable that runs from your external DSL or cable modem and unplug that cable either from the modem or from the telephone jack.
Dial-up connection users: Locate the telephone cable that runs from the modem inside your computer to your telephone jack and unplug that cable either from the telephone jack or from your computer.

The instructions listed below will provide assist you with reconnecting your operating system, to the Internet.

Windows XP Professional users: Follow these instructions to enable the Internet Connection Firewall [http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/networking/icf.asp].
Windows XP Home Edition users: Follow these instructions to enable the Internet Connection Firewall [http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/default.asp].

Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000 users: Clients will be required to install a third-party firewall. A good number firewall software for home users is accessible in free or trial versions.

For more information on personal firewalls listed below are resources worth exploring:

ZoneAlarm Pro (Zone Labs) [http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/catalog/products/zap/zap_details.jsp]
Tiny Personal Firewall (Tiny Software) [http://www.tinysoftware.com/home/tiny2?la=EN]
Outpost Firewall (Agnitum) [http://www.agnitum.com/download/outpostfree.html]
Kerio Personal Firewall (Kerio Technologies) [http://www.kerio.com/us/kpf_download.html]
BlackICE PC Protection (Internet Security Systems) [http://blackice.iss.net/product_pc_protection.php]

Windows 2000 users: On the other hand, clients can take measures to prevent the affected ports so that their computer can be patched. Listed below are tailored instructions from the TechNet article HOW TO: Configure TCP/IP Filtering in Windows 2000 [http://support.microsoft.com/?id=309798].

Bring Windows Up-to-Date

Download and set up the security update referred to in Security Bulletin MS03-026 for the version of Windows that you are utilizing from the Microsoft Download Center. A dialog box will appear when clicking the suitable link below. To start the download procedure, carry out one of the following:

To start the installation immediately, click Open or Run this program from its current location.
To copy the download to your computer for installation, click Save or Save this program to disk. After saving, open the file and follow the installation instructions.
- Windows NT Server 4.0 and Windows NT Workstation 4.0 [http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/search.aspx?displaylang=en]
- Windows 2000 [http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/search.aspx?displaylang=en]
- Windows XP (32 bit) (Most users have this edition. If unsure, try this first.) [http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/search.aspx?displaylang=en]
- Windows XP (64 bit) [http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/search.aspx?displaylang=en]

Utilize Antivirus Software

Utilize antivirus software and check frequently for the latest updates installed on your computer.

If antivirus software is already installed, go to antivirus vendor's Web site to get the latest virus definitions.
If antivirus software is not installed, First priority should be to purchase a copy. The following vendors offer antivirus products for home users:
- Network Associates [http://us.mcafee.com/root/catalog.asp?catid=av]
- Trend Micro [http://www.trendmicro.com/en/products/desktop/pc-cillin/evaluate/overview.htm]
- Symantec [http://www.symantec.com/product/index_homecomp.html]

Eliminate the Worm

If you believe even a little that your computer may be infected, use the worm removal tool. For further information on this worm, see anyone of the below Web sites:

Network Associates [http://us.mcafee.com/root/catalog.asp?catid=av]
Trend Micro [http://www.trendmicro.com/en/products/desktop/pc-cillin/evaluate/overview.htm]
Symantec [http://www.symantec.com/product/index_homecomp.html]
Computer Associates [http://www3.ca.com/virusinfo/virus.aspx?ID=36265]

PLEASE print this page out and type in the addresses at home.

Fighting A Virus
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