puter help

scottabir · 03-11-05, 12:03

anybody have any good experience with certain firewalls? My wife was on her forum tonight and she was typing a reply to a post and somebody took control of the cursor and was typing in the response box! I have Norton professional something or other and I have a free trial of zone alarm (but laptop on wireless ntework is SLLLOOOOWWWW with it turned on). Any ideas?

RedondoV6 · 03-11-05, 12:31

Try Zone alarm, very easy to use and quite effective. Also d/l adaware and spybot for some protection and check out the following two sites for advice and free help.

http://www.security-forums.com/

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/index.php

kpounds · 03-11-05, 02:16

For Firewall I prefer Sygate Free version

In addition to Spybot & Adaware, get Microsoft Anti-spyware This is a rebadged version of Giant anti-spyware that MS bought 2 months ago. In tests at spywarewarrior.com it came out #1 in spyware detections. Be sure to DL the latest updates on each and use the Immunization feature in Spybot.

Double-check your anti-virus with Panda active scan

Another good tool to have installed is Spywareblaster

SilverBelle04 · 03-11-05, 03:49

Quote:

Originally posted by kpounds
For Firewall I prefer Sygate Free version

In addition to Spybot & Adaware, get Microsoft Anti-spyware This is a rebadged version of Giant anti-spyware that MS bought 2 months ago. In tests at spywarewarrior.com it came out #1 in spyware detections. Be sure to DL the latest updates on each and use the Immunization feature in Spybot.

Thanks for the tip on MS spyware...i just downloaded and installed. Seems to work faster than adware and spybot.

Bob

perry · 03-11-05, 07:29

Quote:

Originally posted by scottabir
anybody have any good experience with certain firewalls? My wife was on her forum tonight and she was typing a reply to a post and somebody took control of the cursor and was typing in the response box! I have Norton professional something or other and I have a free trial of zone alarm (but laptop on wireless ntework is SLLLOOOOWWWW with it turned on). Any ideas?

If the computer really has been compromised, unplug the network cable, save what you can, format, and reinstall. If there's any CC info, etc saved on that computer it may be wise to cancel those accounts.

Your wireless router and XP's built in firewall should make for a pretty decent combo. Sounds like a virus / trojan.. make sure you put a virus scanner on it when you bring it back up.

scottabir · 03-11-05, 11:17

I run my antivirus [nortons] scan everyday, along with the microsoft anti-spyware. I will give the panda program a shot and see if that picks up anything that nortons did not.

kpounds · 03-11-05, 03:56

That Panda scan ROCKS. Very nice and it will disinfect any viruses found on the spot. First time I ran it, it found 9 viruses on my comp and handled them. I'm still trying to figure HOW they can disinfect viruses from their site to inside your computer....a little spooky but it works!

klnyc · 03-11-05, 04:59

Forget about software FW. Just a Linksys router/fw for 59.99 and you done.

scottabir · 03-12-05, 01:16

Quote:

Forget about software FW. Just a Linksys router/fw for 59.99 and you done.

I am running a linksys router for the internet connection between the desktop and the laptop. Is there something to configure on that to add protection?

Pats300zx · 03-12-05, 04:49

Quote:

Originally posted by scottabir
I am running a linksys router for the internet connection between the desktop and the laptop. Is there something to configure on that to add protection?

I would make sure that you have your encryption turned on.
You don't want people out out on the street with the ability to access your connection.

klnyc · 03-12-05, 05:56

Hi,

If you are using WiFi then you would need to setup the WEB encryp. I would recommend 128bits. If you aren't using WiFi, then there needs to setup any encryption on hard-wire type router. If you running some of apps,game,or any server apps. Then you must setup the NAT ports.

hope this helped.

scottabir · 03-13-05, 11:38

Ok I purchased the pc-cillin program and it cleaned up the laptop nicely. 2 trojans and 60 spyware threats that the microsoft/giant software didnt find. It found nothing on the desktop that has the porblem. Even after setting up the pc-cillin and encryption on the linksys router something or someone type random words in lets say the google search box. Dunno what else to do now but format the desktop and start over...any suggestions?