Interesting thread to see how others manage their
Maintenance Program.
I use the following randomly, none are in
Start Up and all manual in
Services except of course AVG 7.5.
Windows Defender I found useless, did not find a thing in the time I had it installed.
Ad-Aware SE Personal no longer updates it's definitions automatically so I uninstalled it.
__________
Preventative Maintenance program to avoid Hyjackthis log sendingThe following is my suggestion only. As it is very successful for me I thought I would share it.Definitions of all installations must be kept up to date at least weekly if not daily.
Please follow the advice given here to avoid having your computer attacked by Malware and in turn to avoid asking for volunteer expert help to Analise your logs.
Firstly you need a Fire alarm - Zone Alarm Free.
http://filehippo.com...zonealarm_free/Download and install the following program.
One Antivirus software program only as more than one will conflict.
AVG Free
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/2/Online Free Malware scan cleaning utility
http://www.johannrai...r-8-English.htmSeveral Antispyware programs run manually, randomly, and not enabled at Startup.
AVG Antispyware Free
http://free.grisoft....pyware/us/frt/0SuperAntispyware Free Edition
http://www.superantispyware.com/ Spyware blaster
http://www.javacools...sbdownload.htmlSpyware Search and Destroy
http://www.softpedia...h-Destroy.shtmlCW Shredder
http://www.intermute...r_download.htmlAVG Rootkit free
http://www.softpedia...load-48738.htmlA_squared free
http://www.brotherso.../a_squared.htmlSpyware Guard free
http://www.javacools...ywareguard.htmlTemporary Internet File Cleaners and other Cleanup Utilities.
Here are three I suggest for you to choose from, however please choose only one.
Cleanup 4.5.2
http://www.stevengou...o...8&Itemid=70CCleaner
http://filehippo.com...nload_ccleaner/ATF Cleaner by Atribune
http://www.atribune....tent/view/19/2/Also go to
start >settings >accessories >systemtools >diskcleanup and follow the prompts.
Defragging Utilities
Defragmenter Analyser .
http://www.raxco.com/analyze/ Use the Windows default defragmenter program this way:
start> allprograms >accessories > systemtools> defragmenter.OR
IObit Smart Defragmenter
http://www.majorgeek...ad.php?det=5318Auslogics degragmenter Free
http://www.auslogics...defrag/download1) 'Scan' for Adware, Spyware and all Malware WEEKLY/DAILY.
2) 'Clean your 'Temporary Internet files' and 'History list' every 3 Days.
3) 'Clear your 'SSL state 'every 3 Days.
4) 'Clear your 'Java files' in your Java console every 3 Days
5) 'Empty the 'Recycle bin' every 3 Days.
6) 'Defrag' your hard Drive every 5 Days. (I actually analyse mine and only defrag when necessary)
7) 'Scan' for Viruses and Trojans every 4 Days.
8) 'Degauss' your monitor by turning it off completely and back on, every 5 days
9) 'Completely turn off' your machine every 5 Days. This is different than re-starting.
~~When you re-start, it does not shut down 100%~~
Now I suggest you open "control panel" and then "Internet options." With the 'internet options' open, you will see the general tab. Next click on the "content" tab. You will see "clear SSL state." This normally is performed automatically but I have come across old data left in here. While you are here, you should clean the "auto complete" as well. There is a lot of data stored here that can breach your security and privacy. It is best to uncheck all the three boxes and never use this feature, however if you like this feature, keep it.
To just clean the stored data, click the "auto complete" button and then the "clean passwords" and then OK and then the "clear forms" and then OK. It will wipe all of the stored information.
Now let's move on to the Java files. Open "control panel>settings and find "java plug-in" and click
on temporary internet files>settings>delete files>enable Applications and Applets, and Trace and Log file> okay.
Now while we have it opened, let's adjust the size from 'unlimited' down to "maximum 4 MB" and you
will be ready to go.
Another item that seems to get overlooked on today's maintenance routine is the "C:\windows\temp" folder. You should delete everything that is in this folder, BUT not the folder itself. If you have never done this, it will have a ton of stuff in it.
So run your disk cleanup, defrag, delete cookies etc often. There are other variations of these utilities
available although I have yet to find a problem with the ones that Windows provides.
To flush DNS cache click start, run, type cmd, and type ipconfig /flushdns and press enter. (Note the space between the g /)
DNS = Domain Name Server, the cache referred to is where Windows stores all IP addresses it collects as you surf typing the IP to the domain name to surf to, this cache can grow large over a period of time causing a slowdown on your computer surfing and interaction.
I am indebted to other members/friends over time for some of this data, especially Crow and Doug who helped me so much.
I hope the above is of some help and if followed particularly by
new members may alleviate the necessity of posting a HJT log.