[andyk68]

Hi Dakeyras. It's only a netbook I am using and will only take 2gb of ram so upgrading is not an option. I am tempted with the option of carrying on but I have been ready for formatting for a while so thats the best option I think. I'm not a huge fan of Windows (although its what I've mostly used) but I dont get Linux so I'm unsure what is best to install on the netbook. I know I'm always going to struggle with Windows 7 on it, XP was king . Thank you both for your help.

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Acknowledged and you're welcome!

Next:

After you have completed the reformat and reinstallation of the Windows Operating System...

Install all critical updates and relevant service packs via Windows Update. For Windows 7 the latest is SP1.

To do so:-

Click on Start(Windows 7 Orb) >> All Programs >> Windows Update >> Check for updates

Install all detected Critical Updates only and ignore any Optional Updates. You can install any of the latter later on if you so wish but most will unlikely be required and may be say Bing related for example. Your computer may reboot several times during the course of the Critical Updates and once all have installed, check again for updates as sometimes not all will be installed at once. Tedious I know but as I mentioned in a prior post well worth it in the long run.

I would also ensure Internet Explorer is up-to date also. For Windows 7 based machines it is IE11. Reason being even if you opt not to use IE as your main browser having a out of date version installed can leave any one machine vulnerable to malware.

The aforementioned should be available via Windows Update as should the aforementioned SP1, if not can be downloaded from here and SP1 from here.

Once the machine is updated and fully patched, I do advise using Windows Update periodically as Microsoft releases patches for Windows and other products regularly.

Plus check Automatic Updates is enabled.

Then install a Anti-Virus software solution, only ever have one of such installed and active in system memory at any one time.

Either of the below will suffice:-

• Avast! Free Antivirus.
• Microsoft Security Essentials.

Which ever of the above you choose to install, automatically checks for updates and downloads/installs them with every system reboot and or periodically if the machine is left running providing a internet connection is active.

I advise you also run a complete scan with this at least once per week.

--------------

Installing a specific Anti-Spyware application would be prudent, myself I recommend:-

Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware

During the installation process you will be offered the Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Trial. Your choice to enable or not...

After installing, I advise check for updates and run a scan at least once per week.

--------------

Tweaking.com - Registry Backup. I advise you consider installing this, as a means to keep a complete backup of your registry and restore it when needed. Can be downloaded from here, a tutorial for Registry Backup explaining the various features can be viewed here.

Myself I would actually create a new back up once per week as this along with System Restore may prove to be invaluable if something unforeseen occurs!

--------------

Consider the below extra/layered security for your machine:

Custom Host File:

A Hosts file is like a phone book. You look up someone's name in the phone book before calling him/her. Similarly, your computer will look up the website's IP address before you can view the website.

Hosts file will replace your current Hosts file with another one containing well-known advertisement sites, spyware sites and other bad sites. This new Hosts file will protect you by re-directing these bad sites to 127.0.0.1.

Here are some Hosts files:

• MVPS Hosts File
• hpHosts

Only use one of the above!

CryptoPrevent Tool:

How to prevent your computer from becoming infected by CryptoLocker

WinPatrol:

WinPatrol alerts you about possible system hijacks, malware attacks and critical changes made to your computer without your permission.

Download it from here.

You can find information about how WinPatrol works here.

--------------

Further reading/resources:

This is a very helpful/useful set of advice from Microsoft: Microsoft Safety & Security Center

As is this: Computer Security - a short guide to staying safer online

And these are worth reading also: Understanding Windows Firewall settings & Securing Your Router

--------------

Be careful when opening attachments and downloading files:

1 - Never open email attachments, not even if they are from someone you know. If you need to open them, scan them with your antivirus program before opening.

2 - Never open emails from unknown senders.

4 - Beware of emails that warn about viruses that are spreading, especially those from antivirus vendors. These email addresses can be easily spoofed. Check the antivirus vendor websites to be sure.

5 - Be careful of what you download. Only download files from known sources. Also, avoid cracked programs. If you need a particular program that costs too much for you, try finding free alternatives on MajorGeeks

--------------

Stop malicious scripts:

Windows by default allow scripts (which is VBScript and JavaScript) to run and some of these scripts are malicious. Use Noscript by Symantec or Script Defender by AnalogX to handle these scripts.

Avoid Peer to Peer software:

P2P may be a great way to get lots of seemingly freeware, but it is a great way to get infected as well. There's no way to tell if the file being shared is infected. Worse still, some worms spread via P2P networks, infecting you as well. It's really important, if you value your PC at all, to stay away from P2P file sharing programs, like utorrent, Bittorrent, Azureus, Limewire, Vuze. Criminals have "planted" thousands upon thousands of infections in the "free" shared files. Virtually all of these recent infections will compromise your Security, and some can turn your machine into a useless "doorstop".

I will further add; P2P software has the ability to create a direct conduit onto your computer, their security measures are easily circumvented, and Malware writers are increasingly exploiting them to spread their infected dross onto your computer. Further to that, if your P2P software is not configured correctly you may be sharing more files than you realise. There have been cases where people's address books, passwords, other personal, private and financial details have been exposed to the file sharing network by a badly configured P2P applications

My friendly advice is to avoid these types of software applications.

Next:

Any questions ? Feel free to ask, if not stay safe!

[Dakeyras]

Acknowledged and you're welcome!

Next:

After you have completed the reformat and reinstallation of the Windows Operating System...

Install all critical updates and relevant service packs via Windows Update. For Windows 7 the latest is SP1.

To do so:-

Click on Start(Windows 7 Orb) >> All Programs >> Windows Update >> Check for updates

Install all detected Critical Updates only and ignore any Optional Updates. You can install any of the latter later on if you so wish but most will unlikely be required and may be say Bing related for example. Your computer may reboot several times during the course of the Critical Updates and once all have installed, check again for updates as sometimes not all will be installed at once. Tedious I know but as I mentioned in a prior post well worth it in the long run.

I would also ensure Internet Explorer is up-to date also. For Windows 7 based machines it is IE11. Reason being even if you opt not to use IE as your main browser having a out of date version installed can leave any one machine vulnerable to malware.

The aforementioned should be available via Windows Update as should the aforementioned SP1, if not can be downloaded from here and SP1 from here.

Once the machine is updated and fully patched, I do advise using Windows Update periodically as Microsoft releases patches for Windows and other products regularly.

Plus check Automatic Updates is enabled.

Then install a Anti-Virus software solution, only ever have one of such installed and active in system memory at any one time.

Either of the below will suffice:-

• Avast! Free Antivirus.
• Microsoft Security Essentials.

Which ever of the above you choose to install, automatically checks for updates and downloads/installs them with every system reboot and or periodically if the machine is left running providing a internet connection is active.

I advise you also run a complete scan with this at least once per week.

--------------

Installing a specific Anti-Spyware application would be prudent, myself I recommend:-

Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware

During the installation process you will be offered the Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Trial. Your choice to enable or not...

After installing, I advise check for updates and run a scan at least once per week.

--------------

Tweaking.com - Registry Backup. I advise you consider installing this, as a means to keep a complete backup of your registry and restore it when needed. Can be downloaded from here, a tutorial for Registry Backup explaining the various features can be viewed here.

Myself I would actually create a new back up once per week as this along with System Restore may prove to be invaluable if something unforeseen occurs!

--------------

Consider the below extra/layered security for your machine:

Custom Host File:

A Hosts file is like a phone book. You look up someone's name in the phone book before calling him/her. Similarly, your computer will look up the website's IP address before you can view the website.

Hosts file will replace your current Hosts file with another one containing well-known advertisement sites, spyware sites and other bad sites. This new Hosts file will protect you by re-directing these bad sites to 127.0.0.1.

Here are some Hosts files:

• MVPS Hosts File
• hpHosts

Only use one of the above!

CryptoPrevent Tool:

How to prevent your computer from becoming infected by CryptoLocker

WinPatrol:

WinPatrol alerts you about possible system hijacks, malware attacks and critical changes made to your computer without your permission.

Download it from here.

You can find information about how WinPatrol works here.

--------------

Further reading/resources:

This is a very helpful/useful set of advice from Microsoft: Microsoft Safety & Security Center

As is this: Computer Security - a short guide to staying safer online

And these are worth reading also: Understanding Windows Firewall settings & Securing Your Router

--------------

Be careful when opening attachments and downloading files:

1 - Never open email attachments, not even if they are from someone you know. If you need to open them, scan them with your antivirus program before opening.

2 - Never open emails from unknown senders.

4 - Beware of emails that warn about viruses that are spreading, especially those from antivirus vendors. These email addresses can be easily spoofed. Check the antivirus vendor websites to be sure.

5 - Be careful of what you download. Only download files from known sources. Also, avoid cracked programs. If you need a particular program that costs too much for you, try finding free alternatives on MajorGeeks

--------------

Stop malicious scripts:

Windows by default allow scripts (which is VBScript and JavaScript) to run and some of these scripts are malicious. Use Noscript by Symantec or Script Defender by AnalogX to handle these scripts.

Avoid Peer to Peer software:

P2P may be a great way to get lots of seemingly freeware, but it is a great way to get infected as well. There's no way to tell if the file being shared is infected. Worse still, some worms spread via P2P networks, infecting you as well. It's really important, if you value your PC at all, to stay away from P2P file sharing programs, like utorrent, Bittorrent, Azureus, Limewire, Vuze. Criminals have "planted" thousands upon thousands of infections in the "free" shared files. Virtually all of these recent infections will compromise your Security, and some can turn your machine into a useless "doorstop".

I will further add; P2P software has the ability to create a direct conduit onto your computer, their security measures are easily circumvented, and Malware writers are increasingly exploiting them to spread their infected dross onto your computer. Further to that, if your P2P software is not configured correctly you may be sharing more files than you realise. There have been cases where people's address books, passwords, other personal, private and financial details have been exposed to the file sharing network by a badly configured P2P applications

My friendly advice is to avoid these types of software applications.

Next:

Any questions ? Feel free to ask, if not stay safe!

[Dakeyras]

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