Computer Help

These programs will help you keep your computer safe.

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware is considered to be the next step in the detection and removal of malware. In our product we have compiled a number of new technologies that are designed to quickly detect, destroy, and prevent malware. Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware can detect and remove malware that even the most well known anti-virus and anti-malware applications fail to detect. Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware monitors every process and stops malicious processes before they even start. The realtime protection module uses our advanced heuristic scanning technology which monitors your system to keep it safe and secure. In addition, we have implemented a threats center which will allow you to keep up to date with the latest malware threats.

Activating the full version unlocks realtime protection, scheduled scanning, and scheduled updating. For consumers and personal use, it is a one time fee of $24.95. For corporate and business customers, annual licenses are required, please see our Corporate Licensing program.

Key Features

* Light speed quick scanning.
* Ability to perform full scans for all drives.
* Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware protection module. (requires registration)
* Database updates released daily.
* Quarantine to hold threats and restore them at your convenience.
* Ignore list for both the scanner and Protection Module.
* Settings to enhance your Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware performance.
* A small list of extra utilities to help remove malware manually.
* Multi-lingual support.
* Works together with other anti-malware utilities.
* Command line support for quick scanning.
* Context menu integration to scan files on demand.

http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/

I've stopped paying for any antivirus program a couple of years ago. The reason I did so was because although I had paid for what was supposedly the best, I was still getting viruses and trojans etc but malwarebytes - a free program -caught every one of them that got pass the so called professional paid for (expensive) security software. (I tried both Macaffee and Norton) So, I got rid of them and have just used malwarebytes ever since then with 0 problems.

I've also used it for friends and family who's computers got infected even though they had security software programs running and fixed their computers with it. However, as some of you may have experienced, some malware will attempt to prevent you from using malwarebytes or from installing it, so it's always best to have it installed already so you can use it in case of emergency even if you don't want to use it as your main defense. They've also developed a program (for free as well) that counteracts the malware from attempting to keep you from using it. (I've had that problem on friends computers I've fixed with it) This little program could easily be a lifesaver for you computer, so again I strongly suggest that you download it now, when you don't need it, so that you'll have it if you do ever need it. The fact that malware is now made to prevent malwarebytes from working tells you that this program is just that good! (If you have Malwarebytes 2.0 then you have chameleon already)

Trust me, if your computer gets infected and you then try to download or install something to fix it and can't do so, there's nothing more frustrating! Malwarebytes can save you from that frustration, and save your computer from being trashed!

Chameleon Gets Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Installed and Running

Malwarebytes Chameleon technologies gets Malwarebytes Anti-Malware installed and running when blocked by malicious programs.

• Download Chameleon from the link above. Unzip the contents to a folder in a convenient location.
• Follow the instructions in the included CHM Help File or, if the help file will not open, simply try to run the files by double-clicking on them one by one until one of them remains open, then follow the onscreen instructions

https://www.malwarebytes.org/chameleon/

These videos tell you how to install and run Malwarebytes and how to do this if the virsus is preventing you from doing so which many try to do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eFPirAk_lw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxabxxG2vNA

 

Firefox:
One other thing that's helpful in preventing getting hacked, or getting viruses, etc, is to use the Firefox browser instead of Internet Explorer. Firefox does a very good job of prevention, warning you when someone/something is trying to attack or even if a site you're trying to go to has been attacked. These quotes are off the firefox page, but I can vouch for it. Bruce has gotten LOTS of viruses through IE and none through firefox and neither have I:

An independent study shows that, in 2006, IE users were vulnerable to online threats 78% of the time. Firefox users? Only 2%.
Anti-Malware

Firefox protects you from viruses, worms, trojan horses and spyware delivered over the Web. If you accidentally access an attack site, it will warn you away from the site and tell you why it isn’t safe to use.
Instant Web Site ID

Want to be extra sure about a site’s legitimacy before you make a purchase? Click on a site favicon for an instant identity overview. Another click digs deeper: how many times have you visited? Are your passwords saved? Check up on suspicious sites, avoid Web forgeries and make sure a site is what it claims to be.

Anti-Virus Software

Firefox integrates elegantly with your Windows antivirus software. When you download a file, your computer’s antivirus program automatically checks it to protect you against viruses and other malware, which could otherwise attack your computer.

Pop-Up Blocker

Banish pop-ups (and pop-under windows) from your surfing experience once and for all. Or, find a happy medium—choose to view blocked pop-ups or create an “allow” list of sites whose pop-ups you’re okay with seeing.

Forget This Site

Having second thoughts about having visited a certain Web site? With this feature, you can remove every trace of that site from your browser—no questions asked!
Anti-Phishing

Shop and do business safely on the Internet. Firefox gets a fresh update of web forgery sites 48 times in a day, so if you try to visit a fraudulent site that’s pretending to be a site you trust (like your bank), a browser message—big as life—will stop you.

This page tells even more about their security measures:

http://en-us.www.mozilla.com/en-US/f...ures/#security

This page is where you can download it for free:

http://en-us.www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/upgrade.html

New to Firefox?

These articles will get you started and browsing like a pro!

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/products/firefox/get-started

And here’s where you can find add-ons:

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/

For a good email program that will prevent a lot of the spam you get normally, try G-mail; so far anyway, it's done the best job of the many I've tried.
Gmail: Email from Google

 

If you have a problem you need to fix, Safe Mode is often the way to do it.

In Windows, what is Safe Mode used for and why?

Safe Mode is a special way for Windows to load when there is a system-critical problem that interferes with the normal operation of Windows. The purpose of Safe Mode is to allow you to troubleshoot Windows and try to determine what is causing it to not function correctly. Once you have corrected the problem, then you can reboot and Windows will load normally.

There are several things that happen when Windows boots in Safe Mode that differ from a standard boot:

• * Safe Mode does not run the autoexec.bat or config.sys files.

• * Most device drivers are not loaded. A device driver is the software that Windows uses to interact with a piece of hardware, such as a printer or scanner.

• * Instead of the normal graphics device driver, Safe Mode uses standard VGA graphics mode. This mode is supported by all Windows-compatible video cards.

• * Himem.sys, which is normally loaded as part of the config.sys script, is loaded with the /testmem:on switch. This switch tells the computer to test the extended memory before continuing.

• * Safe Mode checks the msdos.sys file for information on where to find the rest of the Windows files. If it finds the files, it proceeds to load Windows in Safe Mode with the command win /d:m. If it does not find the Windows files, it will run command.com to bring up a C: prompt.

• * Windows boots using a batch file called system.cb instead of the standard system.ini file. This file loads the Virtual Device Drivers (VxDs) that Windows uses to communicate with the standard parts of the computer.

• * Windows now loads the regular system.ini file plus win.ini and Registry settings. It skips the [Boot] (except for the shell and device lines) and [386Enh] sections of system.ini and does not load or run any programs listed in win.ini.

• * The Windows desktop loads up in 16 colors and at a resolution of 640 x 480 with the words "Safe Mode" in each corner.

Safe Mode starts up automatically if Windows does not boot on the previous attempt. You can also invoke Safe Mode by pressing F5 or by pressing F8 and selecting it from the boot menu.

more
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/question575.htm


FireFox also has a Safe Mode which can be very helpful too:

Safe Mode is a special Firefox execution mode that can be used to troubleshoot issues in Firefox. In Safe Mode, you can reset some settings or disable add-ons that might be the source of the issue. By comparing Firefox behavior in normal mode to its behavior in Safe Mode with various items disabled, you may be able to diagnose issues.

Firefox Safe Mode has no connection to Windows Safe Mode.

For directions on how to start firefox in safe mode go here:

http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Safe+Mode


How to start Windows in Safe Mode

Windows Safe Mode is a way of booting up your Windows operating system in order to run administrative and diagnostic tasks on your installation. When you boot into Safe Mode the operating system only loads the bare minimum of software that is required for the operating system to work. This mode of operating is designed to let you troubleshoot and run diagnostics on your computer. Windows Safe Mode loads a basic video drivers so your programs may look different than normal.

A good site with great tutorials to start windows in safe mode, for each type of Windows
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tuto...utorial61.html

Another link for tutorials starting windows in Safe Mode:

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/chsafe.htm

Having problems with firefox? Try resetting it! It fixes most problems quite easily.

Caution: Before you do this, if you have add on's such as "My Words" or "BB Code" and use custom codes or "Quick Notes" or others that are similar where you have information stored in them that you use regularly, first copy that information into a notepad or an email or even a PM and send it to yourself so you don't lose it and have to re do it all over again.

This makes everything much easier because it puts your old profile folder on your desktop so you don't really lose anything, as you can copy things back into the new profile if the reset doesn't work and you want to. Plus, it saves all your bookmarks, passwords and stuff like that into the new profile for you so you don't have to mess with that. Here's a bit of info and a link to their "how to" page:

If you're having problems with Firefox, resetting it can help. The reset feature fixes many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information like bookmarks and open tabs.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/reset-firefox-easily-fix-most-problems

I hope all this helps someone. I know I've had to use these resources before.