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How to make your pc feel like new.
If you’re a frequent or regular visitor on the internet you will notice your pc will start to get sticky and will display Webpages slowly (if your on broadband it sometimes feels like dialup, If your on dialup then it will be more frustrating)
Well I made this guide on how to keep your pc ship shape while using the internet and offline using will be faster too.
Before we run these virus’ scanners I want to make one thing clear.
IF YOU DON’T run every virus scan in EVERY Profile for EVERY VERSION of windows YOU will NOT remove the virus' and spyware.
Thus making you very annoyed and also making all the work you just did pointless. YOU have been warned.
1. Checking for virus’s :
If you have Anti-Virus software then make sure its definitions are up to date and I recommend a full system scan every week just to make sure you don’t pick anything up.
If you don’t have anti-virus software I highly recommend getting one.
I recommend :
[url=http://www.trendmicro.com]Trend Micro's Internet Security[/url]
[url=http://www.nod32.com/]Nod32 Virus Scanner[/url]
[url=http://www.grisoft.com/]AVG Anti-Virus (Paid Version)[/url]
[url=http://free.grisoft.com/]AVG Anti-Virus (Free Edition)[/url]
[url=http://www.pandasoftware.com/]Pandas Antivirus[/url]
[url=http://www.f-prot.com/]F-Prot Antivirus[/url]
[url=http://www.kaspersky.com/]Kaspersky Anti-Virus[/url]
You will notice I didn’t list Norton or McAfee. Why?
Well the reason I didn’t include them as they are resource hogs and also they may be all in ones but as Standard Windows has a Hard drive defragger, space cleaners and history deleters, so why spend money and CPU resources on a program which is already included and have a 40%+ slower pc.
If you don’t believe me fine then don’t but seems I deal with computers most days of the week with McAfee and Norton on I guarantee that these PC’s are slower and not to mention intrusive, so if something goes wrong then it’s a difficult situation to get out of.
So I would actually purchase a Anti-virus rather than “cracking” or getting a serial to get the “Pro” or such like version as I have Trend Internet Security and for £30($45) a year you cant really go wrong so im happy with that but maybe other companies charge more I don’t know but for the initial cost it was £35($40) then I had a year subscription with all updates from Trend Micro, so I pay for my antivirus as its really essential to me and also because I have broadband which means im potentially able to recieve virus's 24 hours-a-day.
Do you know if you have a virus?
If not check out these links below. I use all 3 programs House call, System Clean and Stinger (McAfee do something right which is a good program, why not make there antivirus like this?)
[url=http://housecall.antivirus.com/]Trend Micro HouseCall[/url]
[url=http://www.trendmicro.com/download/dcs.aspTrend Micro System Clean[/url]
[url=http://us.mcafee.com/virusInfo/default.asp?id=stinger]McAfee Stinger[/url]
Please note you will also need to visit (This [url=http://www.trendmicro.com/download/pattern.asp]website[/url] to download the pattern for Trend Micro System Clean) - Pattern avaliable from [url=http://www.trendmicro.com/download/pattern.asp]HERE[/url].
You will also need to unzip the file you just downloaded and extract the LPT$vpn into the directory that you are going to place Trend Micro System Clean.
These will detect and clean virus’s for free.
Yes FREE.
I always run System Clean first as it is an offline detector (Use safe mode for this for best results)
((Don’t know how to get into safemode? To get into safe mode reboot your computer and after the BIOS information tap multiple times the F8 key to get into a list of Operating systems, Select SafeMode, not anything else unless you know what your doing. Don’t be alarmed if you find a list of drivers with text you don’t understand, that’s ok, that’s windows loading the basics for safemode.))
When in safemode double click sysclean and run. Say YES to any windows so it continues.
Go do something for 4 hours. YES 4 HOURS.
When finished click on the VIEW LOG button and scroll down to the bottom and look for virus’s found and maybe virus’s.
If you had any virus’s, close this log open up your pc and rename the SYSCLEAN.LOG to SYSCLEAN1.LOG
(This makes sure you have a new log so the logs don’t corrupt each other)
Now run sysclean again and go do something interesting for 4 hours ect.
Now when finished open up the log again and check for any viruses.
If there is none close these programs and reboot Pc into normal mode.
If there are more viruses then you’re in trouble and I suggest running it again to make sure it cleans the virus.
If it doesn’t clean it I would contact an independent repairer (Not PC world as they will wipe your system and not fix the virus really.) )
PLEASE NOTE
IF YOU DON’T run every virus scan in EVERY Profile for EVERY VERSION of windows YOU will NOT remove the virus.
Thus making you very annoyed and also making all the work you just did pointless.
YOU have been warned.
2. Spyware & Adaware
You may ask what’s this spyware and adaware stuff.
A brief detail is spyware and adaware are little programs running in the background of your pc without you knowledge.
The programs download themselves off the internet and install themselves without telling or asking you.
They slow your pc right down and even display adverts saying get rid of adverts and spyware. How pointless is that?
To remove spyware I suggest you get these four FREEWARE programs
[url=http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html]Spybot - Search & Destroy[/url]
[url=http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/]Adaware SE[/url]
[url=http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx]Microsoft’s Windows Defender[/url]
[url=http://www.spywareinfo.com/xscan.php]Xcleaner Free & Micro[/url]
All four are free so use the links above for the genuine products not some lame excuse for anti-spyware and AdAware product.
I would install all of them and update them.
To update Spybot open the program up and click the UPDATE button and tick the boxes which appear and select Download updates above these tick boxes.
To update Adaware open the program up and click the UPDATE text just above the big NEXT button. Click connect and click YES to any download which appears.
To update Microsoft’s Windows's Defender open the program up and click The Arrow beside the Blue Question Mark then About Windows Defender , a new window will open up and then Click CHECK FOR UPDATES it will download the updates automatically(while displaying a popup box at the taskbar), once this has updated click OK at the bottom.
To update XCleaner Micro go to the website above and right click the hyperlink of xcleaner_micro.exe from the website above and click SAVE AS then save it to the desktop.
To update XCleaner Free go to the website above and right click the hyperlink of xcleaner_free.exe from the Alternative section of the website, and click SAVE AS then save it also to the desktop.
PLEASE NOTE
IF YOU DON’T run every spyware scanner in EVERY Profile for EVERY VERSION of windows YOU will NOT remove the spyware/malware infecting your system.
Thus making you very annoyed and also making all the work you just did pointless.
YOU have been warned.
Now to scan your pc I suggest you use all of the spyware tools in SAFEMODE to achieve best results.
(To get into safe mode look at the Antivirus Section above.)
BUT first you need to update the programs before you boot into safe mode and do these scans.
Now to run spybot open the program and select the Spybot Search & Destroy Button, now click Check for Problems at the top of the page.
Let this check for problems.
It will display a lot of items make sure all of them are ticked then Press the FIX Selected Problems button.
This may take a while depending on how many problems you have so just wait patiently please.
Once all the problems are removed open up AdAware.
Click next then select Perform FULL SYSTEM Scan then press next.
Now it will start scanning your pc so just wait a while as it may find a lot.
Now once this is finished you will have a list of problems displayed.
The easiest way to tick everything is click the SCAN SUMMARY tab then tick each box.
Then click next then a box will say are you sure you want to remove X items.
Say YES.
This will take a while to delete if you have a lot.
Now open up Microsoft’s Windows Defender Scanner.
Now click RUN QUICK SCAN NOW.
The program will scan your pc and find any products it considers spyware and virus remains.
NOW BE CAREFUL when removing items, if you have programs like Shareaza, Edonkey, KaZaA or a P2P Program then Microsoft considers is spyware so BE CAREFUL what you remove.
Also NOTE that Magnet links and ed2k links are considered spyware so on the boxes beside this make sure ALWAYS IGNORE is selected and the scanner will not detect these items again. NOTE if you have an Instant Messaging Software add-on such as MSN PLUS, it will consider this as spyware, now make sure ALWAYS IGNORE is selected and again it won’t bother you again.
Now make sure you remove all the items on that list, APPART from the ones you selected not to be removed.
To remove the items make sure Remove is on the items then click CONTINUE, then click YES when the window pops up.
Now open up Xcleaner_Micro.exe.
This program is a very small program and will start running as soon as it is clicked.
Also NOTE that it will say it is an older version than another program, this is because we also have Xcleaner_Free.exe on the pc, and this is ok just run the program anyway, so click NO.
Now I noticed on my computer when I ran this program that an item called MusikPlay, click IGNORE as I removed it once and I found that Shareaza becomes unusable as all the text and icons move around the program.
When an item is detected click REMOVE and the program will remove any traces of the program detected and it will continue to scan. Once the program has finished it will AUTOMATICALLY close so don’t be alarmed.
Now open up XCleaner_Free.exe.
This program is very powerful for even a free program but is great for removing items of spyware.
Now here is the option’s I commonly use, but tick which boxes you want to remove/clear.
I will list the boxes I tick all the time.
Tick these boxes:
Quickly Scan for Malware Programs, Clear Internet Explorer(All), Delete Internet Explorer Cookies, Delete Temporary Internet Files(Cache), Clear Recently Opened Documents, Clear Recent File Searches, Clear Windows Media Player - Recent File List, Clear Realplayer(All), Clear WinZip – Recent File List, Clear WinRAR – Recent File List, Clear Clipboard, Delete “CheckDisk”.CHK Files, Empty Windows Recycle Bins.
Then Click START CLEANING.
Now this program also picks up Magnet links as spyware under BEARSHARE name remember to CLICK IGNORE, as the link isn’t spyware.
ONCE the Malware Scan is complete it will ask to reboot, click NO, ELSE the program won’t delete the list above and you will have to redo the scan.
NOTE – If your pc had over 50 problems please reboot your pc into normal mode and download [url=http://www.securitywonks.net/bazooka/bazookaindex.php]Bazooka Spyware Scanner[/url] for really nasty programs, this program needs the internet to download webpages so you can print or Save the pages to your pc as this is a manual tool.
You may say no way am I doing that but it’s worth it and you’ll notice the difference.
To save a webpage click FILE, SAVE
[url=http://www.securitywonks.net/bazooka/bazookaindex.php]Bazooka Spyware Scanner[/url]
If you have a problem which you cant fix with the above problems, such as VX2 which is very difficult to remove or a very bad instance of CoolWebSearch. Use this link below and download the tool which corresponds to your problem.
[url=http://subratam.org/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19&Itemid=41]Further Spyware Fixing Tools[/url]
Now your PC is spyware free. Be Happy!
3. A Firewall :
Do you have a firewall?
If not why not?
It’s an essential program to make sure your pc is hacker free and your personal details are kept safe from the Internet now.
Here is a list of free and pay for firewall's :
Windows XP (Service Pack 1 and Service Pack 2) have an inbuilt firewall, it is a good firewall and very robust, so if you want to save the resources and time, stick with this firewall.
[url=http://www.trendmicro.com/]Trend Micro’s Internet Security[/url]
[url=http://www.zonelabs.com/]Zonealarm Firewall[/url]
[url=http://www.agnitum.com/products/outpost/]Outpost Firewall Pro[/url]
Why haven’t I listed Norton or McAfee?
Well they are like Swiss cheese.
They also hog CPU resources of 40%+ so you want a fast pc not a slow one so get a proper firewall such as the ones listed above.
Download a firewall and set it up to your specific level as everyone’s different.
These are the basic ways to keep your pc fresh and clean.
P2P – You may download files from various networks such as KaZaA/KaZaA Lite/Grokster/Imesh/WinMX and such likes. I recommend Shareaza, ive never once found a bad file ever. Also your on a verified link site so you know they will be 100% official downloads.
Now more advanced ways to keep it clean and tidy. Also keep the BAD GUYS out of your pc and downloads.
IP Blocking Tools :
[url=http://phoenixlabs.org/pg2/]Peerguardian[/url] - This is a must have for any person on the internet. This allows you to "Filter" out traffic to your pc and from your pc via software. The Program generates a list which it blocks IPs from the "Bad" IP's. I highly recommend this tool to protect anyone from companies trying to invade your privacy for their comercial gain.
[url=http://www.bluetack.co.uk]Protowall[/url] – This is a similar tool to PeerGuardian, it was favoured thoughout the "P2P" community until PG(PeerGuardian) decided to make a tool which was better and took up less resources.
But check out both tools to make your own judgement.
Internet Browsers :
Get a real Browser it’s very easy to get a virus or Spyware though a poor internet browser, I was the other day browsing [url=http://www.wincustomize.org]WinCustomize[/url] and it was infected with Win32.Pinfi but using [url=http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/]Firefox[/url] or another browser it’s more difficult to get infected, using Windows XP SP2 it’s more difficult but use Firefox or another browser than Internet Explorer.
There are the alternative browsers to Internet Explorer
[url=http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/]Firefox[/url]
[url=http://channels.netscape.com/ns/browsers/download.jsp]Netscape[/url]
[url=http://www.opera.com/]Opera[/url]
Tools to optimize your computer :
[url=http://www.ccleaner.com/]CCleaner[/url] (Cleans old files, registry files and even helps resolve problems)
[url=http://www.oo-software.com/en/products/oodefrag/pro/]O&O Defrag[/url] (A Professional tool for defragging your harddrive. Recommended to boost speed from your hard drive)
[url=http://www.iolo.com/sm/]System Mechanic 5[/url] (Cleans registry, Hard Drive clean ups, tweaks, etc.)
[url=http://www.registry-cleaner.net/]Registry Cleaner[/url] (More registry cleaning.)
[url=http://www.pcbugdoctor.com/]PC Bug Doctor[/url] (This cleans the registry and deletes things that could make your computer crash, and gets rid of old installed programs that aren’t there now.)
I hope this guide has helped you keep your pc nice and clean and I wish you all the best using this.
NOTE – I am not responsible for any damages for your pc or anything you do here is at your own risk, I merely wrote down what I do. So other people can do this. If you do this tutorial right and you should be fine.
If there is anymore things you would like just PM/Email me and ill help. Hopefully these suggestions speed up your pc. If they do why not say they helped you as giving me the joy of someone saying I did something good is worth it.
Credits to :
[url=http://www.peerweb.org/forums/member.php?userid=142]Help[/url] - who reminded me about the Optimizing and the internet browser part of this Tutorial.
[url=http://www.peerweb.org/forums/member.php?userid=294]KP[/url] - who let me use his ProtoWall manual install guide.
[url=http://www.peerweb.org/forums/member.php?userid=209]BadMeatPies[/url] - who told me about the VX2 problem.
[url=http://www.forums.peerweb.org/member.php?u=530073]Allegra[/url] - Motivated me to rewrite this and add certain updates to it.
Seamaiden - For the Hints from other tutorials and certain tweeking.
If anyone sees anything they want added into this please let me know and ask ill add it in as soon as I can.
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