From Lunarsoft Wiki

If your computer is showing any signs of an infection you should not complete the steps listed below in this guide.

This is a guide and tutorial for helping end-users properly and safely secure their computers. Each section will detail a key program for adding to the security of your computer.

The programs mentioned on this page are for Windows XP, 2003, and Vista. If there is a high enough demand a page can be created for Legacy Windows versions. If you would like to see this started please post on our forums.

Windows Updates

Keeping Windows up-to-date is your best bet in keeping your computer safe and secure. The second Tuesday of every month is known as Patch Tuesday. This is the day that Microsoft releases monthly hotfixes and service packs for software installed on your computer. Be sure you have the latest service pack, hotfix rollup, and/or updates installed on your computer. These patches resolve known issues and other bugs that would put your computer at risk.

There are several methods you can use to keep Windows up-to-date.

• Automatic Updates - This is the recommended method for keeping your computer up-to-date. This is a type of "set it and forget it" method. You can easily configure Automatic Updates to run on your computer at any given day and time.

Automatic Updates will display a small globe icon in your system tray near the clock that will resemble the Automatic Updates icon seen to the right. It will notify you of all the activities occurring as your system is updated. This icon will only appear as it downloads updates and also when you have updates or a reboot pending due to updating your system.

To access Automatic Updates click Start and select Control Panel. Inside the Control Panel is the Automatic Updates icon which you can also see to your right. Double click the icon and configure the settings as you desire or like our example pictured in the image below the Automatic Updates icon image.

Recommended settings for Automatic Updates are

• Automatic (Recommended)
• Every day at 5:00 PM

• Windows Update - This can generally be accessed by clicking Start -> (All) Programs -> Windows Update. Your Internet Explorer web browser will open up and automatically direct you to the Windows Update page on Microsoft's web site. You may be prompted to install an ActiveX component for Windows Updates.

Next you will need to choose either Express or Custom. Express will download and install all of the High-Priority updates needed for Windows as a totally automated process. Using the Custom section of Windows Update allows you to select the updates that you want, including Optional updates that will also benefit your system. You should not install any drivers from Windows Update, always get them from the manufacturer.

• c't Offline Update - For those on a high speed connection and having multiple computers in their homes, this is a wonderful application. c't Offline Update downloads updates for Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2003/2007 and creates an ISO for CD/DVD that you can use to update computers without an Internet connection. This is a great tool for technicians and can also be easy to use for most users too. If you are in need of a CD/DVD burning software then check out our Freeware section. We recommend using ImgBurn for burning ISOs.

• AutoPatcher - This is an excellent resource for many users and even technicians in some cases. Because the size of this download is quite large, it is not recommended for those on dial-up. However if you are on dial-up you can order a CD for your Operating System, or a DVD covering 2000, XP, 2003, and Vista. This software is very easy to use and will automatically detect the updates you need for your system.

If Automatic Updates or Windows Update is not working for you, then you should run Dial-a-fix.

Securing Your Computer

This section covers the programs that are recommended to users quite frequently. These programs have been selected and tested to be the best freeware available.

Anti-Virus

Avast Home Edition - A lightweight, easy to use and highly customizable anti-virus. It is recommended to do a Custom install and remove the skin feature. Avast is very easy to configure to automatically update. You can have it notify you or silently update. Avast has several forms of protection, including Instant Messaging, Internet Mail, Network Shield, Outlook/Exchange, P2P Shield, Standard Shield, and a Web Shield.

Firewall

Comodo Firewall Pro - Helps you to understand what is going on by analyzing each alert and providing you an intuitive, easily understandable Security Considerations section with each question it asks.

With its built-in application database, Comodo Firewall Pro classifies more than 10,000 applications according to their risk level such as SAFE, SPYWARE, ADWARE etc. It is the only firewall which has such a big application database and which uses such a database to analyze the security risks.

Anti-Malware

Windows Defender - Helps protect your computer against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware and other unwanted software. It features Real-Time Protection, a monitoring system that recommends actions against spyware when it's detected and minimizes interruptions and helps you stay productive. Now with 2 free support incidents for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003.

Windows Defender is recommended for end-users because of the Real-Time Protection. Not only is it fast, it's very user friendly and has an excellent protection for your system.

Securing Your Browser

Securing your browser is a great asset in protecting your computer. By properly securing your browser, you can stop all kinds of malware from getting in. This section will cover ways to add extra protection to the top three popular browsers.

There are two very safe and user friendly browsers that you can choose from.

• Firefox is an open source web browser that is highly customizable. You can customize it with helpful Add-Ons and even Themes to change the appearance of Firefox.
• Opera is another fast, easy to use web browser that has many common features integrated. Things such as a email client, torrent downloader and much more. Downloading the Classic installer is recommended.

SpywareBlaster - This excellent product will protect both Internet Explorer and Firefox. Unfortunately it does not cover Opera according to the Javacool Knowledge Base.

SpywareBlaster adds a large list of malicious websites to Internet Explorer's Restricted Sites list. It also restricts malicious ActiveX components and ad/tracking cookies. The Firefox protection also blocks ad/tracking cookies.

Spybot S&D Immunize - Adds a large list of malicious websites to Internet Explorer's Restricted Sites list just as SpywareBlaster does. This can be found by clicking the Immunize button on the left side of Spybot S&D.

Internet Explorer

SDHelper - Spybot S&D adds a Browser Helper Object into Internet Explorer that helps protect users from known malicious websites. This is found in the same place as Spybot S&D's Immunize feature.

IE-SpyAd - Adds protection into Internet Explorer's Restricted Sites list. Best of all, this works for IE4 through IE7. There are also options to add the protection to your current user account or your entire computer. Also included are uninstall files in case you change your mind.

• IE-SpyAd protects your current user profile by entering your registry at HKEY_CURRENT_USER
• IE-SpyAd2 protects your entire computer by entering the blocklist into your registry at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE

IE7Pro - is a type of add-on for Internet Explorer 7 which adds functionality and features. IE7Pro includes Tabbed Browsing Management, Spell Check, Inline Search, Super Drag Drop, Crash Recovery, Proxy Switcher, Mouse Gesture, Tab History Browser, Web Accelerator, User Agent Switcher, Webpage Capturer, AD Blocker, Flash Block, Greasemonkey like User Scripts platform, User Plug-ins and many more power packed features. You can customize not just Internet Explorer, but even your favorite website according to your need and taste using IE7Pro.

Firefox

Firefox gets protection from SpywareBlaster, which blocks third party cookies related to ads and tracking. While cookies are not a threat, many users value their privacy and security.

Opera

Opera has a Permanent Opera immunity feature in Spybot S&D. To access this feature, click Immunize in Spybot S&D and click the checkmark in the box titled Permanent Opera immunity.