| Well, if that would have been said to me by my father | | | | prompt, change to the CD Drive that it just created |
| when I was 2 years of age, I would have understood. | | | | which is usually d: if you have only one partition C. Now |
| But when today, my own computer tells me that when | | | | type command setup.exe to start the windows |
| I am 34, I wonder why I spent $1500 on my computer | | | | installation process. |
| hardware and software just to enjoy the (un-realized) | | | | During installation, make sure you properly name your |
| benefits of this great and revolutionary information | | | | PC as per your preferences and select your regions |
| technology? | | | | and Time zone. When finished, the computer will |
| Today’s cyberspace is hazardous. None of | | | | re-boot and during next re-boot it may ask some |
| today’s PC users can claim that they never | | | | drivers of your Sound Card, VGA, Network, or other |
| had a computer virus issue or a PC security breach. | | | | devices attached. Provide the requisite driver CDs and |
| Now, if you count today’s number of PC users | | | | locate the paths of the appropriate drivers. If you are |
| worldwide, they will soon be 1 billion by 2010 according | | | | not sure, leave it like that and press NEXT to ignore. |
| to analysts. When I see all the computer viruses, | | | | When your windows installation is complete, you can |
| infections, trojans, and what not around me, and | | | | install Microsoft Office, setup internet connection and |
| compare it with the 1 billion innocent computer users | | | | start using it as normally as you would. Please make |
| around the world, I simply feel sorry not only for those | | | | sure you install all the security software such as |
| billion users but for myself too. But again, as a common | | | | anti-virus, anti-spyware, adware, and other software |
| user myself, I must admit it was not all doomsday for | | | | as mentioned in the next section. |
| the whole industry since 1987 when I started to use | | | | 2. USE SOFTWARE |
| computers. So, as a responsible member of this great | | | | Installing Anti-Virus: Download free AVG Antivirus |
| IT revolution, I must share some of the best tips and | | | | software and install it. Make sure you get its free key |
| tricks that I learned to use to make the minimum room | | | | from their website by registering. This software is not |
| for productivity on my computer. | | | | auto-updated for critical viruses and for an |
| Please note this is a tutorial for someone who has | | | | auto-update version, you will have to pay. If you wish |
| basic know-how of computer usage. For those who | | | | to pay, we would recommend world’s most |
| are newbies, I would recommend asking a local | | | | popular brands Symantec, McAfee and Trend Micros |
| expert’s help before trying anything out | | | | instead. No matter what Anti-Virus software you install, |
| mentioned in this tutorial. In that case, make room for | | | | make sure you enable its Auto-Protect feature for |
| payment from deep pocket. For your own | | | | automatic protection of your computer’s |
| convenience, print this tutorial for step-by-step | | | | resources and in-coming or out-going emails from any |
| instructions. | | | | virus attack. Some software even allow you to setup |
| Whenever my computer is infected, I act on any of | | | | silent detection and destruction without any disturbance |
| the following options; | | | | to your work. Further, they are auto-updated via |
| 1. FORMAT HARD DISK: I back up all of my data on a | | | | internet at the regular interval that you setup. Hence, |
| CD-Writer if it is still accessible. And then format the | | | | you can rest assured that whenever a security threat |
| whole hard disk drive and re-install each and every | | | | is spread all over the world, your software will |
| application. | | | | automatically download the requisite updated version |
| 2. USE SOFTWARE: I exhaust all anti-virus and other | | | | and install its defense on your computer. |
| software options. This is usually my first priority as | | | | BROWSER SECURITY: To setup your browser |
| compared to formatting the whole computer hard disk | | | | (Internet Explorer on Windows) for maximum security |
| drives. | | | | against the usual threats, follow this procedure;i) Start |
| Now, let me explain both options in detail; | | | | up your browserii) Go to IE > Tools > Windows |
| PRE-REQUISITES: Make sure you have a CD-Drive | | | | Update > Product Updates, and selected Security |
| (Writer), empty writable CDs, Windows OS CD | | | | Updates to be automatically updated. Microsoft |
| (bootable) that contains files such as Format.exe, | | | | releases patches and security patches from time to |
| Scandisk.exe, FDisk.exe, and Attrib.exe files. Microsoft | | | | time to make sure your system's security is |
| Office CD, Anti-Virus CD, GoldenHawk CD Writing | | | | up-to-date.iii) Now, go to Internet Options/Security |
| Software in DOS (copy2cd.exe and cdtools.exe), | | | | Internet, press 'default level', then OK. Now press |
| Serial Numbers of your License, Driver CDs of | | | | "Custom Level." In the ActiveX section, set the first |
| Motherboard, VGA, Network, Sound and Modem | | | | two options ("Download signed and unsigned ActiveX |
| devices. Optionally, download (using or these software | | | | controls) to 'prompt', and 'Initialize and Script ActiveX |
| from any Internet Café when your own | | | | controls not marked as safe" to 'disable'. Now you will |
| computer is inaccessible and save it on a CD so that | | | | be asked whether you want ActiveX objects to be |
| you can use it anytime for security purposes; | | | | executed and whether you want software to be |
| Golden Hawk DOS based CD Writing Software | | | | installed. Sites that you know for sure are above |
| HTech Fireman Windows based CD Writing Software | | | | suspicion can be moved to the Trusted Zone in |
| Driver Genius Pro | | | | Internet Option/security. |
| Partition Magic | | | | If you use another browser such as Firefox or |
| AVG AntiVirus | | | | Netscape, see their documentation on how to securely |
| SpywareBlaster & SpywareGuard | | | | set it up against any such internet threats. |
| Spybot Search & Destroy | | | | Installing Anti-Spyware: Spyware, adware, browser |
| Ad-Aware | | | | hijackers, and dialers are some of the fastest-growing |
| IE-SpyAd | | | | threats on the Internet today. By simply browsing to a |
| ZoneAlarm | | | | web page, your computer may become a victim. You |
| HiJackThis & CWShredder | | | | can install SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard to |
| I have intentionally avoided mention of many | | | | effectively guard your computer from such internet |
| commercially good and more friendly | | | | threats. |
| software’s mention here as I wanted | | | | It includes Fast Real-Time Scanning engine for known |
| everything to do FREE without any additional costs | | | | spyware and heuristic/generic detection capabilities to |
| apart from the usual OS licenses. For your own | | | | catch new / mutated spyware and Download |
| convenience, you can research Google or Yahoo | | | | Protection along with Browser Hijacking Protection in |
| search engines find further information about such | | | | real-time. |
| commercial software and their availability / pricing. | | | | Simply download the software (free) from their |
| 1. FORMAT HARD DISK | | | | website and install it on your system. Make sure you |
| I know it is painful and surgical type of solution, but | | | | download its latest update too or enable its |
| sometimes, it is the ONLY solution left after exhausting | | | | Auto-Update feature to be updated automatically in |
| all of our efforts to revive our computer machine after | | | | the background. Now, when you are ready, run the |
| a virus attack. Follow this procedure; | | | | software to check the spyware on your computer. |
| Booting Up: Try booting your computer normally first | | | | When spyware are found, it reports accordingly. Press |
| and see if you can login easily. If you can’t or | | | | "select all", then press option "kill all checked". Although |
| your computer hangs up, try holding F8 key when | | | | it won't protect you from 100% spyware, But it is a |
| starting Windows and you will get the Safe Mode. | | | | very important extra layer of protection. |
| Even if you don’t get the Safe Mode, | | | | Next, install another software that is called Spybot |
| don’t worry. | | | | Search & Destroy. It works exactly like |
| Power up your computer and press DEL key or F2 | | | | SpywareBlaster, but it never hurts to have a double |
| key to login your CMOS. In CMOS, go to Boot | | | | layer of spyware detection alongwith Spybot |
| Preferences and make CD Drive as boot drive as | | | | R&D. |
| your first boot drive and change the hard disk drive as | | | | Installing Anti-Adware: Adware is a common term |
| the second boot drive. If you don’t see your CD | | | | used to describe potentially dangerous websites and |
| Drive in the boot-up options, your CD Drive is not | | | | scripts that do data-mining, aggressive advertising, |
| properly installed. Check the connectors or ask your | | | | Parasites, Scumware, selected traditional Trojans, |
| CD Drive provider for instructions to install the CD | | | | Dialers, Malware, Browser hijackers, and tracking |
| Drive. Now, when your CD Drive is ready, insert your | | | | components. There is a very good software called |
| Windows OS CD in the CD Drive and restart your | | | | Ad-Aware available to scan and remove such |
| computer machine. When prompted, select the option | | | | nuisances from your system. |
| “Boot from CD with CD Option”. When | | | | To start using it, simply visit Lavasoft USA website |
| you get the prompt, Notice the CD Drive letter that | | | | and download its free non-commercial version of |
| was allocated to your CD Drive when it installed the | | | | Ad-Aware Personal Edition. Run its setup program and |
| CD Driver. It is usually D: drive or the last drive letter | | | | install it. When prompted, ask it to scan your computer. |
| depending on the number of your partitions. Note it | | | | If there are any adware found, it is detected and |
| down as it is the actual drive letter where you will | | | | removed automatically by Ad-Aware. Run this |
| have to type a DOS command like d: | | | | software on a weekly or daily basis, if possible to |
| You should now be able to run all software utilities | | | | keep your system clean. |
| such as Format, Scandisk, FDisk or Windows | | | | In addition to the Ad-Aware, Internet Explorer comes |
| Installation Setup.exe files. Right now, simply make sure | | | | with a very handy tool that allows you to block |
| they exist by typing a DOS command dir at the CD | | | | specific sites that may carry well-known advertisers, |
| drive letter. If you don’t find it with this simple | | | | marketers, crapware pushers to the Restricted sites |
| directory command, use dir/s filename to search the | | | | Zone. If you had to input 50000+ of such sites |
| file. For example, to search fdisk.exe file, type dir/s | | | | manually yourself, it would takes years. Luckily, there is |
| fdisk.exe. | | | | a software that does it all automatically and it is called |
| BACKING UP YOUR DATA: Before formatting your | | | | IE-SPYAD. Once you merge this list of sites and |
| hard disk drive, please make sure you have proper | | | | domains into the Registry, the web sites for these |
| back up of your critical data files such as Microsoft | | | | companies will not be able to use cookies, ActiveX |
| Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc files on a CD or any | | | | controls, Java applets, or scripting to compromise your |
| other media for backup that you have access to. In | | | | privacy or your PC while you surf the Net. Nor will they |
| this tutorial, we assume you have a CD-Writer installed | | | | be able to use your browser to push unwanted |
| for taking backups on Writeable CDs. Their capacity is | | | | pop-ups, cookies, or auto-installing programs on your |
| usually 700MB or less. Here, you should seriously | | | | PC. It is not an ad blocker. It will stop top unwanted |
| consider using Zipping software like WinZip or | | | | crapware from being installed behind your back via |
| WinRAR. | | | | "drive-by-downloads"; prevent the hijacking of your |
| VIA WINDOWS: If you can luckily login to your | | | | home page. |
| Windows OS, you should run the CD-Writer software | | | | This Restricted sites list is based in part on info from: |
| such as HTech Fireman to back up all of your data on | | | | discussions in the SpywareInfo Forums and other |
| an empty CD. If you don’t know how to do it, | | | | forums that specialize in crapware removal major |
| read their user manual for detailed instruction set. If you | | | | crapware reference sites: doxdesk, cexx.org, |
| can’t access your Windows OS, read on. | | | | Kephyr.com, PestPatrol and SpywareGuide. |
| VIA DOS: Some of the files that you wish to make | | | | To start using it, simply download it from their website |
| back-up, may be hidden. To un-hide them, use attrib *.* | | | | and run its install.bat file. Make sure you run its update |
| +r +s +h. | | | | as well soon after its installation. |
| Now, use the software from Golden Hawk file named | | | | INSTALLING FIREWALL: A firewall software acts as |
| as copy2cd.exe to backup your data files or | | | | a defense shield against hackers, intruders, and blocks |
| directories on a writeable CD. Before using this | | | | access attempts to your computer. ZoneAlarm is a |
| command, make sure you are in an appropriate path | | | | professional firewall software that works in a stealth |
| on the computer such as E:/ where the actual file | | | | mode automatically and makes your computer invisible |
| copy2cd.exe file resides; | | | | to anyone on the Internet. |
| Copy2cd c:data*.* f: | | | | Download it from ZoneLabs website and run its setup |
| Here we assumed that f: is a CD Writer drive. Now, | | | | for installation. I recommend you use its Express |
| repeat the same for all of your files to back up. When | | | | Settings which automatically configures your most |
| finished, run cdtools.exe command i.e. cdtools f: to finish | | | | commonly used software like browser, chat |
| by selecting option “Disc Finalization”. | | | | messengers, ftp software to access internet, while |
| If you can’t back up your data using the | | | | blocks every other internet traffic in real-time. If any |
| above-mentioned procedure, either ask an outside | | | | software or service tries to upload or download any |
| expert’s help personally or via internet. If all fails, | | | | data, it pops up an alert whereby you can allow or |
| forget your data forever and carry on installing a new | | | | disallow such internet traffic. |
| OS as mentioned in this tutorial. | | | | Computer Slow Down: It is very common to see many |
| Backing up Your Drivers: An interesting tool to | | | | complaining about their computer slow-down. The |
| mentioned here is a software that automatically backs | | | | fastest and easiest cure is using Windows’ |
| up all of your drivers of CD, modem, sound card, vga, | | | | built-in Defragmenter utitlity that you can find in |
| usb, printer or just about anything that is currently | | | | Startà Programs à Accessories |
| installed on your system. But this software works only | | | | à System Utitlities à Disk Defragmantor |
| in an operational windows OS, and not in DOS. It is a | | | | and run thorough defragmantation. It will take a while |
| good and time-saving practice to keep a backup of all | | | | before it ends. |
| of your drivers on a CD by using such a software. Its | | | | If your system’s performance does not |
| name is Driver Genius Pro and it is commercial | | | | improve after running defragmantation utility, consider |
| software, not a freeware. | | | | scanning your computer via a software utility called |
| USING FDISK: You may skip this option and go straight | | | | HiJackThis which you can download and install on your |
| to Formatting Hard Disk option, if you wish to use other | | | | system. Use this tool carefully as it is intended for |
| useful partitions that may contain your data. Before | | | | advanced users only. HijackThis is a tool, that lists all |
| going ahead with this option, Make sure there is no | | | | installed browser add-on, buttons, startup items and |
| useful data left on your computer to be backed up. | | | | allows you to inspect, and optionally remove selected |
| This option will delete all of the computer partitions and | | | | items. The program can create a backup of your |
| create new ones.i) Boot up your computer using | | | | original settings and also ignore selected items. |
| Windows OS CD.ii) Run this commandfdiskiii) Press | | | | Additional features include a simple list of all startup |
| option 3 to delete all current partitions.iv) To create a | | | | items, default start page, online updates and more. |
| new partition, select option 1 and select Y to answer | | | | CWShredder is a utility for removing CoolWebSearch |
| the maximum size question by the program.v) Next, | | | | (aka CoolWwwSearch, YouFindAll, White-Pages.ws |
| select option 2vi) Press Esc key to quit and restart | | | | and a dozen other names). This tool will find and |
| your computer to | | | | destroy all traces of the CoolWebSearch (CWS) |
| See the URL [ for detailed instructions alongwith | | | | hijacker on your system including redirections, IE |
| screenshots. Now, that you have created the primary | | | | slowdowns, start page changes, un-authorized addition |
| partition, you can continue to format the newly created | | | | of sites in IE Trusted Zone, and blocking access to IE |
| partition. There is a very user-friendly but commercial | | | | options or setup. |
| software called Partition Magic by PowerQuest to | | | | Download CWShredder from their official website only |
| manage your partitions easily after installation of | | | | as there is a similar named virus/trojan on the loose at |
| Windows. | | | | various websites which you may accidently download |
| FORMATTING HARD DISK: Now that you have | | | | and install, hence become more infected than being |
| created new partitions, It is time to format them so that | | | | cured instead. When it is installed successfully, run the |
| you can start installing Windows. This is how you | | | | software to scan your local machine. Select the fix |
| make your C: drive usable by your Windows OS for | | | | button & it will get rid of everything related to |
| installation. Boot up your computer with Windows CD | | | | CoolWebSearch. Close ALL other programs & |
| and type format c: command at the prompt. When | | | | windows, including IE, before running CWShredder. |
| prompted for maximum size, press, YES. After | | | | Reboot after doing this. |
| complete processing you will be presented with the | | | | I know there is still a lot left, but as I wanted to keep |
| successful report about the formatting of the C: drive. | | | | this tutorial as brief as possible, hence I covered only |
| Select your new drive name and press ENTER to | | | | the critical elements here. I am sure you will have |
| finish. | | | | fewer breakdowns (if not ZERO0 and more |
| INSTALLING WINDOWS: Microsoft has made it very | | | | productive hours on your computer. I would |
| easy for a newbie to install a completely new OS on a | | | | recommend you to setup all the software’s |
| newly formatted partition. It is all wizard based and you | | | | auto update and auto-check options to free your time |
| simply have to click NEXT each time whenever asked | | | | for more productive things than just playing hide and |
| a question. Boot up your computer from the Windows | | | | seek with spywares, adwares or viruses. Happy and |
| CD and select Start with CD Option. When on DOS | | | | safe computing! |