:Title
 SelfHelp for Cleaning up Your Computer After a Virus-Hack-Whatever
 by KenJohnson 20040316

:Introduction
 lock the doors and sweep up the dirt.
 this won't get rid off the stains on the sofa
 but will help keep unwanted guests out of your computer.

:Instructions
 printout these directions
 tic them off as you work your way through the list
 it's not as long as it looks :^)
 email johnsonk at buffalo.edu to report errors or suggestions

:Key
 Indentation represents sub-section.
 Colon : at the front indicates a title for a primary section
 : at the end forewarns of an upcoming sub-section
 > indicates the use of a menu or button or tab
 >> indicates RightClicking with the Mouse, to get the ContextMenu

:chapter 1

:reboot into safemode with net
 shutdown the computer
 wait 5 seconds

 turnON the computer
 tap the [F8] key till the menu "safe mode with networking" appears
 if you don't see this menu, gobackto reboot
  give it at least 4 tries, the moment or opportunity for the F8 key is breif
  2 or 3 seconds after the computer checks itself out
  just as the operating system gets underway 

 select "safe mode with networking" using the arrow keys [^] or [v]
 press [enter] to proceed

 wait for usual login panel
 login as a local administrator
 you should be reminded by windows that you are running in safemode



:turnON FireWall
 Most computers need to have a firewall installed by a technician.
  Popular products include ZoneAlarm, BlackIce
 WindowsXP has a firewall built in:
  > Start > Settings > Control Panel > Network Connections > Local > Properties > Advanced
    > checkON ProtectMyComputer > OK

:start the antivirus program
 > Start > Programs > Norton > Norton AntiVirus Corporate Edition
  if this program can't be found:
   call tech support immediately, turn off your computer.
  otherwise:
  examine the Virus Definition File Version:
   if version is out of date: > LiveUpdate
   if LiveUpdate is not available: call tech support immediately, turn off your computer.

   if version is good:
    > scan > scan computer
    > checkON C: and D: or all local drives
    > Scan button
     typical systems take 30 to 60 minutes
     have 50k files
     runs much faster minimized

     if viri found:
      the program normally moves the to Quaranine
      if quarantine failed: call tech support immediately, turn off your computer.
 

:chapter 2

:manage computer local users and groups
 limit the number of LocalAccounts
 limit the number of accounts in the AdministratorsGroup
  any members in this group should have difficult passwords



:turnOFF RemoteAssistance
 >> computer > properties 
 > remote > checkOFF remoteAssistance > checkOFF RemoteDesktop
 > SystemRestore > checkON TurnOffSystemRestore
 > ok


:turnOFF BackgroundProcesses
 Start > Run 
  msconfig
   > Services > checkOFF where Manufacturer or Service is suspect or unneccesery
   > Startup > checkOFF where StartupItem or Command is suspect or unneccesery
   > OK > exit without restart



:install FactoryRecalls
 run WindowsUpdates repeatedly while using SafeModeWithNet
 run OfficeUpdates


:install BrowserProtection
 SpyBot

:chapter 3

:arrange for automatic updates
 reboot in StandardMode
 login as a local administrator
 >> computer > properties 
  > AutomaticUpdates > checkON AutomaticallyDownloadUpdates > Everyday at 8:00AM
  > ok


:delete temporary file clutter

:defragment the filing system
 The hard drive is not fragmented.
 The information on it is typically scattered about the place though.
 Imagine a book where the table of contents is continued on page 100 as if it were a magazine.
 Imagine a dictionary where there was no alphabetic ordering.
 Imagine collecting encyclopedias, notepads, news papers and post-its all in the same shelf.
 Fine if it is thoughtfully organized, but slow if randomly placed.
 




































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