Virus and Spyware Protection
The ultimate solution to the Spyware and Virus problem is safer use of the Internet. Most spyware and virus programs are downloaded by the end user without realizing that they are doing it. You should avoid opening email attachments from email addresses you do not recognize. Websites which offer free online games, game cheats and codes, song lyrics, and adult content websites are also common sources of these malicious programs. More specifically, any of the following types of "popups" should be avoided unless you are 100% sure of what software you are being asked to install.
Spyware Popup Ad
This appears to be a legitimate warning about your computer, however clicking anywhere on the ad will begin installing malicious software on your computer that actually causes crashes rather than preventing them. Click the X in the upper right corner to close windows like this WITHOUT clicking on the actual ad.
Spyware Installation Notification
This is the most common type of Spyware installation window that you'll see. Any "Security Warning" windows of this should be read completely before clicking the Yes button. If you did not specifically request to install a program, or if the company name (IBIS LLC in the above image) is not a name that you recognize, you should click No and leave the site immediately to prevent infecting your computer system.
Spyware Installation Notification
This is similar to the Security Warning window shown above but will only look this way on systems running Windows XP with Service Pack 2 installed. You should treat this window the same as the one above - if you didn't request to download anything or you don't recognize the Publisher name, click Don't Install and leave the site immediately to prevent infecting your computer system.
Prize Advertisements
Animated banners similar to this are appearing on more and more legitimate sites. These ads are not Spyware related by themselves, however the site that you are taken to after successfully "shooting" the cockroach may be harmful. Even if you aren't asked to download anything, these sites often ask you for personal information to send you your prize when they will actually just send you junk mail. You should generally avoid clicking on these animated Win A Prize style advertisements.
Even by avoiding all of the Spyware traps above, you will still end up with some minor Spyware on your computer. This has unfortunately become and unavoidable part of using the Internet. Modem Madness or any other Internet provider cannot block Spyware from reaching you without also blocking out legitimate content, so it is up to the end user to take care of their system individually. We recommend using the following programs and tools on a regular basis to keep your computer running in its best possible condition.
Protection Recommendations
The information below is provided only as a reference for customers using this software on their own. Modem Madness does not provide, guarantee, or support any of the software on this page. Customers agree to use the software at their own risk and discretion. If you don't feel comfortable doing this on your own, or if you encounter specific spyware or virus related items that cannot be removed with this software, you may need to bring your computer to a computer repair center to have a qualified technician do the work for you.
Lavasoft Ad-Aware SE
Download
If you have never used Ad-Aware before, click on the link above to visit www.download.com and obtain the installer. Save the installer file to a location where you'll be able to find it, such as your Desktop or My Documents folder. After the download has finished double-click on the installer, and follow the on-screen prompts to install the program.
- Double-click Ad-aware icon on desktop .
- Click "Check for updates now" in lower right corner.
- The next window is called, "Performing webupdate." Click Connect button.
If a box appears saying, "New reference-file available!& download this file?" Click OK.
If a box appears saying, "No updated components available," Click OK.
- Click Finish button.
- Click Start button in lower right corner.
- Be sure that the button next to "Perform smart system-scan" is selected.
- Click Next button in lower right corner. The program will scan your computer; this may take a few minutes.
- When "Scan complete" shows at upper-left of box, Click Next
- In the "Scanning Results" area, RIGHT-CLICK the first small square, and then Click Select all objects.
- Click Next.
- When question box appears, Click OK.
- When Ad-aware is finished, close the program.
We recommend that you run through these instructions (don't forget the UPDATES!) once a week.
Spybot - Search & Destroy
Download
If you have never used Spybot before, click on the link above to visit www.download.com and obtain the installer. Save the installer file to a location where you'll be able to find it, such as your Desktop or My Documents folder. After the download has finished double-click on the installer, and follow the on-screen prompts to install the program.
NOTE: The first time you run Spybot it will ask you to create a registry backup and automatically check for the latest updates. We recommend that you skip the Registry Backup section but do click the buttons to check for and download the latest updates. Otherwise you can cancel this initial wizard and just follow the instructions below.
- Double-click Spybot icon on desktop.
- Click Search for Updates button in center of screen.
- If it does NOT find updates, it will say, "No newer updates available" Click OK, then skip to Step 3.
- If it finds updates, then Click all checkbox(s) to the left of any listed updates in the update list.
- Click Download Updates button at upper-right. Wait while updates download.
- Once the update is complete, there will be a green check-mark next to each successfully downloaded update.
- Click Search and Destroy button at upper-left.
- Click Check for Problems button.
Wait while program scans your computer. This will take a while.
- When scan is completed, click Fix selected problems button.
- The program will say, "You are about to remove the checked entries. Do you want to continue?" Click YES.
- Click OK when it says, "...problems fixed" The large green checkmarks to the right of the spyware file names confirm that they have been removed from your computer.
- Close the program
We recommend that you run through these instructions (don t forget the UPDATES!) once a week.
eTrust EZ Antivirus
Download
Most people are familiar with Antivirus solutions from the major companies like Symantec (Norton) and McAfee. However we've noticed that lately these programs are trying too hard to add new features like Spyware removal and email filtering that they are slipping in virus protection. Also, the latest versions of Norton and McAfee use a ridiculous amount of system resources, which can cause serious problems when these new programs are installed on older Windows 98 and Windows ME computers.
Modem Madness has found a much more reasonable antivirus solution from Computer Associates called eTrust EZ Antivirus. This program provides the same (or better) virus scanning as packages from Norton and McAfee while using less memory on your computer and costing less to purchase and maintain. Computer Associates also produces eTrust EZ Firewall which provides a software firewall solution for customers using unsecured high-speed connections, or you can get both firewall and antivirus software together with the eTrust EZ Armor package. All of these are available by following the link below to the Computer Associates online store.
If you already have antivirus software on your computer and just want a second opinion, or if you have no antivirus software at all, Computer Associates also offers a free online virus scanner. This does not provide active protection of your computer like the full program does, but it will allow you to run a single scan of all the files on your computer to see if you have any known viruses hiding in your files. The free virus scanner can be accessed by clicking on the Computer Associates link above, clicking on the Viruses link, and then choosing Free Online Virus Scan near the bottom of the right-hand column of links.
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