Windows Lockdown!: Your XP and Vista Guide Against Hacks, Attacks, and Other Internet Mayhem

 Today, if you own a Windows computer you need to understand the risks and the potential damage security threats pose. The mere act of turning on an Internet-connected computer can put you, your family, and even your personal finances at risk! This book defines all the threats an average household might face and provides strategies to turn novice and basic users into adept home security experts, making you safer and more secure from cyber criminals.   We start off with plain English definitions for security mumbo jumbo, and then we dig in with step-by-step instructions to help you cut your exposure in less than 10 minutes! Finally, we provide steps for more involved security measures that you can do in a weekend.   We also take an in-depth look at the security measures Microsoft put in Windows Vista. We also look at how Vista responds to the key threats. It teaches you how to tweak the system and make Microsoft’s new security features–like the User Access Control–less annoying and helps you adjust the system to be usable. It shows you how to set up Vista to protect your system from your kids–the biggest security hazard to your computer.        •    More than 5 million spam emails flood the Internet daily–many with your name on them–we show you how to make yourself invisible to detestable spammers!      •    Did you know that hackers are snooping around your IP address right now, while you read this? They might already have breached what security you have and could be running amok with your personal data. Stop them dead in their tracks with a few simple steps!      •    Identity theft is the most popular form of consumer fraud today, and last year thieves stole more than $100 million from people just like you. Put a stop to the madness with the steps provided in this book!      •    Spyware–nasty little programs that you might not even know you have installed on your PC–could be causing your PC to crash.  We show you how to root it out of your system and prevent further infection.   Andy Walker is one of North America’s top technology journalists and is the author of Que’s Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Security, Spam, Spyware & Viruses and Microsoft Windows Vista Help Desk. Since 1995, he has written about personal computer technology for dozens of newspapers, magazines, and websites. Today, his columns (and hundreds more technology how-to articles) are published at Cyberwalker.com where more than 5 million unique visitors read the advice annually. Andy co-hosted the internationally syndicated TV show Call for Help with Leo Laporte. Alongside his ongoing TV guest appearances, he also hosts the popular tech video podcast Lab Rats at LabRats.tv.      

Table of Contents:
Part 1:    Security Basics: Some Very Real Threats 1     Viruses: Attack of the Malicious Programs........................................... 3     What Is a Computer Virus?......................................... 4         What Is It?........................................................................................... 5         Who Triggers a Computer Virus?.............................................. 5         How Does It Spread?...................................................................... 6         What Damage Can It Do?............................................................. 7         Viruses: As Many Kinds As Sniffles in Kindergarten...... 9         Macro Viruses................................................................................... 10         Memory-Resident Viruses.......................................................... 12         File Infector Viruses...................................................................... 13         Boot Viruses...................................................................................... 13         Multi-Partite Viruses..................................................................... 13         Worms: Network-Savvy Viruses............................................ 14         Trojan Horses: Hey Helen, the Achaeans Left Us a Present!          16         Virus Hoaxes: Fake Viruses That Scare the Heck Out of You         18     Who Creates Computer Viruses?................................. 20     What Not to Do!..................................................... 22     When Viruses Attack!.............................................. 23         Disconnect As Soon As Possible............................................ 25         Virus Infection Found! How to Clean Your System.... 26         My Antivirus Program Won’t Update!.................................. 27     Now That I Have Your Attention….............................. 29     Antivirus Defense: Tactics for XP and Vista.................. 31         Install Windows Security Updates and Service Packs 31         Update Your Virus Signatures................................................. 32         Install or Upgrade an Antivirus Program............................ 34         Scan Your Computer for Viruses........................................... 38         Install Service Packs on Windows XP................................. 38         Monitor and Tweak Windows Security Center.............. 39         Understanding User Account Control.................................. 42         I Hate UAC......................................................................................... 43         Review and Set Up Administrator and Standard User Accounts.  44         Review and Tweak Data Execution Prevention Settings.   44     No Worm in My Apple?.............................................. 48     Is That a Virus in Your Pocket?.................................. 49     Absolute Minimum.................................................... 50 2        Spyware: Overrun by Advertisers, Hijackers, and Opportunists 51     What Is Spyware?................................................... 52     What Does Spyware Do and Why Is It Bad?................. 52     How Does Spyware Sneak onto My Computer?.............. 53     Types of Spyware: Snoops, Adware, Cookies, and More. 55         Spyware: I Spy with My Little App...................................... 55         Adware: Attack of the Pop-ups............................................ 55         Snoopware: I Wanna Know What You’re Up To!......... 56         Browser Hijackers: Turn This Browser Around, We’re Going to Cuba.com               57         Key Loggers: Snooping on Your Typing Skills................ 59         Dialers: Dial In, Dial Out, Dial Often.................................... 59         Trojan Horses: Pretty Ponies with Deadly Insides...... 60         Cookies: Does My Oreo Have a Tape Recorder in It? 61     Who Is at Risk?....................................................... 63     How Do I Know If I Have Spyware?............................. 64     Defend Yourself Against Spyware............................... 65         Spyware Countermeasures: 10-Minute Tactics........... 65         Download a Free Antispyware Program............................. 65         Increase Browser Security Settings.................................... 70         Run Windows Update Frequently.......................................... 72         Update Your Spyware Signatures......................................... 72     Ban All Spies: Strong Spyware Defense in an Afternoon.. 73         Run a Full System Scan.............................................................. 73         Install a Second Antispyware Program.............................. 74         Inoculate Your System............................................................... 75         Use Firefox As Your Primary Browser.................................. 76         IE7’s Protected Mode on Vista............................................... 77         Clean Cookies................................................................................... 79         Spyware Infection Found! How to Scrub Your System 81     The Absolute Minimum.............................................. 84 3        Rootkits: Sneaky, Stealthy Toolboxes................................................. 87     What Is a Rootkit?.................................................. 88         What Are Rootkits Used For?.................................................. 88         Rock Star Rootkit: Sony’s Famous Malware................... 89         How to Recognize a Sony Copy-protected CD............. 90         How to Remove Sony BMG Copy-protection.................. 91         How to Remove XCP..................................................................... 91         How to Remove MediaMax........................................................ 92         How a Rootkit Works.................................................................... 92     Rootkit Detection and Removal.................................. 93         Mostly Protected? You Can Do Better Than That!..... 94         Free Rootkit Scanners................................................................. 95     How to Use System Restore to Turf a Rootkit............... 98     The Absolute Minimum............................................ 100 4        Hackers: There’s a Man in My Machine............................................. 101     What Is a Hacker?................................................. 102     Who Are the Hackers?............................................ 102     What Damage Can Hackers Do?................................ 103     Targets of a Hack Attack........................................ 103         Corporate Networks................................................................... 103         Web Servers................................................................................... 104         Personal Computers.................................................................... 104     Hacker Motivation: I Think, Therefore I Hack.............. 105     Tools of the Trade: Pass Me a Trojan Horse, Would You? 105     Firewall: Shut Out the Hackers................................. 106     Software Firewalls: Programs That Stop Hackers......... 108         Windows Firewall: Built-in Defense................................... 108         Third-Party Software Firewalls............................................ 110         Recommended Firewall Freebies.......................................... 112         Easy Defense with a NAT Firewall..................................... 114         Stateful Inspection: The Meticulous Traffic Cop...... 116     How to Detect a Hacker Attack................................ 117     How to Fix a Hacker Attack..................................... 119         Steps You Can Take Immediately After Being Hacked 119     Batten Down the Hatches–Ten-Minute Tactics........... 123         Turn on Windows Firewall....................................................... 123         Installing a Firewall on a Mac OS X System................ 125     Wall Off the World–Install a Better Firewall in an Afternoon 125         Install a Two-way Software Firewall............................... 125         Install a Hardware Firewall..................................................... 129     The Absolute Minimum............................................ 131 5        Identity Thieves and Phishers: Protect Your Good Name and Bank Account           133     What Is Identity Theft?.......................................... 134         Techniques Thieves Use to Steal Your Identity........ 134         How They Become You: Identity Theft Techniques 135         Preventative Measures: How to Not Become a Victim 136         Signs You’re a Victim................................................................. 137         What to Do If You’re an Identity Theft Victim........... 137     What Is Phishing?.................................................. 138     How Does Phishing Work?........................................ 141         Email Address Spoofing............................................................ 141         Link Spoofing.................................................................................. 142         Web Address Spoofing.............................................................. 144     What Is Pharming?................................................. 145     What Damage Can Be Done By Phishing?.................... 148     Who Is at Risk? Everyone!....................................... 149     Don’t Get Phished: 10-Minute Tactics to Stay Off the Hook 149         They Won’t Ask, You Don’t Tell.......................................... 149         Use Caution and Cut and Paste.......................................... 149         Communicate Securely............................................................. 150         Install an Anti-Spam Filter..................................................... 151         Block Phishing Sites with NetCraft.................................... 151         Carry a Big Spoofstick.............................................................. 152         Keep Your Antivirus and Antispyware Programs Up-to-Date           153         Keep Your Computer Software Up-to-Date................. 154         Vista’s Anti-Phishing Features............................................. 154     Ensure You Are You: Take an Afternoon to Protect Your Identity      156         Check Your Credit Reports..................................................... 156         Shred It Before You Chuck It............................................... 158         Read Your Statements............................................................. 158     The Absolute Minimum............................................ 159 6        Spam: Unwanted Email from Hell........................................................... 161     What Is Spam?..................................................... 162     Why Does Spam Keep Coming?................................. 163     Specialty Spam..................................................... 164         Malware and Scam Distribution........................................... 164         Hobbit Spam................................................................................... 165         SPIM and Non-email Spam..................................................... 165     Why Doesn’t Someone Stop the Spammers?............... 166     How Do Spammers Get My Email Address?.................. 167         Website Harvesting.................................................................... 167         Dictionary Spamming................................................................. 167         Commercial Email Lists.............................................................. 168         Newsgroups, Discussion Forums, and Interactive Websites             168         Contests and Other Free Offerings................................... 169         Email Forwarding.......................................................................... 169         Data Theft....................................................................................... 170     The Damage Spam Can Do...................................... 170     Reduce the Flow–10-minute Tactics to Reduce Spam.. 172         Don’t Respond................................................................................ 172         Don’t Post Your Email Address on the Web.................. 172         Webmasters Shouldn’t Use mailto...................................... 172         Turn Off Image Display in Email Programs..................... 173         Tweak Junk Mail Filtering on Your Mail Server............ 175         Turn on Junk Mail Filtering...................................................... 176     Kill More Spam–In an Afternoon............................... 177         Install an Anti-Spam Program............................................... 178         Fight Back!...................................................................................... 179     The Absolute Minimum............................................ 180 7        Wireless Network Snoops: Lock Down Your Wi-Fi Network... 183     What Is a Wireless Home Network?........................... 184     What Damage Can a Wireless Network Snoop Do?........ 187     Who Are the Snoopers?.......................................... 188         Wardrivers........................................................................................ 188         Bandwidth Bandits....................................................................... 192         Wireless Hackers.......................................................................... 194         Dead-End Wi-Fi Access Points............................................ 194     Your Wi-Fi Network Is Full of Holes!.......................... 195         How to Access Your Router Setup.................................... 196     First Line of Defense: Secure Your Wi-Fi Network........ 200         Turn On WEP.................................................................................. 200         Turn On WPA.................................................................................. 204         MAC Address Filtering: Keep Out the Scottish.......... 208     Detecting a Visit from a Wireless Snoop..................... 212     I’m Under Attack! What to Do If You Discover a Wireless Network Snoop?    214         Turn Off Wireless Access........................................................ 214         Activate Security Measures.................................................. 214         Assess the Damage.................................................................... 214     Wireless Security Workup: Quick Tactics and Some That Take a Little More Time    216         10-Minute Tactic: Change the Router’s User ID and Password     217         10-Minute Tactic: Change Your Default SSID............ 217         10-Minute Tactic: Turn On the Windows Firewall.... 219         10-Minute Tactic: Turn Off UPnP...................................... 222         10-Minute Tactic: Turn Off Your Router When Not in Use               222     10-Minute Tactics: Vista Network and Sharing Settings 223         Private vs. Public......................................................................... 224         Network Discovery...................................................................... 224         File Sharing...................................................................................... 225         Public Folder Sharing................................................................. 225         Printer Sharing............................................................................... 225         Password-Protected Sharing................................................ 225         Media Sharing................................................................................ 225         Time-Intensive Tactic: Be Careful with File Sharing 226     The Absolute Minimum............................................ 231 Part 2:    Hardcore Help for Safe and Secure Computing 8        Damage Control–How to Remove Viruses and Spyware Infections               235     Evasive Action: Quick Steps You Can Take to Halt the Infection       236         Disconnect the Internet and Evaluate............................ 236         Inventory Your Tools and Their Status.......................... 238         Gather Information...................................................................... 241         Jump into Safe Mode................................................................. 243     Search and Destroy: Techniques to Target the Infection and Remove it       245         Replace Tools and Update Signatures............................. 246         Scan Your System...................................................................... 247         Infection Found!........................................................................... 248         System Restore............................................................................ 249         Scan and Remove with a Targeted Tool........................ 250     How to Manually Remove a Virus.............................. 252         Do Your Research........................................................................ 252         Disconnect....................................................................................... 253         Back Up Data................................................................................. 253         Disable System Restore........................................................... 254         Work in Safe Mode...................................................................... 255         Clean Out Windows Startup.................................................. 255         Turn Off Services........................................................................ 256         Clean Out the Registry............................................................. 257         Disable Malware that Runs as a Windows Service... 258         Delete Files and Folders Related to the Malware...... 259         Restart and Check...................................................................... 259     Remove a Browser Hijacker with Hijack This!............... 260         Installing and Using HijackThis............................................. 261         Recruit a HijackThis Expert.................................................... 262         Do-It-Yourself HijackThis........................................................ 263         Check the Memory First........................................................... 264         Here Spyware, Spyware. It’s Time to Die..................... 265         Decimate the Little Suckers with CWShredder.......... 268     The Absolute Minimum............................................ 269 9        Ground Up Security–Wipe Your Hard Drive and Build a Secure Windows PC from the Ground Up           271     Light the Fuse and Stand Back................................. 271     Let’s Get Started................................................... 272         Installation or System Recovery Disc.............................. 272         Windows Service Packs........................................................... 273         Windows XP SP2: The Mother of All Service Packs 274         XP SP3: Even More Fixes........................................................ 275         Windows Vista SP1: Microsoft’s Repair Job.................. 275         Collect Your Drivers.................................................................... 275         Installation Discs for Your Programs................................. 276         Internet Service Software and Settings........................ 277     Step 1: Download Drivers and Software You Need for the Reinstall    277         Got a Recovery CD? That’s Good News!........................ 277         Retail Copy of Windows? There’s Some Work to Do 278     Step 2: Back Up!................................................... 282         Outlook.............................................................................................. 283         Outlook Express/Windows Mail............................................. 284         Documents Folder........................................................................ 285         IE Favorites and Cookies......................................................... 285         Firefox Favorites.......................................................................... 285         Saved Games................................................................................. 286         Pictures, Music, and Videos.................................................. 286         Microsoft Office 2003 Settings............................................ 286         Windows Media Player.............................................................. 286         Other Odds and Ends................................................................ 288         Saving Your Windows Settings............................................ 289     Step 3: Pull the Plug on the Network......................... 291     Step 4: Set Your Boot Sequence.............................. 292     Step 5: Start the Installation................................... 294     Step 5a: Using a System Recovery CD/DVD................ 295     Step 5b: Using a Windows XP CD.............................. 296         Destroy the Partition................................................................. 297         A Fresh Copy of Windows XP............................................... 302         Input the License Key and Finish Up................................ 302     Step 5c: Using a Windows Vista DVD......................... 304         Install Vista from the Desktop............................................. 306         Installing a Fresh Copy of Windows Vista..................... 307         Finish the Vista Install.............................................................. 311     Step 6: Reinstall Your Drivers................................... 314         Use System Restore Before Installing Drivers............. 316     Step 7: Install Protection Against Malware................. 317         Install an Antivirus Program................................................... 318         Install an Antispyware Program........................................... 318         Install a Firewall........................................................................... 319     Step 8: Install Firefox............................................. 321     Step 9: Configure Your Networking........................... 323         Dial-up................................................................................................ 323     Step 10: Install Security Fixes and Service Packs........ 324         Windows Update in XP.............................................................. 325         Windows Update in Vista........................................................ 327         Windows Validation in XP........................................................ 327         Windows Validation in XP........................................................ 328     Step 11: Configure Your Security Settings................. 329         Security Tweaks for Windows XP...................................... 329         Security Tweaks for Windows Vista................................. 333         Tweak User Account Control................................................ 335     Step 12: Update All of Your Security Programs and Security Signatures       336     Step 13: Activate Windows..................................... 337     Step 14: Reinstall Your Programs.............................. 337         Microsoft Office Updates........................................................ 338     Step 15: Other Things You Can Do........................... 339     The Absolute Minimum............................................ 341 10     Ongoing Maintenance: Fend Off Future Threats!....................... 343     Note to Self: Keep Computer Secure......................... 344     Daily Routines: Walk the Dog, Feed the Kids, and Secure the Computer       344         Update Your Antivirus and Antispyware Signatures 344         Update AVG Signatures............................................................ 345         Update Windows Defender..................................................... 346         Update Spybot Search & Destroy...................................... 347     Weekly Routines: Never Be Bored on Saturday Morning. 348         Scan for Viruses and Spyware............................................. 348         Check for Firefox Updates...................................................... 350         Report Problems, Get Solutions........................................... 351     Monthly Routines: Clean the Garage, Trim the Hedge, and Update Windows  352         Windows Updates........................................................................ 353         When Updates Bite Back......................................................... 355         Check for Anti-Rootkit Updates.......................................... 356         Inspect Other Computers....................................................... 356         Router Firmware Updates........................................................ 356         Patch Microsoft Office.............................................................. 358         Software Updates....................................................................... 360     Bathe Once a Year Whether You Need It or Not and Reformat and Reinstall, Too     361         Wipe Your Hard Drive and Reinstall Windows.............. 361     The Absolute Minimum............................................ 362 Part 3:    Tools for Maintenance and Protection 11     Selecting Software: Steals, Deals, and Software Duds.......... 365     Security Software: Nothing in Life Is Free, Except Software   366         Payware: Software You Pay Hard-Earned Cash For 366         Freeware: Don’t Pay a Cent for Software.................... 367     Weirdware: When It’s Not Payware or Freeware.......... 368         Gimpware: Free Software, But Not All the Bits Work 368         Trialware: It’s Free, Until It’s Not...................................... 369         Shareware: I Trust You to Pay Me................................... 369     What Should I Pay for My Security Toolbox?............... 370     Choosing the Right Security Software........................ 372         Antivirus............................................................................................ 372         Antispyware.................................................................................... 373         Firewall............................................................................................... 374         Anti-Spam........................................................................................ 375     The Absolute Minimum............................................ 376 12     Tools of the Trade: Security Products You Should Own........ 379     Which Security Software Is Right for You?................. 380     Security Suites..................................................... 380         Symantec Norton Internet Security................................. 381         McAfee Internet Security Suite.......................................... 382         F-Secure Internet Security................................................... 383         CA Internet Security Suite Plus.......................................... 384         Webroot AntiVirus with AntiSpyware & Firewall........ 384         ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite................................... 384         ESET Smart Security................................................................. 386         Panda Internet Security.......................................................... 386         Trend Micro Internet Security............................................. 387     Antivirus Programs................................................. 387         Freeware........................................................................................... 387         Paid Antivirus Programs............................................................ 389         Antispyware.................................................................................... 392         Freeware........................................................................................... 392         Paid Antispyware Programs.................................................... 395         PC Tools Spyware Doctor....................................................... 396     Firewalls.............................................................. 397         ZoneAlarm Free............................................................................. 397         Comodo Free Firewall................................................................ 397         PC Tools Firewall Plus................................................................ 398     Anti-Spam............................................................ 398         McAfee Internet Security Suite (Anti-Spam)............. 398         Cloudmark Desktop..................................................................... 399         Spam Arrest.................................................................................... 400         CA Anti-Spam 2007.................................................................... 401         SpamBayes...................................................................................... 401            Glossary............................................................................................................... 403 TOC, 0789736721, 7/9/08

About the Author :
Andy Walker is one of North America’s top technology journalists and is the author of three books published by Que including Microsoft Windows Vista Help Desk. Since 1995, he has written about personal technology for dozens of newspapers, magazines, and websites. His personal technology advice column was syndicated across Canada and today the body of work is published at Cyberwalker.com where more than 5 million unique visitors read the advice annually. Andy has appeared as a tech expert on hundreds of TV and radio broadcasts and he also co-hosted the internationally syndicated TV show “Call for Help” with Leo Laporte.   Andy hosts and produces the acclaimed Internet video show “Lab Rats” at www.labrats.tv and appears weekly on the TV show “HomePage” on the Canadian news channel CP24. He also stars in his own technology teaching DVD called “Getting Started with Windows Vista.” You can get more info at www.gettingstartedvideo.com. Andy was born in the United Kingdom, educated and raised in Canada, and now lives in Toronto with two cats and a really secure personal computer.