These opinions are my own and you're welcome to them

More information and tips on Spyware, Adware, Malware and other net pests. How to clean a messed up PC and how to prevent getting one in the first place. Check your PC for browser hijackers, host file exploits, spyware, adware and other nasty pests. There is no easy answer or magic bullet to solve such problems. Understanding, knowledge, safe and smart internet behavior remains your best hope for peace from these abusive, annoying, and opportunistic pests. (This was compiled from posts I've made and read in the last week or so.)

Remember this: "It ain't free for nothing." SO READ THE FINE PRINT BEFORE CLICKING "YES." (TIP: Key in on the 'third party' clauses.)

* Close POP-UPS by pressing the Alt+F4 key combo, do NOT click buttons (like CANCEL, OK, or X) in a suspicious pop-up window as they may not reliably do what you expect! (Hold an 'Alt' key down while you press the F4 key.)

FOR INTERNET EXPLORER USERS! Click on the TOOLS menu and INTERNET OPTIONS while using Internet Explorer OR Go to Control Panel, switch to Classic View, and use the INTERNET OPTIONS applet located there. Then...

1. Try to stay up-to-date with the current critical updates for Windows and any security programs on your PC. Despite what you may have heard, WindowsXP users should install Service Pack 2. (For best results, disable your anti-virus before doing updating!)

2. Get a good anti-virus program. See http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/ for information. Norton Internet Security 2005 is an excellent 'complete solution' choice and very easy for end-users, but will not remove spyware.

3. Get Spybot-Search and Destroy, Ad-Aware SE. Update it BEFORE a daily scan to check for spyware and trojans. An even better solution is Webroot's Spysweeper for $29.99.

4. Get a good firewall program. Zone Alarm at http://www.zonelabs.com/ is popular and free, but isn't very stable. See also, Sygate's Personal Firewall at http://soho.sygate.com/products/spf_standard.htm .

5 - Advanced Tab along the top. UNcheck "Install on Demand" option.

6 - Security Tab along the top. Click TRUSTED SITES and make sure that whatever is listed there really ARE sites you completely trust!

7 - Security Tab along the top. Click Restricted Sites and then Click "Custom Level" and make sure EVERYTHING is disabled! Then either manually add nasty sites as you find them, or go and get Eric Howe's IE-SpyAd from https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/resource.htm to add a HUGE list of nasty sites.

FOR OUTLOOK EXPRESS USERS! Spyware doesn't usually result from viewing email, but it can if you're wildly out of date on Windows updates and too open with security settings. While using Outlook Express...

8 - To safely use Outlook Express for any email, go into it's TOOLS menu and make sure to place it in RESTRICTED ZONE.

9 - OUTLOOK EXPRESS! Be sure to turn OFF LookOut Exploit's PREVIEW PANE option. While viewing your INBOX, click VIEW- LAYOUT and UNcheck the Preview Pain option.

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For more information, see:


http://security.yahoo.com/


http://www.pcpitstop.com/spycheck/default.asp


https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/main-nf.htm


https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/info8.htm


http://spywarewarrior.com/asw-test-guide.htm


http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/

ANTI-SPYWARE HELP FORUMS:


http://www.spywareinfo.com/


http://spywarewarrior.com/

If you can handle it, a great idea is to get a different browser - Firefox or Mozilla. You'll know you're candidate for such a switch if you can figure out how to do so without my help. (Sorry, that's just the way it is, folks.)

Great utility for managing junk in Windows: http://www.winpatrol.com/.




If you use IE, get a toolbar that actually works to block pop-ups! Try one of these freebies:



Earthlink's - http://www.earthlink.net/home/software/toolbar/


Google's - http://toolbar.google.com/

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This document is archived on the web at: http://www.geocities.com/mark_e_p/stuff/antispyware.htm.

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Finally! Released to return to work full-time!
No pseudocyst detected in pancreas.
No inflammation.
Blood work normal.
Lost 15 pounds (so far).
Need to heal internals, adjust to diet and start working out.
We're on the way to normal again! COOL!

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After a week on the feet for over 8 hours a day, I'm reminded again of the bone spur growing up the back of my left heel on top of where my Achilles attaches - OUCH. Oh well... Cost of growing old. As long as I keep moving it feels pretty much OK. Weird kind of problem.

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B-Day is Election Day! And this coming weekend is the annual Beloit Corporation Quarter Century Club dinner. The club is open to all former employees now and is really an annual reunion. This year, the event is at 6 pm on 11/06 at the Ramada Inn in South Beloit.

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