Updated MyDoom targets Google--again

"Another variant of the MyDoom worm, which spreads by sending copies of itself using its own mail engine and harvesting potential e-mail targets from search engines such as Google and Yahoo, was spreading quickly on Thursday.

Last summer, a MyDoom variant pumped so many queries into Google that the search engine was unavailable or very slow for large periods of time. The same variant of MyDoom also succeeded in knocking a number of smaller search engines--including Lycos and Altavista--off the Web completely."

Things you need--(all FREE)
Anti-Virus
AVG Anti-Virus version 7 (free) release available...

Avast
Firewall
Kerio(Direct Download) Zone Alarm

If are using zone alarm it may slow your PC. Try Outpost Firewall http://www.agnitum.com/products/outpost or Sygate Firewall http://www.sygate.com/ both have FREE and Pro versions and are heads above ZA.
Misc.
IE Spyads SpywareBlaster Spyware Guard
Windows Update- you must keep updated, it is the start of a secure system-
get all CRITICAL Updates

Things you want(Still Free)

I use Firefox PR1 and IMHO, beats the sox off MS Explorer. Life is good with tabs. Click the link and give it a try.

Ad-Aware
Spybot S&D

SpywareBlaster
MS MVP Hosts file

Mike Lin's Homepage and get the Startup Control Panel and Startup Monitor tools.

The best forum for malware removal:

-SWI Forums-

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1315720/posts

Microsoft Releases Anti-Spyware Beta 1 To Public Today.
Microsoft.com ^

=================================================

Browser Wars, take two
various FR links | 12-22-04 | The Heavy Equipment Guy
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1306815/posts

...and let your compiler of links drop out of Lurk & Link mode for comment and advice:

Ditch IE. Honest to God, almost anything else will give you fewer problems. Try and compare- use IE, then run Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Destroy... then try another browser and repeat. You will be stunned at the garbage IE attracts.

Keep your OS updated & patched.

Run a hardware firewall-- with today's LAN's, it's easy. You need a hardware firewall.

Use a software firewall, too-- if you don't, you'll never know how many times your PC is trying to "phone home" and send your info across the web.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.