Basic PC security pointers. Assumption: we are talking about stand-alone, unsecured PCs in an unclassified, non-networked environment with no network admin and/or security personnel readily available.
1) Delete all unsolicited and suspicious e-mails. Try to know, in advance, e-mails which you are expecting from specific parties or organizations. Chances are, if you do NOT know the sender or the agency from which the e-mail originates, DELETE it. If the e-mail is important and time-sensitive, make sure that you and the sending party have each other's direct lines.
2) Rule # 1 normally protects your PC. If you see an ATTACHMENT, delete the e-mail that contains any attachment also. Generally speaking, delete all e-mails.
3) If you maintain your own Exchange server, purchase a Watch guard ($1,500+-$48,000) or Barracuda box (about $3,000+) to place in front of the Exchange Server. Hire a decent IT guy at $125-$150 per hour to set this up and maintain properly.
4) Purchase a good quality (preferably CISCO..., Linksys (for the end user, nothing less) router with a HARDWARE firewall. Make sure ALL settings have been set up properly. (No details disclosed here).
5) Avoid wireless network connections. If you have a wireless connection, ensure that all security features have been ENABLED in the router and drilled down to each PC. Exclude all MAC and IP addresses not listed in the local network. Only include specific IP addresses and MAC addresses, router permitting.
6) Purchase the best quality AV sfw (Kapersky, Trend, Sybari), no crappy useless end user AV programs. AVG has been rated among the worst. For Exchange there are debates about Norton Corp Corp. vs. Trend... (Trend is better IMHO..). In addition to the HARDWARE firewall, make certain that a software firewall is also installed (not more than 1, if you are running Trend, disable the Windows firewall)
7) On each PC, run all battle-proven anti-spyware programs (I have 5 favorites)... Run in safe mode to get rid of viruses and SPYW.
8) Delete cookies and all temp file every single day, etc.
9) Learn the Registry (at your own risk). Become adept at manually ID'ing and removing malware (even when Programs fail).
10) Back up your data, via CD or removable HDD (USB or pull-tray)
11) For XP, create restore points. Turn off Sys Restore when removing viruses. NOTE for Advanced users, back up the REG before performing manual surgery... Also, Ghost the drive.
12) Keep all licensed sew/app CDs in a safe place in case the programs need to be re-installed (assuming all DATA and dbase files have been backed up also..
13) Patch Management. Update, after research, all avail. security updates for the O/S and sfw apps... hackers use O/S and application vulnerabilities to invade machines. SP2 for XP users, after making 100% sure that SP2 does NOT conflict with (potentially antiquated) hardware..
14) Get RID of all Trojan Horse .exe programs. KNOW THY PC! EX: monkeypoo.exe is probably a Trojan downloader. Surveillance the Win32 folder.
15) Do NOT download toolbars or "free pop up" spyware checkers ...
16) AAW SE 1.5 & Spybot (well know ones), check for daily updates; make sure each program’s settings are “tweaked” …. Once again, safe mode..
I can go on and, but these are some of the “basics”
Deleting viruses in DOS
Dude, who do you think Jum Robinson is? He's the father of John Robinson, who is more than a decent IT guy!