Computer Fix it/Clean it thread

[moocow]

What do you recommend. My neighbor wanted help and I recommended these programs.

(I hit the basics)
Some Programs I recommend. (Its a list I am going to suggest, all but one should be free the other is recommend by Kim Komando (who I trust))
1. CCleaner (All around diskspace cleaner)
2. Spybot Search and Destory (Spyware)
3. Spyware Blaster (Spyware)
4. Zonealarm (Firewall)
5. AVG (Anti-virus)
6. Ad-aware (spyware)
7. HijackThis (registry, but not really suggested unless you know what you are doing)
8. Uniblue Registry Boosters (http://www.liutilities.com/products/...o/hpbanner/10/)


Program Descriptions
1. I use for all around basic cleaning. It cleans all the internet files, temp files and all that good stuff. It can also search the registry and repair some problems
2. This program searches for junk that gets on many computers. It is very easily used to find and get rid of junk like tracking software or cookies.
3. Basically the same as above. Now I have never used it, but it was recommended on a site that I visit often, so I trust it.
4. ZoneAlarm is a firewall, It adds better protection then what windows xp uses. (Not really important)
5. Anti-virus Software. I personally am not running any even though I need to be. Not sure if you have any installed as that was not the real topic of our discussion.
6. See numbers 2 and 3, except I have used it before and it is used at school. I would recommend doing a deep scan in safe mode during the night if possible.
7. This program goes through and checks for problems in the registry, but once again I would not really suggest it because you mentioned you didn't exactly know what you were doing. (I don't use it for that very reason)
8. This program will search through the registry and tell you what problems exist. Now even if there weren't errors, it would probably say there is a problem, but it is still worth a shot.

Links
They are going to be in the same order.
1. http://www.ccleaner.com/download&sa=...Y2QL4CkB3Ya2oQ
2. http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html (whoops I misspelt it in the email)
3. http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/sbdownload.html
4. http://download.zonealarm.com/bin/fr...zaSetup_en.exe
5. http://www.grisoft.cz/filedir/inst/a...8_100a1295.exe
6. http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-200...dlPid=10827250
7. http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/programs.php

[sniper14th]

AVG Internet Security
Spybot S&D
A router with a hardware firewall.
Accessories > Disk defragmentar (Only windows users need and have this)

[Celtic]

I use bitdefender for firewall and anti-spam its handy

Scence when has there been another Irish member here =O

[mm3]

Disk Defraggers aren't only for windows users, lol.

Anyway,

First thing: Firewall on a router.
Second: avast! antivirus on each computer
Third: might not be much, but it's something... I use it boldly because, it's there. Windows Firewall.
Forth: Common sense. Don't go onto sites that you think or know that are harmful

[chevre]

TrendMicro AV

[Lukie]

May I suggest http://hijackthis.de/ as a HijackThis log checker. It'll tell you about all the entries and which one's you should delete.

[Jon]

Alls I have is a Cisco 1712 doing all my packet shaping and filtering, then windows firewall.

AVG free on windows boxes.

[Fire2box]

I only got maybe 6 viruses on this computer before none which really did anything to my system. Anyways I had this thing for nearly 2 years now, all the problems it has given me has been on its own doing. The thing is only open what you think is safe only download what you really need/want.

[Point Blanch]

I made a links section awhile back for things like this. Could you guys take a little time and put the links you've posted in there? I'm not going to lie and say I regularly look at the links but I go there when I need info.

[jayschares]

Originally Posted by mm3

Disk Defraggers aren't only for windows users, lol.

Anyway,

First thing: Firewall on a router.
Second: avast! antivirus on each computer
Third: might not be much, but it's something... I use it boldly because, it's there. Windows Firewall.
Forth: Common sense. Don't go onto sites that you think or know that are harmful

That's really all you need, except maybe spybot S&D, number 4 is most important.