Information On Free Security Software-Windows XP Or 2000

Information On Free Security Software
This guide was written for Windows XP or 2000 users.

We reccomend that you take a proactive approach to viruses and spyware. Make sure you have up-to-date virus and spyware protection.

Below we have provided some instructions concerning freely available security applications.

Anti-Virus: AVG

Click on the following link: Download AVG Free-Edition

On the page that loads, click the orange 'Download AVG Free 8.0' button that appears. The following page will have a 'Download Now' link which you should also click on.

A screen will load up and a pop up window will appear asking you to ‘Run’ or ‘Save’ the file. Choose ‘Run’ and it will begin downloading and tell you how much time is left. Once the download finished it will ask you again to ‘Run’ or ‘don’t run’, choose ‘Run’ again and the setup will start.

The on-screen instructions will walk you through the setup. Basically, you will need to agree to the license agreement and click Next until the program finishes installing. It will also give you an option to run an immediate scan after it installs. Also, as soon as the setup finishes it will already be setup to do automatic scans and updates.

Anti-Spyware:

There are three anti-spyware products listed below. Only one of them (‘Windows Defender’) performs real time protection on your computer, the others will clean but not actively prevent infections. Because of this, you can be assured that they won’t conflict with each other if they are all installed on the same computer.

Anti-Spyware: Windows Defender (Windows XP Only)

Click on the following link to download Microsoft’s Free Windows Defender antispyware software: Download Windows Defender Antispyware

Hit the 'Continue' button located on the page the comes up. Follow the validation instructions and once validation is complete, click the 'Download' button that appears on the final page.

A screen will load up and a pop up window will appear asking you to ‘Run’ or ‘Save’ the file. Choose ‘Run’ and it will begin downloading and tell you how much time is left. Once the download finishes it will ask you again to ‘Run’ or ‘don’t run’, choose ‘Run’ again and the setup will start.

The onscreen instructions will walk you through the setup. Simply read each screen carefully and click 'Next' to progress through the setup until you reach the last screen, in which you will click the 'Finish' button to complete setup.

Once setup is complete it will likely run a quick scan. Your computer now has spyware protection provided by Microsoft's Windows Defender!

Firewall:

Note: Windows 2000 users should skip this section. The Windows 2000 firewall is on by default for all new connections.

Make sure the Windows firewall is on by clicking on the Start button and then choosing ‘Control Panel’.

On the control panel you will see an icon labeled ‘Security Center’, double-click on it with the left mouse button.

If you do not see the 'Security Center' option, make sure you are running Windows XP. If you are running Windows XP and do not have the 'Security Center' option, see this page on Microsoft's website to download the Service Pack 2 Upgrade for Windows XP. It is a very large download, so if you are on dial-up you may want to use the option to 'Order a CD' for minimal charges located on that page.

Also note that if you do not already have Service Pack 2 installed, there is a chance that installing it will cause major system problems. Please take this into consideration as you may want to have a professional back up your data before upgrading

On the Security Center Window that comes up, click on ‘Windows Firewall’. A screen will come on with two options ‘On’ or ‘Off’. If it is turned off, turn it on. Otherwise, leave it the way it is. Also, make sure the ‘Don’t allow Exceptions’ checkbox is NOT checked. Then hit Ok and also close the Security Center window and Control panel.

Alternative to Internet Explorer: Firefox

Some spyware and virus infections occur because a user is using Internet Explorer and a malicious web page takes advantage of a bug to install a spyware or virus without asking or notifying the user.

Firefox is an alternative to Internet Explorer. Most websites function well with Firefox, however there are some sites which do not work well or explicitly require Internet Explorer. You will still be able to get to Internet Explorer via it’s desktop icon, so it is there if you have a site that will not work with Firefox.

The layout of Firefox is similar to Internet Explorer and it can import all of your Favorites (Bookmarks) from Internet Explorer when you first install it.

You can get Firefox by clicking on the following link. Click here to download Firefox.

On the page that loads, click the large 'Download Now' link with the green background.

A screen will load up and a pop up window will appear asking you to ‘Run’ or ‘Save’ the file. Choose ‘Run’ and it will begin downloading and tell you how much time is left. Once the download finished it will ask you again to ‘Run’ or ‘don’t run’, choose ‘Run’ again and the setup will start.

Simply use the ‘Next’ button (and agree to the license agreement) to run through the Setup and install it with the default options.

Please let us know if you have any questions about these instructions.