Results of screen317's Security Check version 0.99.1
Windows XP Service Pack 3
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Antivirus/Firewall Check:
Windows Firewall Enabled!
AVG Free 9.0
ESET Online Scanner v3
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Anti-malware/Other Utilities Check:
SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition
HijackThis 2.0.2
CCleaner
Java(TM) 6 Update 17
Adobe Flash Player 10
Adobe Reader 9.2
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Process Check:
objlist.exe by Laurent
AVG avgwdsvc.exe
AVG avgtray.exe
AVG avgrsx.exe
AVG avgnsx.exe
AVG avgemc.exe
AVG avgemc.exe
Common Files Verizon Online ConnMgr cmisrv.exe
Common Files Verizon Online AppMgr vzOpenUIServer.exe
Trend Micro HijackThis HijackThis.exe
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DNS Vulnerability Check:
GREAT! (Not vulnerable to DNS cache poisoning)

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Please read the following information that I have provided, which will help you prevent malicious software in the future. Please keep in mind, malware is a continuous danger on the Internet. It is highly important to stay safe while browsing, to prevent re-infection.

Software recommendations

Firewall

• Tallemu Online Armor: the free version is just as good as the premium. I have linked you to the free version.
  
• Comodo Firewall: the free version is just as good as the premium. I have linked you to the free version. The optional security suite enhances the firewall by 40% increase. If you would like to install the suite that includes antivirus, then remove your old antivirus first.
  
• PC Tools Firewall Plus: free and excellent firewall.

AntiSpyware

• SpywareBlaster
  SpywareBlaster is a program that prevents spyware from installing on your computer. A tutorial on using SpywareBlaster may be found here.
  
• Spybot - Search & Destroy.
  Spybot - Search & Destroy is a spyware and adware removal program. It also has realtime protection, TeaTimer to help safeguard your computer against spyware. (The link for Spybot - Search & Destroy contains a tutorial that will help you download, install, and begin using Spybot).
  

NOTE: Please keep ALL of these programs up-to-date and run them whenever you suspect a problem to prevent malware problems.

Resident Protection help
A number of programs have resident protection and it is a good idea to run the resident protection of one of each type of program to maintain protection. However, it is important to run only one resident program of each type since they can conflict and become less effective. That means only one antivirus, firewall, and scanning anti-spyware program at a time. Passive protectors such as SpywareBlaster can be run with any of them.

Rogue programs help
There are a lot of rogue programs out there that want to scare you into giving them your money and some malware actually claims to be security programs. If you get a popup for a security program that you did not install yourself, do NOT click on it and ask for help immediately. It is very important to run an antivirus and firewall, but you can't always rely on reviews and ads for information. Ask in a security forum that you trust if you are not sure. If you are unsure and looking for anti-spyware programs, you can find out if it is a rogue here:
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm

Securing your computer

• Windows Updates - It is very important to make sure that both Internet Explorer and Windows are kept current with the latest critical security patches from Microsoft. To do this just start Internet Explorer and select Tools > Windows Update, and follow the online instructions from there.
  
• hpHosts file replaces your current HOSTS file with one containing well known ad sites and other bad sites. This prevents your computer from connecting to those sites by redirecting them to 127.0.0.1, which is your local computer's loopback address, meaning it will be difficult to infect your computer in the future.
  

Please consider using an alternate browser
Mozilla's Firefox browser is a very good alternative. In addition to being generally more secure than Internet Explorer, it has a very good built-in popup blocker and add-ons, like NoScript, can make it even more secure. Opera is another good option.

If you are interested:

• Firefox may be downloaded from here: http://www.getfirefox.com
  
• Opera is available here: http://www.opera.com/download/
  

See this page for more info about malware and prevention.

Please leave feedback for The Ultimate Geek TaskForce! by going here

Can I advise her to turn off Windows firewall and install one of the others you recommended? What do you think about her keeping the AVG ? Thanks !

AVG is fine. Yes, turn off Windows Firewall. One of the firewalls I recommended would be best.

Of the firewalls that you recommended, which would you say has the least amount of input from the user ? I may be using the wrong terms. You know how on Zone Alarm, you get a lot of "permission asking" from them while you are on the internet? I just want to make it as easy as I can for her.

PC Tools Firewall Plus.

Thank you ! I ended up putting Online Armor there. I'm hoping to write up instructions for her to do scans, updates, etc. I know that a lot of the programs require manual scans......