Trade Hard Bob - Formula for Troublefree Computing

09/14/2004

Good Morning Fellow Traders

Buffy asked me to share some of my techniques for problem-free (relatively speaking)computing, as many have been caught unaware by one or more of the viruses, Trojans, windows instabilities, or other issues that can make the computer that supports our trading activities less dependable than we'd like.

A brief word of introduction I have owned and used PC's since the very first IBM came out, decades (seems longer) ago; I am not a programmer or computer freak, but was, in my former life an aerospace electronics engineer, so have always been comfortable with the technology side of computing. During that time I have had only one incident of serious computer infection, which was sufficiently painful to convince me to take more precautions than would otherwise be my nature. Personal-use PC's will likely never be as stable, dependable, and transparent to the users as the large-scale systems used in a corporate environment, because there is no professional, full-time staff dedicated to ensuring uninterrupted service. Instead, that staff is you, and you likely don't want to mess with a computer any more than necessary. There is plenty more out there than what I'll list here, but cut short on these critical items at your own peril, IMO.
So, "Face the workbench and pick up the screwdriver" or rather, face the computer and place your fingers over the keyboard.

1. There are 3 different types of computer security problems we'll look at
Windows software
E-Mail viruses
Internet nasties

The ;problems don't generally overlap, and the fixes out there don't generally overlap much either. So you have to take steps to protect your system in all three areas. Do them in pretty much any sequence that works, the downloads being the easiest and fastest.

A. Windows Whether NT4, W2000, or XP (if you're using something older, all that follows still applies, but you've got some other issues I won't include).

1. Boot F8 Windows self-repair; an easy and basic self-repair for windows that I use every time a program locks up, forcing a reboot, is the F8 (safe-mode). Right after the POST (power-on-self-test) screen disappears, there is a brief interval when you can hit the F8 key and windows will start in safe mode. This takes some extra time, because windows is examining and repairing some of the critical files that can get corrupted when windows is not shut down properly. Like with a lock up, or power failure. Do this anytime your system starts acting squirrelly. It may just take care of it. Do it once a week if you like, just because it feels good. This is an AFTER-LOCKUP MUST_DO in my book.

2. Start>Windows Update Start menu, choose windows update, and have the Microsoft web site survey your system for security and other updates (free). If you've not done this in a while (or don't have it set to do this automatically), set aside a couple hours. This is essential, it gets you the fixes necessary for windows to run better and plugs some security vulnerabilities. This is a WEEKLY MUST-DO.



B. AntiVirus and Maintenance I use Norton System Works 2004, and have used only Norton antivirus (except for McAffee, briefly) since it first came out in the 80's. This package is nearly free after rebate if you watch the CompUSA ads and have virtually ANY antivirus product of any age. You can get Systemworks 2003 for under $10 on ebay, and soon 2004 will be likewise discounted. No problem using prior version, you still get a year of service. Like all software, each competing brand has its proponents; I don't know anyone using Norton and the regular updates who has ever been infected. Besides virus scans of incoming email, it now also scans your outgoing mail to be sure you don't have the problem of everyone in your address book gets sent some virus because of some something you may have received months ago comes active (yes, they can do that).

3. Norton Daily Update Norton has "live update" but this is mostly for program updates, the most current antivirus updates are posted nearly every day at the site above. You must manually open the file at that link, and then tell it to update the antivirus definitions. I make sure I do it by setting that link as my Internet Explorer home page on every computer here (in IE6, copy and paste the link above, go there, then tools>internet options>general tab>Home Page>use current. Sorry. But it only takes 30 seconds, if that. This is a DAILY MUST-DO.

4. Clean Sweep, Windows Checkup, DeFrag(Speed Disk), and VirusScan In Norton, I set up the Clean Sweep to purge Internet Cache, Internet History, Recycle Bin, Temporary Files, and lost cluster files every day at 7pm. You may want to go longer, but each of these preventative maint utilities are at least a WEEKLY MUST-DO. Norton also has a One Button Windows checkup I use right after anything happens that seems strange (internet explorer has troubles, a new program hangs on installation, anything. Likewise either manually, or using the built-in scheduler, be sure that the other utilities do their job at least weekly.

C. Internet Nasties There are a bunch of ways, even with the first 4 above done religiously, that your computer can be more troublesome than it should be. Firewalls, Anti-Adware, and Anti-Spyware are the third critical area you must accept as part of your computer security blanket.

5. NAT Firewall Get a router. Your broadband provider may have already installed one for you. This is a piece of hardware that sits on your desk, between your computer and the internet line that comes into your office. It job is to prevent anyone from finding a nefarious back door into your computer files...after all, if you are connected to the internet, THE INTERNET IS CONNECTED TO YOU. You can look out thru the internet to virtually billions of web sites and individuals. That same connection gives every one of them a path back into your computer. A hardware firewall switches off that connection except for connections that you choose to make. Your computer essentially disappears from the internet except for connections initiated within your computer. Once installed, you don't need to do anything else with the router. DO IT once and FORGET IT.

6. ZoneAlarm This software (free download ) is an excellent supplement to the NAT firewall. It monitors programs inside your computer to prevent any of them from calling out to the internet "Hey, Come Look At Me" unless you want it to. Sometimes you do...like every new Ensign download, ZoneAlarm pops up and says "Do you want Ensign to access the internet?" If I say Yes, and remember yes, that's the last I see of it until the next new version, when it asks again. But Real Player also is constantly asking to connect, even when I have no need for Real Player to do so, so I say NO, don't connect. Once installed, and set up, there is very little to do thereafter with ZoneAlarm. But the setup DOES TAKE TIME. You will be amazed at how many programs you have that want internet access. Some are for legitimate updates. Many are not. While sorting them out is not fast, the program is very helpful, and you will come out of it with an appreciation for how many ways you have opened yourself up for malicious attacks or extraneous crap that slows down your system. Just DO IT once and FORGET IT.

7. Spy Sweeper This program was recommended in the room, I believe, and it looks like it should replace a couple freebies I now use. The trial is free, $29 to buy. This program prevents web sites you visit from inserting their own stuff without your permission. If you've ever lost your favorite home page because something inserted itself, or added url's to your list of favorites, this program stops it. It also protects against other spyware (tiny programs that monitor what you do, where you go, and report back to ??) and other internet nasties. Run a full sweep as a WEEKLY MUST-DO. Freebie Alternates Ad-Alert is pretty good, especially when coupled with SpyBot S&D .

Run these programs as a WEEKLY MUST-DO, or more often, if they find lots of stuff from your normal internet activity.

Thats it. It works for me.

Is there more you could do? Yep, but I don't, at least on a regular schedule.
Are there better programs or utilities out there? You bet. Always on the lookout.
Are these 7 steps enough to be 100% safe? No way. Maybe I've been lucky.
Are there other things, like backups, reformatting, upgrading, that you should do? Sure.

But I've gone more than 15 years without a virus infection related crash, loss of data, or email crisis, many of those years when I'd receive 200 emails a day from various business and personal activities, and be logged on and using IE for 14 hours a day.

I've seen Norton intercept dozens of infected emails sent to me every day for weeks on end, ZoneAlarm block strange and disturbing activity, and seen a list of 40 or more spywares I didn't know about, then listened to the wailing and gnashing of those who just didn't think they'd get hit, or who innocently clicked a link on an email or web page.

For some traders, their internet activity may be minimal, and this list is overkill. For others, it may be insufficient, and there are plenty of good to great resources I've not included in the must-do's, such as http//www.grc.com/ the granddaddy of competent, free internet security info, as far as I'm concerned. Others, like http://www.dslreports.com offer internet performance enhancements along with security info and latest developments. Microsoft has an extensive web site, including http//www.microsoft.com/technet/security/tools/mbsahome.mspx that provides a program to perform a total and complete windows security scan and includes LAN maintenance.

The only way to be absolutely safe from what's happening on the internet and in the PC world is to never turn on your computer. It will also save on your power bill, but the one time I tried it, I found that Ensign charts were too slow for my trading style. 8-P
But your mileage may vary.

Now click the "Start Virus Scan" button and step back from the computer. It's all good.

TradeHardBob
rehhrd@earthlink.net