Advanced Features of Spybot - Search & Destroy
Welcome back fellow security nuts. It has been awhile since my last post, but if you read it I suggested a fine program called Spybot - Search & Destroy. Today (actually tonight, hackers never sleep, so nor shall I), I plan to cover some of the more advanced features of this wonderful program. You should have the updated version and be familiar with the basics of it first, such as scan and immunize. To begin, click on the Mode tab on the top bar, and toggle on Advanced Mode; This will have spawned many more folders on the side bar. I will be dealing with the Tools tab, so open it up and lets begin our security check.
View Report - Simply click the green View Report arrow, and your computer will give you a systematic list of every program that has started and ran since the start up of your OS(Operating System). I particularly find this useful because it not only gives you the file name, but the location, size and executing command. This enables you to spot hidden bugs, or triggered viruses; Or just take a sneak peak at whats running behind the scenes.
Secure Shredder - This program exists so that you may burn any unwanted documents. On a computer when a file is deleted traces of it may remain, and sometimes it can even be rebuilt from the "Trash Can". I will discus an even better program for this job later, but SpyBot certainly does a nice job.
Resident - A lot of pop-ups and spyware is flung at you every time you surf the web. Fortunately, your computer has some basic web browser anti-spam guns and it blasts the pop ups before you ever see them. The Resident tab allows you to see what websites send you those pop-ups that you never got to see. I tend not to go to websites that attack me, whether I get hurt or not.
IE Tweaks - This allows you to lock down many Internet Explorer options, and gives much more control to a single user. Be careful playing with these, because you could easily affect any other people that use your computer. Other wise you may want to try them, the will stop remote hacking, but that can be a double edged sword.
System Internals - What a glorious invention! This application does a quick search of your computer, and looks for out-dated pathways, names, and files. It then cleans them up, usually freeing register space, which allowing for faster processing. Be careful though, this application has a reputation of occasionally terminating vital subject matter, so it is advised that you create a System Restore point before proceeding.
System Startup - I love this tool! This allows you to see, and alter every program that automatically starts, with the System Startup. It is very nice for if you always want to be signed on A.I.M. when your computer boots up; Or if you want an automatic BBC live feed through Google Desktop. Personally, I use it to stop stop pesky programs from all starting at the same exact time, and slowing down my System Startup.
Uninstall Info - It is recommended that if you want to remove an old program from your computer, I.E. a video game, or outdated art program, that you check here first. Most software comes with an Uninstall file, which will remove every file that that program filed throughout your computer. It is a much better idea than just deleting the program file, as that might leave residue or trashed files all around your computer.
Winsock LSPs - This shows exactly what drivers are executing what hardware. This is useful information but extremely technical. It would be used if say you had difficulty connecting to the Internet wirelessly. Lets say you couldn't even get it to read available signals. You may want to check here, and see if the driver ever even booted up.
Well that's all this time, good luck playing around with these very cool features that Spy-bot offers. If you have any questions please comment and I would enjoy helping you out!
View Report - Simply click the green View Report arrow, and your computer will give you a systematic list of every program that has started and ran since the start up of your OS(Operating System). I particularly find this useful because it not only gives you the file name, but the location, size and executing command. This enables you to spot hidden bugs, or triggered viruses; Or just take a sneak peak at whats running behind the scenes.
Secure Shredder - This program exists so that you may burn any unwanted documents. On a computer when a file is deleted traces of it may remain, and sometimes it can even be rebuilt from the "Trash Can". I will discus an even better program for this job later, but SpyBot certainly does a nice job.
Resident - A lot of pop-ups and spyware is flung at you every time you surf the web. Fortunately, your computer has some basic web browser anti-spam guns and it blasts the pop ups before you ever see them. The Resident tab allows you to see what websites send you those pop-ups that you never got to see. I tend not to go to websites that attack me, whether I get hurt or not.
IE Tweaks - This allows you to lock down many Internet Explorer options, and gives much more control to a single user. Be careful playing with these, because you could easily affect any other people that use your computer. Other wise you may want to try them, the will stop remote hacking, but that can be a double edged sword.
System Internals - What a glorious invention! This application does a quick search of your computer, and looks for out-dated pathways, names, and files. It then cleans them up, usually freeing register space, which allowing for faster processing. Be careful though, this application has a reputation of occasionally terminating vital subject matter, so it is advised that you create a System Restore point before proceeding.
System Startup - I love this tool! This allows you to see, and alter every program that automatically starts, with the System Startup. It is very nice for if you always want to be signed on A.I.M. when your computer boots up; Or if you want an automatic BBC live feed through Google Desktop. Personally, I use it to stop stop pesky programs from all starting at the same exact time, and slowing down my System Startup.
Uninstall Info - It is recommended that if you want to remove an old program from your computer, I.E. a video game, or outdated art program, that you check here first. Most software comes with an Uninstall file, which will remove every file that that program filed throughout your computer. It is a much better idea than just deleting the program file, as that might leave residue or trashed files all around your computer.
Winsock LSPs - This shows exactly what drivers are executing what hardware. This is useful information but extremely technical. It would be used if say you had difficulty connecting to the Internet wirelessly. Lets say you couldn't even get it to read available signals. You may want to check here, and see if the driver ever even booted up.
Well that's all this time, good luck playing around with these very cool features that Spy-bot offers. If you have any questions please comment and I would enjoy helping you out!