Computer Security

[SERG]

My mom got a letter from her internet provider saying that SPAM email was being sent from her IP address. They told her there may be a "trojan horse" in her system.

Can anyone give me software options to remedy the problem?
McAfee/Norton/etc.

Should I restore the computer and start over?

Thanks.

[Jon Brakel]

My mom got a letter from her internet provider saying that SPAM email was being sent from her IP address. They told her there may be a "trojan horse" in her system.

Can anyone give me software options to remedy the problem?
McAfee/Norton/etc.

Should I restore the computer and start over?

Thanks.

You probably won't have to reinstall. I use Norton at home and McAfee at work. I like them both, but Norton's auto-cleaning of viruses seems to be getting less reliable lately. I would suggest getting one of those, installing it and configure it to update and do virus scans periodically.

I would also download Adaware from www.lavasoftusa.com
You can just get the free personal edition. Make sure you get updates after you install. Then run that. You will have to run the free version manually, but it is effective. I also use Giant Antispyware at work, but that one costs money.

Lastly I'd suggest getting some software firewall. I've been using Zonealarm from zonelabs.com. They have a free one although I've been using the one you have to pay for because I like the features. It takes a bit to get it configured, but I like to pick and choose what programs I want to allow to have internet access. It was making Becky frustrated while I was configuring it, but now that it is configured, my spyware and malware infestations are practically non-existant.

[SERG]

Thanks, Jon.

I'll forward the information and look a little more into this myself.

[mirth]

Yeah, what Jon said.