Disable automatic updates and applications that "phone home"
- Go to http://www.xpantispy.org/ and install/run XP-AntiSpy
....- Windows XP
....- IE
....- Windows media player
....- MSN Messenger (some problems with this one - see below)
- RealOne
- Acrobat Reader
- Winamp
- ??? - only your ZA/Kerio firewall can tell you what is trying to get out.
Download/install/run Adaware and Spybot.
http://www.lavasoft.de
http://security.kolla.de/
To enable or disable Internet Connection Firewall
=================================================
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;283673
1. Open Network Connections
2. Click the Dial-up, LAN or High-Speed Internet connection that you want to protect, and then, under Network Tasks, click Change settings of this connection.
3. On the Advanced tab, under Internet Connection Firewall, select one of the following:
- To enable Internet Connection Firewall (ICF), select the Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet check box.
- To disable Internet Connection Firewall, clear the Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet check box.
Notes
- To open Network Connections, click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, click Network and Internet Connections, and then click Network Connections.
- You must be logged on as a computer administrator to complete this procedure.
Uninstalling MSN Messenger
==========================
Advanced INF Install Error Message
MSKB:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;326731
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;302089
Additional:
http://www.jsiinc.com/SUBN/tip6900/rh6971.htm
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;302089
Windows Messenger 4.5 or Later on Windows XP Home Edition-Based or Windows XP Professional-Based Computers
1. Start Registry Editor (Regedit.exe).
2. Locate and click the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft
3. On the Edit menu, point to New, click Key, and then type Messenger for the name of the new registry key.
4. Locate and click the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Messenger
5. On the On the Edit menu, point to New, click Key, and then type Client for the name of the new registry key.
6. Locate and click the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Messenger\Client
7. On the Edit menu, point to New, click DWORD Value, and then type PreventRun for the name of the new DWORD value.
8. Right-click the PreventRun value that you created, click Modify, type 1 in the Value data box, and then click OK.
9. Quit Registry Editor.
NOTE: This method also prevents programs that use the Messenger Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) from using Windows Messenger. Outlook 2002, Outlook Express 6, and the Remote Assistance feature in Windows XP are examples of programs that use these APIs and that depend on Windows Messenger.
Last Reviewed: 9/10/2003
http://www.jsiinc.com/SUBN/tip6900/rh6971.htm
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