Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Question
I have come across references to a Personal Firewall. What is it and how do I use it?

Answer (All)
A Firewall is a program that controls access over the internet both in and out of your Computer, A Personal Firewall is just a single user version designed with the Home User in mind.

When accessing the Internet it is possible for hackers and others to access your computer, for instance by putting a Virus on to your Computer. Some of these are very malicious, others simply allow adverts to be selected that are based on your usage of the Internet, and others allow Software Manufacturers to get information for example to see what versions of there software are running. Some of this you might not mind as they may be designed to automatically update your Virus Program as an example. But would you want say a major Electrical Retailer to gather information about your surfing habits so that they can deluge you with advertising about products they sell. Would you like a hacker to have access to your Computer and either steal your data or damage your files. Would you like one of the large Computer Software Manufactures to know what software you are running on your Computer.

Two well known files that pass this sort of information are Adverts.dll and tsadbot.exe. To see if they have already been passing information:

Windows XP.

1. Click on Start
2. Click on Find or Search
3. If Windows Search appears scroll down and click use search companion
4. Then select All Files and Folders under What do you want to search
5. Enter Advert TsAdBot into the find text box
6. Select Local Hard Drives in the Look in drop down Combo box.
7. Click on More Advanced Options
8. Tick the box's that say Search System Folder & Search Hidden files and Folders
9. Click on Find or Search
10. The list should show if either of these files can be found.

Windows 7.

1. Click on Start
2. Click on the box that says Search Programs and Files
3. Enter Advert TsAdBot into the text box
4. The search will appear in the Start menu as you type
5. The list should show if either of these files can be found.

If either are found then a good way to stop them in future is to delete them, then start the Notebook application and save empty files with the names advert.dll and/or tsadbot.exe. into the same directories/folder they were found in. Open Windows explorer (this can be done by opening My Computer), locate the files, right click on them and select properties and check mark the read only and hidden attributes.

Some Antivirus programs come with a firewall but mostly these versions have to be paid for.  If you are a home user and using a router or wireless router then the Windows firewall is normally good enough.  Routers usually come with firewalls which are usually preset to foil all but the serious hacker.  These can be configured to stop 99% of hacking.
 
Router firewalls only prevent hackers from coming in to your computer and don't prevent programs from running on your computer to pass information to a hacker, so it is very important to have good "Anti-Virus" in place to catch these events.


Back to FAQ's

Not sure

Telephone: 01673 842979
Mobile:      07885 963857

LogMeIn

Clients of Peter Hart Computers can make use of a program called LogMeIn.  This will allow Peter Hart or one of his staff to use "Remote Access" to view their desktop and either correct problems with their computer or show them how to do things for themselves.

Click here to go to the LogMeIn site to see for yourself what LogMeIn does.

Phone the above number to get set up for this service.

If you have any other FAQ's you would like answered or any you would like to see her use the Contact Form to send us details.