I think this will be of use....

[BlackHoleSun]

I just sent this to several people that I know have not secured thier computers. I am posting it here so if YOU know of such people, you can just cut, copy and paste this to an e-mail, and send it to them. Took me 2 hours to write it cus I was real tired, and I figured to save some people the work, SO, here it is...
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OK, right off, no one can access your computer from the Internet while you are offline. The only time can even have any chance of even seeing your computer is when you are online. Updating Windows with the CRITICAL updates only fixes DIAL-UP NETWORKING and INTERNET EXPLORER. That gives you a secure connection only so that people can't see what you are doing online. It does not keep people from seeing your files or anything else in your computer. You have to have a Firewall program to block that kind of intrusion.
First, we will get the critical updates from the Microsoft web page. The address of the site is...

http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/default.htm

Once you are there, you will see PRODUCT UPDATES on the page.
Click on that, a sign will come up that says PLEASE WAIT.... blah, blah, blah. The page will change to SELECT SOFTWARE and show you things you can download. Top of the list will be the infamous CRITICAL UPDATES. Select all of the critical updates by putting a check mark in each box. We could download some of the other goodies on that page at the same time, but to avoid confusion, lets keep to the critical updates for now. Then click the DOWNLOAD button on the page. You will be asked to confirm your choices, and click another download button. You do not have to worry about reading any installation instructions, it's pritty automatic. You will be given a box that makes you agree that you will use the software as they want you to. Click YES. And your download will begin. Should take from 1/2 hour to 1 hour. When the download is finished, it will automatically install the updates. Then it will say INSTALL SUCCESSFULL. Then it will say YOU HAVE TO RESTART YOUR COMPUTER FOR THE UPDATES TO FINISH INSTALLING. DO YOU WANT TO RESTART YOUR COMPUTER NOW? YES or NO? Choose NO. The reason is, if you choose YES at this point, it will restart the computer immeadiatly, while you are still online, and that would cause problems. First, you have to go offline. So shut down your connection. Once you have shut down your INTERNET SERVICE, you will restart the computer. START BUTTON>SHUT DOWN>choose RESTART>then OK. The computer will restart. Congrats, you just installed THOSE critical updates. There is ONE MORE. It can't be downloaded with the other updates, so Microsoft leaves it off the list the first time. SO, you have to sign back onto your internet service, and go back to the Windows Updates page you were just at, and do the same as before. It will show you ONE MORE Critical Update. Choose it, and do as you did before. After the download, dont forget to shut down your internet BEFORE you restart the computer. OK, you are done with the critical updates, however, there are a few more downloads on the Windows Updates page that you HAVE TO get. SO, back online, get these update too...

1.) Windows 98 Second Edition Mapped Drives Shutdown Update.
2.) DirectX 7.0a Upgrade.
3.) 128-Bit Dial-Up Networking for Windows 98 Second Edition.

Choose them, and do as before. After those have been downloaded, and you have done the restart, you will be done with the Microsoft site. If anything else there interested you, you can go back later and get those items.
Next, a FIREWALL. A Firewall will be the other half of the security you need. The half that keeps people from seeing your files, computer name, etc. A Firewall blocks all the PORTS that are available. Ports are other ways for people (and programs) to access your computer. I won't go into great detail, but you need the Firewall. SO, here is where you will download it....

http://www.zonelabs.com/download_ZA.htm

(the _ (underline) is made by pressing and holding the SHIFT key and pressing the - (dash) key. Just to make sure you know.)

Once you are at the web site, under the FOR PERSONAL AND NON-PROFIT USE label, you will see a DOWNLOAD NOW choice. Click on that. You will be taken to an almost identical page. Where it says DOWNLOAD now, click on that. Do Not click on BUY NOW.
Once you have clicked the download now button, you will get a FILE DOWNLOAD dialog box, choose the SAVE PROGRAM TO DISK option, and click OK. You will then get a SAVE AS dialog box. Where it says Save in at the top of the box, click on the arrow on the right side of it. That will give you a drop down menu of your computer. Choose DESKTOP by clicking on desktop option. Then click on SAVE button on the lower right of the box. Your download will then start. Once the download is done, go offline. On your DESKTOP, you will see an ICON titled zonealarm.exe. Double click on it. That will start the installation of the Firewall. Click Next, fill out any information required. Click Next. Then ACCEPT. Then Next. Then Next. The program will start to install. It will stop at a box that will ask you how you plan to use the Firewall, choose Modem/Dial-up. Personal Use. 1 computer. Then Click FINISH. Then FINISH. Then OK. The computer will restart. Congrats, the Firewall is installed. Now, to "train it" to recognise the programs you use to get on the internet. Double click on the blackish box on the lower right of your screen. The ZoneAlarm box will come up. Click on ALERTS button. A drop down menu will come down. If it goes UP, click the button again to bring it down again. Put a check in both little boxes. Next, Click the LOCK button, just look at it, don't change it. Next, Click the SECURITY button. You won't have to change anything there either. Next, Click the PROGRAMS button. This is where you will see the programs you give permission to access the Internet. There won't be anything listed there yet. But there WILL BE, just not yet. Next, Click on the CONFIGURE button. Put a Check in each of those little boxes. OK, click on Configure again to have the menu go up/disappear. OK, grab the top of ZoneAlarm, and move it where you want it, but keep it visable.

Here is what is going to happen REAL QUICK! when you sign onto the internet. A dialog "balloon" will come up and it will say "(your Internet Service Providers name or address) is attempting to connect to the internet. And you will be given options yes or no to give it "permission". First, check the little box that says "remember next time", and then Click YES. You kinda have to do that reasonably quick, or you won't get online. SOON after that, you will get another "balloon" wanting permission for INTERNET EXPLORER to access the Internet, do the same as before.
Those are the only 2 items I can think of that you will have to give YES permissions for. Any other "balloon" that comes up will say an attempt was made by blah, blah to access YOUR computer "address" by "some other computers address". blah. Click on the little box that says "dont show this dialog again", and then Click OK. You are basically done. You will get an occasional request to access the Internet, and you will recognise these as a program YOU are tring to run on the internet. Like Explorer, or your Media Player, or some program YOU are asking to run, that you WILL (should?) recognise by it's title. Just Check the remember box and YES. All these permissions will be in the drop down box PROGRAMS.
Well, for the most part, that is it. You can hide the ZoneAlarm box by Clicking on the X in the corner. It will tell you how to shut down ZoneAlarm, but just check the box, and the ZoneAlarm will hide itself in the tray in the lower right of your screen. It see it again, just double click on the blackish square, and up it will pop. You will have to read some of the HELP stuff (HELP button), to learn anything else I skipped. (not much). You are now protected.
The only other thing I can add is, update your Norton Anti-virus program, if you still are using it. That update is at...

http://www.symantec.com.

Look for update and then the version you are using, and download the update, double click it to install. You done.
I'm done too. I'll catch ya. If you have ANY questions. ASK!
I'll tell you how to speed up your internet connection in the next e-mail.
I'm tired. Gonna go to sleep now. Good Luck, Mike.
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[glc]

Should we move this one to Tech Tips?

[Isadora]

I told 3 pc pals to come read & copy

[fordvan]

Thanx --- Read, Installed and setup with no problems. Since I have there are 2 warnings that keep popping up about my computer trying to be accessed. The two same addresses keep showing. All it shows is the address where its coming from.
Any idea how I could find out what it is ?
I previously have never used a firewall but now it makes you wonder whats going on out there !

[glc]

fordvan: if it's the same 2 every time, its prolly a router at your ISP or something. Do a DNS lookup on those addys and verify.

[fordvan]

Thanx for the info GLC.
One is my server so I will reset that one but the other is something that does not look familiar to me. Here it is :
005.0911.mel.iprimus.net.au.
Any ideas ?

[glc]

Dont know what the heck that is - what protocol and port? What does ZA say in More Info?