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Description of the Microsoft Malware Prevention troubleshooter

Article ID: 2534555

Run the Microsoft Malware Prevention troubleshooter

SUMMARY

The Microsoft Malware Prevention trouble shooter is designed to scan your computer and make recommended changes based on your current settings to provide you with the most up to date security for your Windows operating system. Building up your computer’s defenses helps secure your computer against viruses and other malicious software.

The Microsoft Malware Prevention troubleshooter does the following:

Turns on your Windows Firewall. Enabling your Windows Firewall will protect your computer by blocking communication to your PC that may be malicious software.
Antivirus software: Checks your Antivirus protection status. You will be prompted to update your Antivirus program if it is not up to date or enable Real-time protection. If you don't have an anti-virus program installed it will offer you to use Microsoft Security Essentials or learn more about other security software partners.
Turns on Automatic Update. Windows Update helps keep your PC current, secure and enhance performance by automatically downloading and installing the latest security and feature updates from Microsoft. This helps ensure that both Important and Recommended updates are downloaded.
Pop-blocker: Enabling Pop-up Blocker will make browsing the web safer by helping prevent malicious or unsafe pop-ups from automatically appearing.
Remote Registry: The Windows Remote Registry service enables remote users to modify registry settings on this computer. If this service is stopped the registry can be modified only by users on this computer as opposed to over the network.
Internet Explorer: The package will inform you if you have the latest version of Internet Explorer installed. It will also modify your current privacy settings to ensure you have a safe browsing experience. The package will delete your internet cache and browsing history, which will help protect against malicious threats attempting to access your computer while you’re online.
Enables User Account Control (UAC). User Account Control (UAC) will prevent malicious software from modifying your computer settings without your consent.
Proxy Settings: If malicious software has modified your Internet Proxy settings, therefore making it difficult to get online, the package will reset your settings so you can browse the internet normally.

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MORE INFORMATION

Windows Firewall

For more information about how to turn on Windows Firewall, visit:

Windows XP: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/283673
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/283673)
Windows Vista: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Turn-Windows-Firewall-on-or-off
(http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Turn-Windows-Firewall-on-or-off)
Windows 7: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Turn-Windows-Firewall-on-or-off
(http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Turn-Windows-Firewall-on-or-off)

Microsoft Security Essentials

For more information about Microsoft Security Essentials, visit: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/products/security-essentials

(http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/products/security-essentials)

Windows Update

For more information about Windows Update, visit: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/help/windows-update

(http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/help/windows-update)

Internet Explorer

For more information about security privacy settings, pop-up blocker, and proxy settings in Internet Explorer, please visit:

Internet Explorer 7 security and privacy features: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Security-and-privacy-features-in-Internet-Explorer-7
(http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Security-and-privacy-features-in-Internet-Explorer-8)
Internet Explorer 8 security and privacy features: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Security-and-privacy-features-in-Internet-Explorer-8
(http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Security-and-privacy-features-in-Internet-Explorer-8)
Internet Explorer 9 security and privacy features: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Security-and-privacy-features-in-Internet-Explorer-9
(http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Security-and-privacy-features-in-Internet-Explorer-9)
Proxy settings: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Change-proxy-settings-in-Internet-Explorer
(http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Change-proxy-settings-in-Internet-Explorer)
Pop-Up Blocker: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Internet-Explorer-Pop-up-Blocker-frequently-asked-questions
(http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Internet-Explorer-Pop-up-Blocker-frequently-asked-questions)

User Account Control

For more information about User Account Control (UAC), visit: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/What-is-User-Account-Control

(http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/What-is-User-Account-Control)

Computer Security

For more information about how to keep your computer secure from viruses and other malicious software, visit: http://www.microsoft.com/security/default.aspx

(http://www.microsoft.com/security/default.aspx)

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