When Windows is starting, pressing the Shift key can allow you to bypass programs loading during startup. Some malware, such as the UZA O/S worm, disables this feature. Here's how to re-enable the use of a shift override when Windows is loading. Note: These steps require editing the System Registry (REGEDIT). For tips on using REGEDIT, see the Windows System Registry Tutorial.

The autorun feature enables CDs to play automatically when inserted in the drive. This is the same feature that enabled the now infamous Sony rootkit to install. Removable and thumb drives use the same autorun feature to load files when the drives are plugged into the USB port. Malware relies on this autorun feature to spread from thumb drive to PC. Disable the autorun feature to prevent malware from spreading. And who knows, it may just stop the next rootkit-enabled CD.

Whether you're going off to college for the first time, or are a returning student, chances are you're on a tight budget. Fortunately, that doesn't mean your computer security has to suffer. While the suggestions below won't free you up from having to write term papers, they will free you up from suffering undue angst due to malware. And speaking of free, most of the solutions recommended below are either low cost or totally free.

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, something happens that causes Internet Explorer to become unstable. Fortunately, Internet Explorer 7 offers an easy-to-use feature that deletes all temporary files, disables add-ons, and resets changed settings back to their defaults. Here's how to reset Internet Explorer v7 settings.

When it comes to IE, it seems everyone wants a piece of it. While legitimate toolbars and other browser helper objects (BHOs) are fine, some aren't so legit or - at least - their presence is questionable. Here's how to disable unwanted add-ons in Internet Explorer versions 6 and 7.

You visited a great web site on Thursday, but forgot to bookmark the URL. Now it's Sunday and you can't remember how to get back there. This is where the Internet Explorer History folder comes in handy. But just as it lets you trace back your Internet browsing steps, others can also use it to see where you've been. If the downside seems greater than the upside, here's how you can delete the Internet Explorer History and how you can prevent it from being stored in the future.

Internet Explorer caches web pages you visit and cookies coming from those pages. While designed to speed up browsing, if left unchecked the burgeoning folders can sometimes slow IE to a crawl or cause other unexpected behavior. In general, the less is more principal works well here - keep the Internet Explorer cache small and clear it often. Here's how.

Recent commentary in Virus Bulletin magazine describes the schizophrenic relationship between antivirus vendors and those who test their products. The article forewarns of a movement to do away with The WildList, the minimum bar to which all reputable antivirus scanners are held.

A rootkit gives attackers full access to the system (hence the term 'root') and typically hides the files, folders, registry edits, and other components it uses. In addition to hiding itself, a rootkit typically hides other malicious files that it may be bundled with. The ubiquitousStorm worm is one example of rootkit-enabled malware. (Note that not all Storm Trojans are rootkit-enabled).

In the real world game of keep-away, two people toss a ball back and forth while a third person - the man in the middle - tries to intercept the ball while its enroute. In the cyberworld, the game of keep-away gets a new twist; the two players have no idea the man in the middle (MITM) exists. It works like this: