Fix Windows 98 Security Problems

A Few Simple Steps Will Help You Keep Hackers Away From Your Desktop

Windows 98 has several security gaps that can allow unwelcome users to enter your system through the Internet and cause damage to your system. Through an e-mail message or web page, an attacker can install programs to your Start up folder and initiate programs on your hard drive.

Fixing these problems is as simple as adjusting a few security settings on your PC. While Outlook Express and Internet Explorer are the most vulnerable to these attacks, your Netscape and Eudora settings could invite trouble as well.

The culprit behind this issue is the use of Active X technology by unscrupulous programmers, who use these controls to make Windows API calls, and command line calls, on their victims’ PC’s from over the Internet. Most often, these commands are hidden in plain looking Javascript routines nestled behind web pages, or hidden in e-mail attachments.

What You Can Do

Disable Active X Scripting

Active X scripting is used by some web sites, such as Microsoft’s. These steps will help you disable it.

1. Click Start.
2. From the Start menu, click Settings.
3. From the Settings menu, click Control Panel.
4. From the Control Panel, click Internet.
5. From the Internet Options dialogue box, click the Security tab.
6. Near the bottom of the box, click Custom (for expert users).
   Click Settings.
7. From the Security Settings dialogue box, scroll down until you find, “Script Active X control marked safe for scripting.”
8. Click the circle beside Disable.

Disable Java Permissions

You can also disable the Java Permissions, if you do, however, you not be able to work with some Java-based web sites.

Delete HTA File Associations

HTA files are normally used to execute some program capabilities in Internet Explorer. HTA files are only a factor in Windows 98 2nd edition. These steps will help you disable them:

1. Start Windows Explorer (Not Internet Explorer).
2. From the View menu, click Folder Options.
3. Scroll through the file list until you find the HTA file extension.
4. Delete it.

Change Some Windows Command Names

Changing the following file names will prevent hackers from causing damage to your configuration settings. These files are old DOS commands that are no longer used by most Windows 95/98 users.

Protecting Outlook Express

If you use Outlook or Outlook Express, you will need to make the following changes:

1. Start Outlook/Outlook Express.
2. From the Tools menu, click Options.
3. From the Options dialogue box, click the Security tab.
4. From the area labelled Security Zones, click on the Radio Button labelled Restricted Sites Zone (more security).
5. Close Outlook/Outlook Express.

Then:

1. Click Start.
2. From the Start menu, click Settings.
3. From the Settings menu, click Control Panel.
4. From the Control Panel, click Internet.
5. From the Internet Options dialogue box, click the Security tab.
6. In the Zone field, select Restricted sites zone.
7. Near the bottom of the dialog box, click Custom Level (for expert users).
8. From the Security Settings dialogue box, scroll down until you find, “Script Active X control marked safe for scripting.”
9. Click the circle beside Disable.

Your Windows 98 machine is now a little more secure and less susceptible to a hacker breaking in and causing damage.

For more information see the Microsoft web site, www.microsoft.com/security/bulletins/ms99-032.asp.

By the way, you will need to reactivate your Active X scripting before you can browse this site.

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