Safer computer

Hi, Just trying to get some opinions out here to keep my computer safe. I was wondering what people run on there computer. I have avast, zone alarm, XP firewall. I also run ad aware and spybot S & D each once a week. Is that enough or should I do more. I appreciate any opinions.

 

Yes, you are right. ZA turned it off.

So according to the article, I should be OK then?

 

Part of the closing reply I use for HijackThis training.

• Make your Internet Explorer more secure - This can be done by following these simple instructions:
  1. From within Internet Explorer click on the Tools menu and then click on Options.
  2. Click once on the Security tab
  3. Click once on the Internet icon so it becomes highlighted.
  4. Click once on the Custom Level button.
     • Change the Download signed ActiveX controls to Prompt
       
     • Change the Download unsigned ActiveX controls to Disable
       
     • Change the Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe to Disable
       
     • Change the Installation of desktop items to Prompt
       
     • Change the Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to Prompt
       
     • Change the Navigate sub-frames across different domains to Prompt
       
     • When all these settings have been made, click on the OK button.
       
     • If it prompts you as to whether or not you want to save the settings, press the Yes button.
  5. Next press the Apply button and then the OK to exit the Internet Properties page.
• Use an Anti-Virus Software - It is very important that your computer has an anti-virus software running on your machine. This alone can save you a lot of trouble with malware in the future.
  
  See this link for a listing of some online & their stand-alone antivirus programs:
  
  Virus, Spyware, and Malware Protection and Removal Resources
  
  
• Update your Anti-Virus Software - It is imperative that you update your anti-virus software at least once a week (Even more if you wish). If you do not update your anti-virus software then it will not be able to catch any of the new variants that may come out.
  
  
• Use a Firewall - I cannot stress how important it is that you use a firewall on your computer. Without a firewall your computer is susceptible to being hacked and taken over. I am very serious about this and see it happen almost every day with my clients. Simply using a Firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly.
  
  For a tutorial on Firewalls and a listing of some available ones see the link below:
  
  Understanding and Using Firewalls
  
  
• Visit Microsoft's Windows Update Site frequently - It is important that you visit http://www.windowsupdate.com regularly. This will ensure your computer has always the latest security updates available installed on your computer. If there are new updates to install, install them immediately, reboot your computer, and revisit the site until there are no more critical updates.
  
  
• Install Spybot - Search and Destroy - Install and download Spybot - Search and Destroy with its TeaTimer option. This will provide real-time spyware & hijacker protection on your computer alongside your virus protection. You should also scan your computer with this program on a regular basis just as you would an anti-virus software.
  
  A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:
  
  Using Spybot - Search & Destroy to remove Spyware , Malware, and Hijackers
  
  
• Install AdAware - Install and download AdAware. You should also scan your computer with this program on a regular basis just as you would an anti-virus software in conjunction with Spybot.
  
  A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:
  
  Using AdAware to remove Spyware, Malware, & Hijackers from Your Computer
  
  
• Install SpywareBlaster - SpywareBlaster will added a large list of programs and sites into your Internet Explorer settings that will protect you from running and downloading known malicious programs.
  
  A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:
  
  Using SpywareBlaster to protect your computer from Spyware and Malware
  
  
• Update all these programs regularly - Make sure you update all the programs I have listed regularly. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new malicious programs are released.

Follow this list and your potential for being infected again will reduce dramatically.

Here are some additional utilities that will enhance your safety

• IE/Spyad <= IE/Spyad places over 4000 websites and domains in the IE Restricted list which will severely impair attempts to infect your system. It basically prevents any downloads (Cookies etc) from the sites listed, although you will still be able to connect to the sites.
• MVPS Hosts file <= The MVPS Hosts file replaces your current HOSTS file with one containing well know ad sites etc. Basically, this prevents your computer from connecting to those sites by redirecting them to 127.0.0.1, which is your local computer
• Google Toolbar <= Get the free Google toolbar to help stop pop up windows.
• Winpatrol <= Download and install the free version of Winpatrol. a tutorial for this product is located here:
  Using Winpatrol to protect your computer from malicious software

To learn more about how to protect yourself while on the internet read this article by Tony Klein: So how did I get infected in the first place?​

 

Excellent Post, WM. Thanks a bunch. Very useful. Only thing I would add is use Firefox as a browser.

 

While FF is not immune to security problems, it seems to me to be a far sight better in that department than IE. There's no need to lock it down, so to speak and given the fact that it is open source and therefore thousands worldwide can assist in patching any security leaks, generally speaking things are corrected in a more timely fashion than with IE. I use FF as my default and Opera as back-up and on rare occasions IE.

 

All browsers can be exploited. I have seen Firefox go unpatched for quite some time before it was "fixed ". The more popular an application the more likely someone will try to find a hole in it.

 

Which is why FF should be safer than IE if user numbers are correct. FF has about 16% while IE supposedly commands 80% or something of that nature. Thus by following what you're saying ( "the more popular an application... ") it only makes sense to opt for FF over IE. Or am I missing something?

 

Firefox has become so popular that many script kiddies are trying to exploit it. The only browser that I consider safe on my PC is Lynx. I use Opera for the majority of my surfing after becoming disappointed with Fireflop, but constantly check Secunia for new Opera exploits.

As stated no browser is safe. Making sure you have a good anti-virus and firewall are essential. Setup your browser for safe use (JavaScript and etc.). Back that up with a host file, IE-Spyad and/or SpywareBlaster and you should be fairly safe with any browser including IE. The number one application to keep you safe is common sense.

 

The first and foremost:
- use a non-administrative account (LUA) for your everyday work.

The rest - like having all sorts of AV|AM|AT is not as efficient as LUA alone.

I use non-MS browser (Opera) and e-mail client (the Bat!), the winXP-SP2's built-in firewall (with all exceptions disabled) is switched on, and a SandBoxIE for all the internet-facing programs.