Spyware, viruses, & security : Is my anti-virus security adequate for my computer needs?
Locking down means adjust settings for greater protection
by Donna Buenaventura
- 8/26/05 10:12 AM
In reply to: Viruses & security alerts by jerryatric
See Lock Down your browser, Adjust settings for greater protection.
Or go to http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm which has great tips in locking down IE and preventing unwanted parasites.
Locking down IE for better security
by Geary - 8/26/05 5:13 PM In reply to: Locking down means adjust settings for greater protection by Donna Buenaventura
Donna, I went to that web site and read and then followed the instructions they gave for locking down my IE browser. I got an alert from Dell Support saying "your computer could be compromised of viruses due to lowered security" Shall we Fix it?"I didn't click OK. It wanted me to return to Default Settings but I didn't. I will now use IE only for my main trusted sites as instructed. Thanks again Geary
I just installed Norton Security System
by mustang3 - 8/26/05 10:24 PM In reply to: Viruses & security alerts by jerryatricIt has all the other things too, I am not crazy about trusting it yet. It said I needed to disconnect all my other anitvirus firewalls and all security for it to have complete control. I have found a few thing that are just not working the same. Like my kodak software that scans my computer at each startup for new pictures , that doesn't work anymore, my husbands shockwave daily jigsaw puzzel don't work and I am getting a who lot more spam into my inbox before I never had any. Does Norten take the blame or is it all just in my mind?
Using sites that have adware and spyware
by alidickson - 8/26/05 8:10 AM In reply to: I agree with Grif by Donna Buenaventura
Ok, I'm prepared to get yelled at. But I sometimes visit a P2P site, which everyone knows are loaded with spyware. Is it ok to continue visiting that site if I run my anti-spyware software after leaving the site?
I use Spybot S&D, AdAware SE, AVG anti-virus free edition, Microsoft anti-spyware beta, Spysweeper, AdSubtract and SpySubtract, Spyware Blaster, and Zone Alarm free firewall. Is that overkill? Am I safe to visit this P2P site if I "clean up" afterwards?
I also use IE 6.0 as my browser, and it sounds like from what you guys are saying that that's how most spyware gets on your PC. Is that right? Sometimes a site tells me it needs Active X to work, so I let it. Do the other browsers offer the option of allowing Active X or not? And should I EVER allow Active X to run?
Thanks for any opinions!
Ali
hhhmm..
by Donna Buenaventura - 8/26/05 10:26 AM
In reply to: Using sites that have adware and spyware by alidickson
"Is it ok to continue visiting that site if I run my anti-spyware software after leaving the site?"
Of course it is not OK to continue visiting such site but it is all depend on the user. If you like to take the risk...
Depending your security to the tools is not advisable. Antivirus, firewall, antispyware, antitrojan, etc.. are TOOLS only. They will do their job to help protect the system for known malware but they cannot protect your system for unknown malware.
What if you are hit with unknown malware? Unknown means no antivirus, antispyware or antitrojan has the detection for it yet because they haven't got a report or sample.
"I use Spybot S&D, AdAware SE, AVG anti-virus free edition, Microsoft anti-spyware beta, Spysweeper, AdSubtract and SpySubtract, Spyware Blaster, and Zone Alarm free firewall. Is that overkill? Am I safe to visit this P2P site if I "clean up" afterwards?"
Some users are using less tools while others are using more than what you have. In my opinion, it does not matter how many security programs you have and enabled. If you are hit with unknown malware those tools are useless so NO, you are not safe in visiting P2P site.
"I also use IE 6.0 as my browser, and it sounds like from what you guys are saying that that's how most spyware gets on your PC. Is that right?"
That's one method IF the browser isn't locked. Even if you are using Firefox or Opera browsers and continue visiting P2P area, Firefox or Opera will not help because whatever you execute (malicious exe file for example) is not prevented by Firefox or Opera. It's the antivirus.
IE has activeX which a method used by spyware makers to distribute spyware but if your IE is locked down or you disable activex installation or prompt you before you allow, there is less chances of being infected. Again less chances only.
" Sometimes a site tells me it needs Active X to work, so I let it. Do the other browsers offer the option of allowing Active X or not? And should I EVER allow Active X to run?"
If you participate on those sites and/or using their service that requires ActiveX then you'll definitely need to allow it. That is if you trust the site.
Ali.. In addition to Donna's excellent advice
by Carol~ - 8/26/05 2:33 PM
In reply to: Using sites that have adware and spyware by alidickson
you may want to take a look at the tutorial she referred to in a prior post. Click on the link that says "Lock down your browser"....
http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-6132-0.html?forumID=32&threadID=121730&messageID=1385724
I believe it may address many of the issues you speak of... and then some. It's certainly worth the read!
Carol
Drive Shield Plus
by petershum - 8/28/05 12:00 PM In reply to: Using sites that have adware and spyware by alidicksonIf you use P2P and other "questionable" sites a lot, you may want to consider getting a utility like DriveShieldPlus. This utility sets up a partition on your hard drive that "every" change - whether you make intentionally or someone made for you without you knowing - gets put onto the designated partition (and not on your Registry, etc). When you reboot, this partition gets wiped clean and your computer is return to its original configuration.
A good start
by Alan Copeland - 8/24/05 8:26 AM In reply to: Is my anti-virus security adequate for my computer needs? by Gearyin addition to what has been mentioned is Bob's Anti Parasite Suite.
http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-6132-0.html?forumID=32&threadID=1313&start=0
A good start
by tester36 - 8/24/05 12:13 PM In reply to: A good start by Alan Copelandgo to majorgeeks.com and register become familiar with read before you post and you won't be sorry.
tester36
One more program...
by Selwyn - 8/26/05 10:24 AM In reply to: Is my anti-virus security adequate for my computer needs? by GearyI'd also suggest Spyware Blaster, if someone hasn't mention it yet. If you keep it updated you will almost never get spyware in the first place.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
Number One Way.....
by jmaximus9 - 8/26/05 1:19 PM In reply to: One more program... by SelwynThe number one way most people get viruses, spyware, and etc, is from file sharing programs like LimeWire or Kaaza. Don't use this crap or you will be sorry. Don't open attachments from unknown senders or in usergroups. Second if you have Windows 2k or XP, don't use your admin account for every day use. Look at your network settings, get rid file and print sharing, also disable Netbios. If you have Windows ME or 98 get rid of it.
Try dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/hda bs=1M
by teckk - 8/26/05 3:58 PM In reply to: Is my anti-virus security adequate for my computer needs? by GearyIf you using a windoze machine then get a live CD.
http://linuxiso.org/
Boot The machine and run as root
dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/hda bs=1M
Then Install FreeBSD and eliminate spyware, virii, loggers etc. And go on with life.
http://www.freebsd.org/
Hi Geary, just to let you know what I use....
by mandyrchtr - 8/27/05 12:55 AM In reply to: Is my anti-virus security adequate for my computer needs? by GearyI have Windows 98SE and I do download sometimes and am on the computer almost daily at home.Have had battles previously with Spyware/Adware and cnet saved me first time round...unfortunately, being a novice had major troubles second time and repairman had to help as I could not even open My Computer.
Now I am smooth running, safe and happy...still cautious though.
On my desktop I have a folder named downloads...for downloading any programs/applications to.When downloaded into this folder I then scan with
AVG free edition (right click-scan with AVG)
This also scans during boot for viruses.
AVG updates automatically regularly almost everytime I turn on the computer(not quite).
I have also on my desktop:
Ad-Aware SE Personal (freeware)
Spybot Search and Destroy (freeware)
Both these applications run well together....my opinion is if you have one you need the other as well!
Obviously they are for adware and spyware.
I check for updates for these everytime I click them on.
I scan with Ad-Aware first,Spybot then AVG - and I do this weekly...sometimes more often.
Also running in the background,all the time is SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard - both of which help prevent nasties getting into the computer in the first place.Once installed there is nothing else to be done to these.You can forget they are even there.
These I just check for updates maybe monthly...only updated once or twice a year.
One final thing....I have Zone Alarm (freeware again) for protecting myself on the internet whilst surfing -or not...if properly installed I think this is the best.
It may seem like a lot - but as I said earlier better to err on the side of caution....than to crash down in a blaze of glory!!
This is all one persons opinion....but a lot of my research for these boils down to what others say and talk about here in Cnet forums.
I must admit I did not read others replies to you yet...will do now...but I answered immediately as I feel total confidence in these applications.
Good Luck - with whatever you choose!
p.s. If you want any of these just type in the name in your browser...not hard to find...or look at other threads.:)
Mandy
Thanks Mandy
by Geary - 8/27/05 7:54 AM In reply to: Hi Geary, just to let you know what I use.... by mandyrchtrMandy thanks for your info sounds good to me I will be checking those sites out today. Have you found that there is a wealth of info about everything regarding computers on the forums that it makes your head swim, knowing just what is the best way to deal with some problems. I guess the viruses, spyware, worms etc and how they are constanly changing cause us to be aware and changing along with the idiots who create these annoying and harmful infections for our computers. All the advice I have received on CNET forums has helped to make my computer usage a pleasant experience. Like you I will fatefully keep it updated with security. Geary
Me again Geary...
by mandyrchtr - 8/28/05 5:09 AM In reply to: Thanks Mandy by GearyYou're right about all the info making your head spin....I have been reading and posting often in this forum to get to the point I'm at now.
I've only been on the net since Xmas last year.
One point I should say is many computers are different...different programs,usage,configurations, etc., and if there are problems with anything many times it is due to the people themselves not installing correctly or things not being configured right or programs simply not liking each other:).
Note I mention many - certainly not all!!
If you haven't checked out the web for the sites yet...read R.Proffit's(M) "Anti Parasite Suite" -it is still on the first page of this forum and the links are there.
One more thing, I have used Housecall...also listed in the above thread.It is an online scanner which is pretty thorough...but slow.I have used this 4 times since being on the net.
Happy computering
Mandy
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