Sick Of Being Infected By Viruses, Spyware, Malware, Etc.? How to keep your data safe from the nasties of the Interwebs

[rayzoredge 2]

Viruses, spyware, malware, adware, and all that extraneous bull that we have to deal with nowadays are becoming more frequent. Obviously we don't want this crap on our computers so I advise you take precautions.

 

* Avoid downloading anything from sites or people you don't know. Duh.

 

* Don't even bother looking at attachments in spam. Duh.

 

* If you receive an e-mail from someone you don't know, don't click on any of the links. Duh.

 

* Anything other than a multimedia file or a text file is able to harbor extra crap you're not going to want. This includes EXE's, ZIP's, TAR's, and even Microsoft Office documents (which would hold macro viruses). Check the extension of the file before downloading it.

 

* Although I say that multimedia files (MP3's, AU's, MPEG's, MP2's, WAV's, RAM's, WMV's, WMA's, JPG's, GIF's, TIF's, etc.) and text files (TXT's) do not harbor viruses, there is the possibility that an executable (EXE) was renamed with a multimedia extension to disguise it. Obviously, these files won't run correctly if they are left with an incorrect extension; however, the file will still be infected and may spread if run. (I'm not very sure about how viruses CAN work... some immediate infect files on your computer on a COPY command, which in essence happens WHEN you download them. More when I start edumacating myself on programming...)

 

* Also, I've learned of a new exploit in the NTFS file system (which is now becoming commonplace with most computers today; Google "NTFS" for more information) that allows for text files to contain extra bits of code that are read by a computer without the user's knowledge. This really isn't much to worry about as I have yet to learn of any cases where this exploit has been used, but be wary. (Scanners will NOT detect this kind of exploit in text files.)

 

* Download files ONLY from trusted sites and peer-reviewed sites, such as Download.com. Avoid using peer-to-peer (P2P) programs such as Limewire, Kazaa, and Morpheus. Usually, users of P2P programs aren't out to be malicious, but the files themselves (that are downloaded from peers) may be infected with tons of *BLEEP*, and of course there's always that random jerk.

 

* Look out for bundled software. Sometimes you are willingly and knowingly letting spyware and adware onto your computer. Such is the case of some "free" screensavers, games, and even published games like Battlefield 2142.

 

* DO NOT allow any web site that utilizes Javascript to perform a "free scan" of your computer that makes you download a file in order to do so. A lot of these programs are bull and simply harbor spyware/adware which makes it so that you can't browse the Internet, asking you to purchase software to get rid of the spyware/adware that YOU just downloaded. It's a cheap scam and it works, apparently, considering that most computer-illiterate people would think that it would be good to get the software to get rid of it.

 

* If you ABSOLUTELY need your friggin' porn, do NOT download any dialer programs that offer "free" exclusive access when you dial some number with your modem. Just snag the pictures and the video, people. Or don't even download it at all... just stream it.

 

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If you have been infected...

 

Scan your computer for adware, malware, and spyware using updated definitions and Norton Antivirus, AVG, Avast, Spybot, and/or Ad-aware. (Some of these programs can be downloaded at Download.com.)

 

Sometimes, your computer really can't be saved, thanks to Trojans that like to replicate dummy viruses, malware that slips under the radar, or what-have-you. In these cases, you may have to resort to backing up your personal data and performing a reformat/reinstall... sometimes having to wipe your drive clean up to 7 times to make sure nothing is on the hard drive.

 

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Keep in mind to practice safe downloading practices. This includes downloading files, accepting certificates, installing ActiveX controls... anything that involves any actual change to your computer. And when in doubt, don't download it.

 

It's all common sense and a bit of knowledge, really.

 

Be an Internet ninja and avoid malware in the first place. Remember, prevention is key!

Edited October 22, 2007 by rayzoredge (see edit history)

[Liam_CF 0]

Really great topic. Thanks mate.Could you suggest some good anti-virus or firewall programs?

[truefusion 3]

Here's the simplest attempt to prevent malware: Discontinue your service with your ISP. Seriously, isn't the majority if not all of this stuff found over the internet? All of the suggestions here deal with stuff over the internet. But a computer without internet these days is a boring one, especially for us web developers—it ruins the whole purpose of being a web developer. The only possible way to gain malware into a system that has no internet connection is through some kind of outside media (e.g. CDs, DVDs, floppy disks, etc), and even then, the malware on those mediums came from the internet.

[rayzoredge 2]

Really great topic. Thanks mate.

 

Could you suggest some good anti-virus or firewall programs?

From experience, I can safely say that Norton Antivirus seems to be good.

 

Only reason why is because I haven't gotten a virus in the longest time... going by these guidelines, of course. So I'm not sure if Norton isn't detecting anything, or if I'm truly virus-free.

 

I'd like to believe in the latter.

 

From what I hear, Spybot, Ad-Aware, Avast, and AVG are good anti-virus/anti-malware programs. You can find all of those free to download on Download.com. (I believe Avast has gone commercial, however.)

 

The only firewall program that I hear about most frequently is ZoneAlarm.

 

Of course, I'm just trying to spread the "good" word; I have no personal experience with these programs.

 

Personally, I only have Norton Antivirus and the Windows Firewall from SP2. I don't have it set on auto-protect; I merely scan questionable files and do a manual system scan once in a while.

 

Nothing yet.

 

Here's the simplest attempt to prevent malware: Discontinue your service with your ISP. Seriously, isn't the majority if not all of this stuff found over the internet? All of the suggestions here deal with stuff over the internet. But a computer without internet these days is a boring one, especially for us web developers—it ruins the whole purpose of being a web developer. The only possible way to gain malware into a system that has no internet connection is through some kind of outside media (e.g. CDs, DVDs, floppy disks, etc), and even then, the malware on those mediums came from the internet.

[Liam_CF 0]

@Razoredge: Nice picture! Funny.I have AVG and Zonealarm and I havent had any problems with them. I also use spybot. I'd suggest all of them.