Followup: Ultimate Protection? Is there a PERFECT combination??

[moonwitch1405241479 0]

surely it would be less time consuming to learn *nix ?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Indeed, it would be less time consuming. I've been using Win for about 3 yrs now, of which 2 with Red Hat as dual boot Before that, I've spent 3 yrs Red Hat solely. I can't run a Dual boot (lack of space - 12GB hd does that to me ), and I do use a few programs that do not have a Linux equivalent sadly. At this point, I've tried VMWare, Wine and some other Win emulators whose name I've forgotten. I've never been able to succesfully run PalTalk, Dreamweaver, Flash etc. Even though I've heard it is possible (seen screenshots). When I get my new puter (WOOOHOOO) I am soooo going to a dual boot, or am reformatting this olde machine with Ubuntu (I've ordered copies ) I had asked OpaQue for shell access just to have *some* commandline fix.. LOL...

[evion 0]

A recent test, showed that a unpatched WindowsXP machine simply connected to the uinternet, and booted (no-one using it) became infected within 30 minutes.
Ok, hat wouldnt happen with a fully up to date windowsXP with firewall's and all the other stuff, but for that ip to be sound so quickly, there must be a lot of infected machines out there looking. For the Linux / Unix / BSD users, and windows users who perform constant maintenance, virii may be a thing of the past, but for the computer illiterate windows users, its worse than ever.

This reminds me of a recent review i saw on television that many home users now choose to use Linux as a more "virus-free" OS. Apparently, most viruses and worms tend to get attracted to Windows and Macs more than Linux. Sure Linux may not be "cool" looking. But who needs that now if u have all the good hardware, just need a simple anti-virus software, and only need the computer for fast-paced action-packed games?

[kenjvalip 0]

To consider security one has to be aware of the threaths and the attacks of a virus or virii. Some few tips before we get started, never accept certificates or automated installers from unknown web source or ip addresses, don't visit porn sites and other crack sites that contain malicious wares, always turn your firewall on, install anti-spyware products, use latest anti-virus programs, scan and maintain your pc regularly, now this has been an old thing:"scan diskettes that came from outside your home before using it". We now head to the combination of security, there are a number of anti-virus and anti-spyware programs out there and I will supply you with the most basic setup. First install norton anti-virus and update it, if you have mcaffee that's fine because some viruses are seen on norton some on mcaffee and vice versa. But the thing is you can't install them all at the same time so choose from the two or this one is time consuming, install the other one scan clean uninstall and the other one again. Next is you have to install spybot, and ad-aware. Combine these three and update it regularly as necessesary, also use windows 2000 and above anything below this is internet browser threath, hehehe. If you have winxp upgrade it to sp to and enable personal firewall. That's basic, now I can't guarantee you 100% as because new viruses come first before the cure. Just be a vigilant internet user, don't just surf unverified sites that contains spyware and malwares or exploits, if also some are data miner. Be careful.

[Elysithea 0]

I'm not sure if anyone else mentioned this (if they did, I probably wasn't pay attention, ) but another thing you have to be careful of are those peer-to-peer/file sharing programs. The one time I ever got a virus was when I signed up for one of those paid file sharing networks and tried to download some music (legally, mind you ).

Needless to say, I learned my lesson. Never download without scanning it first (before opening it), because the second time it happened, my anti-virus caught it in time.

I have my Windows XP SP2 w/firewall and only use AVG for virus scans. But I do use Ad-aware/Spybot Search & Destroy and WinPatrol (to look at suspicious processes), and stay away from those malicious sites.

Although my computer has been a bit slower lately (time for a re-format?).

I haven't had a virus in 7 years, and the only time I had one, is when I installed one on PURPOSE.
silly me

Why'd you do that? Was it an .exe or something?

Well, that was my experience. You live and learn.

[PC Astray 0]

Of course everyone knows that having anti-virus software is crucial to your computer's survival on the net these days. Everyone is vulnerable to an attack and having anti-virus software will minimize the chances of getting one by alot. But I do not seriously believe that not having anti-virus software will mean that your computer will be totally vulnerable.

I myself turn off my firewall most of the time on the net because there are still some safe sites which are blocked. (Basically i just forget to turn my firewall back on after I'm done...) I scan my computer for spyware using Ad-aware maybe once every month and usually get 1 or 2 wandering spyware files in my computer. Its no big deal. Viruses are now a thing of the past. New computers usually all come equipped with programs ready to pounce on any suspicous files. Site hosts checks frequently for virus files on their customer's accounts.

 

I don't see why we should get all these software. Maybe we SHOULD at least have Anti-virus software but forget the firewall or spyware scanning for home users. It is IMPOSSIBLE to actually clear off all these threats from your computer. Everyone would definitely once in maybe a few years reformat their computers and start over with nothing in it. No problem!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you're like this, I think it'll be alright as long as you have a registry monitoring tool like Prevx Home, which is much more sensitive than Spybot - Search & Destroy's TeaTimer system settings protector so that viruses, trojans, spyware, you name it, cannot be installed. Of course, people can "see" you but they cannot install any unwanted programs as long as you deny them from your registry.

[qwijibow 0]

people can "see" you but they cannot install any unwanted programs as long as you deny them from your registry.

adding a run on boot entery to the registry is only one of many many ways a malware program can auto start itself.

The problem windows users face, is the windows kernel.
securety has to be implemented at the very lowest level (kernel level)

Unfortunatly, is Windows used the same securety methods that keeps *Nix immune to virii, it would break most windows software which hasnt been designed to cope with limited privilages.

for microsoft, is a choise between securety, and backwards compatability. and backwards compatability has to win... whats the point in securety if all your old software has to be re-designed.

[mitchellmckain 0]

I have been hit several times with worms, adware and spyware. The most difficult job is cleaning up afterward and for that I have downloaded many: Spybot Remover, Adaware, hijack this, registry mechanic, and tds-3.For a long time I only had Norton antivirus, then I finally installed free Zonealarm, and I was impress by software that actually did something. All Norton ever did was make notices that I infected with something (which interfered with countermeasures). After my most recent invasion there was damage I never could track down until my Norton subscription ran out and I uninstalled the thing. My residual problems vanished. I have not yet replaced Norton AV, and I am only considering something free since I feel somewhat safe behind ZoneAlarm. I don't dare connect without it! I should say that I am also extremely cautious about web surfing, visiting most only when on high security setting of internet Options. I wont touch MS Outlook, Outlook express, or instant messengers either.