wa8yxm wrote:
Sounds like you need to take it to a good computer laundry.. There are some suggestiosn for the current computer and the future
1: Firewall.. Use a good one, like Zone Alarm,, Some folks tell you "Oh if you are behind a router you are safe" They do not lie,, Exactly (They truly believe what they tell you and lying is an intenetional passing of misinformation) but they do not tell the truth either, A really good fire wall (Say zone alarm free, which is the most annoying of firewalls, but you get what you put up with) is far better than a router.
The second is good anti virus.. Now there are some good professional (You pay for 'em) products out there but I have long and often felt that if a company is getting rich selling av products.. they have motive to write and release viruses.. Well, I have a friend who I will not name who told me WHICH company (Which I also will not name) that did just that.. For this reason I'm agains ALL paid programs.. however there are many good free ones including 2 or 3 already mentioned, AVAST, ABG and quite a few others. Install one and run it full time, install a 2nd one and run it occasionally.
Microsoft MRT (Malware Removal Tool) runs monthly on patch tuesday if you have updates turned on. If not,, Well it's a good one to use too, NOTE no A/V program is 100% but 3 of them will be right close.
Finally there is your E-mail client, DUMP IT, use web mail.
First of all Firewalls are pure garbage, they do not "protect" you from most of the modern day virus's.
Why?
Well most modern day virus's are basically a payload package which is delivered via items like Malware which loads a JavaSCRIPT. Once JavaScript executes it is all over.
Please note, JavaScript IS NOT the same as JAVA...
I have PERSONALLY watched my company PC melt into a quivering door stop all from Malware which installed a VIRUS as a "payload" I got from visiting a FAMILIAR website.
Keep in mind that My company network is HEAVILY defended via FIREWALL and active antivirus software. Just how heavily defended, well lets put it this way PCs on our IT network CAN NOT even contact Microsofts own Activation server...
Firewalls are meant to keep OUTSIDE folks from peeking into your PC/network, nothing more they do not stop Malware, virus's or other unwanted programs which hop a ride via files, programs, hyperlinks or JavaScripts.
Good Antivirus, goodluck with that, that in its' self is an Oxymoron. Like I stated above, many virus's get past even the BEST PAID antivirus software (if I didn't see it happen I would never have believed that it could happen).
Antivirus software will not detect MALWARE which is how MOST modern day virus's get distibuted. Basically the Malware will disable all antivirus software it finds. Then it will alter the Registry to prevent antivirus from being installed or run. Often times it will also disable any feature which you could use to remove it.
I simply use antivirus software to assist in removal since it often does not detect or prevent attacks.
Really the BEST defense I have found is to use FireFox with Adblock Plus, Better Privacy (tracks and removes flash Super cookies) and the real fix NOSCRIPT.
NoScript prevents JavaScripts from ever starting, while that is a bit of a pain it give you back some control of your PC. NoScript gives you options at each website you visit to allow or not allow any Javascript from running.
This enhances your security since JavaScripts have FULL control of your entire PC. They can add or remove software, make changes to your Registry all without you even being aware of the changes.
Depend on a firewall and antivirus software solely and I guarantee that you WILL eventually tangle with Malware and virus's..
