Common Sense 2011

dead mike

dead mike

TD Member, Legend, Puncher of Faces, Chatbox King
So I am just sitting here using someone else's computer at work, it is clearly infected with malware. Using Internet Explorer I am getting redirected every other webpage to adverts. Reminds me of back in the day when I didn't know any better, I thought I would share some tips to keep your computer safe. Most attacks on your computer come through the browser...

"I been in this game for years, it made me a animal
It's rules to this shit, I wrote me a manual
A step by step booklet for you to get
your game on track, not your wig pushed back"

Numero Uno. Keep your antivirus up to date, free antivirus here: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security_essentials/default.aspx

2. Use Firefox instead of Internet Exlorer. Download at http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/fx/

3. Install two great addons for Firefox: NoScript and Adblock Plus. Open firefox, click on tools -> addons, search for those two addons, upon restart I choose Easylist for my adblock plus filter list subscription. NoScript has a small learning curve, but it gives you a fine control of what sites can run scripts on your computer, learning curve is about 20 minutes and it is totally worth it.

4. Don't use pirated software. If you do, disregard this advice, there is no hope.

5. Use a mac, apparently no virus on that side.

Thanks for reading, any other advice is welcome.
 
$alvador

$alvador

TD Member
Having to dial-in NoScript is a bitch but totally worth it. I also keep SpywareBlaster updated as a redundancy in case something slips by NoScript. Usually the only thing I worry about is downloading compressed archives because the contents can't be viewed until it's already on your HDD and many people use download managers that auto-extract by default so that could be a perfect opportunity to add a "necessary" (read: evil) .exe. Consequently, I don't use p2p; download only from trusted uploaders/groups and manually check each archive before extracting.

Personally, I don't trust anti-virus software at all. I've seen some nasty shit get past Norton and McAfee so IMHO it's not worth the resources they suck to run. Just gotta know how unwanted software gets into your computer and apply some common sense in preventing it doing so. Something I do worry about though is random pings, so if you have a home network and/or sensitive data I would recommend at least getting a fancy, dependable (i.e. not Linksys) router/firewall to keep your computer(s) from shaking hands with Nigerian royalty and Ukrainian gypsies.
 
47

47

TD Admin, Chicken Licker, Top Shelf Sleeper
i got infected with a root kit a few weeks ago, so i went on bleepingcomputer.com as a last resort before format.

after they fixed my shit, gave me this advice to stay aids free in he future.


delete all restore points and make a new clean one
update java
update adobe reader
update IE even if u use firefox
update windows
update ms office
use antivirus, they recommend avast from the free ones
keep updating everything every 2 weeks

edit: use latest firefox
 
cattra

cattra

TD Member
oh ho ho you had me there until number 5. But thats your opinion.

Firefox is a must but if can easily be changed to Chrome if you are into google looking at your pornography too.

Make sure to run scans at least once a week to see if everything is in check, even if everything is "protected" sometimes things sneak in.

Edit in: Also make sure to use Common Sense 1.0!
If something seems TOO good to be true, chances are, it is.
 
47

47

TD Admin, Chicken Licker, Top Shelf Sleeper
Cattra said:
oh ho ho you had me there until number 5. But thats your opinion.

Firefox is a must but if can easily be changed to Chrome if you are into google looking at your pornography too.

Make sure to run scans at least once a week to see if everything is in check, even if everything is "protected" sometimes things sneak in.

Edit in: Also make sure to use Common Sense 1.0!
If something seems TOO good to be true, chances are, it is.
Click to expand...


CONGRATULATIONS !!! YOU ARE THE 10000000000000TH VISITOR. YOU HAVE WON A BUGATTI VEYRON !!! CLICK HERE TO DL VIRUS, IM MEAN, CLAIM YOUR PRIZE !!!
 
B.From.Acc

B.From.Acc

TD Admin
WHERE DO I CLICK!?!?!?!?! OMG!!


haven't had an anti-virus program for years. though i do use windows defender/antivirus.

common sense #1
keep up to date #2
 
Tarin

Tarin

DARKLY Fiend
1. No horse porn
2. No kiddie porn
3. No midget porn
4. No tentacle porn.

If you're like Brains and can't avoid 1, 2, 3 and 4. Get ESET NOD32 and breathe easy.

FF is great, but Opera and Chrome are good too. Opera is my favourite now that they have an easy to use ad blocker.

+1 to 47. Update everything, not just browser.
 
T

tiresias

Using an antivirus is very tricky. I'm not going into an specifics, but their are numerous programs that are lumped under the term antivirus and they all do very different things to your system. The learning curve for using antivirus to good effect is steep. That said, in a gaming environment, remember that antivirus that runs as a process in the background or keeps an auto-update/progressive scan icon in your task tray will use up system resources almost constantly. For gaming, it is more important to know when and how to shut down your antivirus and the risks associated with that action. :)

Nota Bene: The first virus was developed for the mac operating system. If someone wants to own your system, they will with enough determination and time. It is all a matter of making it so hard that the incentive is not there.
 
clark

clark

TD Member
I prefer all the free stuff. Like AVG Free, Spybot Search And Destroy, and Malwarebytes. The free stuff is always the best stuff, never fall for any of that norton crap or anything.
And i like your advice.. except when it comes to point numero 5..... haha

Another good thing to run every now and again is CCleaner, cleans out all you cache, temp files, and all the good stuff, as well as a nice little registry clean.
 
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