System Protection Steps

[lady victoria]

Process explorer is also a handy program to have.

 

[BRiT]

Kaspersky AntiVirus 3 User License FREE after MIR.

I thought I'd point out this hell of a deal, for those of you still looking for system protection software.

Kaspersky and Fry's are running a rebate where you can get Kaspersky AntiVirus 2009 product with 3 User License for free after a mail-in rebate. Rebates are valid today only 2009-07-18.

AntiVirus Only 3 User License ($50 MIR): Frys Link (Kaspersky Site).

 

[BRiT]

I thought I'd point out this hell of a deal, for those of you still looking for system protection software.

Kaspersky and Fry's are running a rebate where you can get Kaspersky AntiVirus 2009 product with 3 User License for free after a mail-in rebate. Rebates are valid for one week 2009-08-07 through 2009-08-13.

AntiVirus Only 3 User License ($50 MIR): Frys Link (Kaspersky Site).

 

[BigBad]

Fuck Zone Alarm. Seriously I had them for a long time, I mean, like 4 years and they've done nothing but go downhill. Go with BRiT's suggestion and get Nod32. I have Mcafee but only because it's free for military personal, if you're going to pay for it, make it worth the monies.

McAffee is the reason cyber command gets hacked.I use Avira and spybot s&d

 

[kich]

Go with flash-based porn sites. It's the only way to go.

And stay away from Norton.

 

[BRiT]

I thought I'd point out this hell of a deal, for those of you still looking for system protection software.

Kaspersky and Fry's are running a rebate where you can get Kaspersky Internet Security or AntiVirus 2010 product with 3 User License for free after a mail-in rebates.

Kaspersky Internet Security 3 User License ($60 MIR): Frys Link (Kaspersky Site) Rebate valid from 2009-12-23 to 2009-12-31.

AntiVirus Only 3 User License ($35 MIR + $25 Upgrade MIR): Frys Link (Kaspersky Site). Rebates are valid from 2009-12-16 to 2009-12-24.

 

[ryunp]

My tips for healthy computing:

1: Backups. Fundamental
Whether it's the program that came with an external drive or a secondary disk with some free backup program. Always have backups of your personal data.

2: Antivirus. Stop clicking on things.
If you are a veteran computer user you can get away with free antivirus and stay perfectly clean. AVG Free and Microsoft Security Essentials are the top two I swear by.
No need for software firewall programs unless you have some strange paranoia. Consumer level routers are more than enough.
Do not install more than one active AntiVirus. In fact stick to AVG/MSE, a router and your intuition. This will allow your machine to run at peak performance. Don't be lazy and install a bunch of 'security' applications thinking they will just magically meld together into a super anti-AIDS wall.

3: Hard Drive Health: 'It is not a question of IF a hard drive will fail, but WHEN'
Hard drives fail. If you notice any slowness, crashing, BSODs, application hanging, problems booting... check your hard drive for signs of failure. SMART data will record main points of failure: Sector damage. Pending and Reallocated Sectors are critical signs to clone out the drive ASAP.

4: Updates: Duh!
Keep your OS and software up to date. This will help prevent bugs/crashes as well as security threats.

5: Maintence: Ccleaner, Defragmentation, Case Dusting & Unwanted programs
-Ccleaner will boost computer performance IF and only if you have an older machine (and not cleared temp stores and whatnot). Do a system scan for temp crap every few months, as well as the registry scanner built in.
-Defragmenting once a year will reduce stress on the hard disk, do it. Plus you'll get a slight performance boost with certain operations.
-Case Dusting lowers heat, lower heat = less stress = better performance / longer life. I go with a ShotVac and blow the crap out of the case. Vacuum is not very effective. Go with something a handheld blower or a shotvac .
-Don't install a ton of shit. Clutter is your enemy. Remove old unused programs. Try to keep your system tray under 30 items.

6: Intuition: Caution
Just be careful where you're going and what your clicking on. That in itself will prevent 99% of all virus related downfalls. Like I mentioned before - Free AntiVirus is plenty if you know what your doing.

This information will keep your machine performing like a 18 year old girlfriend. Keep things simple and efficient!

Side notes
Registry: Dont touch it
People who know nothing about the inner workings of Windows will share with everyone else the ominious lurking pitfalls of a corrupted registry and how it needs constant cleaning and optimizing. And you wonder why they are always asking if you know what error 0x000000XX means.

 

[Centered]

Otherwise use Norton 360 (despite the reputation they righteously gained for slow performance, they have cleaned up their act in the last year and are once again worthy of installation).

After working with Symantec AV Corporate Edition and Norton AV.... no. Don't use that crap.

 

[BRiT]

Never ever ever use Symatec or Norton AntiVirus. They are absolute crap.

As stated already, use Eset's Nod32 or Kaspersky. The combo listed "AVG Free and Microsoft Security Essentials" isn't that bad, but are second rate to Nod32 / Kaspersky.

 

[Jeffrey Richard]

I'm probably stating the obvious for most, but beware of rogue security packages. These packages deceive users into paying for the fake or simulated removal of malware. Sometimes they even prevent you from running and/or downloading true malware removal utilities (such as malwarebytes). Here is a list of rogue security packages:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rogue_security_software

 

[kich]

Yup, had to remove a few of those before.

One actually deleted the antivirus programs I tried installing to remove it. As in, as soon as the installer was done the .exe would disappear.

I still have Vietnam-style flashbacks about it sometimes.

 

[ryunp]

Also note: HP software. The craftiest virus I have ever seen; not one anti-virus has picked it up yet. Once it gets installed, all the printers stop working and you may never get it uninstalled.

 

[DonPablo]

Or.. stop clicking on random shit, stop downloading porn, and get yourself a virtual machine like sun's virtual box so you have a sandbox to test crap in.
All of those will cut your machines resources by 50%

 

[ryunp]

Or.. stop clicking on random shit, stop downloading porn, and get yourself a virtual machine like sun's virtual box so you have a sandbox to test crap in.
All of those will cut your machines resources by 50%

That doesn't even make sense but sure why not

 

[RageAgainst]

Never ever ever use Symatec or Norton AntiVirus. They are absolute crap.

As stated already, use Eset's Nod32 or Kaspersky. The combo listed "AVG Free and Microsoft Security Essentials" isn't that bad, but are second rate to Nod32 / Kaspersky.

I'd rather have a free antivirus; I've been using AVG for 4 years and I've never been infected. That said, AVG uses way too much memory and it becomes a problem with certain games. I think Avast is also free, and I read somewhere that it uses less memory. Would you recommend me switching to Avast?

 

[Fÿn]

I have set CCleaner to start, run and close every time I start the pc, I usually dont shut down the pc, I put it in hibernate so its from time to time. My antivirus is BitDefender 2010, its really customizable and I have never had a virus problem in 2 years now. For defragmentation I use Diskkeeper, it defrags on real time, eats minimum resources and does a good job. Process explorer is a must. I dont have any antispyware, I never liked any of them.

 

[Quint]

Get a Unix shell account that allows you to SSH tunnel. Use an SSH tunnel as a proxy whenever you're using public WiFi. Run NoScript, Adblock, and become somewhat knowledgeable of TCP/IP and the specific protocols you use (HTTP, FTP, IRC, SSH, etc). No amount of security will do the job if it is not properly implemented, and the system operator watchful over his assets.

I don't allow any website to use java, flash, etc, without being specifically whitelisted. I use a hosts file to block a lot of problem sites out there. I delete important files with "document shredding" software. I use MSE and occasionally scan my Windows partitions under Linux using a USB stick installation (Puppy Linux).

All logs are pushed to my phone, which can also be tracked and wiped remotely if it ever comes up missing. Since few people login to my server, it sends an email for each successful login. It sends general security summaries at various times as well.

This sounds like a lot, maybe, but there are some clever blackhats out there.