Computer Security

Rex_Mundi

I know this subject has been covered in various threads, but, it really is an important issue.

Recently, there was a report that stated that if you connect a brand new out of the box computer to the internet with no security. It would take on average 20 minutes before you picked up a virus or spyware.

At the end of the day it is completely our own responsibilty to look after our computers and there are loads of FREE ways to do this.

A basic checklist of software that you should have is:
Anti virus
Firewall
Spyware checker
Up to date Windows.....internet explorer>tools>windows update
These are all free and should be the minimum security that you have.

Here's a few links that you can get these freebies.

Free anti virus
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/

Free Zonealarm firewall (very good)
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/catalog/products/sku_list_za.jsp

Free anti spyware
Adaware
http://www.lavasoft.de/support/download/
Spybot
http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10289035.html
I would recommend using both of these, as they sometimes pick up bits that the other misses

Also, use windows update regularly. You wont always find updates on there, but, if there are, you wont miss them.

You can also stop a lot of stuff getting on to your system by using a different browser. I've been using Firefox for nearly a month now and haven't picked up anything since switching. With Internet Explorer I used to find a couple of bits a week. You can get Firefox for free here http://www.mozilla.org/download.html

Now with all these programs, they are only as good as your last update. Learn how to update them and do this before you run a scan every time. I would scan a minimum of 2 or 3 times a week if not every day.

If you are worried about dialers redirecting your computer to a premium rate number. Get in touch with BT and get them to block all premium rate numbers from your phone. This way if you do download a dialler it can't dial out and run up a massive bill.

Also........Beware free programs. The ones above are clean of spyware, but, quite often a program will have hidden bits in them that report on your computer use or surfing habits. I always look out for alternative versions if I want to try a program (Kazaa lite, Realalt etc) these offer the program minus the spyware. Free discs with mags can be very bad for hidden bits.

Sorry for repeating any info from other threads, it really is getting worse on the net now, not better. Spyware and viruses can come from ANY site not just !!!!!! sites and you don't have to click anything sometimes to download them. Just opening a web page can be enough to get infected. I've found on the boys machine that most of his spyware comes from games cheats sites.

If anyone has a problem using any of the above programs, feel free to send me a message. I will help if I can.

Cheers

Rex

peter_the_piper

Further to this excellent advise I would suggest Spywareblaster from http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/.
Also the use of a Modem/router with integrated firewall is a very useful extra if it can be afforded.
Avoid Kazaa and other p2p programs, not that you use them but the kids might, they are riddled with problems.

squeaky

Yes to all of the above.

I might add that twenty minutes is wa-a-ay too long!

When I first connected to broadband - with my firewall and anti virus and anti spyware connected it took just TEN SECONDS to record my first hit [from a tv company in China].

BT users note: the software I installed for a friend said to turn OFF the firewall to test the installation.  Three minutes without protection?  Hah!

Rex_Mundi

It is amazing the amount of unprotected computers out there. I offer a small service to people I know. I go round to their computer or they bring it to me, and I clean up the bad bits and add security where needed. The last three computers I've looked at, all had no antivirus or firewall. This is despite one of them being connected through broadband. No wonder on my first scan with Adaware I found over 900 bits of spyware on his machine.

I've built a few machines for friends. I always make sure they have minimum security installed before I let the computer go. It's about time the big companys do this as well. I find installing security saves me a lot of problems in the long run. People are less likely to be calling me back to put right a system that has slowed down through dodgy software they have picked up.

As an extra to my first message. I would recommend looking at Adwatch. It's part of Adaware, but, you have to pay for this bit. I think it cost me about £7 when I bought it. Adwatch runs all the time scanning for spyware as it enters your machine. It may even block some sites, but you've got to ask yourself. What was the site trying to load in the background? Prevention is surely better than sorting out an infected computer?

peter_the_piper

Just think of all the money the likes of PC World would lose in repair fees if all computers were clean of garbage.

Ginger_Whinge

Actually on the last rebuild of my PC, I let it connect to the internet with no security installed to see what happened.

LOL. 2 dialers within minutes

Thank goodness for Broadband!

PS Lost my previous log in though!