What Security do you use?

asylumdweller

I am not a Microsoft fan. However, I use Microsoft security essentials. It's free, isn't a hog and gets good reviews.

I've had no problems for ages.

JethroUK

Fran wrote: »

I thought it would be interesting to know what security people use (and how successful or not!). ..

None!........never had a trojan...virus...or whatever it is that people like to infest their computer with

....until I got Windows Vista and it insisted....then i installed Avast to shut it up.....now i just use Windows own

You'll never get a virus or trojan if you express the bare minimum of care

...security is for idiots that should not be trusted to run around whilst carrying a sharp pencil

Jivesinger

JethroUK wrote: »

None!

But as I understand your post, you do use Microsoft's security essentials, which is a lot better than using nothing?

JethroUK wrote: »

You'll never get a virus or trojan if you express the bare minimum of care

How would you do that then?

Maybe 10 years ago you could keep clear from malware by being careful where you click but it isn't true any more. Too many reputable sites get hacked.

For instance this big American site was hit recently,
http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2013/02/22/nbc-website-hacked-and-distributes-malware/

and Apple, Facebook and Microsoft employees have all had their computers infected recently
http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2013/02/23/microsoft-malware-attack/

The other thing about modern malware is the effects are worse. Gone are the days of the worst effect of a virus being lots of pop-up windows appearing.

These days the people writing malware want money. Your money.

It's more likely the first you know about something bad is a "ransomware" popup saying it's just encrypted your whole drive so you can't access it unless you pay money. Or it may just quietly sit there logging your key strokes and the first you know is when your bank account is missing some money.

JethroUK

Jivesinger wrote: »

....Maybe 10 years ago you could keep clear from malware by being careful where you click but it isn't true any more. Too many reputable sites get hacked. ...

Yeap - I'm sure many 'banks' get robbed too because they are "targeted" by "professionals" for "gain"

thats a lot of hurdles

but if you think these same guys will expend as much energy and resource trying to hack into your emails you're mistaken :rotfl:

only way to get infested by anything is foolishness

you show me a person with a virus on their PC and i'll show you an idiot or a child

.

as I said - i used nothing, zippo, nadda *until* MS Windows INSISTED (Vista onwards)

waddler_8

Cybercrime is a multi billion pound industry. No "hurdle" is a step to far for the malcoders.

http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2011/09/14/Cyber-Crime-Pays-A-114-Billion-Industry.aspx#page1

http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2013/02/23/microsoft-malware-attack/

Visiting normally safe & reputable sites whilst compromised isn't the act of foolishness or idiocy.

The only idiot would be the one that does it without protection.

JethroUK

waddler_8 wrote: »

Cybercrime is a multi billion pound industry. No "hurdle" is a step to far for the malcoders.

Quite - and as I've just pointed out - anyone who thinks they'll earn $millions hacking into my Digital Spy emails are very very confused, maybe even got delusions of grandeur ha ha ha

nobody, but nobody is interested enough in my pc activity (being far more extensive than most) to bother hacking into any of my PCs - in fact since being FORCED into installing security/bloatware I haven't had so much as a "warning"

.

If you have got children in the house (or vulnerable adults) that are likely to install viruses on your PCs in order to watch a video of a dancing coke bottle then all you need to do is set them up a "user only" Windows account - then they simply wont have permission to trash your system

of course it wont let them install a damned thing - so you'll have to logon with your admin rights and install any legitimate programs for them - not so bad really

waddler_8

You have something much more valuable to them - your bandwidth.

JethroUK

waddler_8 wrote: »

You have something much more valuable to them - your bandwidth.

If you're worried about your wi-fi being "stolen" then hook up to your wireless router

http://192.168.1.1/start.htm

and tell it which "Attached Devices" can hook up, so your nextdoor neighbours devices get booted off your wi-fi

waddler_8

You're not understanding me. I'm referring to your computer being valuable to them as a bot in a botnet.

JethroUK

waddler_8 wrote: »

You're not understanding me. I'm referring to your computer being valuable to them as a bot in a botnet.

hands up all those who have become part of a botnet???

what nobody?

i can only repeat

I've never had a virus, or heard of anyone personally having one that they did not install THEMSELVES (albeit thro ignorance) with admin rights - in fact about the same amount as morons shoot themselves in the foot - with a gun - then suggest we alllllllllllllll wear bullet proof socks because they is stupid

NEVER even had a warning from the crap Windows insists I keep running in the background

If you have got children in the house (or vulnerable adults) that are likely to install viruses/trojans on your PCs in order to watch a video of a dancing coke bottle then all you need to do is set them up a "user only" Windows account - then they simply wont have permission to trash your system