Great 'Easy Computer Security and Privacy Tips' Hunt

DamianA_3

One option that hasn't been mentioned is to use an alternate DNS server. Sorry to sound geeky but if you look at https://www.scrubit.com they offer a free service that will block !!!!!!, phishing and all manner of nasty sites - once they've been reported. If you use this in conjunction with a router (which gives you a hardware firewall) it will go a long way towards protecting you - if and only if you are careful to avoid risky net activities detailed in previous posts.

if you want to be secure ditch windows and use linux! Ubuntu is free and relatively easy to install (easier than windows) ,fast, fantastic to use and has even less viruses than the mac (alright the mac has none either - at the moment - before you start flaming me but ubuntu's free and you can't compete with that). My wife and 3 1/2 year old son use it daily - I wouldn't let them loose on a windows box and with scrubit as our DNS server I don't need to worry about them stumbling onto something nasty!

Windows has it's place but I strongly believe that if all you're doing is surfing the net linux is a better choice, at least in one of the more user friendly versions, and you don't even have to install it - if you have a router you can use a live CD version which will run linux without modifying your hard disk (ie existing system) in any way.

Dan:)_7

i ALWAYS use a fixed internet connection when transferring sensitve info, such as bank details, ebay purchases etc

golddustmedia

Perhaps the most obvious of them all....

...don't "go" places you shouldn't!

Near all viruses/spyware and other computer malarky happens when you go looking places "you shouldn't".

I know the internet is full of wonderful and interesting places to visit but just like walking around a city as a tourist, if you stick to the safe and known places (think brand name stores, search engines etc) then you'll be safe.

If you go downloading copied music/video, surfing for "adult" material and installing software you download then you're putting yourself at risk.

Basically, use common sense.

Imagine you're on the look out for mp3 downloads and you're told do you want to download and install "music search assistant"? Well would you accept sweets from a stranger?

Online risk comes down to your habits and lack of assertive sense. If you stay clean so will your PC.

ram09

You can download an excellent free webfilter to protect your computer from phishing and spyware and also prevent your kids from going into chat rooms or gambling etc...

https://www.getk9.com

ndc_2

I find CallingId & CallingIdLinkAdvisor very useful. It works with IE & Firefox.
Use https://www.callingid.com for more info.

The_Economist

Check these sites for info.
https://www.getsafeonline.org
https://www.consumerwebwatch.org
https://www.surferbeware.com
https://www.kaspersky.co.uk (check out the virus encyclopedia).
https://www.spywarewarrior.com

polly_2

Hi
I use AVG virus checker its free and has regular updates, it was recommened to me by a friend, whose brother works for Microsoft in Seatle and told him to use it.
https://www.grisoft.com or .co.uk
i also use spybot recommended by AVG on their forum also free and also regular updates; which helps to protect my computer when my teenager downloads god knows what!!

computerwoman

I use AVG free anti-virus
ad-aware SE free personal,
wincleaner antispyware,
you can get all of these free from https://www.downlaod.com
also I turn off remote assistants so that no one can access my pc remotely,
I have a firewall in my bt router,
windows firewall
windows defender,
a2free which is a trojan horse checker, free,
and thats about it,
I use firefox
dont touch IE
cw
I never have any problems

paco1948

Aiadi wrote: »

And for the ultimate way to protect your computer, use a PC virtualisation product:
https://www.sandboxie.com

one click and all the viruses, spywares, trojans..... etc are history.

Read detailed review here (4th product on the list):
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best_46_free_utilities.htm#4

Be very careful using this prog especially if you have vista it has just crashed my computer if you experience the same thing clear your memory by using your vista dvd.As far as protecting your pc,if your os is xp then use AVG free,Spyware blaster,Spybot search & destroy,Adaware,and for your firewall use Zonealarm (All FREE Progs)if your os is vista do not use zonealarm uncompatible at the momment,When you download Right click and scan with avg,To check your secutity go to https://www.grc.com.

Aiadi

paco1948 wrote: »

Be very careful using this prog especially if you have vista it has just crashed my computer if you experience the same thing clear your memory by using your vista dvd.As far as protecting your pc,if your os is xp then use AVG free,Spyware blaster,Spybot search & destroy,Adaware,and for your firewall use Zonealarm (All FREE Progs)if your os is vista do not use zonealarm uncompatible at the momment,When you download Right click and scan with avg,To check your secutity go to https://www.grc.com.

your Vista has probably crashed because of the conflicts resulting from so many security software on it and nothing to do with Sandboxie that thousands of people have been using on Vista with no problems at all. It is by far the most valuable security software any PC can have.