After getting into a bit of a pickle re my PC being compromised/recent key-logging attempt I was very kindly helped out By Essexman/Pondus and one or two others (Thanks guys!).
I have read quite a bit this last week about spyware/viruses/key-logging etc, read a few avast forum pages/advice and to be honest although its all helpful there appears to be MANY different points of view/tastes in how best to protect one’s PC/Laptop. The volume of info is also huge and Im exhausted! Im also not very savvy in these matters (was going to say that my work doesnt require it but then realised that sounds kinda rude but its true!
What I would dearly love is for some basic but effective measures in how to protect my PC from spyware/viruses/key-logging and especially how to protect my mail accounts from being hacked. Any general advice re visiting websites/clicking on links also appreciated. Lastly I would like advice on a password manager (roboform/lastpress?) and also on Browser Configured Proxy Servers/Installed Software Proxy Servers re protecting/hiding my IP address when I visit sites.
After reading that it is not a good idea to have too many anti-spyware/virus software as they might conflict should I consider only one e.g. Microsoft security essentials or what else do you suggest?
Thanks in advance
But you can have anti-spyware like Superantispyware and anti-malware such as Malwarebytes'.
It is just a program name....two programs that does the same
Defining Malware: FAQ
"Malware" is short for malicious software and is typically used as a catch-all term to refer to any software designed to cause damage to a single computer, server, or computer network, whether it's a virus, spyware, et al.
I also suggest you to use winpatrol, a system monitor which will notify you about any system modification. you can also consider to use opendns or nortondns for extra security.
Oh, there is lots to learn from many here…its just, you asked a really broad range of questions, you could print a novella trying to answer all of them in one post ;D
And questions about “what should I do for security?” are highly subjective…security solutions operate differently, some require that you know or are willing to learn about how the 1-2-3’s of how your PC works, or at least require a lot of user interaction…others don’t, and try to do most or all of the thinking for you.
As to your mail, as was stated, if you use webmail accounts, your emails are already scanned by whatever AV the email provider is using. An additional mail tip is in regards to attachments…don’t open them. Right-click them and save instead, much safer.
And since it has not been mentioned yet, a hallmark of good security is a System Image backup on an external hard drive. Win7 has one built in, and there are both free and paid options for this from other software makers. This is the best worst-case-scenario insurance, good for both infections and bad PC crashes, basically takes a snapshot of your PC from whatever point you last made it.
No idea about Zoho, but hotmail and gmail are already protected. hotmail by smartscreen filter and gmail scan your every mail for possible infection.
heee.......smartscreen filter is for IE browser http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/SmartScreen-Filter-frequently-asked-questions-IE9
Microsoft protect all msn mail / Hotmail / live mail account with spam/virus filter form Trend Micro
Gmail is using spam/virus filter from postini running twin AV engine from McAfee and Authentium
Well Pondus i personally don’t use hotmail, my information was based on this
SmartScreen technology determines how to distinguish between legitimate email messages and spam by using extensive user input from hundreds of thousands of Windows Live Hotmail users.
The result is that more legitimate emails reach you and upwards of 95% spam is blocked.
Hey guys…WOW…this is ALL great…will write back with a proper reply when I have read the links and done a bit more pondering! Am so chuffed you ALL took the time to think of my question(s) (I am a lady and like to multi-task
Right at this moment I am going to leave my PC and go sit in the garden in the English sunshine…last weekend before snow next month!
(Im such a girl HeHe)
and since I use DeLL machines and a forum member, these two wikies might help you a lot not only understanding security programs, but also directing you to thier web pages.
