Top tips to avoid malware

General Topics
1

TOP TIPS

  1. Firstly, always run a good quality antivirus program like Avast
  2. Keep your antivirus up to date at all times and scan your files regularly
  3. Visit Windows Update monthly and install ALL critical updates. Better still, ensure automatic updates are turned on.
  4. Use a hardware firewall or at least install a software firewall
  5. Check that the firewall is working by visiting the Shields-Up website.
  6. Check for spyware every night with Lavasoft’s Adaware - keep it up to date!
  7. Prevent spyware with Spywareblaster - keep it up to date
  8. Prevent spyware with Microsoft’s Defender Beta - keep it up to date
  9. Before downloading emails, use a spam filter like MailWasher
  10. Always check attachments with your antivirus software before opening them.
    10.Never run ActiveX control unless you are 100% sure it is safe to do so.

polonus

2

Nice tips, Polonus. :slight_smile:

3
  1. Make regular backups of your system

in addition to nr. 10 - if you are using IE read THIS link :wink:

Have fun,

M2

4

Hi M2,

Great info there, puts a stop to a lot of possible crapload installs being performed.
Well we both forgot about the number 1 rulke for all cases, and that is: “Üse your wit, or come to your senses”. If you go searching for pr0n mainly or warez you know that you are almost certainly will land in trouble. But under normal surfing conditions our tips hold valid. Only thing that I like to hear from you is on rule 7. Still in beta you hear of people finding bugs and trouble there. Would you like to advise normal users against using Microsoft’s Defender Beta? I never heard this on our forum, so I really don’t know what to comment?

polonus

5

I don’t know Polonus i haven’t used MS Defender in a pretty long time so i can’t comment on the program really. I generally stay away from beta products though(unless i’m testing them of course).

I would also add scanning with Ewido and/or A-squared to your tips too as these two detect alot of “baddies”.

6

:slight_smile: Hi Damien ( and others ) :

  I definitely disagree with "install ALL critical updates.     Better still, ensure automatic updates are turned on " 
  in #3 ; with the recent "turmoil" about KB 905474
 ( Windows Genuine Advantage Notification Tool ), I will
 continue to keep my Windows "Automatic Updates" turned
 OFF and read the description of each one .
 And even though Windows Defender is listed as a 
"Trustworthy" product by antiSPYWARE Expert Eric Howes,
  I do not like "Beta" ( use at your own risk ) products with
  update problems & will use the equally "trustworthy"
 Ad-Aware, which is NOT a Beta product .
7

Hi Spiritsongs,

We are clearly getting some things right in this thread.

  1. Normal users are not to be encouraged to use beta software, they better wait for the definite release.

  2. Well the update policy is also a two-faced thing, because of updates later causing issues (ZA), where are we to check what update or patch is risk-free to use. Coders are under such pressure now-a-days that it is sad that such an issue arose.

  3. “Security is strongly user-related” is according to me kicking an open door. Am I right? But it is amazing what peer2peer-ing youngsters in my country would like to give up security-wise or what risks they like to run for to get to their favorite content.
    Security-aware folks do not like to know these practices, but these youngsters also put the security of others at risk on a grand scale.

polonus

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dzięki polonez pod kątem ten informacja u utrzymanie pewien kasa i czysty rachmistrz - późniejszy mój przyjaciel
thanks for the info on keeping a clean & safe computer polonus :o

9

Why is this amazing ???

This would fall under the concept of “something for nothing” and “why should I pay for it when I can get it for free” regardless whether it is legal or illegal to copy.

“Security” is the last thing they think of. ::slight_smile:

Best Regards…