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Argonath RPG Community => Hardware/Software support => Resolved issues => Topic started by: tsghmike on September 17, 2011, 12:19:44 am

Title: [Guide] Computer Security Basics
Post by: tsghmike on September 17, 2011, 12:19:44 am
This guide was written to provide a foundation of security on your system. It will not guarantee you 100% safety, but it will reduce the risks of infection greatly. I will update this guide as I find more relevant information.

Table of Contents:

1. Basics to being secure on the web

First of all, no security in the world can keep you completely safe from every single unique malware created. The number one way to stay safe is having safe surfing habits. Remember, preventing a virus from ever winding its way onto your PC in the first place is the best way to keep safe.

Safe surfing habits means you don't just Google something and click on the first result that comes up. It would be good to get in a habit of checking websites you browse to. You can easily do that with a quick Google search of " [website URL] good or bad?". The way I do it is checking on McAfee's Siteadvisor website: Siteadvisor (http://www.siteadvisor.com). Do a quick search on there, read some of the reviews, and make your decision on if you should go onto that website or not.

Another thing is checking file types when opening email attachments. For this, I shall link to a fellow HF member's topic, as he gave me the idea. Credits to $WhiteRaven$, I think he has done a great job explaining the dangers of opening emails/files.



2. Antivirus
**Note: Do NOT install and run more than one antivirus per PC. Having more than one antivirus does not secure your PC any more than having one does. All it causes are conflicts on your PC.

There are plenty of good antiviruses out there. Though this is biased in my opinion, I have researched a bit on several vendors and come to a few conclusions. I have seperated the comparison into two categories: freeware and paid software. Do note, paid software isn't necessarily better than freeware.

3. Antispyware
If you are using a commercial antivirus product, chances are you already have an antispyware engine bundled with it so skip this section.

However, if you are using a free antivirus, here is a list of a few antispyware programs you may be interested in.

4. Firewall
**Note: Just like an antivirus, do not run more than one firewall per PC. It causes conflicts on your PC.

Again, if you are using a commercial security suite, a firewall should already be included. Firewalls are vital to a computer's security. They help monitor incoming and outcoming connections, etc. There are many free firewalls out there, and the few that I recommend are ZoneAlarm and Comodo Firewall.

5. Prevention

This may be one of the most important parts in this whole guide. Prevention is the key. A couple of things I recommend to finalize your computer's security:

These last couple of programs can be useful too, but I won't go into details about them:

SandBoxie - a sandbox for running programs in
CCleaner - clearing out temp files, etc


6. List of Security Software
This may be incomplete, so please reply or give me a PM if there is something to be added. This is meant as a reference list if ever needed.

Antivirus Security Vendors:
Antispyware Vendors:
Firewall:
HIPS (Host Intrusion Prevention System):
Anti-Trojan:
Anti-Keylogger"
Rootkit Removers:
7. External Links & Information

SWW Rogue Antimalware Link (http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm)
Malware Advisor (http://temerc.blogspot.com/)
SiteAdvisor (for checking websites) (http://www.siteadvisor.com)


I hope this helps.
Title: Re: [Guide] Computer Security Basics
Post by: IronHiDe on September 17, 2011, 09:08:40 am
I would like to point out that Avast is not good.Get AVG instead.
Title: Re: [Guide] Computer Security Basics
Post by: newton_alex on September 17, 2011, 09:19:06 am
Quote from: IronHiDe on September 17, 2011, 09:08:40 am
I would like to point out that Avast is not good.Get AVG instead.

Avast is very good.
Title: Re: [Guide] Computer Security Basics
Post by: IronHiDe on September 17, 2011, 09:23:18 am
Quote from: newton_alex on September 17, 2011, 09:19:06 am
Avast is very good.
Lol, i had the full version and it detected random stuff (A MP3 file i have had in the pc for like a year)
Title: Re: [Guide] Computer Security Basics
Post by: newton_alex on September 17, 2011, 10:40:53 am
Quote from: IronHiDe on September 17, 2011, 09:23:18 am
Lol, i had the full version and it detected random stuff (A MP3 file i have had in the pc for like a year)

Of course it did... Of course it did....
Title: Re: [Guide] Computer Security Basics
Post by: 9r2e5i3k on September 17, 2011, 11:20:19 am
MSE appears to be good, but it's a pain in the ass. When it starts updating, it can eat up your whole CPU. And you can't change the updating schedule, nor set it to only manual updating. Only way to not lag out by surprise is to manually update and not do anything else, before it decides to update itself.

I remember having Norton back in the day. Apart from eating up a lot of my resources, it didn't make the PC completely freeze and was the least annoying anti-virus I had yet.
Title: Re: [Guide] Computer Security Basics
Post by: tsghmike on September 17, 2011, 06:49:33 pm
Quote from: 9r2e5i3k on September 17, 2011, 11:20:19 am
MSE appears to be good, but it's a pain in the ass. When it starts updating, it can eat up your whole CPU. And you can't change the updating schedule, nor set it to only manual updating. Only way to not lag out by surprise is to manually update and not do anything else, before it decides to update itself.

I remember having Norton back in the day. Apart from eating up a lot of my resources, it didn't make the PC completely freeze and was the least annoying anti-virus I had yet.
I am going to go much more into detail about computer safety, I never used a AV. I am going to be showing you guys what I have been thought and what I learned, most infections are what we White hats call "FUD" which means a fully undetectable. That means that the virus no won't show up on your AV when it runs it background scans. 
Title: Re: [Guide] Computer Security Basics
Post by: Wayne on September 28, 2011, 12:28:49 am
I use Bitdefender total security 2012, awesome software :)
It offers full protection with performance boosts.
Title: Re: [Guide] Computer Security Basics
Post by: Freeborn on September 30, 2011, 04:33:34 pm
You forgot to add quick heal to the list, and i personally recommend the Guardian antivirus.

like with all Indian products, guardian provides a great customer care support.From free phone calls to their station to take out any malware that the antivirus cant detect for HOURS, you can also ask them to take control of you pc if you wish and then can manually take out the virus.This customer support translates for great technologies..
Title: Re: [Guide] Computer Security Basics
Post by: tsghmike on October 31, 2011, 03:42:58 pm
Quote from: Wayne on September 28, 2011, 12:28:49 am
I use Bitdefender total security 2012, awesome software :)
It offers full protection with performance boosts.
The Methods I am posting are from my group, HJT. We are the ones who are finding most of the infections and reporting them to the AV providers. No AV will pick up a "FUD" Fully undetectable virus, that's where my methods come in.
Title: Re: [Guide] Computer Security Basics
Post by: speedboy on November 06, 2011, 12:55:54 am
I suggest making this a sticky since it's very useful for unexperienced computer users. BTW I'm using avast! and I like it :)
Title: Re: [Guide] Computer Security Basics
Post by: KhornateMonkey on November 06, 2011, 01:54:50 am
McAfee is good.
Title: Re: [Guide] Computer Security Basics
Post by: .Tony on November 06, 2011, 02:04:40 am
Quote from: KhornateMonkey on November 06, 2011, 01:54:50 am
McAfee is good.
Title: Re: [Guide] Computer Security Basics
Post by: tsghmike on November 18, 2011, 02:45:43 pm
Its good if you feel like paying for it, the programs I provide are free and almost always on top on the new virus's, because they are always constantly being updated from the Hijackthis crew, which I am a teacher for, for all of the new people joining the team.
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