Question IT guru's

[Nelly]

Hi Guys n Gals,

Until three days ago I was using Kaspersky internet security 2011.

My PC got infected with several Trojans after a windows update. I was uanble to remove them with the above application as the virus had disabled me from using Kaspersky.
I did not write the name of the Trojans down:spank:

I have rebooted my pc with the rescue disc, and I have a limited trial McAfee anti virus application installed. I'm not sure if it includes Trojan protection etc.

My problem is:

I have lost the original Kaspersky discl verification code.

I have been unable to contact Kaspersky or access my account.

What I would like is:

Advice on the best way to protect my PC.

Expert answers gratefully accepted.

Is windows defender adequate running with another program?

Nelly

 

[DownrangeFuture]

I use avast! cause it's free. You have to dig around their site to find the free version tho. They hide it fairly well.

I just use that and windows defender. I keep my computer set to auto update and install. Same for the anti-virus.

I have my router set to block most known bad IP ranges. I.E. most from China. You could just use peer block for that, but it's primary purpose is to block known P2P tracker IPs.

Then just stay off the pr0n sites. lol.

 

[dturpen]

I've used AVG for years. I just keep their protection active, and use Malwarebytes and Superantispyware to remove anything that I may get, which I haven't in quite a while. Microsoft Security Essentials is also pretty good.

 

[tcmalker]

I've used AVG for years. I just keep their protection active, and use Malwarebytes and Superantispyware to remove anything that I may get, which I haven't in quite a while. Microsoft Security Essentials is also pretty good.

+1. AVG is free and probably the best out there. Very little resource used unlike Norton or McAfee. Malwarebyte s did an excellent job also.

 

[Nelly]

Thanks for the reply's guys,

I have used AVG once, sadly I downloaded it from a spoof site or it was diverted to a spoof site and that caused me major problems.

I have my router set to block most known bad IP ranges. I.E. most from China. You could just use peer block for that, but it's primary purpose is to block known P2P tracker IPs.



I am using a plug and play 02 thingy for internet access so don't have a router. Can I configure that to do the same?


Then just stay off the pr0n sites. lol.

Is there porn on the net:BLAA:

 

[racing_fan]

AVG/Avast and Windows defender work fine for me.... but another piece of criticle advise is DONT USE Internet Explorer... use Firefox or better yet Chrome... IE is by far the most common browser out there, and hence is the prime focus for the naughty brigade to find exploits in....

 

[BamBam77]

All the above plus
My computer is just a hobby nothing important on it
if I did I would save [pictures]on a separate hard drive,
then if bat thing happen I just format and reload windows.
I know it sounds like a job but you should redo windows once a year or so anyway.
I've been using Linux here lately and it works pretty good
Not as populer with the bad guys

 

[Popeye70]

A few hints:

• Use a Windows account with user privileges, not administrator privileges when surfing the web. If using Windows 7 this is not necessarily a 100% truth, but still a very good idea.
• Make sure you keep Windows updated with all critical updates at all times. At least let Automatic Updates download updates and then notify you, if you are uncomfortable with automatic installation as well.
• Make sure all other applications are updated at all times as well. At least Acrobat Reader, Flash Player and Java is important, but all updates are welcome.
• Enable automatic updating (or at least update checking and notification) for all applications that support this.
• Use Microsoft Update instead of Windows Update. M.U. keeps all Microsoft programs updated, while W.U. only keeps Windows updated.
• Install an anti-virus product, and make sure it is always up to date and that the real-time scanner is active. Remember to only have ONE active real-time scanner at any given time, though.
• Don't bother buying a license for an anti-virus product. The free ones are good enough. If you are running Windows 7 I would just use Microsoft Defender, but there are several other free alternatives.
• Let your router block all incoming traffic that is not a reply to something you (or your computer) has asked for. This is usually the default setting, and there is no need to change this.
• If you are asked to install plugins to see content on a web page, make sure that what you accept is indeed what it pretends to be and not fakeware that installs adware/spyware/trojans on your computer.
• When surfing the web, never install anti-virus/security programs offered to you after showing you a scan report stating that your computer is wounerable and compromised. This is fakeware.

The last year or so, there has been an increase in "drive by installations", meaning that an unprotected computer will get malware installed automatically just by visiting compromised web sites. Sadly, this makes otherwise trustworthy web sites less trustworthy (depending on the sysadmin and his ability to keep the web servers secure).

 

[DownrangeFuture]

I am using a plug and play 02 thingy for internet access so don't have a router. Can I configure that to do the same?

Releases Use the FAQ for setup. I believe that the peerblock list, and the china list are default. Note that this will only work when it's actually running, and only on the computer it's running on. To actually set your router up to do this is a bit complicated, and generally involves knowledge of linux. The only way I've found to do it is to flash DD-WRT on your router.

Avast Free Antivirus - Reviews and free Avast Free Antivirus downloads at Download.com Avast. It uses less resources than AVG and has a better detection rate. Your choice though.

Mozilla | Firefox web browser & Thunderbird email client Use this browser, or chrome. Download an add-on called "Ad Block Plus". They actively block a lot of the places that do drive by installs. Plus you don't have to explain about Russian hookers to your 4yo when you browse sites like "the pirate bay".

Just sayin'.

 

[MHS]

+1 on avast. I used to have a pro license, but now I just use the free version.

 

[stevesnj]

Use MalWarebytes anti malware, SpyBot search and destroy. Also I have been using MIcrosoft Security Essentials. It scans on the fly for Viruses and spyware, trojans, malware and it's free.

 

[Motogiro]

+1. AVG is free and probably the best out there. Very little resource used unlike Norton or McAfee. Malwarebyte s did an excellent job also.

I agree. We had Norton on one of our computers and had to get rid of it because it used so much resources that it was worse than having a virus!!!

 

[buzzbomb]

I agree. We had Norton on one of our computers and had to get rid of it because it used so much resources that is was worse than having a virus!!!

+1 on Norton being useless. My brother in law pushed his parents in law to use Nortons but because they had older computers it kept coming up with warnings about programs such as internet exploder using too much resources. I used Nortons once with a user account (not administrator) and when I went to uninstall it, it wiped all of My Documents. I wasn't happy at all, and have learnt now to back everything up, and use something besides Nortons.

I think Internet Exploder is rubbish, and have used Opera for years, recently changing to Google Chrome with the Adblock exension (probably the best solution currently available for ad blocking).

My brother in law advocates formatting hard drives every year but I can't see any benefits of speed by doing so. He spent all night until around 3am formatting a laptop and found out it did nothing for it's performance.

 

[buzzbomb]

Use MalWarebytes anti malware, SpyBot search and destroy. Also I have been using MIcrosoft Security Essentials. It scans on the fly for Viruses and spyware, trojans, malware and it's free.

Yep it's not a bad idea to use an anti malware program in conjunction with an antivirus. In the beginning antivirus programs could only find viruses, but over the years they can detect more and more worms and trojans, whilst anti malware programs are becoming more virus aware, but no program can detect 100% of viruses. What's worse is false positives. I've noticed some anti virus programs detect a program as containing a trojan weeks or months after I've been using the file in question, and it makes me wonder if it's just a false positive...

 

[MHS]

+8 on Norton sucking.

I did forget to mention, I use Spybot Search & Destroy in conjunction with Avast.

I also run ZoneAlarm so I have to approve something before it can reach the internet (doesn't do much in the prevention route, but it makes sure nothing 'phones home').

All that's on my windows computer anyway -- I'm usually on my Mac laptop or my Linux desktop.

 

[BamBam77]

If I remember right and should have said:spank:
xp needs to be renewed once a year or so
window 7 does a better job of keeping thing right:Flash:
Sorry about the old school advise
For me it's just easier to replace window7 or linux then try to repair it.
You have to remember I have nothing to save so no worrys:cheer:

 

[grommit]

Well apart from changing to Ubuntu (Linux).

Read what the others have said.

I use a 3G device on the road and my Firewall alarm goes nuts when connected to the internet. Make sure your Firewall is active.

Also you should think about changing you DNS provider to say OpenDNS | Internet Navigation And Security

May require some setting up if you want to control content as your IP address will change but works well just by using their DNS servers.


Google have DNS servers as well Google Public DNS


Did I mention Ubuntu.
I could post you a live disk. :thumbup:

 

[Nelly]

Cheers M,

Nice one.

 

[BamBam77]

I do like win7:cheer: BUT
I've been using MINT LINUX :rockon:
On a couple of my computers win7 can't find the sound or network
Loaded mint linux and I was watching movies in less then an hour
I should say to use linux you need to understand a little about partitioning

 

[grommit]

If anybody is looking to go Linux, then most good versions have a "try me" mode. You can either boot off a CD/DVD or a USB stick. This will give you a fully functioning system, surfing etc without actually installing anything. :thumbup:

Distros to try...

Ubuntu: Ubuntu homepage | Ubuntu
Very solid and great support.

Mint: Main Page - Linux Mint
I use it on my laptop.

Ultimate Edition (UE): Ultimate Edition
This has all the tools you could ever want, I use this on my main PC, amazing visuals, based on Ubuntu. The guy who runs it; TheeMahn, is bit out there but he does great stuff.

OZ Unity: Ultimate Edition Oz
This should appeal to our Aussie friends. This is linked to UE above but they do a version call OZ Unity, very slick and clean, ideal for a new user to Linux.

All these have good helpful forums linked to them.

There are loads of others but these are the ones I use and install.