Computer Security for home Users (Full Version)

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Spooky -> Computer Security for home Users (10/2/2003 4:59:30)

The recent virus and worm attacks should be a wakeup call for all users.
The days of "I dont open attachments, so Im safe" are gone.

As users of the internet, we all need to be responsible for what we do and how we protect ourselves. Enough of the "Well Microsoft got me into this mess" bs, it doesnt mean a lot when YOU have lost valuable information and time.

There are many resources out there, but the most important resource is you. You all know someone who is less than computer savy and they are possibly still to blame for the continuance of simple viruses due to lack of knowledge. Educate them.

A good place to start is Microsoft itself.
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

There are many tips spread throughout this forum and its good to see a high level of awareness amongst forum users. And then theres those who use *nix.... [;)]



bobby -> RE: Computer Security for home Users (10/2/2003 10:49:41)

Good points Spooky...

Some points I try to make to friends and family:

If you use MS-Windows, make sure you patch / update regularly and often... and not just Windows, but your AV software as well.

Firewall, Firewall, Firewall!!!
With so many great ones available, there is no excuse... Norton, Zone Alarm, Smooth Wall, etc.

Antivirus software... yes, Norton is gonna cost you $30-$40 and another $15 per year after that. It's worth every penny! Just ask anyone who has been hit hard by a virus.

Also, don't use IE for your main browser... try Mozilla or Opera... they don't have the same holes that are in Internet Explorer (several are still unpatched). Keep IE for testing your pages, but why run around on the internet with your pants down?

Also watch what you download... that cool free game or toolbar might be nifty, but what is it costing you in privacy? Run a spyware check often... I use Ad-Aware 6.0 (free) and it works great.

Switch email clients if the integration between Outlook and IE frightens you... there are free options out there that are fantastic, or get a "web based" email like Hotmail or Yahoo (just don't input any personal info, since they're subject to hacks too)

Whether or not it's Microsofts fault, the bottom line is they aren't going to be held responsible if a hole in their source code allows a hacker or virus to tamper with or even destroy your system... (anybody remember the Chernobyl virus?)

I still recommend Linux... in addition to Windows (dual boot) if you don't want to give up some of your Win only games or apps. Heck, you paid good money for Windows, why should you have to throw it away?

But that's really another topic...

Has anybody ever chronicled just how much time you spend running patches, updates and scans per week?



Spooky -> RE: Computer Security for home Users (10/2/2003 16:16:34)

If you have concerns with spyware, unsolicited popups, link or tool bars that have taken over your browser, strange actions happening without your action......
It may be time to run a program to clear out such parasites.

Crashing and slow computing may also be fixed as a result.

One of the better ones that I would recommend is Spybot from http://www.safer-networking.org/
Its free, but donations can be made to the owner.



Long Island Lune -> RE: Computer Security for home Users (10/2/2003 23:49:44)

Hey Spooky, that was a great program. I downloaded it and ran it. It found all kinds of things in my system. I have to go back to that site and make a donation.
Cheers [:)]



bushbaby -> RE: Computer Security for home Users (10/4/2003 8:08:19)

I run Spybot on my PC at home and Adaware on the PC's at work. Spybot has a lot more features, but Adaware is good as well. A combination of keeping your MS patches up to date, running virus checker, firewall and a spyware program is good, but you can't beat commonsense ... and, as we're always being warned, update the virus checker every day.

I haven't chronicled exactly how much time I spend on computer security every week, but it's big heaps! Don't find too much wrong with the PC's in our office nowadays so I guess we're all becoming more educated [:)]

Cheers,



shan -> RE: Computer Security for home Users (10/6/2003 6:16:24)

Has anyone had experience with fortinet?
Recently my computer guy suggested it might be a good idea. It's hardware as opposed to software firewall and antivirus
and after reading about it I'm seriously thinking of taking the plunge, it's around $AU1,000.00, the version I'm looking at I can use it on up to 3 computers and once you have the hardware it's only $300 per year for all the updates.
What do you think?

....the url http://www.fortinet.com



Boo -> RE: Computer Security for home Users (10/8/2003 4:12:08)

been reading some new ink

Firewallsss are usselesss agianst the new trojans

because the trojan is already delivered it isssss only making outgoing http

most firewalls asssume that all outgoing http should be legit, and should be ansssswered



Spooky -> RE: Computer Security for home Users (10/8/2003 4:26:23)

Supporting evidence? Depending on the program / hardware used, the connection is normally controlled by you



gorilla -> RE: Computer Security for home Users (10/8/2003 13:43:52)

I also would like to see some supporting evidence for that statement. Perhaps boo would be kind enough to post the link.

w.



bobby -> RE: Computer Security for home Users (10/8/2003 15:51:42)

quote:

Has anyone had experience with fortinet?


shan - I haven't used it, but if you're looking into a hardware firewall there are cheaper ways to go...

Linksys makes a decent one for around $200 US, or you can take an older PC and load Smooth Wall for nothing...

http://www.smoothwall.org/

I'm currently on the lookout for an inexpensive box to try it out... the ISO image is < 30MB



Long Island Lune -> RE: Computer Security for home Users (10/8/2003 15:54:24)

quote:

I'm currently on the lookout for an inexpensive box to try it out... the ISO image is about 550MB


I got an old 33-Mhz speed demon with a 120 Meg Hard drive with your name on it. [;)]



Long Island Lune -> RE: Computer Security for home Users (10/8/2003 15:55:47)

bobby,

On a more serious note, your should try Tigerdirect. You could probably build a nice inexpensive box quickly there.



shan -> RE: Computer Security for home Users (10/9/2003 5:42:46)

Thanks Bobby, I'm looking into what you suggested.
I just happen to have an old pc & may be able to save some money, and still
feel somewhat secure.

Thanks again:)



bobby -> RE: Computer Security for home Users (10/9/2003 11:58:50)

Lune -

I have a 33MHz, 500MHz and 266MHz boxes in the basement, none of them currently working. If I can figure out whats wrong with the P-III 500 I'll probably use it.

Otherwise I've been checking the local used shops... can get a 233MHz for $20!

Or a brand new 400MHz board and chip plus tower/psy for $20 and just add my drives...

I missed the 600MHz Dells (with monitor) for $79, but they'll be back :)

Shan, if you get a chance to set up Smooth Wall email me, I'd love to hear how it goes...



Long Island Lune -> RE: Computer Security for home Users (10/9/2003 13:13:25)

20$????????

I have to get OUT more. [;)]



bobby -> RE: Computer Security for home Users (10/14/2003 10:51:09)

free AV software:

http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php

Haven't tried it, I run Norton... but this was recommended by The Screen Savers (Tech TV) so it can't be all bad...

If anybody has or is using this I'd love to hear about your experience...

[8|]



Charles W Davis -> RE: Computer Security for home Users (10/20/2003 1:00:26)

Some suggestions to enable easy recovery.

Buy a 64MB USB Flash disk. Download Symantec's virus removal tools to it. Download McAfee's Stinger.exe which to the Flash disk. Then remove the Flash disk to keep it from the virus programs.

When disaster happens, run the Stinger exe first. The current version searches for and will remove 31 worms and viruses.

If you are using MS Windows ME or XP, turn off the System Restore feature before running these removal tools, otherwise on restart, the system will restore the previous settings. DON'T forget to turn the System Restore back on following restarting the system.

I have visited approximately 45 of our Computer Clubs homes in the past two months with my USB Flash disk and restored their systems.

The Flash disk also contains Adobe Reader 6, Ad-aware, Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0.5 for the Windows 98 crowd and four of the Windows Critical update patches. The programs are installed for those on dial up Internet access. The critical update patches are for use in stopping some of the worms that get placed on the computer before they can be downloaded from the web site.



bobby -> RE: Computer Security for home Users (10/20/2003 12:03:43)

nice tip Charles... I'd never thought of using Flash cards that way... did you have to carry a Flash card reader with you? [:D]

I've seen the same thing done with D*mn Small Linux (a text only Linux distro that loads on business-card-sized CD-ROMs... but the Flash card is a great method...

<eidt>
Had to add my own editing for content... the filter didn't catch d*mn



Charles W Davis -> RE: Computer Security for home Users (10/21/2003 16:09:59)

Bobby,

I tend to associate a Flash card with those used with cameras.

This is an image of the one that I am referring to at 64MB. Others are avilable up to 2GB with the $ amount expanding accordingly.

[image]local://upfiles/4840/Jh14598.jpg[/image]



bobby -> RE: Computer Security for home Users (10/22/2003 12:55:04)

Oh, a flash drive... (AKA USB Drive, mini-drive, pen-drive, etc.)

I'm actually looking into buying this one, or rather, having it bought for me. Xmas and my Birthday are only a few months away (tho not at the same time) so I've been dropping subtle hints... LOL

http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/watches/5eec/
$140 for the 256MB version...

I thought you were talking about the kind of card you'd use for a digital camera [;)]



Bill Nicol -> RE: Computer Security for home Users (10/28/2003 8:59:53)

Re: the AV software at:
quote:

http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php


I've used it for over a year now, no problems whatsoever. I got it on a tip from someone here at Outfront. It's inexpensive, and I've found their support to be excellent and timely.

When my hard drive crashed a few months ago, they were unbelievably helpful. And without question, got me going with their AV software again.



bobby -> RE: Computer Security for home Users (10/29/2003 11:19:09)

Thanks Bill...

I've actually been using the free download of AVG from Grisoft and the free version of ZonaAlarm firewall for about two weeks now... liked them both.

No problems, viruses were cought, as well as intrusion attacks (mostly from spyware I downloaded to test AdAware and SpyBot Search 'n Destroy) so I'm fairly satisfied with both.

I'll be reinstalling Norton because I already have it, but I think you could use both of these free products and feel fairly secure.

Although, purchasing both would ensure that their support sticks around a bit longer ;)



J-man -> RE: Computer Security for home Users (10/30/2003 16:43:02)

I use spybot, hijack this, norton, zonealarm, harware firewall, IP Watcher, plus I don't sleep



Long Island Lune -> RE: Computer Security for home Users (10/30/2003 16:45:52)

How many things do we have to use to be safe, or considered safe?

I use ZoneAlert and Norton Antivirus with constant updates.
Is that safe or am I missing something that I should have? [&:]



Matrix28 -> RE: Computer Security for home Users (10/30/2003 17:13:32)

Thanks for the warning.



J-man -> RE: Computer Security for home Users (10/30/2003 17:14:27)

You should get HijackThis an run it, to see how everything really is.



Long Island Lune -> RE: Computer Security for home Users (10/30/2003 17:23:27)

quote:

I use spybot, hijack this, norton, zonealarm, harware firewall, IP Watcher


Do you have all these things running at the same time?



bobby -> RE: Computer Security for home Users (10/30/2003 17:25:12)

If you have Norton run their online intrusion test...

Or if you're really up for a fun evening... download the trial version of Retina and see if it can crack your system...[;)]

If theres a hole to be found, she'll find it.



J-man -> RE: Computer Security for home Users (10/30/2003 17:56:11)

Retina you say thanks i'm up for a fun evening!

Yes i run all those at the same time always plus the web page building stuff and so on... and I only have 64 ram, things never crash or get held up, i guess i'm just use to it



bobby -> RE: Computer Security for home Users (10/31/2003 10:31:01)

Retina rocks... but the full version costs around $1500... so I've never done anything but mess with the trial download.

64MB RAM?!?!?!?

Holy cow... I'm running with 384 and wish I had more...

How can you keep Windows running, let alone all those apps in the background, LOL



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