Paranoid about viruses

Bookworm · Post by **Bookworm** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 4:26 pm

I just had a bunch of viruses removed from my computer, and I'm not exactly sure how they got there in the first place. My kids like to go to a site called addictinggames.com and I was wondering if playing flashgames on a site like that could give me viruses. I'm worried about letting the kids play there, but I'm also aware that I could just be paranoid.

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The Gheyness · Post by **The Gheyness** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 4:27 pm

Doubt you'd get one there.

Most viruses nowadays are spread through email attachments, but there are a few malicious sites out there.

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sintekk · Post by **sintekk** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 5:10 pm

Plan of attack to avoid viruses:
1. Don't use Outlook Express at all
2. Switch from IE to any alternate browser (NOT an IE shell, though.) Firefox recommended.
3. Get AVG Anti-Virus, free edition, if you have no virus scanner. Alternative is to use Trend Micro's online scanner for free.
4. Update computer regularly.

And, of course, don't open attachments that look suspicious.

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Bookworm · Post by **Bookworm** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 5:19 pm

sintekk wrote: Plan of attack to avoid viruses:
1. Don't use Outlook Express at all
2. Switch from IE to any alternate browser (NOT an IE shell, though.) Firefox recommended.
3. Get AVG Anti-Virus, free edition, if you have no virus scanner. Alternative is to use Trend Micro's online scanner for free.
4. Update computer regularly.

And, of course, don't open attachments that look suspicious.

1. Never have
2. My computer lady already recommended this. She said she really likes Firefox. I just haven't done it yet.
3. We just deleted Norton Antivirus because it didn't catch my latest viruses. I now have AVG on the computer.
4. Windows Update is on automatic.

And I'm still paranoid.

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Red Squirrel · Post by **Red Squirrel** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 5:25 pm

And if you're using winXP GET A ROUTER. The thought of putting an XP computer directly online makes me cringe. It would be like putting a locked chest full of gold in your front lawn. It may be safe for now because it's locked and it's heavy, but someone will eventually find a way to take it.

And of course do what has been suggested by sintekk.

And rule of tbumb, don't open attachments period, if you're not sure which ones not to open. I mean be honest here,how often do people send you a .zip file titled "virus" and that it's a joke?

Files unsafe to open are any executable ones. so exe, scr, bat, pif, com and I think I might of missed one.

the tricky one is pif since it's close to tif so some think it's a picture. But it's really a shortcut to an ms dos program, but if you rename a exe to .pif it makes a shortcut to itself and executes itself.

.zips are dangeraus since they usually contain an executable, and some zip programs actually automaticly run the exe if there's one in it.

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sintekk · Post by **sintekk** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 5:28 pm

Here's a nice guide about programs for viruses:
http://www.firewallguide.com/anti-virus.htm

I personally use EZ-Trust Anti Virus from Computer Associates and have never got a virus, but AVG is fantastic for being free.

BTW, when I say update computer regularly, I don't just mean Windows Updates, I mean the latest Anti-Virus signatures for whatever program you use, the latest updates for your firewall and any other critical programs you have.

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sintekk · Post by **sintekk** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 5:31 pm

Red Squirrel wrote: .zips are dangeraus since they usually contain an executable, and some zip programs actually automaticly run the exe if there's one in it.

Indeed, which is why it's critical that you get an Email program AND set it up so it makes your AV program scan every email.

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000 · Post by **000** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 6:29 pm

sintekk wrote: Plan of attack to avoid viruses:
1. Don't use Outlook Express at all
2. Switch from IE to any alternate browser (NOT an IE shell, though.) Firefox recommended.
3. Get AVG Anti-Virus, free edition, if you have no virus scanner. Alternative is to use Trend Micro's online scanner for free.
4. Update computer regularly.

And, of course, don't open attachments that look suspicious.

Very good advice.

1. Don't use Outlook Express at all

I've used it for years with no problems. OE needs to be run in the restricted zone with just about everything turned off(activex & scripting......) blah blah blah. I can help anyone set it up if need be. But, if a virus does get on your PC by any means. Be it through email or a disk or CD, the virus will probably go for your OE and Outlook address book. To the friends of mine that don't know to much about pc security, I recommend web mail.
Alternative email clients would be Thunderbird, Pegasus mail or Eudora to name a few.

2. Switch from IE to any alternate browser (NOT an IE shell, though.) Firefox recommended.

Same as OE. It's broke out of the box but it can be tweaked to make it better. I use both IE and firefox.

3. Get AVG Anti-Virus, free edition, if you have no virus scanner. Alternative is to use Trend Micro's online scanner for free.

Yep, I use AVG also. Avast is also a good free AV program. Keep it updated.

4. Update computer regularly.

Yes, Windows updates. At least get the critical updates. I know some people don't like to update the whole nine yards, me being one of them. I have dial-up so updating for me sucks. But at least get the critical updates.

Any files downloaded should be scanned with your AV before you open or launch it.
Also use programs like AdAware, Spywareblaster and Spybot.
Oh yea...a firewall. Sygate or ZoneAlarm.

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sintekk · Post by **sintekk** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 6:31 pm

Tell you the truth, I haven't gotten a single windows update, mainly due to being on an illegal copy. But I haven't once been compromised due to being behind a hardware router and firewall, a software firewall and using an AV and alternate browser, not to mention disabling all extraneous windows services.

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000 · Post by **000** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 6:36 pm

sintekk wrote: Tell you the truth, I haven't gotten a single windows update, mainly due to being on an illegal copy. But I haven't once been compromised due to being behind a hardware router and firewall, a software firewall and using an AVG and alternate browser

I usually wait until the service packs get released, then I order it on cd. I maintain a few pc's for family and friends so it helps to have it on cd. I only recently started the critical updates on my machines.
Yes a good hardware and/or software firewall will save you a world of grief.

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sintekk · Post by **sintekk** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 6:40 pm

0 wrote: I maintain a few pc's for family and friends so it helps to have it on cd. I only recently started the critical updates on my machines.
Yes a good hardware and/or software firewall will save you a world of grief.

Yeah, having the SP's on a cd is something I should tell people to do. When you format a computer and have to go on the internet to get stuff, bad things can happen if you don't patch up quickly

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