Prevention Guide & Program References

TJ Belfiore · 05-01-2009, 05:45 PM

Hi -

As I'm sure you're completely aware of, you're computer is NOT immune to the harmful viruses, spyware, fraudware, etc out there, so you MUST have appropriate firewalls, anti-virus, spyware defender, etc. Is this guide, I'll go into detail on how to NOT get any of them by avoiding certain websites and giving you links to where you can go if you're infected.

NOW, if you're infected please don't post your logs, dumps, posts here containing what you're infected with and how to be helped - This form is for the prevention of getting infected and for firewall questions (as far as I can tell).

Go to this link if you're infected with any kind of spyware, fraudware, etc as they'll help you best as they're able to.

I've collaborated A list of all the virus databases out there to help you determine what type of virus you may have or possibly what to avoid.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Virus Databse

If you're infected, see this.

Virus Databases:
* Viruslist
* Good Ol' Wikipedia
* McAfee
* Trend Micro

I've also gathered a list of the "wares" so insure what you're downloading is legit and real.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glossary

Spyware: These programs won't particularly "hurt" your computer, but they'll add a desktop icon task bar icon asking you to by their products or register for their site. The can also spy on your files and information, hints the name. According to Wikipedia.

Fraudware: This is very simaliar to the above except when you actually do cave in and buy their product, they rip you off by either not giving the full version of the desired program or by not doing anything and just taking your hard earned money.

Freeware: Very useful for everyday needs and uses since most freeware programs I know of you don't need to install, so they're free and safe. According to Wikipedia.

Shareware: A very common type of ware, it's known also as "Trialware"; meaning the company gives you a select few days or weeks to try out their product, after the period of time is over they disable it or they use a thing called a watermark. According to Wikipedia.

Freeware and Shareware good to download, most will not infect or ruin your computer. If you see programs that seems very very strange and too good to be true that say "freeware" they're probably illegal or going to infect your computer.

If you're concerned that your current defender isn't exactly .. good.. you can refer this this guide below as I feel these are the most reliable and effective defenders.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Defenders

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anti-Virus

Anti-Virus: Antivirus software mainly prevent and remove computer viruses, including worms and trojan horses. Such programs may also detect and remove adware, spyware, and other forms of malware.

AVG -
I've always found that this is very good and has always protected my computer - 5 years now, I think.

Panda Cloud -
This is a fairly new anti-virus, I've had no time to test but I've read a few online reviews, it seems good and fast.

NOD32 -
Once again, not tested but I've heard VERY good things about this anti-virus saying it's helped keep their PCs clean and stable.

Summary

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anti-Spyware

Anti-Spyware: Basically the same as an Anti-Virus defender except it's act of removing viruses that perform surveillance of computer activity, and of data stored on a hard drive or being transfered over the Internet.

Ad-Aware -
I've used this for several years now and it's worked great, I consider it to be the only one that has worked for me over the years.

SUPERAntiSpyware -
Despite it's incredible cheesy name, I used this one my old Vista and Window 7 HDDs and it worked with no problems. It sounds so bad though.. why couldn't they have chosen a better name?

Windows Defender -
This is always an alternative to the above but should not be your main anti-spyware as it has security leaks and it's very good in my opinion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Firewalls

Firewall: Network security consists of the provisions made in an underlying computer network infrastructure, policies adopted by the network administrator to protect the network and the network-accessible resources from unauthorized access, and consistent and continuous monitoring and measurement of its effectiveness (or lack) combined together.

ZoneAlarm -
I'm currently using this and I've had no troubles, it's also recommended by lots of companies and websites.

Summary

I hope you've found my rather lengthy post to be of some use, if you have any questions or concerns PM myself or A Admin. Thanks.

TJ Belfiore · 05-01-2009, 05:48 PM

Request to sticky.

05-01-2009, 05:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
TJ Belfiore title here Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: 530 Posts: 3,515 OS: 7 x64, XP x32	Re: Prevention Guide & Program References Request to sticky. __________________