viruses worms and what not

Hello I am looking to avoid any and all threats out there. How is it that most people become into contact with these. I understand that you have to download it first right. But then inorder for it to spread do you have to open an executable file.

I was wondering the best way to protect myself from this. Would it be smart to partition my hard drive and then when I am downloading something to specify that I want the program or whatever downloaded into the D drive instead of the c drive, where windows and everything else is installed, and then after it has been downloaded then scan it for viruses,worms, etc with mcafee or perhaps saving the file in a different partition doesn't matter. Any other better ways. Thanks

 

rob,
I don't think downloading to a partition will help! Basically you need to run virus protection programs and be very careful about emails and websites. Even being careful there's no guarantee you won't get infected. That's why you need the virus software.

I've got McAfee (free from Comcast) and I also purchased "CounterSpy" from Sunbelt-Sofware.com. Compared to CounterSpy, McAfee is junk! CounterSpy always picks up threats that McAfee missed. CounterSpy costs $20 a year and is well worth every penney of the 20 bucks!
Good luck,
Phil

 

Hi robj I have a computer business and I have a lot of good information and links to free software on my website Personal website removed. Please read the rules. If you look on my forums I have instructions on setting up and using a lot of the software I recommend.

 

People tend to run lax security.

The mostly run IE in its default mode, which opens the system up to nasties. By setting a higher security zone, some things can be stopped.

Using another browser, such as Firefox helps, as it doesn't use ActiveX , and other tie-ins to the OS as IE does.
Same for your mail promgram.

Use a firewall, antivirus, and antispyware apps.

 

I got adaware from lavasoft installed on my computer for antispyware. For a virus scan I have mcafee and for a firewall I use mcafee's as well. Don't know that much about quality though.

viruses, worms etc can only be in executable files right. So If I was to download something from a site and by chance there was a virus in it. The only way that the virus can become active and spread to other parts of the computer is by me opening up the executable file so could I prevent infection by scanning the file or folder with the virus scan before I opened it. If it comes back that it was infected then I could just delete it. I could do the same with my mail, I think. Is all that correct.

 

That is not entirely correct. Many viruses are in the form of executables that are attached to emails or downloaded from websites but there are others that do not need to be executed to infect your pc. If your pc is updated with the latest patches and you do not run anti virus software, some viruses can infect your pc by just viewing a web page, moving your mouse over a certain part of a webpage or viewing an email in outlook express.

Spyware on the other hand is normally installed only through use action, either visiting a website and answering "yes" to an install dialog or being installed at the same as another program. This is probably the hardest thing to avoid as many "legitimate" programs will also install third party spyware programs that you would only know about if you read the entire EULA.

The best way to remain virus and spyware free is to keep your computer updated with the latest patches, run an anti virus program, and multiple anti spyware programs. Also never open an attachment from an unknown email address, only install well known or well reviewed programs and run anti virus and anti spyware scans on a regular basis. If you want to be even safer, increase the security settings in IE to block more actions by default or use firefox, opera or some other third party web browser. A good firewall will also help block some attacks and block viruses and spyware from transmitting to the internet.

-Mike
"Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?"

 

I had a bunch of crap on my computer before I started learning some about it. Since I did, and got my computer cleaned out (I even reformatted, since I also had a bunch of other out-dated stuff), I installed and run four programs at all times while online, and periodically run two while offline.

WHILE ONLINE

As others have already pointed out, you need to always run an anti-virus program (I use AVG free, but there are many good ones out there). I also use the ZoneAlarm firewall (again, there are other good ones, too). Whichever anti-virus and firewall you run, what is important is to be sure it's database is current. I update all my security programs weekly.

Besides the anti-virus and firewall, whenever I'm online I also run Spywareguard and Spywareblaster (both are free...just Google-search...they are on the same website). I also update those regularly. Basically, they will keep a lot of spyware from getting in to begin with.

WHILE OFFLINE

Finally, as with others, I run AdAware at least once a week (offline). However, I also run Spybot Search & Destroy...it sometimes will find something AdAware missed, or vice-versa. Again, all these are free. Just Google-search for them. I know that since I've started doing this about a year ago and update them religiously, I haven't had any problems.

There are no 100% safeguards, but these programs have sure helped me.

 

Ok rob here goes. There is no 100% perfect way to be total secure. But here is the plan that i run and it is the safest pack of software out there. If you set up your comp like i tell you then you will be the safest that you can get on the pc.

First most important thing is to get a Good strong FireWall. Take off all your mcaffeee stuff it is a joke. I can haxs it in about 20 secs. The only firewall out to public that is haxs proof by the public is ZoneAlarm pro. They also have a warranty with it. Get it use it, it is the biggest first step to do.!!

Next u need a good strong Virus system protector and detector. Norton anti-virus is the best i know of. It runs fast and keeps up with all the new stuff out there. And with there symtac update sys. When i new threat comes out, they find a fix you get all those things automatic. Mc Affee is junk through it out of the PC.

And next but not least go and get A2 Square. Search for it on the web, use google. You should be able to find a free version out there. This program will not let any websites or browsers do anything bad. If anything bad starts to happen it stops it and ask you and also explains what is going wrong. VERY VERY Kewl awesome protect tool.

You also need to get away from using internet explorer... It is crap and leaves yoursef out in the open to attacks and infections. Plus all the corp spy on you stuff that micro has in it. Go to mozzila and get Fire Fox it is free and the best fastest safest thing out there

Good Luck!!!!!!!!!

 

If you connect via broadband, make sure you have a hardware firewall enabled. There is one included with most routers, although it may be configured more for convenience than security.

Watch where you surf and what you download. Just like real life, you can't totally avoid a mugging but where, when and how you walk can greatly change your chances. You won't catch anything at CNN, but you're more likely to at "Free Downloads!!!!". While there are many excellent free tools out there, there are at least as many trojans, spyware, adware, etc, that look like something else. Google for it to see what others think before you download it.

I personally have a hardware firewall with NAT, and each PC has ZoneAlarm for a personal firewall, AVG for antivirus, and Adaware+Spybot for spyware. However I think it's at least as important that we don't engage in risky behavior.