Windows 7: Is my security set-up sufficient ?

DustSailor · 06 Jul 2012

Hey mate, that is like saying you walk down a dark alley in a shady part of town, but have never been mugged so it is fine. Maybe not today, but there is a higher chance that you get beat bad, more than if you drove home on the freeway. Perfect analogy? nah, but I'm working on it.

Although it can get annoying clicking through the UAC prompts, but that is a good part of it and something that keeps you safe even more so than without.

Basically, you have a balance between ease of use and security. The harder you "lock down" your computer, the less things are easy and you get more of a performance drop. There is noscript blocking and all sorts of stuff that just makes browsing hell. Some people give up and just do without security software o.0

solarmystic · 06 Jul 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by DustSailor

Hey mate, that is like saying you walk down a dark alley in a shady part of town, but have never been mugged so it is fine. Maybe not today, but there is a higher chance that you get beat bad, more than if you drove home on the freeway. Perfect analogy? nah, but I'm working on it.

Although it can get annoying clicking through the UAC prompts, but that is a good part of it and something that keeps you safe even more so than without.

Basically, you have a balance between ease of use and security. The harder you "lock down" your computer, the less things are easy and you get more of a performance drop. There is noscript blocking and all sorts of stuff that just makes browsing hell. Some people give up and just do without security software o.0

No Script + Ghostery + Private Mode on Firefox + VPN +(Sandboxie Optional) = Secure Surfin'!

sammy3417 · 06 Jul 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by pincushion

Quote: Originally Posted by sammy3417

I think the biggest tip on IT secuirty is to keep your system well patched... The nastys always get on your system via it being unpached... I can offer one good tip... I have two accounts on all my systems one for Admin (installing updates, software...etc.etc.) And a standard user account for surfing the net.. As most malware requires admin rights on your system.... you deny it that from the start with a standard user account

hope this helps

I know it makes perfect sense to not surf using an admin account but since I have been doing this for more than a decade without ever catching an infection then for me personally there has to be something else that causes people to get malware. I agree about keeping the OS up to date and also the security programs.

Just my experience and I stress I do not recommend running as admin.

Many people do get infected through using their Admin accounts... And yes their are may ways of getting infected...But running as a standard user helps keep some malware at bay

sammy3417 · 06 Jul 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by DustSailor

Quote: Originally Posted by sammy3417

I think the biggest tip on IT secuirty is to keep your system well patched... The nastys always get on your system via it being unpached... I can offer one good tip... I have two accounts on all my systems one for Admin (installing updates, software...etc.etc.) And a standard user account for surfing the net.. As most malware requires admin rights on your system.... you deny it that from the start with a standard user account

hope this helps

"Hear, hear"

Did I miss something?

sammy3417 · 06 Jul 2012

Some very good tips here http://www.fas.org/irp/nsa/best_practices.pdf

solarmystic · 06 Jul 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by sammy3417

Quote: Originally Posted by DustSailor

Quote: Originally Posted by sammy3417

I think the biggest tip on IT secuirty is to keep your system well patched... The nastys always get on your system via it being unpached... I can offer one good tip... I have two accounts on all my systems one for Admin (installing updates, software...etc.etc.) And a standard user account for surfing the net.. As most malware requires admin rights on your system.... you deny it that from the start with a standard user account

hope this helps

"Hear, hear"

Did I miss something?

Dust Sailor was just agreeing with you on that point mate!

sammy3417 · 06 Jul 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by solarmystic

Quote: Originally Posted by sammy3417

Quote: Originally Posted by DustSailor

"Hear, hear"

Did I miss something?

Dust Sailor was just agreeing with you on that point mate!

Thanks mate... was getting paranoid

Thought I gave the wrong advice

Britton30 · 06 Jul 2012

One can't be careful enough to avoid infections. As a GFX team member I often search Google images and many times my Norton security blocks the site for the image I clicked on. Users with poor or no security are at risk without going to so-called dodgy sites.

Badware is there where you least expect it.

Arc · 06 Jul 2012

Your security setup is just perfect. Avast/MSE + MBAM ftw .

Still, one more thing is needed that is what they call common sense . That's the best discriminator sometimes.

And, if you browse safe places, dont get connected with risky devises , you are totally tension free.

One more thing, it was suggested by Corrine to me ... lifesaver sometimes : ANTIMALWARE: Panda USB Vaccine - Download FREE - PANDA SECURITY

Andyonline · 06 Jul 2012

Is something like Secunia PSI or Winpatrol a useful addition as well ?

Windows 7: Is my security set-up sufficient ?

Is my security set-up sufficient ? problems?