Make my computer invincible

VMs are great for taking chances while at the same time anything imported to the main OS by Cloud or other method like a dvd-rw since VMs are limited to floppy and optical drives would still prove risky.

As far as toolbars some already see the installation of the toolbar being a requirement! in order to finish the installation. I've run into that on a few occasions when looking over new freeware sites. In fact when a selection of old XP downloads never opened in zip file form were scanned a few revealed bugs hidden inside never detected by any other protections like the free versions of AVG, Avast, a few different adware/spyware removers, MS SE didn't do any better there!

The big word for downloading off even some familiar sites on occasion would be "Enter at own risk"! Poorly written utilities like system tweakers can lead to problems as well. You may think a malware struck to find out it was simply a garbage freebie stuck on a download page somewhere.

That's where IE protection can often be the largest help by filtering questionable unknown sites by flagging them if anything is detected. A firewall of course as well as an active registry guard serves to add some extra layer of protecttion. The more layers(as well as more common sense note) you have the less likely you will get struck. But even with safeguards inplace never be "overconfident" that nothing can get through!

Besides the advice already given:

Keep everything up-to date, i.e. Windows, third party applications and third party plugins.

What's the Best Anti-virus?

https://www.sevenforums.com/security-...i-malware.html

The information provided by Jaxryley is what you are after but all other points are important.

johng said:

Free version of hitman pro allows unlimted scans but only offers 30 days malware removal,if you want *more after that then you have to buy.

Something worth mentioning as many don't realise is that Hitman Pro's 30 day trial does not start until you activate it.

Petey7 said:

Thanks for the info. I don't use it but a couple members often recommend it, so I included in my post (wanted to provide plenty of options). I think MBAM is better anyways.

MBAM and Hitman Pro both have their advantages over each other.

P.S. Night Hawk posted while I was typing. I didn't take their post into consideration.

Petey7 said:

You can never make it invinciable

Sure you can Petey7

Just stay off the internet and make sure no one ever plugs in a FD.

And don't forget the tin foil hat

But seriously...what the people in this thread have suggested is good, experienced advice. Follow it and you'll be as safe as you can be...the best you can hope for is to hold the bad guys off for as long as possible

EDIT - Oopsy...I forgot about DELL shipping all those motherboards with malware...guess you're right Petey7

Well besides staying offline entirely there is another option of simply staying on one site by itself and using that site's own version of IE. Where? you might ask. SilveOS.com - Silverlight operating system

That's kind of the "Windows for all" site seen there with a virtual desktop and working browser as you can see!

There is no way possible to make your computer 'invincible'. You may need to follow the advice of others, and just disconnect from the Internet.

Don't use the computer, put it in the box that it came in and put it in the closet.

That being said ... follow this guideline (even tho' your friend knows how to to remove viruses

Make your Internet Explorer more secure - This
can be done by following these simple instructions:
From within Internet Explorer click on the Tools menu and then


click on Options.Click once on the Security tab Click once on the Internet icon so it becomes highlighted. Click once on the Custom Level button.

1. Change the Download signed ActiveX controls to Prompt
2. Change the Download unsigned ActiveX controls to Disable
3. Change the Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as
   safe to Disable
4. Change the Installation of desktop items to Prompt
5. Change the Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to
   Prompt
6. Change the Navigate sub-frames across different domains to
   Prompt
7. When all these settings have been made, click on the OK button.
8. If it prompts you as to whether or not you want to save the settings,
   press the Yes button.
9. Next press the Apply button and then the OK to exit the
   Internet Properties page.
10. Use an AntiVirus Software - It is very
    important that your computer has an anti-virus software running on your
    machine. This alone can save you a lot of trouble with malware in the
    future. See this link for a listing of some online & their stand-alone
    antivirus programs:
    Virus,
    Spyware, and Malware Protection and Removal Resources
11. Update your AntiVirus Software - It is
    imperitive that you update your Antivirus software at least once a week
    (Even more if you wish). If you do not update your antivirus software then
    it will not be able to catch any of the new variants that may come out.
12. Use a Firewall - I can not stress how
    important it is that you use a Firewall on your computer. Without a firewall
    your computer is succeptible to being hacked and taken over. I am very
    serious about this and see it happen almost every day with my clients.
    Simply using a Firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk
    greatly. For a tutorial on Firewalls and a listing of some available ones
    see the link below:
    Understanding
    and Using Firewalls
13. Visit Microsoft's Windows Update Site
    Frequently - It is important that you visit
    http://www.windowsupdate.com
    regularly. This will ensure your computer has always the latest security
    updates available installed on your computer. If there are new updates to
    install, install them immediately, reboot your computer, and revisit the
    site until there are no more critical updates.
14. Install SpywareBlaster - SpywareBlaster will
    added a large list of programs and sites into your Internet Explorer
    settings that will protect you from running and downloading known malicious
    programs. A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:
    Using
    SpywareBlaster to protect your computer from Spyware and
    Malware
15. Update all these programs regularly - Make
    sure you update all the programs I have listed regularly. Without regular
    updates you WILL NOT be protected when new malicious programs are
    released.

Follow this list and your potential for being infected again will
reduce dramatically.

Install SpywareBlaster - SpywareBlaster will
added a large list of programs and sites into your Internet Explorer
settings that will protect you from running and downloading known malicious
programs. A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:
Using
SpywareBlaster to protect your computer from Spyware and
Malware

Again that only points to one program when there are actually tons of so called antispyware programs. The newer updated av programs often have better malware detection for spotted and blocking adwares and spywares with some also filtering rootkits.

Remember no one program is a cure all for that type of malwares. Each program regardless of how good it may seem can still be found vulnerable. This is why multiple layers which might include a separate firewall program or a better av program with one included will often be found more effective.

If fact to insure nothing stays on any system long simply wipe the drives daily which will clear the OS and any bugs off of any system kept running. You may as well toss backups on removable media away as well since you may have unknowingly backed an infected file or a new bug posing as one.

As far as the D item of installation of desktop items that is disabled here in all four sections of IE.

The latest MS update seen monday addresses shortcut exploitation a new vulnerbility discovered by MS in more then one version of Windows. So checking for the latest security fixes can always be a plus.

As far as internal cleaning on a regular basis you may not want to remove all cobwebs since some garden variety spiders will help catch other types of bugs crawling around inside the case itself.

Well that's what you get when leaving a case parked in a closet. By keeping it regularly maintained at least you wouldn't see that type of problem. Dust is the hardwares worst enemy there since it acts as an insulator.