How to Stay Safe On-line

[tw33k]

Staying Safe On-line

​

The latest threats use multiple methods of attack – spyware installed via a phishing email delivered by spam, for example – in what's known as a blended threat.
Worms can spread as an email attachment. When opened, the attachment can install a keylogger into the Windows system folder plus a second file designed to reassemble the virus. When activated, the virus attempts to disable anti-virus software, searches for email addresses in a variety of places on the infected system, and emails itself to all those addresses using a fake ("spoofed") return address.

So how, exactly, do you stay on top of the spyware menace? The following guidelines will give you the upper hand. Although the list may look formidable, chances are you already use many of these tools and practices. Even if you don't, it doesn't take long to integrate them into your computing routine, and many of the daily chores are easy to automate.

• Use a multi-layered defence. Anti-spyware software alone is not enough. Use it in conjunction with anti-virus software, a spam blocker, and a firewall. The latter is particularly useful for spotting and stopping the sort of Internet activity which is a telltale of spyware infestation.
• Run scans every day, and after any high-risk activity, such as using peer-to-peer file swapping. Of course, you're better off not engaging in such high-risk activity at all.
• Update anti-spyware and anti-virus software daily.
• Enable real-time anti-spyware monitoring, so infestations may be stopped before they take root.
• Get your anti-spyware software from a reputable vendor. Never, ever download anti-spyware programs advertised via spam. Much of this software installs spyware on your system.

   Tip

Is your system infected with spyware? Some common signs of infection are:

• An increasingly sluggish response from your computer.
• Browser windows opening automatically when you start Windows.
• Pop-up windows appearing constantly when you're online.
• Your browser's home page or default search engine being changed.
• Frequent browser and program crashes.
• New toolbars or bookmarks appearing in your browser.
• Sites added to your browser's Trusted Sites or exceptions list.
• Unpredictable browser behaviour.
• Blocked access to sites, especially anti-virus or anti-spyware sites.
• New programs in the system tray.

 

[JMH]

Nice work [again] tw33k.

 

[tw33k]

Thanks

 

[swarfega]

I think updating and running spyware scans on a daily basis is a bit too much. I do mine weekly.
Currently I have:

1st-line of defence: MSE, Winpatrol, Windows Firewall
2nd-line of defence: Spybot, Superantispyware, malwarebytes
3rd-line of defence: common sense.

 

[TheSchaft]

I think updating and running spyware scans on a daily basis is a bit too much. I do mine weekly.
Currently I have:

1st-line of defence: MSE, Winpatrol, Windows Firewall
2nd-line of defence: Spybot, Superantispyware, malwarebytes
3rd-line of defence: common sense.

My lines of defense are about the same (well, maybe light on common sense. )

I have MSE scan everyday, and scan with MalwareBytes and IOBit360 at least weekly.

 

[Corrine]

Nice work [again] tw33k.

+1

 

[Jacee]

I have MSE scan everyday, and scan with MalwareBytes and IOBit360 at least weekly.

I have to ask why you use IOBit360, when it's already been discussed they pretty much "plagiarized" Malwarebites definitions?
Malwarebytes accuses rival of software theft | InSecurity Complex - CNET News
And more.... Google

 

[tw33k]

I have MSE scan everyday, and scan with MalwareBytes and IOBit360 at least weekly.

I have to ask why you use IOBit360, when it's already been discussed they pretty much "plagiarized" Malwarebites definitions?
Malwarebytes accuses rival of software theft | InSecurity Complex - CNET News
And more.... Google

Good point Jacee

 

[Lomai]

Thanks tw33k

 

[tw33k]

Thanks Lomai

 

[derekimo]

Good info tw33k,
Thanks for posting that.
Derek

 

[tw33k]

Thanks Derek

 

[ridakash]

MBAM+Spysweeper+Adblock Plus+ WOT+ KIS..+avoid adulte sites..

 

[Lomai]

MBAM+Spysweeper+Adblock Plus+ WOT+ KIS..+avoid adulte sites..

You are kidding right?

 

[ridakash]

yes..it's my own protection..

 

[Lomai]

Lol..Ok

 

[malexous]

I have to wonder where these dangerous sites are that seem to infect many people.

Until recently my main defence was just NoScript and Norton (infact years ago it was just AVG). Regularly, I would go to dubious adult sites among others. Never caught anything, even an STD.
I know others in my family go to these sites, the only security they had was Norton.

 

[Lomai]

I have to wonder where these dangerous sites are that seem to infect many people.

Until recently my main defence was just NoScript and Norton (infact years ago it was just AVG). Regularly, I would go to dubious adult sites among others. Never caught anything, even an STD.
I know others in my family go to these sites, the only security they had was Norton.

:roflmao:

 

[alwinwinjoe]

This thread must be Sticky to remind members about surfing the web safely. Good work once again tw33k...

 

[tw33k]

Thanks alwinwinjoe