My advice for securing your PC
Omatic810
Gainesville, FL
Ok, I'm a long time spyware hunter, but I've only started helping out in the Security Discussion. I've recently concocted a way to heavily guard your PC against spyware manually, without special Ad-prevention programs. Here's how it goes:
1) I know EVERYONE has said this, but do NOT use Internet Explorer. Here is why:
- Internet Explorer is irreprably tied into Windows, meaning that spyware can latch on to Window's functions to get to Internet Explorer. Sort of like since your leg is connected to your heart (internally), oxygen can get to your leg by travelling to your heart, and then to your leg. The only way to stop your leg from getting infected with spyware is to stop using it.
Had you been SMART and gotten a mechanical leg, you wouldn't have to worry about it getting infected, since it doesn't use blood. The correlation would be getting a different browser for your PC. By using a different Browser, you dramatically reduce 1)The chances of getting spyware, and 2) The chances that it will adversley affect your system, even if you have it. I would suggest getting Mozilla Firefox, so go ahead and google it now. Firefox has extremely potent Ad-blocking intstalled internally, kind of like having your own personal boarder patrol.
2) After you get another browser, you have to seal up the gaping hole that is Internet Explorer. IE is just a security risk waiting to frustrate you. So to seal it up (for the most part), you shoud begin by deleting the icon from your Desktop, and start menu. I've had many times where I'll accidentally click on it by habit. Instead, put the icon for your new browser there.
Next, go to the IE security settings (you can get there by going to Control Panel -> Internet Options). Go to Custom Settings, and disable or restrict EVERYTHING. Cripple IE so that nothing can use it. By doing this, no spyware can exploit it.
So to review:
1) Download a new browser, Firefox is best IMO.
2) Cripple IE and delete the shortcuts.
That's all I have for now. It's worked for me so far, so I would highly suggest it to those who don't want to post a new Hijackthis log here every week.
*And of course, get programs like Adaware, Spyware S&D, etc. , they can only help.
1) I know EVERYONE has said this, but do NOT use Internet Explorer. Here is why:
- Internet Explorer is irreprably tied into Windows, meaning that spyware can latch on to Window's functions to get to Internet Explorer. Sort of like since your leg is connected to your heart (internally), oxygen can get to your leg by travelling to your heart, and then to your leg. The only way to stop your leg from getting infected with spyware is to stop using it.
Had you been SMART and gotten a mechanical leg, you wouldn't have to worry about it getting infected, since it doesn't use blood. The correlation would be getting a different browser for your PC. By using a different Browser, you dramatically reduce 1)The chances of getting spyware, and 2) The chances that it will adversley affect your system, even if you have it. I would suggest getting Mozilla Firefox, so go ahead and google it now. Firefox has extremely potent Ad-blocking intstalled internally, kind of like having your own personal boarder patrol.
2) After you get another browser, you have to seal up the gaping hole that is Internet Explorer. IE is just a security risk waiting to frustrate you. So to seal it up (for the most part), you shoud begin by deleting the icon from your Desktop, and start menu. I've had many times where I'll accidentally click on it by habit. Instead, put the icon for your new browser there.
Next, go to the IE security settings (you can get there by going to Control Panel -> Internet Options). Go to Custom Settings, and disable or restrict EVERYTHING. Cripple IE so that nothing can use it. By doing this, no spyware can exploit it.
So to review:
1) Download a new browser, Firefox is best IMO.
2) Cripple IE and delete the shortcuts.
That's all I have for now. It's worked for me so far, so I would highly suggest it to those who don't want to post a new Hijackthis log here every week.
*And of course, get programs like Adaware, Spyware S&D, etc. , they can only help.
0
Comments
Good Job
Oh well, I guess this is the abridged version.
The problem isn't the OS, or the browser being more full of holes. It's the fact that the browser is the highest percentage in use. You don't work long hours to infect 2 MAC machines. You work long hours to infect 2 million machines. And how can Penguin users even believe that the OS is more secure when the source code can be perused at will for exploits. At least WinXP has to be decompiled the hard way.
What ever browser has the biggest user base will automatically get the most viruses, trojans, exploits, etc.. Before IE came along it was Netscape. Telling people to switch to another browser for you or I is a good idea. For Joe User, a headache. He doesn't know how. He can't see a good percentage of his web sites and doesn't know why. When he does get infected it makes it harder to "troubleshoot by remote" since we can't see his machine or his settings. Most of these spymare/malware infections happen because the USER gives them permission by clicking on a "you could be infected scan me" popup or you need to use our program to access this site crap. Until you can overcome human nature education of the user is the best prevention.
I think teaching the Joe User how to secure the browser he has is far better than telling him to switch. Kinda like giving in and letting the bad guys win.
You can't beat a good AV, AS, and common sense. I had a drive by incident last night at www.coverland.co.uk . One of their ads tried to install 2 different trojans, but NOD32 caught it and shut it down. We need to concentrate on a way of stopping/criminalizing this kind of stuff and having better tracking and enforcement.
Don't take this wrong. I'm not knocking your idea. It's just not for everybody.
You can't win if you are on the defense all the time
As a matter of fact, I was thinking of compiling a blacklist of all the sites that infect PCs with spyware. I've got a few on my list already.
Well, I'm glad that I'm not the top spyware hunter here, or I might have people burning down their PCs...