Best Security for Computers?
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Flaser
OCD Hentai Collector
Fruid wrote...
^Bakapink, Windows is a fairly secure OS. Indeed, it is possible to insert malicious software into a remote system (a hacker forcing a download into your system), but would require the following: a complete understanding of Window's permissions implementation (how permissions were coded), a complete understanding of your firewall's implementation, and a diagram of how your individual system is connected to the "internet".
Ok, so the hacker is a smart guy - he has complete understanding of Window's permissions - hell, let's give him a complete understanding of ALL different types of firewalls out there. How does he know what system out of the billion or so devices out there is your system? Simple, you connect to a site and upload to the server that hosts the site a message saying, "Hey, give me this web-page." The server complies, tosses you the web-page, and keeps your message somewhere in their logs. Ok, Mr. Hacker, can you crack this server's firewall and try to figure out which one of these logs, from all these log files (which are probably encrypted) are my connection's details? Sure you could! Give it one to a few years.
Now you may be wondering, why there are so many virus infected systems out there. Simple, users do not know how to avoid common malware inducing practices. When you install software, don't keep pressing "next", actually read and don't install that ask toolbar (which is a known adware) that came packaged with that software. When an ad pops up don't click on the buttons, alt + f4 and close the window itself. It's the users themselves falling for simple tricks and not a guy trying to attack you, individually.
Out of the box, Windows is actually fairly vulnerable... especially Windows XP which doesn't even have its firewall turned on by default. Windows Vista & 7 are a lot better, since they do, however the user can still mess things up.
Will the OS be "auto-magically" infected the moment it's connected to the net?
Depends on how you connect. If you're behind a router or on a corporate network all those in-between systems actually protect you - especially on good corporate firewall that actually does a virus scan on all incoming packets - so no.
Even without such protection, if you use a modern OS (Vista, 7, *buntu, OSX, etc.) and keep it up to date (for God's sake, MS releases updates for a darn good reason! Install them!) you'll have a similar level of protection.
However the moment you start browsing the net (especially with an outdated and unpatched browser like Internet Explorer 6), it's you yourself who creates an avenue for worms to infect the system. All it takes is visiting a site with malicious code injected into it and BAM! you're part of a botnet.
Hence why we keep stressing:
- Turn on/install a firewall* software
- Use the firewall option of your router
- Use a modern browser and keep it up to date (IE 8...10, Firefox, Chrome)
- Try to keep all software that may connect to the Internet up to date (your torrent clien, i.e. uTorrent used to have nasty vulnerability, so did Foxit Reader)
- Install an anti-virus program and keep it up to date
- ...last but not least: Use good judgment!
- Don't visit sites you don't trust.
- Be suspicious! Any site that asks you to install unknown plugins, software, etc is suspect! In the best case they're pushing crapware onto you... in the worst case, they're gunning for everything from your credit card number to your medical records.
- Never install anything you don't recognize and know!
Something not exactly security related but with significant impact,
- KISS: Keep it Simple, Stupid!
- If you can achieve the same task with fewer programs, then do so
- Every piece of software you install is a potential security or stability hazard... aim for minimalism!
- When it comes to the softwares themselves, prize core functionality and robustness over glitz and fancy features. Use software that does a few things really well, instead ones that do tons haphazardly.
*Such software can also act as a good early warning system, as good firewalls will prompt you if newly installed software, like that trojan you unwittingly installed is trying to make an outgoing connection.
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Flaser and the others have said pretty much all there is to say, so I'll just add another voice agreeing with them and say that I too use a simple combo of Avast or MSE (AV), Windows Firewall and Malwarebytes/Super Anti-Spyware as my security setup. I don't have any paid versions, I just update manually at least once a week.
If you want more detail on different AVs, my experiences are in the spoiler; but I'd seriously stick with the good free stuff everyone's mentioned.
If you want more detail on different AVs, my experiences are in the spoiler; but I'd seriously stick with the good free stuff everyone's mentioned.
Spoiler:
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Avast.
Avast is free and gives the same levels of security that expensive programs offer, and also takes up a lot less of your CPU's memory when running.
Avast is free and gives the same levels of security that expensive programs offer, and also takes up a lot less of your CPU's memory when running.
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Tegumi wrote...
MSE is a good free alternative.Jonny P. wrote...
MSE, never had a problem.Fruid wrote...
Microsoft Security Essentials darkling13 wrote...
Avast or MSE (AV)Platnumin wrote...
AvastExperienced Avast + COMODO Firewall - no trouble and if you are technically educated, COMODO may help you a lot.
Currently using MSE and COMODO - no problems even with suspicious pieces of software. Malicious web-pages are also prevented from downloading with this combo.
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Kaspersky definately, I've tried almost every Anti virus I could find but it still ended up destroying my system (Since I love to DL so much). Haven't had one problem since I've been using it. 2 Years and countiâ–„g.
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For security, the three antivirus+firewall I highly recommend is Bitdefender, Kaspersky, and Comodo. These have the best zero-day detection rate than any other antivirus. That is the antivirus doesn't rely on it library to scan for virus, but analyze its behavior to determine whether it is a virus or not.
You can use this site for a guideline of which one is the top best antivirus:
http://www.av-test.org/en/tests/award/2011/
http://www.av-test.org/en/tests/home-user/windows-7/mayjun-2012/
From what I have experience, Kaspersky is expensive and a memory hog. That is if you have a really good computer and don't mind spending more money, then Kaspersky might be for you.
If you want an antivirus that is light and fast, then I highly recommend Bitdefender. It is also a very cheap antivirus. I have the Internet Security by the way.
Comodo is the best free antivirus, but scanning performance is lacking especially when you are multitasking, the scan will take up your computer resources. Norton mostly rely on their library for detection so it can't really protect you from new threats.
Before purchasing your antivirus, you might as well do your research. here: http://www.youtube.com/user/languy99 . This person reviews every antivirus on the market so it would be a good reference for it.
You can use this site for a guideline of which one is the top best antivirus:
http://www.av-test.org/en/tests/award/2011/
http://www.av-test.org/en/tests/home-user/windows-7/mayjun-2012/
From what I have experience, Kaspersky is expensive and a memory hog. That is if you have a really good computer and don't mind spending more money, then Kaspersky might be for you.
If you want an antivirus that is light and fast, then I highly recommend Bitdefender. It is also a very cheap antivirus. I have the Internet Security by the way.
Comodo is the best free antivirus, but scanning performance is lacking especially when you are multitasking, the scan will take up your computer resources. Norton mostly rely on their library for detection so it can't really protect you from new threats.
Before purchasing your antivirus, you might as well do your research. here: http://www.youtube.com/user/languy99 . This person reviews every antivirus on the market so it would be a good reference for it.