Security

I've just installed XP and need to surf the web. Do I need to install
anything?

Albert

Albert <> wrote in news:33d368a5-5be1-4dc4-
8f49-:

> I've just installed XP and need to surf the web. Do I need to install
> anything?
>

Question far too broad, vague and ill-defined - please refine and resubmit.

Regards,

nemo_outis

"nemo_outis" wrote:
> Albert <albert.xtheunkno...@gmail.com> wrote in news:33d368a5-5be1-4dc4-
> 8f49-098cb6514...@f20g2000prn.googlegroups.com:
>
> > I've just installed XP and need to surf the web. Do I need to install
> > anything?
>
> Question far too broad, vague and ill-defined - please refine and resubmit.

What do I need to install so that I can't get malware? If you choose
to specify a particular company, please add why you chose that company.

Albert

Albert <> writes:

> "nemo_outis" wrote:
>> Albert <albert.xtheunkno...@gmail.com> wrote in news:33d368a5-5be1-4dc4-
>> 8f49-098cb6514...@f20g2000prn.googlegroups.com:
>>
>> > I've just installed XP and need to surf the web. Do I need to install
>> > anything?
>>
>> Question far too broad, vague and ill-defined - please refine and resubmit.
>
> What do I need to install so that I can't get malware?

I'm afraid no product will prevent you entirely from getting malware.
Antivirus is not terribly hard for custom malware to avoid, there is
no patch for human stupidity (i.e. you respond to phishing emails,
install a trojan), or fall victim to a 0day attack via unpatched
issues in your browser, IM program, media player, pdf viewer, flash
plugin, what have you.

> If you choose to specify a particular company, please add why you
> chose that company.

av-comparatives.org tests antivirus software. Eset's NOD32 is a
worthy combination of fast performance and strong signature based and
heuristic based malware detection. Symantec Client security (a
business aimed product) isn't awful either, but it's not cheap
either.

--
Todd H.
http://www.toddh.net/

Todd H.

Albert <> wrote in
news:b0ae4222-21c3-4acf-b29e-:

> "nemo_outis" wrote:
>> Albert <albert.xtheunkno...@gmail.com> wrote in
>> news:33d368a5-5be1-4dc4-
>> 8f49-098cb6514...@f20g2000prn.googlegroups.com:
>>
>> > I've just installed XP and need to surf the web. Do I need to
>> > install anything?
>>
>> Question far too broad, vague and ill-defined - please refine and
>> resubmit.
>
> What do I need to install so that I can't get malware? If you choose
> to specify a particular company, please add why you chose that
> company.


Still outrageously broad, vague, and ill-defined!

I say this not only because I'm a cranky curmudgeonly old bastard (which
I am) but because sloppy thinking, carelessness, and laziness - even
after you were chided and prodded - does not bode well for your chances
of staying secure. The appropriate skills and attitudes, not just
mindlessly installing a few programs, are crucial to computer security.

For instance, it is quite uncommon to become infested with malware unless
one connects to the internet (at least browsing and emailing, but
possibly also torrent, irc, etc.) - but you don't even mention that you
do that, let alone how! We are left to infer that you are not a complete
novice by the fact that you asked the question here, a relative backwater
of the net. This smacks of either intractable stupidity or trolling.

With that said, the basic kit is as follows:

1) use a router
2) use a decent software firewall
3) use a decent antivirus
4) use programs with reduced suceptibility to security breaches (e.g.,
firefox), addons which increase security (e.g., noscript, flashblock,
betterprivacy) and - especially important! - configure all software (OS,
firewall, browsers, email, etc.) appropriately.

Much more can be done (depending on specific threats, needs, and skills -
such as using tor or mixmaster or a virtual machine) but that's the core.

Regards,

nemo_outis

(Todd H.) wrote:
> <snip intro>
> ...there is no patch for human stupidity (i.e. you respond to
> phishing emails, install a trojan), or fall victim to a 0day attack
> via unpatched issues in your browser, IM program, media player, pdf
> viewer, flash plugin, what have you.

I don't respond to phising emails. I plan to install the bare minimum
so I can scan exe files for being trojans. I don't use IM. My pdf
viewer is portable and as long as I copy three files to a computer in
the same directory it'll work - so I doubt malware would get through
via this program. I don't need the flash _plugin_.

So if I install NOD32 and don't do anything stupid, I can't get malare?

Albert

"nemo_outis" wrote:
> <snip _top-post_>

> For instance, it is quite uncommon to become infested with malware unless
> one connects to the internet (at least browsing and emailing, but
> possibly also torrent, irc, etc.) - but you don't even mention that you
> do that, let alone how!

I browse, email with gmail, use utorrent, don't use irc.

> With that said, the basic kit is as follows:
>
> 1) use a router
> 2) use a decent software firewall
> 3) use a decent antivirus
> 4) use programs with reduced suceptibility to security breaches (e.g.,
> firefox), addons which increase security (e.g., noscript, flashblock,
> betterprivacy) and - especially important! - configure all software (OS,
> firewall, browsers, email, etc.) appropriately.

I use a router. I don't have a firewall nor antivirus. After I post
this I'll go get firefox with the addons you've listed.

But, could you please narrow down what you mean by 'configure all
software appropriately'?

Albert

In article <33d368a5-5be1-4dc4-8f49-
>, albert.xtheunknown0
@gmail.com says...
>
> I've just installed XP and need to surf the web. Do I need to install
> anything?

Where have you been for the last 10 years?

You need ALL Windows Updates, Antivirus software, the most current Java,
and I would suggest that you use FireFox, the latest version.

--
You can't trust your best friends, your five senses, only the little
voice inside you that most civilians don't even hear -- Listen to that.
Trust yourself.
(remove 999 for proper email address)

Leythos

Leythos wrote:
> You need ALL Windows Updates, Antivirus software, the most current Java,
> and I would suggest that you use FireFox, the latest version.

If I choose to not visit any website requiring Java, do I still need
the most current Java?
I've got Firefox now - just need NOD32.

Albert

On Thu, 17 Sep 2009 23:21:22 GMT, "nemo_outis" <> wrote:

>Albert <> wrote in news:33d368a5-5be1-4dc4-
>8f49-:
>
>> I've just installed XP and need to surf the web. Do I need to install
>> anything?
>>
>
>Question far too broad, vague and ill-defined - please refine and resubmit.
>

What a great answer. NOT!

Here's some starting advice;

1. Download an AntiVirus Program - A free version to see if it works
on your machine without screwing up other software. Try Avast. If it
works on your machine for a week and doesn't interfere with other
software, BUY IT! Don't listen to the cheapskates who think the
freebie version is all they need.

Get the Professional version here:

http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html

UPDATE IT EVERYDAY!!!

2. Download the freebie ERUNT.

http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt/

This will save a a copy of your registry in case some junk program
screws it up. Always use it before you install any new program.

3. Download its companion NTREGOPT - on the same page. It'll keep your
registry neat.

4. Forget everything you heard about Windows RESTORE POINT. It sucks.
If you can afford a few bucks, buy Acronis True Image. With
incremental backups it will assure you are able to go back to a past
image of your hard drive before some virus or crappy program destroyed
your Windows.

Use Win Restore Point if you have to, but *really* try to get Acronis.
Everything doesn't have to be gotten immediately with the same
paycheck.

http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/

5. Get the free versions of SuperAntiSpyware and Malewarebyes
AntiMalware. Make sure you back up with Acronis or at least your
registry with Erunt because the two mentioned pieces of anti spyware
are notorious for screwing up machines.

http://www.malwarebytes.org/

http://www.superantispyware.com/

6. Get a firewall. Sunbelt's is a simple one for a beginner.

7. Download the freebie WinPatrol. It'll keep you apprised when any
program tries scrwing with your files or registry.

8. Install the freebie InstallSpy.
InstallSpy v2.0 [1.23 MB]

This is not spyware, but a program to help you discover spyware! Track
any and all changes to the registry and file system, and also record
all shell notification events (e.g. media inserted), when a program is
installed, uninstalled, or run. This can warn you of programs trying
to install new services, programs that are set to run on reboot,
changes to your home page, etc.

InstallSpy is a highly configurable program that allows you to catch
any change to your system. Filtering lets you zoom down to the details
that are most important to you.

http://www.2brightsparks.com/freeware/

SyncBack Freeware on the same page is a simple backup program that
works great until you want to move up to something more sophisticated.
It's dang near foolproof to use.

9. Install a HOST file. It's a freebie you can get here.

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

It'll keep you from loading many Web pages which have been created
with one thought in mind: to screw the viewer with viruses, trojans,
spyware, etc.

10. Install the freebie Fingerprint - You can keep track of files such
as the HOST file to see if anything has changed them.

It's on the same page as SyncBack and InstallSpy
http://www.2brightsparks.com/freeware/

FingerPrint v2.1.3 [1.46 MB]

A utility to see if any files in one or more directories have been
created, deleted, or changed since the last scan. It's useful for
checking if a program, e.g. viruses and trojans, has changed your
all-important Windows files (this is similar to such security software
as Tripwire).

11. Forget using MS Internet Explorer as your browser. Use free
Firefox.
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/personal.html



10. Download the freebie Spybot.
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

Use the Advanced items such as Tea Timer at your own risk. It screws
up too often on too many machines. If it does work for you, great.
Again, backup with Acronis or System Restore before Installing. But
don't trust System Restore to truly install every system that might
get screwed up. It doesn't cover everything. At the least, backup
your registry with Erunt.

------------
This should keep you busy for a while. It's not the end, but a good
beginning.

Have fun.

as;dl@dasfkjl.com