Tired of Vanilla

[Werne]

Can anyone recommend an easy to use anti-virus software for Windows 7?

Well, Avast worked for me, and I'd always couple it with AdBlock+ add-on on the browser, most viruses I'd pick are from ads anyway. I also suggest running Malwarebytes complete system scan every 3-6 months, that thing can catch what the other software fails to detect.

 

By the way, something I find most efficient at keeping the system clean is creating two accounts - one administrator and one without admin rights - then use the admin account only to install system-wide software while the user account is for running the said software. You'd have to install games outside Program Files to use mods though, and may require some fiddling. In case of an infection on the user account the cleaning process is simple - purge the user, full system scan with Malwarebytes, create a new user. It reduces the chance to infect the entire machine in case you do pick something up since regular accounts can't modify system files (it's most similar to not having superuser access on Mac or any other UNIX-like OS), and you don't need to reinstall the entire system, the only thing you lose are savegames.

 

And most importantly, watch your actions, no anti-malware can save you if you don't take care of what you do. That's especially true on the admin account since Windows handles things differently from UNIX/Linux, you don't need to gain root access to infect the machine system-wide and it won't even ask you for a password, just for a confirmation.

 

You have it easier than most though, you dual-boot, so if Windows dies you can still use the machine and the only nuisance is reinstalling Windows. :thumbsup:

[hoofhearted4]

i use Microsoft Security Essentials, Malware Antibytes and Spybot Search and Destory. couple those with Firefox plugins like Web of Trust, Ad Block+ and others. i manually up date those three programs as well as my PC once a week, and do a full on scan at least once a month.

[Thor.]

I didn't like malewarebytes, gave to many false positives. Sometimes files are legit and they still get flagged, one thing Lavasofts known for is the accuracy the way it scans.

Edited December 26, 2013 by Thor.

[FMod]

Don't underestimate the importance of not getting crap on your PC in the first place. If you use noscript, stay away from pron etc, and never touch executables from dubious sources (especially pirates, but not just them; if you haven't been planning on installing X, you probably shouldn't), you're unlikely to ever have problems.

 

Over the past 10 years, with 2-3 PCs at any given time, scanning with various AVs, I've only had one real instance of malware across them. And even that wasn't a worm or rootkit, but a piece of bundled crap that attached a "call hotline" popup to every button in Windows. Sure as hell looks scary, doesn't get caught by any antivirus (because it's not technically a virus), but can be removed after a million "are you sure" with system uninstall programs tool.

 

If you're taking the precautions, you really don't need much more than MSE and an occasional check with Malwarebytes and Avast. And if you not, you're likely to get rooted either way, pirated executables and free porn are in fact as bad as they sound.

[wismas]

Thanks for all the info everybody! I'm learning a lot.

 

What are pirated executables?

[Werne]

What are pirated executables?

Illegaly obtained (pirated) proprietary software, binary executables occasionally modified to bypass license restrictions. Sometimes carries malware as well.

 

As for piracy itself, it's theft. And it's not as fun as it sounds, there are no hot chicks, rum, eyepatches, wooden legs, Jack Sparrow nor talking parrots involved. :sad:

Edited December 26, 2013 by Werne

[FMod]

It's generally difficult to infect a modern PC with a virus (malware). They don't just get airborne and land wherever. For a virus or another type of malware to infect a PC, it usually requires an action on part of the owner - such as opening an executable file.

 

Now, how do you get the owner to obtain and open such a file?

You could advertise it as "super cool program" and wait for people to get and install it.

You could email it everywhere (spam), say it's important, and hope someone opens it.

 

Or, you could take a program the PC owner was going to install already and attach your virus to it.

But now you have to somehow make sure he gets your version and not the original. How?

You could make a fake website that people think is the original, and sell it through there.

Or you could use the biggest competitive factor - price - and offer your version for free.

 

All of these are common ways employed to deliver malware to end user devices (be it on Windows, Mac, Android or iOS). Windows is the prime target because it's so popular and not so well protected, but it's almost always users themselves that infect their device.

[Thor.]

Thats not always the case though, virus's can be carried via cookie or malicious sites that have nasty adware on the site itself.

 

One Things to avoid

 

Cnet installers is a good example, many clean and well known sites use it to distribute files, but during the install caution to you, some may have secret programs attached to them.

Make sure to clean your cookies or history once a week, use do not track and Wot safe browsing, and no script or adblock if you use Chrome Or Firefox.

 

Don't forget to use one of the mention Antirvirus's

Edited December 28, 2013 by Thor.

[wismas]

More good info, thanks! No worries on the piracy thing, at least from me. The eye patch and pegleg sound cool though! :pirate:

 

Good news, decided to bypass the old Mac and jump straight into a new machine. I've got it narrowed to three options.

 

The systems and specs that Werne outlined for me at the beginning of the thread. This would be attached to my HDTV.

 

+ Least expensive route.

+ Might be fun to build my own PC.

+ Components could be upgraded in the future if need be. Is that a true statement?

 

- May not be fun to build my own PC

- Would prefer a case that is similar to an Xbox because of space reasons.

 

 

A prebuilt system.

 

1. http://buildmygamingcomputer.com/shop/intel-captain-class/arrakis/

 

2. http://buildmygamingcomputer.com/shop/amd-captain-class/ascella/

 

+ It's prebuilt, no fuss, no muss.

+ It seems comparable to the systems I would build myself for slightly more money.

+ Comes with Windows, keyboard and mouse.

 

- Tower case design will be a problem. I can make it work but it won't be an elegant solution.

- Wonder how good the quality of the machine will be buying online.

 

 

A new iMac.

 

http://www.apple.com/imac/specs/

 

27" Screen

CPU - 3.4GHz Intel Core i5

RAM - 16GB

HD - 1 TB/7200 rpm

GPU - NVidea GeForce GTX 775M with 2GBVRAM

 

+ I work on a Mac all day so it will be a nice upgrade.

+ It is a nice elegant design, don't need to make extra space.

+ I can game/mod in my home office, which I prefer.

- Way, way more expensive, $2k.

 

The missus has greenlighted this project and all options are on the table. Now it's just a matter of choosing and jumping in with both feet.

[hoofhearted4]

you can build a micro PC system, thats roughly the size of an xbox (maybe a bit bigger) the only thing, is while you can make gaming PCs that small, they do tend to run hot. the smaller the case, the less air flow, and this is doubled if you plan to keep said case under a shelf or hidden or something

 

Thor is the person you wanna talk to if you want to go this route, he was planning on building a Micro HTPC, granted he does get a little over zealous when he plans his builds, but stil he might be able to give you some pointers.

 

as always with micro builds, i recommend The Node

 

this was Thors Thread when he was inquiring about an HTPC.

Edited December 27, 2013 by hoofhearted4