safety on the nexus

[LHammonds]

Comodo might be considered geeky since it does ask a lot of questions and requires configuring but I have found it to be the absolute best product so far for protecting my computer no matter where the thread comes from (Internet probes, downloads, CD-ROM, LAN, etc.). It also just happens to be 100% free without limitations such as (only at home) because it can be installed even on PCs at a business.

 

You definitely need to grab several anti-malware programs and have them installed and kept updated BEFORE a problem strikes. Many require manually updating by starting the program and going through an update process. Anti-virus and Firewalls are a different animal though...typically can only have one installed at a time.

 

In regards to "trusting" sites, no web site is immune from virus attacks and "thinking" so only puts you in greater risk of being infected. But the administration of the Nexus does not allow virus-infected files to be uploaded and we are quick in response to removing them. Same goes for problematic ads...when identified, they are removed asap.

 

Keeping your PC "clean" also requires knowledge in what and what not to do. For example, you should make it a rule that you identify any email that has an attachment and NOT open that attachment unless you were expecting it. It is a common mistake to "trust" what you get even from somebody you know (such as mom, dad or a friend). Their PC might have been infected and then sends a friendly email to everyone in their contact list with an attached virus to infect YOU. There are just a lot of things you need to know in order to reduce your risk of being infected. Notice, I said "lower your risk" and not "safe." Because the risk is always there, you should also be ready in the event your PC simply fails to boot up and you never have access to your hard drive again. So, are your pictures and data backed up? Do you remember all your favorite web sites, registration information and so on? If not, you've got some disaster preparation that needs to be done...unless you don't have anything on the PC you don't mind losing. ;)

 

LHammonds

[urbex]

MSE & Common Sense 2011

[LHammonds]

Common Sense....so rare, it is considered a super power!

 

Common sense isn't as intuitive as you may think when it comes to computers. Those that have used and understand them for a long time may tend to think things are common sense when in fact, they are learned behaviors through trial and error or learned by other peoples mistakes. Take a smart person that has never used a computer before, sit them down in front of it and you will quickly realize that anyone unfamiliar can trip over all sorts of virtual landmines.

 

As humans, each generation has to completely re-learn everything from scratch so at any point in time, somebody is always learning something new which may be "old school" news to others.

 

That's why it is important for the older generations to share what they have learned with the newer generation that are asking those questions (which may sound silly to others now) :thumbsup:

 

LHammonds

[DarkNinja13]

A good online scanner (for if you think one got through your defenses) is at

Trend Micro Housecall

I go there about once a month and scan overnight - just to be doubly protected :thumbsup:

[LHammonds]

You can also use command-line virus scanners in conjunction with your primary virus scanner. I've used AVG to scan my files every once in a while as a secondary scanner.

 

If you have a suspicious file, you can upload it to VirusTotal.com and let it scan the file with 40+ scanners to get a nice report that will give you a good indication if your scanner is alone in thinking it is an infected file or a false positive.

[TheCalliton]

what is good for preventing viruses from getting on your computor? or is the microsoft security essentials able to do that too?

[Zaldir]

MSE is good enough for that. It spots most threats.

AVG is better at spotting new threats though, and some others are probably even better. But I've been running MSE since it was pre-released, with nothing else, and I've had no problems.

[urbex]

http://i.imgur.com/ihBSw.png

[DarkeWolf]

what is good for preventing viruses from getting on your computor? or is the microsoft security essentials able to do that too?

Good tools, maintenance and prevention.

Scanners that will actively scan the sites that you're visiting, actively scan your email, and actively scan your downloads AS their downloading.

Maintenance- making sure that they are kept up to date, and making sure that the company updates them as often as possible.

Prevention- don't go to sites where they are known to host them. Don't go to sites that run a lot of warez, porn, or "buy this" ads. Block ads from your browser in your browser settings.

Set up block lists from sites that send those ads in your browser settings.

 

Do an external scan on a regular basis. Such as the onliine scan from trend micro that was mentioned. Some viruses can set themselves up on the scanner's "do not report" list when it's installed on your own computer. Having an online scan helps to prevent that.

Tho online scans are DETECTION only, not preventing them from getting onto your system.

 

Edit- and run ONLY what you NEED in your browser. If you don't need flash in your browsing habits, turn it off. If you don't need such and such, turn it off.

[Fatalmasterpiece]

I'm curious about trying MSE but doesn't it seem likely that as a "standard" Microsoft piece of software, virus makers would create their programs specifically to defeat that security suite? :huh: