Computer security

Malware Bytes is amazing. I think the only main difference between the free and full version is that the free version your have to tell it to run scans (which is important), whereas the full version you can schedule the scans.

Norton and McAfee are horrible. Be careful while uninstalling Norton, sometimes even when you think you uninstalled it it is still there. (which makes putting another AV/AS on your computer I think there are actually free software downloads out there specifically to remove Notron.

I'll preface this by saying I'm a computer security engineer...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FlyingScot

Their disclaimer is that it won't protect you from everything which by default means it won't protect you from ANYTHING. At least that's what I found out when I got the "defense center" virus that merrily downloaded porn on my netbook everytime I turned it on.

---

Unfortunately, that's the nature of anti-virus and anti-malware software. The bad guys are trying to come up with new ways to infect systems. The good guys are always a step behind. IMHO anti-virus is a dead technology, but a necessary one.

My suggestions:

1. Install one of the free anti-virus programs like avg, avast, etc.
2. Don't use Internet Explorer. Since it's still the most popular browser, most malware writers will try to target it first. I recommend Firefox or Chrome.
3. If you do run Firefox, install the plugin "no script". It's a bit of a pain at first, but it will prevent getting an infection from a trusted or legitimate site with bad code running on it.


Overall, don't click random links or links in email/facebook/twitter unless you KNOW that they're legit

When searching for things, look at the URL. If it looks like gobbledygook, don't click it. It's most likely search bait that will lead you to an infected site.

Don't 'unsubscribe' from SPAM by replying or clicking links. That only tells the spammers that your address is real.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dogmama
McAfee sux. My DH is a private investigator, so he's always on questionable websites & opening any attachment that he gets. I drank the kool-aid & bought Norton 360. I really do like it. His computer has been turned into a boat anchor twice with viruses, so I think the Norton is worth it.

---

In this situation, I'd recommend your husband get an IT savvy friend to set up a virtual appliance (not hard do, but it might be tricky if he's not a computer person). VMWare player is free. as is the Firefox browser appliance http://wiki.rpath.com/wiki/Appliance...wser_Appliance.
If he does all the surfing from a browser appliance, the virtual machine will be infected, but the Windows PC will not. I actually recommend this to anyone who's doing banking and general internet usage from the same PC.