How do I Keep my Computer Free of Viruses and Such?

Factual Questions
1

I just got a new computer and I’m trying to keep free of all the bad stuff that some websites can put on it. I have McAfee. Any other suggestions?

2

Keep all your updates for Windows current.

3

And also keep McAfee up to date. Also download something like AdAware to keep the spyware off your system. I think if you have the latest McAfee, 8.0i, it should have a spyware detection/prevention part in there but you’ll have to check the VirusScan Console for it.

4

Don’t browse the Web, don’t open any e-mails, don’t download anything, don’t visit newsgroups, don’t install any “doubtful” software, don’t load any “doubtful” or home-made CDs, don’t load any diskettes you didn’t record yourself.

If this is too strict a regimen, then a) use backup/restore points liberally, b) use software like AdAware and Spybot regularly, c) leave your anti-virus software on at all times, d) don’t open e-mail attachments from people you don’t know, even if they offer you candy or cheap Viagra.

5

As mentioned (and some other stuff):

  1. Have an antivirus program running in autoprotect mode all of the time (you should see it in your system tray in the lower right corner of your screen). Make sure you update your antivirus definition files regularly (no less than once per week). I do not know your McAfee product but I’m willing to bet you can automate the updating feature to go out and grab and install new definition files automatically without you bothering to force it. That said go out once a month or so and manually force an update as I am not sure that some program updates will come in the autodownload.

  2. Run a full virus scan on your PC roughly monthly as a matter of course. Run one anytime you even think something fishy might be up.

  3. Get AdAware and Spybot from Download.Com. Both are free. While they kind of seem to do the same thing they seem to catch different things so as a one-two punch to nail spyware they are pretty good. Both of those likewise need to be updated and have a button in the program to go out and get new updates. Spybot can also immunize your system against some spyware and keep it from loading but I have noticed some web sites do not load properly when you stop that. Personally I just cruise away from that site but it might annoy some people. Up to you. Run a Spybot and AdAware scan once every 2-4 weeks or so (depending on how much you surf the web).

  4. Make sure Windows is up-to-date. You can do that automatically here: Windows Update Be sure to grab all of the Critical downloads. You can automate this as well if you like (I don’t like doing that personally but I just like to know what they are throwing at me…up to you).

  5. If you use Microsoft Office likewise update it here: Office Update Note that you will need to insert your Office CD to make the update install.

  6. If you can set it so your e-mail client (e.g. Outlook) does not autodownload pictures or other content automatically. The proper setting you will see e-mail with graphics come in with empty boxes and a little note to right-click to download pictures. One click and they all come but you have to make it happen.

  7. Avoid file sharing services like the plague. Kazaa/Bear Share/etc is virus central. Other, safer options for file sharing exist but I do not think we are allowed to mention what they are here.

  8. While surfing the web read any pop-up boxes asking you to do something very carefully! Unless you really trust the site or intentionally sought out whatever they are giving click “No” on any requests to ok a download or certificate. Many will get you with free stuff and then throw spyware or worse at you that you technically “opted” into.

  9. Frequent backups and save points if you want to go there and have the stuff to do it (tape backup, DVD burner, CD burner maybe).

  10. Be wary of putting disks others have given you in your computer. People you know almost certainly are not trying to give you viruses but if they are not good about keeping their PC clean they can throw some your way.

6

Of course, you could just go and buy a 100% virus-free computer.

7

Ditch Internet Explorer & Outlook; they both have numerous security problems. I reccomend using Firefox as a browser, and Thunderbird as an email client.

8

:eek:

Nobody has mentioned firewalls. Even the pre-SP2 firewall in Windows XP can stop many of the real nasties. A firewall is surely more important to secure Windows that commercial AV software?
(And rjung, not eveyone can afford the extortionate cost of a Mac)

9

While rjung is right that there are few to no viruses out there for OS X (or other MacOSes), it’s really security through obscurity. So few viruses are written for that operating system. I mean, I could get a Commodore 64 online and never pick up a virus (of course, I’d never get to use anything but a text-based browser either.) It’s not that the computer can’t get a virus, it’s that there are so fewer viruses out there.

10

GorillaMan:

Asterion:

So my Mac is secure because it’s not the computer that the unwashed masses, who can’t afford to buy into the high-priced exclusivist club of Macintosh, are all using.

Omigod, I think I just got in touch with my Inner Republican! :wink:
(Those of you on PCs could run Linux, though, or for that matter BSD. No extortionate costs going on there, and no viruses either)

11

For the love of all that’s holy, let me reiiterate a point that was given altogether too gently:

Do Not Use Internet Explorer or And Form Of Outlook

Both are the primary vectors for the crap that’s floating around the 'net and their market saturation are the primary reason that virus promulgation is so easy.

Remove Outlook and any of it’s variants from your system entirely. Download Thunderbird. Use it. Enjoy it. Remove all shortcuts and automatic pointers to Internet Explorer from your system. Download Firefox and don’t ever look back.

12

:smack: That should be any form of Outlook, not and.

13

Windoze built in Task Scheduler (Start->Control Panel->Scheduled Tasks) is your friend if you tend to forget or just don’t want to be bothered to remember. Any application you can run on your computer, you can schedule through Scheduled tasks - adaware, spybot, virus updates etc. even other complex commands. I’d recommend you run adaware and spybot once every week or two to be safe. With Spybot, make sure you read the tutorial though.

I use AVG antivirus, and it has a built in scheduler for virus scans, definition updates etc. I’m not sure about McAfee, but I know Norton does as well.

14

Yes, the best solution is to completely learn a new OS, instead of working with one you’re experinced with, and pay an extra few thousand dollars to get another computer. Nevermind the fact that if you follow all the advice in this thread, you should be fine.

Plus, you get the extra pleasure of mac users piling on you if you if you find your experince with Macs unsatisfactory, telling you how the only way you’d have a problem with a mac is if it’s improperly maintained or that the user is simple minded and deserves the hell of Micro$haft $hitDoze XPi$$fuck$hit.

15

:rolleyes:

Numero uno: eMacs start at $799. If that’s “extortionate,” you’ve got problems.

Numero two-o: The new flat-panel 64-bit iMac costs less than a comparable Gateway or Dell PC:

Numero three-o: A baseline iMac costs less than building a comparably-equipped PC by yourself:

Really, the whole “Macs are outrageously expensive” meme is so 1995.

16

I’ve said it before, and I will say it again: Using a PC is liking fucking a hooker; if you wear a couple of condoms and don’t leave your wallet on the dresser, she can rock your world six ways to Sunday. Using a Mac is like fucking your sister; you probably won’t catch anything, but Eeeeewwww!!.

17

Not sure where the guy who wrote that article shops but I build DIY comps and know for a fact it is less than what that article says. Here’s what I found and this pricing is only two weeks after what they dug up so I seriously doubt any huge price swings in that time.

OS: Windows XP Pro - $105 ( Loading... )

Abit KV8 Pro motherboard (GigE and digital audio out on-board) - $88 ( http://store.yahoo.com/buyxg/mb145126.html )

Processor: Athlon 64 2800+ - $136 ( http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=M&Category_Code=AMD64 )

Memory: 256MB PC3200 (400MHz) DDR SDRAM - $40 ( http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-141-165&depa=1 )

Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra with 64MB DDR SDRAM - $48 ( http://www.powerleap.com/VideoCards.html )

Storage: 80GB: Serial ATA; 7200 rpm - $65 ( http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=HD-ST80SB )

Optical drive: (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) - $34 ( http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-190-002&depa=1 )

Flat Screen: 17-inch (viewable) widescreen TFT active-matrix LCD, 1280 x 1024 pixels- $239 ( http://www.unityelectronics.com/product-product_id/2097 )

4-port Firewire card - $7 ( http://www.acortech.com/.sc/ms/cat/1097420889836263/9/nc/Controller%20Cards--IEEE1394%20Firewire%20Card )

Modem: 56K V.92 - $6 ( http://www.gearxs.com/gearxs/product_info.php?cPath=91&products_id=2838 )
Software:
Adobe Photoshop album (Compares with iPhoto) - $46 ( Rakuten: Shop. Get Cash Back. Repeat. )

Windows Movie Maker (Compares to iMovie) - $0

Ulead DVD MovieFactory (Compares with iDVD) - $50 ( http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=32-163-104&depa=0 )

Fruity Loops (Compares with Garage Band) - $80 (not sure what this is so stick with $80)

Microsoft Works (Compares with Apple Works) - $38 ( http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.327906/sc.2/category.2/it.A/id.101/.f )

Quicken 2004 - $45 ( http://www.trustprice.com/as/product_details.cfm/ItemNo=1109-772563 )

World Book 2004 Edition - $18 ( http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000ALSKP/dealtime-sw-feed-20/104-1372055-6553556 )

Nanosaur 2 - $15
Marble Blast Gold - $15
Speakers: 2 speakers - $15
Keyboard: keyboard - $20
Mouse: mouse - $20
Case: case - $40

Total: $1170
Savings: $370 or ~24%

18

That price compares to their DYI priced comp at $1,540.

Compared to the Mac they listed at $1,299 the price difference is 10%.

19

Folks should also take note of the fact that wolfian said he just got a new computer. Past tense. He already has it. Saying “buy a Mac” to keep his new PC safe is by far the most expensive and least effective option suggested here for him. :wink: