Viruses and Browser Hijackers: Here we go again! (1 Viewer)

[Bob_Chase]

Another vote for a Mac. The reliability of FireFox for your entire OS.

Maybe one of those shiny new G5's to be announced next week (with the possibility of Apple including Blu-Ray SuperDrives.)
http://www.thinksecret.com/news/0504g5.html

 

[Lee Scoggins]

This is why I switched...jut got tired of security hassles and spending $400 on utilities and spyware/virus stuff.

 

[Seth--L]

No one has mentioned Zone Alarm? It works quite well, especially for protecting you when using IE.

 

[Mike Voigt]

Some suggestions on software to use/have:

Firewalls: ZoneAlarm, BlackIce Defender, hardware firewall, separate PC running certain software, etc.

Virus hunters: McAfee, SpyBot-SD, Norton, CounterSpy, MS AntiSpyWare, F-Prot, etc.

Blockers: SpywareBlaster, SpywareGuard, McAfee, and MASSIVE security settings in IE (hint: treat everything like is is the worst and then pile it on). May be painful for surfing, but no viruses

Cleaners: CCleaner, Plvx2cleaner, cwshredder

Analyzers: HijackThis, Killbox

Learn how to handle the registry. You may find yourself editing it. Some of the best and newest info on how to get rid of spyware is on the internet (google away).

Above all: programs like Spybot-SD and SpywareBlaster have a long list of places to avoid/download from. Load those - and freely block anything else that annoys you.

And keep using anything BUT IE. Also for email.

Or... get a Mac.

 

[Seth--L]

Not to sound condescending, but if you're using a PC, and constantly getting viruses, then you're doing something wrong. Running a PC free of infection is quite easy: do not use IE, have an anti-virus program, have a firewall, never open attachments unless they are from a person you can trust, and exercise some caution about the websites you visit (for instance, porn sites and pages that post hacked programs tend to have all sorts of other crap that will try to invade your computer).

While you will be more secure with a Mac, you're still going to have to do the same things to prevent infection.

 

[Mike Voigt]

You're right, Seth. OTOH, hackers aren't (yet) gong for Macs. So it is still sound advice if you just do not want the hassle.

Getting rid of IE is a good first step, followed by Outlook Express/Outlook. One or two antivirus programs are essential, but you have to keep them updated. Firewalls are great, again, you need to know what to do to make them reasonably effective. Opening attachments is a good idea, even better if you can have your antivirus package and/or antispyware package check it before opening or even downloading. And, I would definitely add antispyware software as a must.

This can all be a hassle to non-computerphiles.

 

[Seth--L]

I disagree.

Dumping IE/Outlook is a piece of cake for anyone. FF is evidence of this.

Norton automatically updates itself and tells you when there is a big update that will require you to reboot your computer after you install it. Norton scans all incoming and outgoing mail.

Zone Alarm's firewall, for instance, is incredibly easy to use. There really is no setup. It initially assumes that you want to block everything. As you surf the net, it learns through your habits and approval what to let through. And it tells you very clearly when something is trying to come through or go out that it thinks is sketchy. It too lets you know when it needs to be updated.

I 100% agree that hackers aren't out to get Macs in the same numbers as they are Windows, making it less likely that a Mac will get hit with a virus, but that doesn't mean you should not take all the same precautions when running a Mac, which I do on mine.

 

[Joseph S]

From what? Rust. Electrostatic discharge. H20. There's a reason I don't run virus checkers on my Macs.

 

[Kimmo Jaskari]

When a really toxic Mac virus is created (and I'm absolutely certain it is doable) it will probably gut the vast majority of Macs out there. Virtually every Mac user is probably sitting there going "I'm so safe. I have a Mac. There are no Mac viruses, so why do I need antivirus anyway?"

Then the virus hits... the end.

 

[Michael Harris]

I have a question. For there to be a proper Mac AV program, doesn't there have to be a Mac virus first so that there can be a virus definition? Otherwise, what would a Mac AV program be looking for. Are not the current Mac AV programs more to look for Windows viruses coming in via email to prevent their further spread?