I think it would be a good idea to let anyone that is interested, know about pc security, and to let other people add their own tips!
Here are a few programs that i use to keep my pc and laptop virus/worm and trojan free. All the programs are FREE!!!!.

1. AVG antivirus.

2. Sygate personal firewall.

3. Ad-aware.

4. Spybot search and destroy.

5. Spyware blaster.

Install number 1 and 2 as a must to keep out any really nasty items (Porn diallers/trojans/viruses etc).

Numbers 3,4 and 5 will either stop spyware getting on your system or you can erase it quickly and simply once it's on there.

Once you have installed all or any of these programs you should first update them and then run a full check on your system (You will be amazed how much spyware you can pick up in just 1 hour online!).

You can get all these programs from www.computeractive.co.uk/downloads or from www.majorgeeks.com

zone alarm.
and make sure you have all the microsoft patches that are relevant to your system. Or switch to linux.

These are all god on a one off but are near useless if they are not up-to-date. New viruses come out every day and I know there is an update for my AVG every day.

One of the new problems is the huge uptake of broadband rather than people being on the inter when they click connect and are off again when the click disconnect. Most people are now connected to the world when ever there computers are on. Most also don’t realise that viruses and other bad things do not come in through the one hole which is port 80

Once you realise what a firewall dose it make you realise how many holes are available to a virus. Online banking is another problem there are a lot of key logging viruses that log what you type in, i.e. you online banking usernames and passwords. You make sure that no one is looking over your should at the hole in the wall so why drop your guard in your own front room.

Windows is a massive patchwork quite of problems and security holes. The hackers wait for Microsoft to realise a patch they then find what hole this patches and make a virus to use this hole on un patched machines so half there work is done.


“It never happens to me” why even let it happen??

Switch to Linux is the best option we use Linux on our servers for the main reason viruses don’t affect it.

Originally posted by vidster
4. Spybot search and destroy.

5. Spyware blaster.


I use Webroot Spy Sweeper as well which is very good. Also try www.downloads.com for anti virus/firewall and *cough*filesharing*cough* programs. ;)

Originally posted by Glasstop
Switch to Linux is the best option we use Linux on our servers for the main reason viruses don’t affect it.

I run Linux here on one machine for web development, but it's still a pain in the arse to support for desktop use, so Windows will stay as the OS of choice for most of the PCs around here. Also, Linux implementations that offer X Windows and other GUIs seem to be so greedy of resources compared to Windows 98 or NT that they won't run to any degree of performance on some of my PCs!!

Anyway....this ain't a Linux vs Windows vs Mc thread...:-)

I use AVG on each PC and a firewall at the PC that runs the broadband router. I let AVG update itself daily, and I also run AdAware and Norton on a regular basis.

I also apply a dollop of common sense and stay away from dodgy web sites, don't open unexpected attachments, etc.

I practice safe computing, but it's difficult to type when the keyboard is covered in a condom....:)

Joe

I use EZ Trust (http://www.my-etrust.com/downloads.cfm) both their firewalland their virusprogram. Have experience of using their virusprogramforthe last three years and it hasn't happened to me so far.
It even helps whilst downloading information on programs like Kazaa and will notify you before you spend days downloading that the file has a virus.

I cannot speak highly enough of the above. The fees for them are minimal in comparison to the trouble free surfing you get in return.

Moon

Originally posted by Glasstop
One of the new problems is the huge uptake of broadband rather than people being on the inter when they click connect and are off again when the click disconnect. Most people are now connected to the world when ever there computers are on. Most also don’t realise that viruses and other bad things do not come in through the one hole which is port 80

What is poor is that Microsoft will not allow magazines to put Windows / IE security updates on their cover CDs. So people without broadband have a download of several hours.

Until I come back to Sheffield and university next month, and we eventually get broadband sorted I'm stuck with dial-up at home.

I need to download Service Pack2...but Windows Update informs me that it will take 5hrs and 32 mins to download.

Our dial-up has an automatic disconnect after 2hrs as a feature of the contract (so it can't be disabled) and my computer is definitely not keen on picking up downloads where it left off, so no SP2 dowload for me.

Microsoft have released a free CD-ROM version (free postage too)...but will take 4-6 weeks to receive it :rolleyes:

Originally posted by vidster
I think it would be a good idea to let anyone that is interested, know about pc security, and to let other people add their own tips!
Here are a few programs that i use to keep my pc and laptop virus/worm and trojan free. All the programs are FREE!!!!.

1. AVG antivirus.

2. Sygate personal firewall.

3. Ad-aware.

4. Spybot search and destroy.

5. Spyware blaster.

Install number 1 and 2 as a must to keep out any really nasty items (Porn diallers/trojans/viruses etc).

Numbers 3,4 and 5 will either stop spyware getting on your system or you can erase it quickly and simply once it's on there.

Once you have installed all or any of these programs you should first update them and then run a full check on your system (You will be amazed how much spyware you can pick up in just 1 hour online!).

You can get all these programs from www.computeractive.co.uk/downloads or from www.majorgeeks.com

I have all 5 of those :)

Alex

Id suggest all the programs the original poster did, and also stopping using Internet Explorer and installing FireFox instead.

For anyone with a dial up connection:
There will be a free sp2 cd on the cover of 'personal computer world' magazine. The magazine goes on sale from 21st september!.

Of course anyone running xp/xp pro will need to install sp2 at some point, I think after reading about people having problems with it, i will wait a few weeks and let the dust settle.
If anyone is interested in reading about any such problems they can always look at THE BEST XP SUPPORT FORUM on the net www.tweakxp.com
A lot of people on this site are from America and they have had sp2 for weeks now, so are well on the way sorting out any problems.

PS. This site also has a support forum for ALL other operating systems and are only too willing to try and help!