How do YOU secure your computer?

I am wondering what are some of the different ways you secure your computers? For example what programs do you use for security? What things do you do to Windows itself to make it more secure? Do you use a backup program? Do you use an alternate browser than IE? Do you use an another OS other than Windows? Do you encrypt your hard drives data? What are some other things you do to help make your computer more secure? Thanks for any replies.

 

F-Prot Antivirus
Windows Firewall
Ad-Aware SE Plus
Spybot Search & Destroy
Common Sense

 

This is what is set up on my system and they all play together nicely:


1. Nod32 – Anti-virus (paid product).
http://www.nod32.com.au


2. Spyware Blaster (FREE) – Spyware Prevention.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com


3. Spyware Guard (FREE) – Real time scanner for Browser Hijack prevention.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com


4. Spybot Search and Destroy (FREE) – Spyware removal and protection, with registry monitor. If running the above 2 programs, your system should remain fairly clean.
http://beam.to/spybotsd


5. AdAware (FREE, paid PRO product available) – Spyware removal. What Spybot Search and Destroy doesn’t pick up, this will.
http://www.lavasoftusa.com


6. Security Patches (FREE):

BugOff.exe
http://www.softpedia.com/public/cat/10/17/10-17-218.shtml

dsostop2.exe
http://www.nsclean.com/freebies.html

htastop.exe
http://www.nsclean.com/freebies.html

TweakUp.exe
http://www.softpedia.com/public/cat/12/1/12-1-30.shtml


7. Zone Alarm (FREE, paid PRO product available) – Firewall with visual outgoing alerts.
http://www.zonelabs.com


8. Script Defender (FREE) – Script protection.
http://www.analogx.com/contents/dow...tem/sdefend.htm


9. Proxomitron (FREE) – Proxy. This allows a program (local or remote) to sit between your web browser and the Internet at large, to monitor everything and change it if you want to.
http://www.sankey.ws/proxomitron.html


10. Kye-U's filters (FREE) – Rule Sets for Proxomitron giving greater protection against exploits.
http://www.kye-u.com/proxo/forums/i...topic=131&st=0#


11. Ewido (FREE) – Anti-Trojan. I currently use Ewido though I do NOT use the active file scanner as it slows my system down to much.
http://www.ewido.net/en/


OR

11b. Trojan Defence Suite – “TDS3” (paid product) – World Class leader in Anti-Trojan software.
http://tds.diamondcs.com.au


12. IE Spyad (FREE) – Adds a long list of sites and domains associated with known advertisers, marketers, and crapware pushers to the Restricted sites zone of Internet Explorer.
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/uiuc/resource.htm


13. Mozilla Firefox (FREE) – Safer Web Browser - try some of the exploit tests in the "Polls" section here at https://www.wilderssecurity.com/index.php it's scary stuff, enough to have most sensible people start looking for better solutions. The programs I listed should be enough to thwart these current exploits.
http://www.mozilla.org


14. Mozilla Thunderbird (FREE) – For email. I don't use it because I only have Hotmail.
http://www.mozilla.org


15. System Safety Monitor (FREE) – Registry change monitoring. (Currently stopped using this as it has developed a conflict with the latest version of Nod32)
http://maxcomputing.narod.ru


16. File Checker (FREE) – Monitors important ".exe" files of various programs.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com


17. Prevx (FREE, paid PRO product available) – Host Intrusion Prevention.
https://www.prevx.com/


18. Acronis True Image 8.0 (paid product) – Total system backup, and incremental backup to various media, including CD/DVD, additional Hard Drive etc. Use this when you have first installed a FRESH copy of windows and again when you have installed all your KNOWN stable programs, do this BEFORE you have transferred your data onto the system.
http://www.acronis.com/


19. Netgear FR328S ProSafe Firewall (paid product) – Cable/ADSL Hardware firewall and Router with External Modem backup facility.
http://www.netgear.com.au


The above will give you a very tight system. Ultimately it comes down to safe practices, and it is always best to practice and think of safety, otherwise it will remind you and it won’t hold back in doing so... it's a bit like gravity, very unforgiving...

Hope this helps...

Cheers

 

BlackSpear

Now your's was a very informative...impressive post.....a very nice setup BlackSpear...if you don't mind my saying so....with the exception of a few of the programs you listed I have used most of the security programs you named.....for several years..without any issues........any newbee would be well advised to pay heed to your setup

 

So the question to you Blackspear is how often has your system been infected given your protective measures and if infected, by what? Mine has been effective to date - no infections so far with the configuration below (about 1 month in current config).

Let's see:
WinXP Pro SP2
Zonelabs Free 5.1
Ewido Free
Kaspersky Personal 5.0 (Paid)
SpywareBlaster
SpywareGuard
Firefox 0.9.3
Prevx Home Free
ProcessGuard Free
Linksys Router w/Firewall (Paid)
Ad-Aware SE + v1.04 updated (Paid)
Spybot Search & Destroy 1.3
IE-SPYAD
Hijack This 1.98.2
CWShredder 1.59.1

 

Brent

Common Sense.....yupper, excellent advice...to all.

I noticed from posts you made elsewhere that you like to keep your system slim and trim.........hey, nothing wrong with that imo....guess its all a matter of choice....what works for the individual.......todays computers can hold so much more than older computers.....but what I have noticed is that even the newer computers are VERY RARELY setup to the most resource advantagous......ever come across that?

 

Thank you TSG, I like a very stable system with as little overlap as possible, and if it doesn’t play well together it gets the boot pretty quick smart…

So far I haven’t struck anything that has gone past, I have to have a tight system, there are a few members of the household that like to try testing out my security when I’m not around

Cheers

 

BS and D-MAN

You both have nice setups....looking from where I sit....have either of you used registry tweaks to enhance your security.....(due to the danger of playing in the registry I consider it un-wise to post reg tweaks)....all my systems registrys are finely tweak.....works great for me......although I never tryed this on XP.........

 

Not me, system is stable and set up with multiple layers of defense...

Cheers

 

I have several pc's and i use the following operating systems:

1.Operating systems

Winxp pro service pack 2

Winxp home service pack 2

win98

2.Anti-virus

Nod32 Anti-virus system

Avg Antivirus [on My older systems]

3.Anti malware

Spybot SD

Ad aware newest edition

4.Security patchs

All windows updates

GRC Patchs www.grc.com

5. Firewalls

Zonealarm pro

Tiny Firewall

6.Browsers

Firefox www.mozilla.com

I also do online port scans at www.grc.com with there Shields up link another good website for ports scans is scan.sygate.com its one of the more sure ways to see if you have a trojan opening your ports

Smiddy

 

Smiddy

These days I am not in a mood to give security advice....instead I am trying to just read posts.......an relax...so, you decide for yourself on the comment about to be made: DON'T USE TWO FIREWALLS!!

Certainly there is a technical reason for not using more than one firewall......an sure as hell someone will come along an say how they use two firewalls..so that makes it ok.....but it does not make the technical issue go away.....I have seen so called experts try to argue the point..an nope the technical issue did not go away......so what I am going to suggest is that you contact someone who really knows firewalls......someone like CRAZY M or J Morris........don't take my word on this.....go to those who know........an besides...if you don't trust just one firewall to protect you...maybe you should find a firewall that you can trust.........your ZAP will do its job .....an I am not a fan of ZAP.....
must also wonder if you disabled the XP build-in firewall...if not then you are running three firewalls.

 

Thanks to all for your replies. Special thanks to Blackspear for your very indepth list, it was very helpful.

 

My pleasure TG, you may want to take a look here for further discussion on security and how to make your system that much stronger

https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=45284&page=1&pp=25

and here for more:

https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=43117

Let us know how you go and what choices you end up with…

Cheers

PS. So are you going to join us here at Wilders?

 

What I have set up on my computer has never failed me yet. I like to keep my computer neat and slim sa you said. My computer specs are as follows:

Windows XP Service Pack 2
AMD Anthlon XP 1800+ @ 1.86ghz
1 Gig PC2700 Memory
(2) 80 Gig Hard Drives
Ati Radeon 9200 128 MB DDR

I got the resources to run all those programs that everyone else as listed but their not needed for me.

If someone cant control what they click Yes or No to or visit sites that tend to have trojans (crack sites, keygens, porn) and download freeware programs (Kazaa for example) then yes they would need alot more protection.

If they use common sense and avoid those sites then the risks are cut down tremendously.

Windows Firewall works for me. I dont need outgoing protection because I know whats on my computer.

I just cant see wasting resources and memory on something that the 4 programs and common sense will fix

I think people get caught up into this to much as well. It seems like people are being scared into using some programs that they really dont need.

Just my observations

 

I was the same, when I used the PC by myself, having others now in the house that are "click happy" tends to alter your ideas on security. Still I like having a secure system, it's just me

Cheers

 

i think the three most important are, in this order

firewall, -

anti-virus and anti-trojan, -

sandbox

 

Hi,

I have three computers, two of which are used by people who have no idea about security concerns, but if something happens I have to fix it. This has happened all too many times, so here is a configuration that seems to work for all three computers.

1) Zonealarm
2) BOClean
3) NAV Systemworks
4) Ad-Aware
5) Spybot
6) SpywareBlaster
7) SpywareGuard
Ewido
9) TDS-3 ExecProt and on-demand
10) Kapersky 4.5 (on-demand)
11) HijackThis
12) Wormguard
13) CWShredder
14) RegProt
15) Mozilla FireFox (great browser) with Thunderbird

Since I put this up, I have not had any problems with any of the machines - knock on wood. They all run together O.K on the XP machines that I have. I have to run the on-demand software myself now and then (I can't depend on the other people), but that is a small price to pay compared to the headaches I use to have cleaning up trojans, keyloggers, viruses, etc. Also, I would like to put in a plug for TDS-3 and users on this group for helping me out early on when I was having trojan problems. It took me a while, but I figured out something that works well for me and gives me peace of mind.

Rich

Hope this helps you out.

Rich

 

Very true and good point. I dont let anyone else use my computer however

 

I learn as much as I can about the latest threats out there and try to keep abreast of the situation by staying subscribed to various forums and mailing lists as well as unofficial sources.

 

Brent...

greetings friend...just now getting around to replying......its very busy with me these days........
What I've noticed over the past couple of years is a drifting away from real computer security an instead a hugh interest in spyware removal......common sense is the one personal security that everyone should have and use.....but do they ?

Definitely more programs does not mean more security.....if fact, all the dependency on programs by many computer users speaks for itself.....program dupliation...using products from known un-trustworth vendors.....a complete lack of understanding on how a program may work...etc..etc..etc.......spells that there is a nearly desperate need for real computer security learning........unfortunately, there is not much interest....the interest is more on the pettiness...not the seriousness....
Truely secure computers simply don't get spyware infected....it just does not happen.......an yes its common sense that leads a computer user to
learn how to secure a computer........
Sure I can applaud a person who has layered security....its the correct way to go......but should a person rely only on computer programs for security........obviously Brent you don't.....you are a rare person these days..in a world gone wild with installing programs never actually needed or understood.
Anybody..total strangers can use my computers.....an can't damage or change anything....can't remove or add anything....can't access anything I don't want them to access......computers are not to be feared they are to be used..enjoyed.....technology should be controled..not controling.
Brent, I respect you use of common sense.....

 

Agreed. I had a customer come back in yesterday with spyware galore on her system, she was only in just over 2 weeks ago for the exact same thing. It was then that we installed a very good layer of defense and showed her 3 times how to use it all. She made a choice to ignore what we had shown her, what she had paid for, and was asking yesterday why did this happen? We went back through the logs and showed her that she had not updated any of her security, she had not run a single scan, that we had indeed advised her to do so 3 times, and more than this that we had followed it up with the same step by step instructions sent by email to her, and even though we had done all of this she had not done a single thing… I think paying twice will eventually make this sink in…

Oh well some people get hurt once and don’t want it to happen again, yet others repeat the same actions and wonder why they are still being hurt…

Cheers

 

BlackSpear

LoL....Yes, I know all to well what you are saying......some people just refuse to spare the time to do the needed.......an pay the cost financially.
.......no doubt you see alot of this in you shop..I would guess

 

Windows (any version)


Patches/Updates
1. Update ALL CRITICAL patches.
a) IE6 first + reboot
2) DirectX 9b or "Service Pack" usually comes second + reboot
3) Cumulitive Updates third + reboot

Upon downloading this whole "cumulitive batch" of updates check the Microsoft page to see how many files you are downloading. One can then find these update patches in the 'Temporary Internet Folder' so dialup users take advantage.

Spyware
1. Ad-aware SE Personal - UPDATE! Scanner
2. Spybot Search & Destroy - UPDATE! Scanner
(Utilize the Immunization feature for spyware prevention)
3. SpywareBlaster - UPDATE! More spyware prevention
4. SpywareGuard - UPDATE! Resident scanner for spyware

Ad-aware Personal & Spybot scanners is like having a virus scanner without having a resident scanner. WHAT GOOD IS THE SCAN IF THE SPYWARE LEAKS INFO BETWEEN SCANS? Site 1 downloads the 'spyware' and site 2 collects info from the 'spyware', thus a hit! How many hits are you getting between scans? Enabling SpywareBlaster, Immunization in SSD, and SpywareGuard will help keep you protected between scans.

Virus Scanner
1. Kaperskys Anti-Virus - UPDATE! + Enable scan all files @ highest settings #1 Zoo virus detection rate
(HEAVY on resources - not recommended as resident scanner)
2. NOD32 Anti-Virus - UPDATE! + Enable scan all files @ highest settings #1 New virus detection rate
(Light footprint resident scanner)

Use NOD32 or another light footprint anti-virus as your resident scanner to ensure realtime protection. A second anti-virus can be used to make sure the first did not miss anything. Do not enable both resident scanners at the same time or it could seriously slow down your system.

Browser Security
1. Mozilla Firefox 0.9.3 - Preferred over IE
>> Open Firefox >> Type 'about:config' in the URL box >> Type 'refer' in the Filter box >> Doubleclick 'network.http.sendRefererHeader' >> Type '0' in the box (default value is 2)
2. Proxomitron - Localhost proxy!
3. JD5000's advanced Proxomitron filters - Urghh...

 

MakoFusion, fairly similar to my setup, only thing missing is a firewall, needs to be installed prior to any internet activity...

Cheers

 

sorry.