How the hell are you supposed to protect a computer?

[serryjw]

OMG I have no idea what to do any more. I have McAfee's virus protection and firewall on my computer. Every saturday i run Mcafee's anti virus "stinger'. I have constant frozen computer so I was told to d/l registry mechanic. It is running right now and has found 368 problems and it's NOT finished. HELP!!

[actappan]

1. Switch to Mac

All your problems 'll be gone.

[noahmijo]

4. Yup the only reason us Mac users have virus protectors

is out of common courtesy for Windows users because symptons from viruses never occur on Macs so we never know if we even have them or not.

[Deja Q]

2. Linux, surf carefully, multiple antivirus progs, hardware firewall...

I've been lucky I suppose. I've NEVER been hit on my home network and I've been around for 8 years.

The way Windows' registry "works", it eventually gets so bloated or corrupted that you will have problems.

I never liked centralized INI files and I loathed Microsoft's Win95 registry. I like how XP separates things better into system and per-profile settings, but it still isn't enough.

[ClintonTyree]

3. Spyware.............

Adware are the bane of any computer owner. You must keep your computer clean from these or they'll virtually make it worthless. I have McAfee Anti-Virus and Firewall as well. I use Spyware Stormer to keep all of the crap out of it. It costs $29.99 ( a one time fee ) but it works great. There are free Spyware programs, but some of them don't work too well and you can't update them.

Good luck. Keeping a computer up and running these days seems like a full time job.

[salvorhardin]

6. Be careful, no matter what you do

I use Spyware Stormer to keep all of the crap out of it. It costs $29.99 ( a one time fee ) but it works great.

There are a lot of rogue and suspect anti-spyware programs out there. Some will even install spyware and adware on your computer. A good comprehensive list can be found here. Spyware Stormer is listed and is a variant of Ad Aware which is free. The author claims that it is clean, however.

There are free Spyware programs, but some of them don't work too well and you can't update them.

That is simply not true. Spybot S&D is updateable from within the application itself. The free version of AdAware also updates itself from within the application.

I wholeheartedly recommend both Spybot and the free version of AdAware, and use them on all my clients' machines. What one does not catch the other will. Don't forget to use the Immunize feature in Spybot.

If you are infected with one of the CoolWebSearch variant browser hijacks then you will need CWShredder. You will want to run the MiniRemoval tool first though to in case you have the CoolWWWSearch.Smartkiller.

If all other efforts fail, then download and run HijackThis. You probably won't want to immediately act on anything it finds because if you use this program indiscriminately you can foobar some of your software. You'll most likely want to post your HijackThis log to this forum where you can get help with identifying the particular critters infecting your computer. They also have a good SpyWatch forum where you can find out if the program you downloaded installs spyware or adware.

As far as antivirus programs go, I recommend AntiVir Personal Edition. While not as pretty as McAfee or Norton, it is free and arguably more accurate.

Finally, and I can not overstate this, stop using Internet Explorer and Outlook Express! Yes, I understand there are a precious few websites out there that will only work with IE. For those rare occasions, go ahead and use it. The rest of the time, however, there is no excuse not to use Mozilla Firefox and Mozilla Thunderbird. IE and OE are gaping security maws and the primary avenue of infection on a Windows system. Furthermore, Firefox and Thunderbird are simply technologically better.

[welshTerrier2]

9. SpyWareBlaster version 3.2

SpywareBlaster version 3.2 (and previous versions) has been running on my computer for about 4 or 5 months now ... i used to have all kinds of serious problems on my machine ... not anymore ...

I used to run adAware ... i hadn't run it for about 3 months until yesterday ... the adAware scan found NOTHING ... why? because SpyWareBlaster keeps my computer clean?

and the same goes for spyBot ... i used to run spyBot ... i don't anymore ... since i installed SpywareBlaster, spyBot never finds anything to do ...

there are 2 main benefits to running SpyWareBlaster ... one is that the program is free ... the other is that it prevents spyware from reaching your computer ... it doesn't find spyware and kill it; it blocks the spyware in the first place ... you don't ever have to remember to run it ... well, except for downloading the updates once in awhile ... after a simple install, you don't need to do anything ...

i agree with what you wrote about spyware being embedded in some anti-spyware programs ... but trust me on this DU'ers, SpywareBlaster has been great ...

if you want to read more about it or download the program, go here ==>

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

btw, make sure you turn on ALL the protections the program provides ... when you first install it, click on each menu option and turn on everything you can ...

on edit: and one more thing ... i think they have an option that automatically downloads the latest protections ... i think this is an option they charge for ... it's not necessary if you can remember to update the protections file once a month or so ...

hope this helps ...

[salvorhardin]

10. I agree

Spyware Blaster is good. I'm not to the point of recommending it yet as I don't have enough experience with it just yet to give it an unconditional seal of approval. I do however stand by advice on Firefox and Thunderbird.

[serryjw]

13. Thanks Everyone...

I forgot to mention I have spybot. When do I use spybot and when do I use registry mechanic?

Registry Mechanic found over 600 bad guys.It seems to be working much better.
I saved all these posts and will continue to evaluate what i do next....thanks again.
Just ran spybot and they found 66 bad guys


Is this typical?

[serryjw]

14. I ran Spy sweeper AFTER spybot!

after spybot found 66 bad guys that registry mechanic didn't find.........spysweeper found another 448 bad guys that spybot didn't find!

[ranosgol]

5. Mac OS X is the way to go.

The main reason Windows is attacked so much cause of it huge market share. All computer systems are subject to attacks and can be hacked it just most hackers prefer to get the most bang for the buck. The most bang for the buck is Windows since its market share is so huge and hackers know this.
I personal prefer Mac over any platform. I have been using computers since the 80’s and used to run Windows and dabble din Linux but Mac OS X hands down is the best OS on the market. Mac OS 10.3 kicks but and makes XP look like garbage. Since Mac has a very small market share so hackers usually do not bother trying to hack it. I know Mac OS X may not be for everyone if they really need to run Windows but if you don’t have to run Windows, take my advice Mac is the way to go.

[dolo amber]

7. Use Linux

Only use Windows if you have a hardware firewall, a software firewall, and a kick ass anti-virus...and even at that you should like burn some chicken bones and sacrifice a goat or something...

:D

[LiberalTechie1337]

8. Linux All the Way!!!

It's the liberal OS.

[TreasonousBastard]

11. Not too difficult...

I use Opera amd Firefox for browsing, Free Agent for usenet, and Eudora for mail. I don't let any executibles or Active-X work unless I specifically call for them. Opera is set to clear all cookies when I close it, and I regularly clear the TEMP and history files.

AVG for anti-virus and Zone Alarm for a firewall, with a bunch of other stuff that I run occasionally. Earthlink is my primary mail server, and they have spam filters and anti-virus software so that a lot of problems are handled before I ever see them.

So far, I have never had a virus, trojan, or hijacker. I've had some spyware and data miners, but they all came from installed software, and were dealt with easily.

[opihimoimoi]

12. I just re upped my Norton virus and firewall thingys...never had

a prob for over a year....