Computer Safety

[Sharon]

What safety features do you have on your computer? I've always had AVG( firewall etc..), but got hacked recently. AVG technician fixed all AVG security etc , but the hack affected all microsoft "stuff" too which apparently they can't fix.
Now I'm trying to be talked into $350.00 a year for a Microsoft firewall. Not sure what to do.

[Snowwalker]

Run Linux..
It is already on your phone/Tablet and most of the consumer electronics you have like Dvd players, Pvr, Camera, security systems.

It runs on any windows machine and all the new macs, Sun Micro machines etc. Some windows computes use software drivers to do hardware functions so just google the linux compatable computer list to double check. But 90% or more of desktops are compatible.
And the best part is that it is free with free updates and upgrades.

[smitty55]

Sharon besides the obvious precautions like antivirus and antimalware programs one of the best and easiest way to protect your pc/laptop is to make sure you are logged on as a standard user, not as an admin. That way if you do get hacked the malware basically doesn't have the permissions necessary to install and infect your system. When you want to install some program etc or make adjustments to your system you log off and sign on as admin to do what you need then sign off and log back in as a standard user. I only use the free home versions of Avast, Spybot, and Malwarebytes free as a scanner, plus a script blocker and the worst thing that ever happened to me was a browser highjack that I fixed using a restore point. It does help that I'm behind a couple of local routers too, which are basically a hardware firewall.

You do not need to spend that kind of coin at all. If I wanted to pay and feel secure for arguably the best protection available I would for sure go with the Malwarebytes anti malware. Google it for reviews. Around $50/y. Those programs like Norton, Mcafee etc integrate into your whole OS, can be real hard to remove , slow things down and cause weird problems. You don't need that, you just want malware protection. Also always make sure to not have 2 antivirus apps running at the same time if it's part of two different programs. Just disable the antivirus in the "all in one" for example. Hope this helps.

Cheers

[MarkB]

I use Norton, and I haven't had any problems, knock on wood.

[awndray]

1) Fresh installation and image of operating system and applications

2) Basic firewall and Antivirus

3) Regular backups of your data

4) Awareness and education - i.e.: learn the dos and don'ts of surfing the net

That's all you need. Don't over-complicate it. If something happens, re-image your machine and restore the image and your data.

[Sharon]

Appreciate the help. Thanks.

[mosquito]

I have had issues with various security products over the years but for the smallest footprint (so your machine doesn't turn into a brain dead turtle) and security McAfee is the only one I have found that works and with the Internet Security it can protect webpages too. Some of their classifications are way off but you can over ride if you want to and if you Addblock Plus to remove the unwanted popups, ads etc. I have had no real problems.
Details of what you get, I didn't look up their multiuser licenses, you can look it up or maybe call them, I have a five users in one bundle (about same as 2 regular licenses) for family and business machine. If you need it and can't find it let me know and I will take a look.
https://www.mcafee.com/consumer/en-c...0/catalog.html

Special on Internet Security with pretty good sale price
https://promos.mcafee.com/offer.aspx?id=913599


For backups create a few folders you can clearly identify for the downloads and personal files. I always start the folders with a_ then they are at the top and clearly identifiable since the defaults seem intent on hiding the data not making it accessible. There is a rugedized external drive (Adata HD710)
https://www.staples.ca/en/ADATA-Dash...7_2-CA_1_20001 (** They go on sale about once a quarter)
that once a month I plug in and run a simple command line to copy over the files, here it is

This one copies the files updated since 10-01-2016 in the a_work folder and it includes all sub directories

xcopy C:\a_work D:\ACER1706\a_work /c /d:10-01-2016 /e /h /i /k /r /s /v

and this one copies over all the files.
xcopy C:\a_work D:\ACERall\a_work /c /d /e /h /i /k /r /s /v


Three or 4 of these statements for a_personal, a_taxes, a_camera and a_downloads (save downloads here :-) ) I have 2 of the Adata drives that I alternate monthly and if it is tax time etc I may back up on both at the first of the month.

[smitty55]

Another good way to protect your data is to partition your hard drive and put the OS on one smaller partition and use the other for all your data. That way if you end up having to format and reinstall at least your data will still be safe.

Cheers

[Goosesniper]

That wont work.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Snowwalker]

That wont work.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

X2. Any place on the drive the OS can read/write the virus can too.
You would just be installing a fresh copy of the OS to be infected the second it accessed the data. There are also a host of other issues that you would have to solve. The new copy of the OS would not know where the data was.