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Computer Security

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by Cohen, Jun 22, 2007.

  1. Cohen

    Cohen Member

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    Doesn't seem like viruses are such an issue anymore... it's spyware, trojans, worms, rootkits.

    When faced with a choice of having your data destroyed vs stolen, which would you choose? That's why trojans and spyware are so dangerous. They also seem much more difficult to remove. Traditional anti-virus programs generally suck when it comes to trojans.

    I have used Zonelabs, AVG, SpySweeper, AdAware, Spy Protector, Kaspersky, A-Squared, Panda ... they all seem to find different things when a machine is infected. A-Squared just found an EXE on my machine that nothing else found...wtf.

    Here's a great primer with some software recommendations: http://wiki.castlecops.com/Roll_your_own_Free_Security_Suite
     
    #1 Cohen, Jun 22, 2007
  2. Harrisment

    Harrisment Member

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    How to avoid spyware: Don't click on or install crap. It's really simple. I am really selective about the links I follow and the applications I install, and I never have any of that junk on my machine. My family members however consistently do and I always have to clean it up for them. You're not really going to get free gas for a year. That animated monkey isn't really going to give you $10,000. Be smart and spyware is easily avoidable.
     
    #2 Harrisment, Jun 22, 2007
  3. RocketMan Tex

    RocketMan Tex Member

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    And, never, ever try to open an e-card sent anonymously or by someone you do not know!
     
    #3 RocketMan Tex, Jun 22, 2007
  4. DonkeyMagic

    DonkeyMagic Member
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    dont click on crap? how im a suppose to navigate?

    i downloaded adware..but to be honest im skeptical of some of those smaller anti-abuse software that you download.
     
    #4 DonkeyMagic, Jun 22, 2007
  5. bnb

    bnb Member

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    So....what's the best way to figure if you have a problem on your machine??

    I've got both AVG and Counterspy running (paid versions) and don't download much of anything....no games, no file sharing, no torrents, etc. May have glanced at a few questionable sites referenced from here ;) -- gotta keep up with popular culture -- but no downloads of note.

    Yet, lately, the machine crawls. Slowwww. And, sometimes....web browser suddenly does it's own thing and closes? Not really sure.
     
    #5 bnb, Jun 22, 2007
  6. Cohen

    Cohen Member

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    One of the nasty pop-ups proclaiming that your system is infected is a pernicious version of malware. It took me a number of hours to clean that off of a firend's PC.

    I only like to use anti-malware software that has rec'd awards.
     
    #6 Cohen, Jun 22, 2007
  7. Cohen

    Cohen Member

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    I think I caught one with code downloaded from a tech site. I never would have imagined they would be so bold as to put a trojan in such an easily traceable spot.
     
    #7 Cohen, Jun 22, 2007
  8. aeroman10

    aeroman10 Member

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    I had to fix one of those pop-ups that tell you your pc is infected on someones computer last week. It took 1 hr because you have to wait for the scan but I used:

    1. Spybot (had to run it twice since it couldnt remove some files that were in use on the first attempt).
    2. Ad-Aware (Ad-Aware actually got rid of the annoying icon in the system tray that Spybot didnt catch)

    All clean now.
     
    #8 aeroman10, Jun 22, 2007
  9. Cohen

    Cohen Member

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    If you look at the forums where folks are diagnosing their systems, they always seem to be using reports generated by HijackThis: http://www.download.com/Trend-Micro-HijackThis/3000-8022_4-10379544.html?tag=toprated

    If you identify a culprit file, you can upload it here and they will test it: http://www.virustotal.com/en/indexf.html
     
    #9 Cohen, Jun 22, 2007
    Last edited: Jun 22, 2007
  10. Cohen

    Cohen Member

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    You're lucky. It took a number of reboots into safe mode before I found the last remaining source hiding in a System Restore directory.
     
    #10 Cohen, Jun 22, 2007
  11. bnb

    bnb Member

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    Thanks Cohen. I ran the program and printed a three page report of 'running processes.' When I have more time I'll try to decypher what this means...
     
    #11 bnb, Jun 22, 2007
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