avoiding computer worms/viruses

[janny108]

Is there any way to avoid computer worms/viruses? I have Titanium antivirus. My computer is being worked on and I am writing from the college.
Any advice would be helpful. I know about suspicious websites/emails and I think I inadvertinely clicked on one. There is something that happens where someone I recognize sends me a message and if I hover the mouse over the address, it is not really coming from someone I know. It is occasional, hopefully Best Buy can figure out how this happens. I don't have an address book, for this reason...

 

[Qyöt27]

It's called address spoofing, and there's not really anything that anyone can do about it. It just happens. Don't open them, flag them as junk/spam, and move on.


Basic security points:
Use Firefox or Chrome as your web browser. Keep them updated.

Use the Adblock Plus extension, and if using Firefox, also use Adblock Plus Popup Addon and Flashblock extensions (these don't exist for Chrome, or have issues working with Chrome if they do exist).

Install Spybot Search & Destroy, and make sure to regularly update its definitions (once a week or once a month, for example) and then use the Immunize feature to secure things.

For antivirus protection, just go with Microsoft Security Essentials (or the free version of Avast!). There's no need to buy one.


Or use a Linux distribution (or a Mac) instead of Windows. The point about ad blocking and flash blocking in Firefox and Chrome still applies, but under Linux (or Mac) that's more for reducing general annoyance with these things rather than for security.

 

[twnsrkr]

I use Kaspersky, and have never had any problems with it. The only thing I would mention is that it does take processing power, so don't be running it on a machine from WWII.

Spybot is a good program as well. You might consider using Chrome as your web browser, and install Add Block Plus. It kills pop-ups, and 99% of all banner ads. Pretty nice.

 

[Calcemo]

Don't use Chrome

How Google's 'Chrome' Doesn't Protect Your Privacy - YouTube

If you use firefox, you'll need to edit certain parts of default settings (about:config in address bar) to make sure keyword searches don't default back to google's engine (such as keyword.URL setting).

 

[twnsrkr]

Dude, have you read the news recently? No where is safe.

 

[trentlogain2]

i don't mean this to take a shot at anyone, but i've personally found the best way to avoid worms and virus is to keep away from downloading or visiting stuff that's already illegal. that kind of stuff plus pornography is just asking for your computer to be filled with junk. of course there are exceptions to this rule but i've stayed clear with this.

 

[KitKatMatt]

i don't mean this to take a shot at anyone, but i've personally found the best way to avoid worms and virus is to keep away from downloading or visiting stuff that's already illegal. that kind of stuff plus pornography is just asking for your computer to be filled with junk. of course there are exceptions to this rule but i've stayed clear with this.

The best way to avoid viruses and worms is to simply unplug your internet connection and never insert anything into your computer (CDs, flash drives, external hard drives).

I got hit with a HORRIBLE infection by visiting a trusted website (it turned out someone who was advertising with them put out an ad that had a very malicious surprise embedded in it). The website had nothing illegal being hosted on it, did not host pornography, etc. I might have avoided this infection by having Adblock installed on this specific computer, and installed it immediately afterward.

No where is safe online. Kids websites are not safe. Ebay is not safe. Paypal is not safe. Getting online for ten seconds to check your email is not safe.

The only thing you can do is learn how to properly avoid danger and protect yourself. And, for Windows users at least (don't know about others), you can do so completely free without buying a license for an antivirus program.

Qyöt27's information is correct. I recommend following it. Firefox has some really nice add ons that can keep your computer from getting attacked.

In addition to using Spybot Search and Destroy and an antivirus program like Avast! or AVG (use one or the other, never both), I would also recommend Malwarebytes. Using Spybot, AVG, and Malwarebytes, I have never missed an infection on any of my five devices.

Make sure to update and scan your computer with all of your security tools at least once a week. If you download anything at all, update and scan immediately afterward.

If you'd like to go the extra mile, I'd recommend downloading CCleaner. It is not a virus/malware/spyware removal program, but it helps clean out your temporary files, can sort your startup programs, and can also clean junk out of your registry (It will prompt you to back up your registry when you choose to run this option- Do it just in case! It's very simple and fast).

 

[janny108]

Is Firefox preferable to IE?
I have a USB because my resume and cover letter are on it. I don't download anything like movies or music, I listen to youtube.

 

[KitKatMatt]

Is Firefox preferable to IE?
I have a USB because my resume and cover letter are on it. I don't download anything like movies or music, I listen to youtube.

Firefox is definitely preferable to IE. Just about any browser is preferable to IE to be honest.

As long as you are mindful of what computers you insert the USB into, you're good. Make sure you put your flash drive into your USB port when you scan, and choose to scan external devices (usually it's already checked, sometimes they ask and sometimes they don't). This way it keeps your flash drive clean in case it picked up something from being inserted into an infected computer!