9 Easy Ways to Never Get a Virus.(Article)

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(Check out number 2 ^_^)

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/9-easy-ways-virus/

In 20 odd years of using computers, I can safely say that I’ve never been a victim of any computer virus, and yet I’ve also never run anti-virus software. It’s a curious fact that the people who are most worried about viruses get them more often. With a little basic training you can completely avoid the problem of viruses and malware, so you can calm down and enjoy the internet!

1. Beware of Fake Download / Play Buttons:

Usually these are targeted on torrent sites or anything with a download keyword on it, so users are fooled into clicking it and downloading something completely unrelated. It’s a dirty trick, and the only way to defeat them is to be careful and think twice before hitting the download button. It helps if you already know the site in question, because you should be able to realize the location of the download button has changed – but what about new users?

Check the status bar. Though this can be faked with JavaScript, I’ve noticed these ads in particular don’t usually do that. If the domain in the status is different to the site you’re on, it’s probably a malicious advert.

Another method is to use logic. If you have download some software for example, and it’s showing a PLAY NOW button, you should know instantly that’s completely unrelated. The visual style is a giveaway too.



2. Don’t use Internet Explorer:

In every hacking convention so far, Internet Explorer has always been the first to fall. It has been claimed that a fresh install of XP with IE6 will be infected within minutes of browsing the internet. While the latest IE9 may have toughened up a little, the fact is that IE is specifically targeted by hackers on a daily basis, precisely because the number of people who don’t even consider switching browsers makes it a profitable target. Go download Chrome.

3. Hang Up on Cold-Calling Indian Technical Support Agents:

In the UK at least, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of scam telephone calls from supposed Windows technical support agents. Here’s how it starts:
A: Hi there, I’m from (indecipherable) and we’ve registered an error from your Windows – have you been experiencing any issues with it lately?

At this point, 90% of people will be thinking their Windows is broken and yes, of course they have been experiencing issues, because who doesn’t have Windows problems? You’ll then be walked through how to give this called complete remote control access to your PC, where they perform some BS technical checks and try to get you to purchase a support contract. Check out this video so you know what to expect.



4. Ignore Pop-Ups That Have Anything To Do With Security or Viruses:

These are difficult if you are actually running anti-virus software, because they pop up and fool you into thinking your AV software has found something.

For a start, ignore anything originating from your browser – which you can check by completely closing it down. As a general rule of thumb, ignore any and all security related messages if you didn’t initiate them youself – by clicking on your AV software’s SCAN button, for example. If you get a message from an AV app on windows you never installed, it’s likely you’ve already been infected.



5. Avoid Public Torrent Sites Like The Plague:

Most public torrent sites are teething with malware and fake torrents. I don’t care what you download, but make sure you do it from a private tracker. They’re a few exceptions to the rule, some of which we’ve covered in the best new torrent sites.

torrentbutler.eu - because if the film is here, it’s been checked already.
piratebay.org – with millions of users, the comment system is usually full of reports of fake files or viruses – but stick to uploads from trusted power users (ones with a little pink or green skull and crossbones next to them).



Private trackers are only open to members, so it’s sometimes hard to find some that are accepting new registrations. We wrote before about how to find trackers that are open. Be warned though, private trackers don’t take kindly to leeching, and if your ratio drops you can get banned.



6. Fake Torrents That Need a Specific Video Player:

If you’ve ignored my advice and downloaded some movie from a public torrent site, there’s a very good chance it’s a fake. These are difficult to detect because the file is usually padded to be about the right size, but upon playing them you’ll see a message that you need to download a new video player because it’s encoded specially or words to that effect.

Don’t download movies from public sites, and use VLC player to check a file. VLC player has every codec under the sun built-in, so if it doesn’t play correctly in that, it’s not a real movie.



7. Don’t Open Anything Forwarded To You:

While you can be as careful as you like, your friends might not. If you have the kind of friends who forward you fun little flash games packaged up in .exe files, or anything other than a simple picture, just delete them.

8. Don’t search for common utilities in Google:

We covered this a little while ago – the worrying trend of malware ridden sites ranking highly in Google for various common utilities. Thinking you are downloading the best video player around, you actually get a virus infected copy instead from a dodgy third-party site. The solution – Have no fear, we have an extensive list of the BEST software for Windows (and now Linux, with Mac OSx one in the works – not that osx or linux users need to worry about viruses…) with verified links that you can trust. If you’re unsure of a particular app – where to download it officially or if it’s worth it – you can always ask around on our helpful tech questions community.

9. Create a non-admin account for general use and family members:

If you allow yourself and members of your family to use the administration account, you are asking for trouble. Creating a limited privileges user account protects you somewhat by preventing anything run by that user (malicious or not) from doing any permanent damage. You can find out more about user accounts and everything else Windows 7 related in our fantastic free ebook.

The internet can be a dangerous place, but not if you follow these simple rules. Got some other useful tips? Do share, please! Let’s put an end to the madness of anti-virus now!

Victor

"fantastic free ebook"

!!

:pac:

ArtyM

Useful post, some good advice therein
would add.....
Dont use a Windows operating system at all.
Mac or Linux are so much safer.

Big Lar

He should also have put

• Stay away from porn sites
• Turn off your computer.

Skerries

don't let your parents near the computer. Ever!

Naikon

What about bugs in the software? None of those points apply in the case of a simple buffer overflow or format string attack? Fact is, any piece of software more complicated than Hello World or the like is open to potential abuse. Anything else is a delusion. Just because you don't have the source code, does not mean it can't be exploited. Anti Virus software is a scam imo. No general purpose OS can ever be fully secure, not unless we ditch the von neumann architecture[1].

[1] www.comp.nus.edu.sg/~liangzk/cs5231/lec03-bufferoverflow.pdf

Victor

Big Lar wrote: »

He should also have put

• Stay away from porn sites
• Turn off your computer.

Don't connect it to the internet, but have a virus-checker that checks other media.

Sad Professor

One easy way: Get a Mac.

/runs

PogMoThoin

Sad Professor wrote: »

One easy way: Get a Mac.

/runs

Not for much longer, there is already malware and rogue antivirus programs
http://www.google.ie/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ie=UTF-8&ion=1&nord=1#sclient=psy&hl=en&nord=1&site=webhp&source=hp&q=mac+%2Bmalware&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=e412b376bd18c81b&ion=1&biw=1600&bih=976

Capt'n Midnight

PogMoThoin wrote: »

Not for much longer, there is already malware and rogue antivirus programs
http://www.google.ie/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ie=UTF-8&ion=1&nord=1#sclient=psy&hl=en&nord=1&site=webhp&source=hp&q=mac+%2Bmalware&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=e412b376bd18c81b&ion=1&biw=1600&bih=976

AFAIK it's mostly phishing and you still have to click on the link. Certainly nothing like the drive by downloads or open ports peculiar to windows.




Anyway Free Av for MAC - I can't find the press release where they say they dropped the Mac product for years because there simply wasn't a need for it.
http://www.sophos.com/en-us/products/free-tools/sophos-antivirus-for-mac-home-edition.aspx

Antar Bolaeisk

The Limited User Account is an absolute must, especially if you're dealing with family who just can't seem to resist clicking that attractive flashy thing in the corner which promises free stuff. (sadly the only free stuff they get is a nasty virus)

JonathanAnon

That list pretty much echoes the advice I would give people.. Another thing I would generally do, is to download one of the free AV rather than buying a commercial package (that will inevitably expire and then the user will never bother renewing)..

Generally I dont use the "limited account" approach, as a lot of software requires that you have Admin permissions to run properly..

ronkmonster

JonathanAnon wrote: »

That list pretty much echoes the advice I would give people.. Another thing I would generally do, is to download one of the free AV rather than buying a commercial package (that will inevitably expire and then the user will never bother renewing)..

Generally I dont use the "limited account" approach, as a lot of software requires that you have Admin permissions to run properly..

Then you enter a password to allow it to work.
It may annoy you but it stops unwanted programs and people from installing unwanted stuff on your PC.
UAC helps but if they have admin rights people just get used to clicking without reading.

JonathanAnon

ronkmonster wrote: »

Then you enter a password to allow it to work.
It may annoy you but it stops unwanted programs and people from installing unwanted stuff on your PC.

I understand what you are saying but I've come across numerous packages, that when there are issues with running them, their support says "does the user have Administrator rights".. I think one of the Sage packages had this issue.. Had a similar issue with Cubase and other programs..

Bob Z

JonathanAnon wrote: »

I understand what you are saying but I've come across numerous packages, that when there are issues with running them, their support says "does the user have Administrator rights".. I think one of the Sage packages had this issue.. Had a similar issue with Cubase and other programs..

I have had problems with programs not running properly un guest accounts including comodo firewall and I think spyware guard

ronkmonster

JonathanAnon wrote: »

I understand what you are saying but I've come across numerous packages, that when there are issues with running them, their support says "does the user have Administrator rights".. I think one of the Sage packages had this issue.. Had a similar issue with Cubase and other programs..

Yes I agree it's not a good solution for business users that don't want to be entering a password each time they start a business application like Sage.
But I run windows 7 with limited account and if an app needs admin rights, it either prompts for password or i set the shortcut to always run as admin.

I use fraps on my PC and it needs admin access so I can't get it to auto start with a limited account.

Ghost Train

http://noscript.net/getit is a really good plugin, can make browsing much safer if visiting unknown websites

MrSparkle

I'd go along with all that advice aswell.

As Naikon said no software is completely secure but it's not hard to stay virus free. This is how I have things set up on my laptops and have had no issues for years: Firefox with Noscript and adblock and some AV like MSE or Avira and update your hosts file http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm to block advertising and a load of other sh1te sites.

Stay away from IE aswell, too susceptible to getting hit with drive by downloads. I've been seeing an increase in this with the users at work lately, just from them being on Google Images and IE7/IE8.(They were just looking at pictures of flowers:rolleyes:)

Also scanning every download you get off the net before opening it is a must.