General Internet Security: Prevent getting hacked.

[gilette]

Ok guys, lets discuss this subject here, I think the best way to prevent getting hacked is to have descent (or very good) firewall. I use Comodo Internet Security, the free version. It can basically block every program that tries to connect to internet (Including windows system files that actually make the connection to your provider, dont block that!) It takes some time to learn how it works, but I think myself that this is how every firewall should work. Basically my opinnion is, that if I get hacked with this - then its my own fault that I have downloaded keylogger or some other stuff and allowed its access to internet. I know, I know, its not always keylogger or installed software, but I belive that most of the time it is. Comodo also has "Paranoid" mode that alerts you from every action programs make, very good at start when using, but try not to block everything or you soon notice that you cant even connect to internet, lol. Comodo also has Antivirus and also Defence+ too. Antivirus detects viruses obviosly, and Defense+ can sandbox programs that you are not so sure about. Sandboxing is basically making virtual enviroment for that program only, so that wont acces rest of your computer or other programs.

More info on comodo: Here
and also the main site: Antivirus Firewall Software and SSL Certificate - Internet Security Software from Comodo

Now that I have discussed the firewall that I use, lets move futher.

Im not gonna discuss every program with "tutorial" or guide like attitude, but I think good firewall is the best way to prevent getting hacked.

There is good anti virus programs to prevent getting bad stuff on your computer, but I think all you need to do is use brain (no offence). So no downloading "codecs" while satisfying manly / womanly urges, and dont try to open "VeryHotLooking.jpg.exe" or similiar exes.

Spybot S&D is good software to block cookies and malicious web pages.

Some firefox addons are good to block stuff, but I think some of the addons are suspecious - beware when you download stuff on your web browser. And to internet explorer users, worst I have seen is that half of the screen is filled with all kind of "search / "very useful" " addon bar. Even if they wouldnt be suspecious, it makes the browsing experience a bit more enjoyable to see the screen. Irony is that Im currently using IE for light browsing, but normally my attitude towards IE is "Please, just dont".

Oh and last, dont use same password on ever account - this should be "kid" stuff to know. And dont download every gold guide addons without checking from some forums that they are legit.

Sorry, but all of sudden while writing this, lazyness struck me. Be careful in the internet, be safe.

-Gilette

Edit: Little more info for Comodo + fixed typos

 

[no1knowsy]

Lol. This is good practice for anyone who uses/stores anything on their pc they wouldn't want anyone to have. Thanks for the post, and it's unfortunate how many will actually "need" a guide like this. +Rep

 

[dragonfire665]

good start. I will agree with you. I am a firefox users, so to prevent anything i added, Adblock and Javascript blocker. Along with CA Internet Security (Firewall and AV) and Malware bytes running in the background to constant check, which does a good job in block pretty much everything.

Most viruses are obtained not by browsing but by email. People tend to read the subject and for fall everything. Once an email is open, if there was a malicious act attached, it will automatically cause much damage. So protecting, you PC is not enough, just as you said, but watching every move you take on it, its just as important, if not much more.

 

[gilette]

Yeah I totally forgot that email part - kids stuff basically too but still realy important.
+ rep

Also, turn off your mic / webcam while not using it. You cant never be too sure.

And if you have wireless lan (or wlan shortly) in home that shares internet and or movies / music / family photos, please, password protect it and share the password with your house hold. It protects what ever you have stored on computer and keeps your privacy at same time. Think about it this way that wouldnt it be just too tempting to check out what your neightbour shares if you noticed that he has his whole hard drive shared, and you might peek in just little even knowing its wrong.

Samething with mobile phones, protect your bluetooth and keep the phone password protected ^^

 

[Zeewolf]

Ill also add that microsoft security essentials is actually... surprisingly... good. its free, doesnt come with crap/bloat and since its microsoft who have an interest in keeping windows working responsively (rather than symantec who slow down your system and tell you its because you have viruses) it actually has a minimal effect on performance

im not a MS fanboy, quite the opposite I works with large business networks full of microsoft crap that pisses me off on a multiple-times-a-day basis to the point where i occasionally feel like finding some of their devs and kerbstomping them...

My other recommendation is to remove adobe products, once you get past the debacle that was Microsoft ActiveX "would you like to trust this FREE SCREENSAVER (LOLNOT) blah blah" prompts, the next in line for bad security asshats of the decade go to adobe for flash and acrobat

Acrobat reader you can replace with Foxit reader

Flash tbh you can live without, aside from youtube there really is no good use for it, when it came out it was a step up from the animated gif hell that was the internet pre 1996 and the only way to develop rich dynamic websites and so it got its foot in the door as 'the standard', nowadays you dont get rich dynamic websites... you fucking speaking adverts that load in the background, you get tiny adverts that blow up and fill your screen if you happen to pass thru the tiny area of the screen they sit on while trying to get the pointer to something useful... in fact... all you get with flash... is FUCKING ADVERTS, no good webdesigner nowadays would be seen dead developing a website in flash, people that QQ that you cant play flash on the iphone need to realise that its stone age tech and needs to go the way of the floppy disk and make way for HTML5

 

[no1knowsy]

And if you have wireless lan (or wlan shortly) in home that shares internet and or movies / music / family photos, please, password protect it and share the password with your house hold. It protects what ever you have stored on computer and keeps your privacy at same time. Think about it this way that wouldnt it be just too tempting to check out what your neightbour shares if you noticed that he has his whole hard drive shared, and you might peek in just little even knowing its wrong.

Knowing it is wrong doesn't make this at all illegal...
Just sayin, I've got a few neighbors, who I've helped along the way to long losing their information due to lack of security/knowledge about wlans.