[Guide] Computer Security Basics

[ProJecT]

Table of Contents:

1.Basics to being secure on the web

2. Antivirus

3. Antispyware

4. Firewall

5. Prevention

6. List of Security Software

7. External Links & Information

 

 

1. Basics to being secure on the web

 

First of all, no security in the world can keep you completely safe from every single unique malware created. The number one way to stay safe is having safe surfing habits. Remember, preventing a virus from ever winding its way onto your PC in the first place is the best way to keep safe.

 

Safe surfing habits means you don't just Google something and click on the first result that comes up. It would be good to get in a habit of checking websites you browse to. You can easily do that with a quick Google search of " [website URL] good or bad?". The way I do it is checking on McAfee's Siteadvisor website: Siteadvisor. Do a quick search on there, read some of the reviews, and make your decision on if you should go onto that website or not.

 

 

2. Antivirus

**Note: Do NOT install and run more than one antivirus per PC. Having more than one antivirus does not secure your PC any more than having one does. All it causes are conflicts on your PC.

 

There are plenty of good antiviruses out there. Though this is biased in my opinion, I have researched a bit on several vendors and come to a few conclusions. I have seperated the comparison into two categories: freeware and paid software. Do note, paid software isn't necessarily better than freeware.

 

Starting off with commercial products, I believe the top two competitors would be Kaspersky Internet Security and ESET Smart Security. I personally have only used Kaspersky, ESET, McAfee, and Symantec commercial products.

 

Kaspersky has been noted for its high detection capabilities, and it is not a memory hogger. It comes with several features, including an antivirus and antispyware engine, a firewall, spam filter, parental controls, and a few other tools.

 

February 2009 AV Comparatives Results

Award received: Advanced +

Number of False Positives: Few

On demand Scanning Speed: Average

Total Percentage (Detection Rate): 97.1%

 

 

ESET is also known for high detection rates. In addition, it is recorded as the most lightweight antivirus in its market. ESET has a sleek interface and includes features such as an antivirus and antispyware engine, a firewall, a spam filter, and a few other tools.

 

February 2009 AV Comparatives Results

Award received: Advanced +

Number of False Positives: Few

On demand Scanning Speed: Average

Total Percentage (Detection Rate): 97.6%

 

 

Next are the freeware programs. I personally have only tried AVG, avast! and Avira Antivir. I recommend either Avira Antivir or avast! Antivirus.

 

Avira Antivir is rated number one in detection rates for 2008/2009. Based on tests by AVcomparative, Avira detected over 99% of the threats that were set on the system. The only thing I can criticize is Avira's updating system is a bit on the slow side. Features of Avira (free version) include an antivirus and antispyware engine, with a couple of other features.

 

February 2009 AV Comparatives Results

Award received: Advanced

Number of False Positives: Many

On demand Scanning Speed: Average

Total Percentage (Detection Rate): 99.7%

 

*Note: The reason Avira Antivir did not receive Advanced + is because of the high number of false positives.

 

Download link for the Avira Antivir Personal Edition: http://download.cnet.com/3001-2239_4-10322935.html?spi=e6e462f80757049a31116cdaf2c22284&part=dl-10322935

 

 

avast! Antivirus is a free antivirus that comes with an antivirus, antispyware, and anti-rootkit engine, along with online protection. It too has a high detection rate.

 

February 2009 AV Comparatives Results

Award received: Advanced

Number of False Positives: Many

On demand Scanning Speed: Fast

Total Percentage (Detection Rate): 98.2%

 

Download link: http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html

 

 

3. Antispyware

If you are using a commercial antivirus product, chances are you already have an antispyware engine bundled with it so skip this section.

 

However, if you are using a free antivirus, here is a list of a few antispyware programs you may be interested in.

 

Malwarebytes' Antimalware

A new antispyware program, this small program is recommended for several reasons. One, it has great detection rates. Two, it uses minimal system resources. Three, fast updates, quick scans; it also produces a log after each scan. Malwarebytes' Antimalware comes with an extra tool, FileAssassin. This is used to securely delete locked files, or persistent malware files.

 

Download link: http://malwarebytes.org/

 

 

Ad-Aware

Though Ad-Aware isn't as recommended by security experts anymore, it is still good to have as a backup scanner.

 

Download link: Ad-Aware Free

AVG Antispyware was removed from this list due to the recent decision to not have AVG Antispyware as a stand alone product. It is now included in the AVG Internet Security Suite

 

 

4. Firewall

**Note: Just like an antivirus, do not run more than one firewall per PC. It causes conflicts on your PC.

 

Again, if you are using a commercial security suite, a firewall should already be included. Firewalls are vital to a computer's security. They help monitor incoming and outcoming connections, etc. There are many free firewalls out there, and the few that I recommend are ZoneAlarm and Comodo Firewall.

 

ZoneAlarm is for a less computer savvy user. It has the basic features of a firewall, with antivirus monitoring included.

 

Download link:http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/9232/96460237.jpg[/img]

 

Comodo Firewall comes with an antivirus engine. It is a bit more advanced than ZoneAlarm. It also has basic firewall features, along with the bonus feature of an antivirus. I wouldn't rely solely on Comodo's antivirus though; you should still have an independent antivirus.

 

Download link:http://personalfirewall.comodo.com/download_firewall.html]http://www.zonealarm.com/security/en-us/zonealarm-pc-security-free-firewall.htm[/url\

 

 

Comodo Firewall comes with an antivirus engine. It is a bit more advanced than ZoneAlarm. It also has basic firewall features, along with the bonus feature of an antivirus. I wouldn't rely solely on Comodo's antivirus though; you should still have an independent antivirus.

 

Download link:http://personalfirewall.comodo.com/download_firewall.html

 

 

Online Armor is a well recognized firewall. It is also considered a HIPS program, and is very useful in detecting malware.

 

Download link:http://www.tallemu.com/

 

 

5. Prevention

 

This may be one of the most important parts in this whole guide. Prevention is the key. A couple of things I recommend to finalize your computer's security:

 

MVPS Hosts file

 

A HOSTS file is basically a file that blocks websites. For this reason, it is very useful. MVPS Hosts can be used to block malicious websites. This means when you go on one of the malicious websites, your browser should show a "Page load error" instead of loading the page.

 

Instructions and download link is here: MVPS Hosts

SpywareBlaster

 

SpywareBlaster is a program that creates a list of restricted sites, and it blocks cookies in Mozilla FireFox and Internet Explorer.

 

Download link and more information here: SpywareBlaster

WinPatrol

 

WinPatrol is a handy tool that monitors any unwanted changes to your system, including changes in startup programs, HOSTS file, etc.

 

Download link and information: WinPatrol

 

 

These last couple of programs can be useful too, but I won't go into details about them:

 

SandBoxie - a sandbox for running programs in

CCleaner - clearing out temp files, etc

 

 

6. List of Securiy Software

This may be incomplete, so please reply or give me a PM if there is something to be added. This is meant as a reference list if ever needed.

 

Antivirus Security Vendors:

McAfee (McAfee products)

Kaspersky (Kaspersky products)

Alwil (avast! products)

Symantec (Norton products)

Sophos (Sophos products)

ESET (NOD32 and ESET Smart Security products)

AVG (AVG products ; AVG Antispyware was bought by AVG, originally named Ewido)

BitDefender (BitDefender products)

Panda (Panda products + new Cloud Antivirus)

F-Secure (F-Secure products + Conflicker worm removal tool)

Kingsoft (Kingsoft products)

Microsoft (Microsoft Live OneCare ; to be discontinued soon)

Norman

PC Tools

Rising

ZoneAlarm (ZoneAlarm products; specialty is in firewalls)

 

Antispyware Vendors:

Webroot (SpySweeper)

Lavasoft (Ad-Aware)

Sunbelt (Counterspy)

Prevx (Prevx CSI)

Microsoft (Windows Defender)

 

Firewall:

ZoneAlarm

Comodo

Sunbelt (Kerio Firewall)

Agnitum (Outpost Firewall)

Tiny (Tiny Firewall)

Online Armor

 

HIPS (Host Intrusion Prevention System):

PC Tools (ThreatFire)

Crawler (Spyware Terminator)

DefenseWall

 

Anti-Trojan:

Trojan Hunter

a-squared

 

Anti-Keylogger"

KeyScrammbler

 

Rootkit Removers:

IceSword

F-Secure BlackLight

GMER

AVG Anti-Rootkit

 

7. External Links & Information

 

SWW Rogue Antimalware Link

Malware Advisor

SiteAdvisor (for checking websites)

 

 

I hope this helps.

 

[darkpele]

nice but nod 32 is better do not conflict with gameguard

[ProJecT]

tell me more informations to add...

[kosker]

good work

[rareswega]

gg !! nice post !! :)

[Theofilaktos]

apsogos baki....

[YouWishToKnowMyNick]

This guide is the sh1t because he uses Kaspersky ;)