How to keep spyware/malware/adware out permanently?

[lektrix]

I read the thread on top (http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...tid=33&threadid=1658987&enterthread=y) and followed the 7 steps, cleared everything out, but Im worried that I will have to go through the hassle daily..... Is there anything out there to prevent the spyware/malware/adware?

 

[grimlykindo]

Unplug your internet and never use it again...

Sorry, but I don't think there is way to "permanently" remove anything and still us the internet alot.

 

[TheUnk]

Just don't be dumb and use the internet at the same time. If that's possible.

 

[Schadenfroh]

n/m

 

[BW86]

AntiVir
Kerio v215
SpywareBlaster
SpyBot
Firefox/Opera

Basically what I use and never get any spyware.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Stay away from pr0n and warez sites. Don't click on banner ads.

Reputable sites like AnandTech don't allow ads that auto-install anything, and even on less good sites you have to actually be stupid enough to click a banner ad before anything bad can happen.

Even on sleazy sites like some song lyrics sites I've visited, you can go down to the task bar or bring up task manager to forcibly close browser windows or stop IE altogether.

 

[shortylickens]

Originally posted by: grimlykindo
Unplug your internet and never use it again...

I was gonna say "get DOS or UNIX" but that answer works too.

 

[MustISO]

Create an account with really locked-down security. No rights to install anything.

 

[thecrecarc]

1. get sledgehammer.
2. smash ur comp
3. read a book



no spaware, garenteed

 

[n0cmonkey]

The most important step is to use a regular user account. I would put common sense as the most important thing, but people rarely use it so I think it's too difficult to be a consideration these days. Of course, a regular user account instead of an admin account would be obvious if people used common sense, but I digress. Further.

Be vigilent. This follows the common sense step, but requires a bit more work. If you are presented with a dialogue of some sort (those things that ask you to either allow or disallow them, you know, with the yes/no buttons), make sure you understand it before choosing a response. Also under the vigilence banner we have updates. Software is buggy and incomplete, it's a fact. There will be updates. Make sure you install them. Anti-spyware and anti-virus programs also require updates. Install them, and utilize the software.

Third, try an alternative browser like Firefox, SeaMonkey, or Opera. All of them are good, and free (for varying definitions of free). Try all three and pick the one that works best for you.

 

[CKent]

1) Reinstall Windows
2) Don't let people who don't know what they're doing near an adminsistrator account - this may include yourself. Enforce with password.
3) Don't use IE

A lot of obvious ad/spy-ware programs aren't very obvious to many people. These include Bonzai Buddy, Weatherbug, most p2p software and the ubiquitous Coolwebsearch, may its creator suffer an eternity in the hottest depths of Hell. So if you're going to reinstall Windows just to put this sh!t back on your PC, don't bother - instead get an AOL-optimized PC and a pacifier and enjoy teh intarw3b.

 

[Eureka]

Use a firewall, that's a good idea. Peer Guardian, Zone Alarm, etc. Use a smaller-scale browser, like Firefox or Opera. Play smart... stick to large, brand-name programs, or find them from reputable sites. If you're not sure, ask someone.

Norm

 

[lektrix]

Damn i'm not that stupid!

I don't click on things..I just browse forums, download torrents, I have popup blocker to block off almost everything..

 

[Doh!]

LOLOLOLOLOL....sorry....

 

[xgsound]

Section D goes over the prevention methods. Once you get all the residue out, it's relatively smooth sailing. I use as follows; 1. Kerio 2.1.5 for my firewall, 2. Spywareblaster to disable going to known "bad" sites, 3. AVG for my a/v (Antivir is good too), and Mozilla as my browser. So far this works well for my browser habits. This runs on a 700 Mhz Athlon with win98se with minimal impact.

If I needed it I would add BHO demon (notifies for browser takeover ... they can be nasty) and a resident antispyware app such as Spysweeper or MS antispyware (MS is for XP/2000 only).

Here's another guide with similar info. Both guides are excellent. http://www.theflyingpenguin.com/penguin_blog.shtml#spyware-removal


Jim

 

[Eureka]

Originally posted by: lektrix
Damn i'm not that stupid!

I don't click on things..I just browse forums, download torrents, I have popup blocker to block off almost everything..

Well torrent sites are just as bad.

Norm

 

[mechBgon]

1) non-administrator account for daily-driver stuff like IM, browsing and email

2) no warez, pr0n, cracks, etc

3) keep Windows, Office, and other software updated

4) use a really good antivirus program such as Kaspersky Antivirus Personal, max out its detection options, and never turn it off.

5) use a router and/or firewall software, and never let your firewalls down. Bonus points for actually configuring your router to only allow ports that you have specific uses for, and closing the other 65500+ ports. router info


Browser choice won't make a difference if you adhere to the rules listed above, particularly rule #1. And you don't have to take my word for it, Spywareinfo.com finally ran a blurb about the use of Limited accounts and found that they were pretty much invincible: http://www.spywareinfo.com/newsletter/archives/2005/nov11.php#limitedsurfing

This is one of those ideas that make you want to slap your forehead and wonder why it never occurred to you before. I don't remember what prompted it, but I decided to do a little experiment with my virtual test PC. I created a low-level user account and then went surfing some of the most spyware-infested web sites I could find.

Guess what? Nothing happened. Not only did I fail to pick up a single hijacker, I never once saw as much as a single ActiveX prompt. As far as I could determine, I was immune to spyware infection. Why? Because in limited mode, Windows doesn't allow you to do very much. You are not allowed to make the changes necessary for malware to install and hide itself.

That's the owner of SpywareInfo.com talking. Who's listening?

 

[Unkno]

Linux OR Mac


There goes 99% of most spyware/malware/adaware/virus.

 

[Malak]

Use Opera, don't download illegal files or go to illegal websites, use common sense when opening emails, etc. I have no active protection and I get zero spyware/viruses. A scan once every few months just to be sure, but so far nothing.

 

[Savarak]

virtualization software using linux to surf web

 

[Nocturnal]

Use FireFox, don't download free programs that you have no idea where it's coming from. Create a limited user account and use that, don't surf from the Administrator account. Don't use P2P file sharing software. These are just some of the recommendations I make for the clients that come into the shop I work for.

 

[Evander]

It seems all the best advice has already been given except one:
install the "noscript" extension for firefox, which makes turns off scripting by default except to the sites you specify (rightclick in browser -> noscript -> allow whatever.com)

 

[yosuke188]

Originally posted by: Unkno
Linux OR Mac


There goes 99% of most spyware/malware/adaware/virus.

Ding Ding Ding Winnar

Unless you are really paranoid about viruses, I wouldn't suggest these steps, though.

 

[Malak]

Originally posted by: Evander
It seems all the best advice has already been given except one:
install the "noscript" extension for firefox, which makes turns off scripting by default except to the sites you specify (rightclick in browser -> noscript -> allow whatever.com)

You can do the same in IE and it's just as safe as FF, if not safer.

 

[xtknight]

All you gotta do is use Opera and not blindly acknowledge operations you aren't sure about.