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internet security

M

MDme

Senior member
I don't know if this is the right forum (so please tell me where in AT do i post this if not here)...
My PC is connected with a broadband connection using nVidia's nForce Firewall (high security setting) and Windows XP SP2's software firewall. Haven't gotten a chance to buy an Antivirus program yet since I am just testing the system out and will be reformatting soon. Anyway, I don't know how it all happened but my PC suddenly started behaving weird so i checked the system areas and i found myself infected with ad and spyware even including keyloggers. I had to open ports for bittorrent-s and once also activated active-x content for a rom download site. i don't know if this caused the break in.

could anyone tell me how my pc was hacked? also what would be required for "adequate" protection? Please let me know.
 
Firewalls won't stop spyware if you click on something you shouldn't or open an email you shouldn't(or install a program that has it). I'm not to familiar with either of those firewalls so not sure if they monitor outgoing traffic. Also having two software firewalls is not necessary, and ties up resources. I just switched from Zone Alarm to Kerio Personal firewall(can DL it for free), and so far very happy with it.
 
i never click unknown email. I would guess it's probably the active x content, though, i disabled that within 5 minutes since i knew i made a mistake. I don't know if the nvidia nforce firewall (nf3-250gb) is software, as far as i know it's a hardware firewall which uses drivers for configuration, it monitors outgoing traffic too. i don't know about the windows firewall though.
 
I would spend the $30-$50 it takes and get a broadband router from a company like Netgear or Linksys. They are just too cheap NOT to use them. They are a much better fix for blocking incoming probes and scans than software is. Easier to configure for port forwarding as well.

The problem with them is that they don't block outgoing requests from your pc from keyloggers, trojans, and other port scanning viruses. This is where a software program like Zone Alarm mentioned above comes into play. It monitors programs trying to "phone home" and dial out of your PC and lets you know what they are. From there you can chose to accept them to do it or deny them from doing it.

As for spyware, if you have the tendency to pick it up easily, I'd suggest switching over to a less vulnerable browser like Mozilla Firefox. It seems to be more immune to spyware for the casual user than Internet Explorer does.

I would also HIGHLY recommend installing a virus scanner if you do not already. http://www.grisoft.com is a website where you can download a free version of AVG antivirus. It's a small, easy to use virus scanner that doesn't hog a ton of system resources.

Between a NAT device like a broadband router, a software firewall blocking outbound traffic, a more secure internet browser and an up to date and functional virus scanner, you should protect yourself from a majority of viruses.

Another suggestion is to be very cautious in your file sharing. It's not unheard of for some of the torrents or other files to have malicious programs bundled in with them.
 
Thank you so much for the comprehensive info. I will take those steps you mentioned. Also, I was thinking of trying mozilla firefox but wound up uninstalling them since i got scared it might get infected with the jpeg exploit. is it susceptible to the jpeg exploit? or just microsoft products? lastly, does the linksys and/or netgear become useful because of portforwarding? not just because it's a hardware firewall? thanks a bunch!!!
 
addendum, also my nvidia nforce (hardware firewall) is already doing stealth mode....is there an advantage to a linksys? thanks again!!!
 
some routers can filter outgoing too like my fr114p, however, there will not be a pop up that tells you the program is trying to access that port.
 
Originally posted by: dc5
some routers can filter outgoing too like my fr114p, however, there will not be a pop up that tells you the program is trying to access that port.
Click to expand...

That's cool. Usually to get the "true" firewall ability to set up inbound and outbound rules you have to ramp up to a much higher price point. I purchased a Netgear FWAG114 for this purpose, but it was about $350 for the device.

I'll be glad when these devices really start dropping in price.

Only problem with more advanced firewall devices is that they can be difficult for a non-technical person to set up properly. Many people wouldn't have the background to know which ports they would need to open up for all the various apps that need to have access to outbound ports.
 
that's great but expensive. My nforce firewall also has outgoing filtering rules which can be set up. Is it the same as those routers?
 
Originally posted by: MDme
that's great but expensive. My nforce firewall also has outgoing filtering rules which can be set up. Is it the same as those routers?
Click to expand...

not really, the firewaall is still software based rather than hardware.
 
spend about $100 for a pii or piii system and setup linux on it and use it as a firewall/router. One you get to learn how linux works and second you get the protection you needed 3 tug it in the corner and "Forgetaboutit."
 
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