try and touch this hijackers

[BobV]

I've built a new PC, the priority being to protect myself from past attacks and HD failures. I think this should do it:

First I no longer use IE other than when necessary. FireFox is my number one browser.

Secondly I'm using a Linksys router, Norton real-time AV protection along with SpyBot S&D as a first line of defense.

Thirdly I've backed up my OS using Ghost to a separate HD but on the same computer. All data files are backed up to a separate PC on the same home network.

Rather than do incremental Backups of my OS I plan on doing full OS backups. I'll keep at least one on HD as I roll off older versions to DVD.

BTW about three weeks ago My Pc was first attacked by a IE hijacker. I had no more than remove it than a I had a HD failure in my raid array.

[Cobra]

What sort of firewalls do you use?

[reboot]

If you don't have the firewall turned ON in Linksys controls, you may as well leave the door open.
Add to that, something like Sygate, that detects outgoing as well as incoming, and you MIGHT be a bit better protected.
If your backups are stored on the array, they're no better than your working drive, depending on which type of RAID you're using (striped?).
Norton AV is as good as any I suppose, although it's huge bloatware IMHO.
Spybot is only good to remove problems, other than Activex controls. Try SpywareBlaster as the first line of defence for your browser.
On the linksys...are you using NAT, and forwarding ports, or just defaults, routing port 80 to port 80 etc.?

[BobV]

My linksys has not been configured out of my ignorance I supose. Can you sugest a site to help me with this?

I no longer use RAID an I back up my os to a diferent drive. .. and I'l checkout spyblaster

thanks

[bazooka]

Most of the routers use a web based interface.

You usually get into it by using the programmed ip address.

It may be 192.168.1.1 or something.

The rest is straight forward.

The only time you would use a demilitarized zone is if a program will not function properly behind the NAT firewall.

[gummyAvenger]

If you don't have the firewall turned ON in Linksys controls, you may as well leave the door open.
Add to that, something like Sygate, that detects outgoing as well as incoming, and you MIGHT be a bit better protected.
If your backups are stored on the array, they're no better than your working drive, depending on which type of RAID you're using (striped?).
Norton AV is as good as any I suppose, although it's huge bloatware IMHO.
Spybot is only good to remove problems, other than Activex controls. Try SpywareBlaster as the first line of defence for your browser.
On the linksys...are you using NAT, and forwarding ports, or just defaults, routing port 80 to port 80 etc.?

Most (if not all?) Linksys routers default to having the firewall turned on. NAT is on by default. They also don't forward any ports by default... rather, they just ignore any unexpected packets sent to port 80 or any other port.

[reboot]

Good to know gummy
I'm not familiar with Linksys, as they're almost double the money of other good routers here.
SMC Barricade (and others) are more prevalent.
Try this: http://www.linksys.com/tech_helper/config.html

[rubberman]

whats a good firewall on a non XP system? Currently i use Zonealarm but after looking in the latest edition PC Mag, it shows ZOnealarm isnt that good in protecting.

Also do a search on FIrefox, there are some good speedy tweaks out there. I started using it this past week.

[reboot]

Sygate personal is free. Definitely the best alternative to ZA free, which is now crippled.

[Soopafresh]

All that will help, but you still need protection from installing an app that has spyware in it. My buddy installed KazaaSpeedup.exe and he got infected badly.


Check out Webroot SpySweeper, which stays resident and constantly alerts you to registry modifications and ActiveX controls being installed.

[mattyboy]

this day and age its getting pretty obvious what apps. probably have adware/spyware.

[BJ_M]

all of them

[Shocker Milwaukee]

Yer beggin' for problemz..... Do you really want to issue a challenge?!

[808smokey]

I would consider trying this: Microsoft® Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) It works great! The best one I've found so far. But I would still use it in conjunction with the others

[glockjs]

no matter what u do your computer is gonna get jacked sometime. all u can do is try to prevent it. #1 if files are all that important and personal dont hook the computer up to the internet or at least encrypt them. #2 if anything is all that important to u, back it up...nothings a sure bet even with all the protection in the world. just my 2 cents

[fmctm1sw]

Yer beggin' for problemz..... Do you really want to issue a challenge?!

I agree. Especially considering you told everyone what your set up is. I don't think anyone here would cause you malice but you may not want to challenge...

[808smokey]

Yer beggin' for problemz..... Do you really want to issue a challenge?!

I agree. Especially considering you told everyone what your set up is. I don't think anyone here would cause you malice but you may not want to challenge...

HACKOR!!!!!!!!!!!

[ViRaL1]

Some tips for your router. You may want to disable remote administration if you haven't already, as well as changing the password to something other than 'admin'.

[Aerodige]

Good suggestions all but I'd suggest taking some more steps. I use zone alarm pro(a cracked version) and love it but I use an older version (4.5) because I've heard with the newer has conflicts with bittorrent. I like it because I know exactly what's going in and out of my computer although my router firewall blocks 90% of incoming attacks. Also i'm used to it . Always set your router firewall on and change your password. I use AVG virus protection, it works fine, and it's free.
Set up your antivirus so it scans any downloads automaticly.
Always scan your downloads, if you're expecting a zip or rar file and it ends in .exe it's probable a virus.

Go to http://www.blackviper.com and find out what all those processes that run on your computer are and if you can turn them off. This will also help you recognize any unkown programs that are running on your computer.

If you want to speed up and optimize firefox go to: http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=53650 this is where all those tuning tips orginally came from.

I've never had my computer hijacked or had any major virus.
On the other hand I've never used internet explorer either.
That might be why.

You are in breach of the forum rules and are being issued with a formal warning. No warez!
/ Moderator Cobra

***Warning expired***

[Faustus]

Personally I Like the firewall functions in Dlink routers better then linksys. but anything is better then none.

[waheed]

in my opinion, i dont think one can completely protect themselves from hackers or hijackers. using all the software such as firewall, anti-virus, spysweeper etc etc.. is good but will only minimises the chances of someone doing so.

[bazooka]

in my opinion, i dont think one can completely protect themselves from hackers or hijackers. using all the software such as firewall, anti-virus, spysweeper etc etc.. is good but will only minimises the chances of someone doing so.

You must be in the IT industry, because you are correct.

All you can do is reduce your chances. On a computer, you are never completely safe.

[Faustus]

Also the more expensive but shortcut method would be to go buy a mac.

[bazooka]

Also the more expensive but shortcut method would be to go buy a mac.

:P

Keep the PC and run Linux

[pacmania_2001]

Also the more expensive but shortcut method would be to go buy a mac.

What you miss out with viruses you more than make up for in unexpected crashes and freezing. :P

[BobV]

Thanks for the advice Aerodige and I do go to black viper every so often to eliminate unneeded services.

Do you guys really think my heading "try and touch this hijackers" is an invite?

However I do expect at some point to get hijacked/infected again. Thats the reason for Norton Ghost backups of my OS. I like to refresh my OS once a year regardless. No I can do it much faster and safely.

[808smokey]

Best way to protect yourself - Remove the modem cable

dont hook the computer up to the internet...

Sorry bout that glockjs I forgot I read that by the time I posted mine. Not trying to steal your thunder or anything :P

[bazooka]

Best way to protect yourself - Remove the modem cabel

Yep

[glockjs]

Best way to protect yourself - Remove the modem cabel

Yep

nobody quoted me and said "Yep" when i said that

[bazooka]

If files are personal, dont hook the computer up to the internet.

Yep