Internet Security in 2008
A few years ago, when using Internet Explorer, one had to be very careful about Spyware, but this seems must less of a threat these days, and certainly we don't see those browser problems that we used to see.
Is Spyware still a threat, and if so, what are reasonable steps to avoid it?
Are there any other similar security threats to PCs and what should we do to avoid them.
I ask this from the pov of a general users.
To my mind, t6he following should take care of most problems:
1. HARDWARE FIREWALL (A router)
2. ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE (eg. Avast, Symantec)
3. WINDOWS UPDATE (Automatic)
Is Spyware still a threat, and if so, what are reasonable steps to avoid it?
Are there any other similar security threats to PCs and what should we do to avoid them.
I ask this from the pov of a general users.
To my mind, t6he following should take care of most problems:
1. HARDWARE FIREWALL (A router)
2. ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE (eg. Avast, Symantec)
3. WINDOWS UPDATE (Automatic)
End users will always find a way to download the great "free" screensaver and some other worthless gimmick. You cant protect them from themselves and spyware is still a huge threat. Yes, the things that you listed will help in a big way but there will always be something out there that is determined to get onto a computer. Along with the things you listed i would advise loading spyware blaster, spybot and malware bytes on computers. Most AV's do absolutely nothing to spyware.
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<user education>
LOL!
It seems as though I left out the most important piece to the whole puzzle.
Thanks phototropic
LOL!
It seems as though I left out the most important piece to the whole puzzle.
Thanks phototropic
ASKER
Good point about Education. Thanks. I was aware of that but I hadn't itemised it as a point, and I think it needs to be itemised, to make a point!
Do you think it's worth using software like Adware and Spybot S & D?
One problem with real-time checking is that it slows down performance and blocks sites. This can be annoying, especially if you have UAC on.
What about Windows Defender? Is that anything?
Do you think it's worth using software like Adware and Spybot S & D?
One problem with real-time checking is that it slows down performance and blocks sites. This can be annoying, especially if you have UAC on.
What about Windows Defender? Is that anything?
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In order of importance:
1. Educate your users of typical threats and how to avoid them (think before you click, do not open email attachments from unknown senders, don't install unknown apps etc.)
2. Make your users run as regular user, not admin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principle_of_least_privilege)
3. Patch management aka make sure all updates and hotfixes are installed promptly
..
..
..
10. Make sure they have up-to-date and correctly configured personal firewall, AV and antispyware (if you've done the first 3 points correctly, there's aren't even mandatory).
1. Educate your users of typical threats and how to avoid them (think before you click, do not open email attachments from unknown senders, don't install unknown apps etc.)
2. Make your users run as regular user, not admin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principle_of_least_privilege)
3. Patch management aka make sure all updates and hotfixes are installed promptly
..
..
..
10. Make sure they have up-to-date and correctly configured personal firewall, AV and antispyware (if you've done the first 3 points correctly, there's aren't even mandatory).
Spybot and Adaware simply are not as effective as some of the newer apps., such as SuperAntiSpyware:
http://www.superantispyware.com/download.html
and Malwarebytes' Antimalware:
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
although the names are nowhere near as snappy!
Windows Defender I have had little experience of...but no one has ever told me that they swear by it and wouldn't use anything else...
http://www.superantispyware.com/download.html
and Malwarebytes' Antimalware:
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
although the names are nowhere near as snappy!
Windows Defender I have had little experience of...but no one has ever told me that they swear by it and wouldn't use anything else...
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ASKER
^^ I agree