Computer crippling virus 0 v 1 Strongers

[Strongers]

This morning I was plunged into a world of malware, spyware and rogue combobulators that were trying to destroy my very being and after 5 hours of reading through mind bending instructions I managed to defeat my first virus. The critter was called system tool 2011 and during our battle I learnt about downloading free virus software and that YouTube isn’t all about watching grown men hurt themselves.

I know most of you learnt how to do this before your first nappy was soiled, but I feel like I have taken a step towards not paying £50 every time the misses locks up our laptop.

Happy surfing!

[Alesonly]

Yes its A pain always make sure you have up to date Anti Virus & Firewall Protection
AVG do A Free anti Virus Program and there are a Few others. Also Get a Firewall as well Zone Alarm Free is one there are others.
Glad you defeated it, If you do online banking Most banks supply a Full Internet Security package free as well.

[Strongers]

Blimey, a supermarket of free anti virus!

I used MalwareBytes during my battle. It was afterwards whilst having a ciggy in the back garden that I realised that the internet is a battle between good and evil and the battle is never won! (walk on Yoda). something I couldn't answer was what did all of these hackers and anti hackers do before computers were invented? Also is a person that battles against hackers a hacker also. Is someone who writes a virus a hacker? Are the back four at Brentford good at computers as they spend most of their day hacking? Questions questions questions!!!

[Paris_Hilton]

I use both AVG and Malwarebites, both free to download. I also use Mozilla Firefox rather tha I-explorer to browse; I'm reliably informed that Mozilla is safer to use, and it's also free to downlaod.

[Quinno]

I use <geek attack>:

• Firewall: Zonealarm (free download).
• Anti-virus: A combination of AVG and Spybot Search and Destroy (both free). Spybot also takes proactive steps to patch up known vulnerabilities in IE and Firefox.
• Web browser: You can't beat Firefox (free!) for in-depth browsing and functionality but most importantly, security. If you have Firefox, at a minimum download Adblock Plus and Betterprivacy in addition as 'add-ons' - very useful. Also, Firefox will give you a warning should you attempt to enter a known attack site (see http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/its-an-attack.html for an example screenie)
• Useful extras: ATF Cleaner free - cleans up old registry files and properly deletes them (as opposed to just mangling data like when you empty the recycle bin manually). Hijackthis - a free utility that generates an in depth report of registry and file settings from your computer - you will need this report to post on forums in order for others to ID malicious programmes.

Bookmark http://www.spywarewarrior.com/index.php which is a good site where you can questions about iffy processes and post Hijackthis logs for infected PCs.

ALWAYS schedule in an update day once a fortnight (if automatic updating is not built into the programme) for your Anti-virus.

Oh and of course NEVER open attachments from people you don't know OR attachments that have a dodgy suffix (usually .exe) unless you implicitly trust the sender (eg your mate who sends you amusing video clips twice a week!). Also don't download software from sites you don't trust even if they claim it is required; if a site says that a plugin is necessary, go directly to the plugin vendor's web site instead.

If the worst comes to worst and you're afraid to click away from a site as it's bombarding you with boxes demanding you install stuff or clearly attempting to download something without your permission, pull the internet plug out of the usb port/switch off the router manually. Then ctrl+alt+delete and switch off the browser through task manager.

Finally, for any sites that give you a fully free download (as opposed to a stripped-down version of a paid-for product) that you use regularly, please contribute a couple of quid every now and again to allow them to keep on giving

Doing this has kept me relatively virus free for the past five years, after a spectacular meltdown in 2005 where I had to literally start again. I was then where you are now.

[Conrad]

Warning, this post assumes you use Windows, the really easy solution is to use Linux or MacOS (I need a wash after mentioning Mac).

I personally would not touch Zonealarm with a rather large bargepole, it's main purpose is to scare you and it is largely unnecessary if you are using a copy of Windows newer than Windows XP [service pack 2] (inclusive), or you are sat behind a decent router (which most are if you use wireless). Whilst it makes lots of noise and b*ggers around a lot all it ever really does is tell you what it is doing (and what is already being done by your system if it wasn't there).

AVG is very popular, although I am not a fan as it has crashed a couple of my computers and also after their pre-fetch debarkle. I preferred Avast, although now I have moved on to Microsoft Security Essentials. MS Security Essentials just quietly does the job and it is in MS's interest to get it right as it reduces their service overhead and negative reputation whenever their OS gets hit.

If you ever find yourself infected Malwarebytes is essential, it is the best cleaner around, not very good as an in place checker though.

In terms of browser, Firefox is a must for the more Internet savvie for its huge array of Add-ons of which Adblock Plus is most notable (although please turn it off on sites that rely on advertising income if you want them to succeed). For the general user though I actually think Chrome is probably best now (and I hate saying that) as it is very smooth, quick and uncluttered (hurry up and release Firefox 4.0 as that looks almost as good). And the imminent IE9 looks impressive (although PuG doesn't work on their current test build).

Again I am not a fan of registry cleaners, but then I will generally rebuild my machine about once a year making them largely redundant.