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Internet Security

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Internet Security

from WinCustomize Forums

Well I must admit I'm a bit surprised.  I use 2 Browsers.  My main browser is IE 10 in protected mode.  I also have Firefox only because I cannot comment in the WC Galleries without it.  IE 10 just wont work there!!  I have also removed all Java from my system.

 

I seldom use FireFox at all.  For security I have MSE and Malwarebytes Pro.  I hadn't turned on protection mode in awhile for Malwarebyte Pro until today.

 

It found a hijack in my registry to turn on graphics file execution in Firefox!!  I didn't even know there was such an exploit.  How did it even get there??  A bad email? (I try to be careful.  I delete without opening when suspicious).  An inadvertent web page landing??

So I used Revo Pro to de-install Firefox.  I used Regedit to remove Mozilla from the Registry then rebooted.  Finally I reinstalled Firefox.

 

Fortunately, since I seldom use Firefox I've seen no system instability or evidence of virus.  However, it seems there is no end of effort to install viruses on pc's these days.  I'm sure Smart Phones will become heavily targeted as well.

 

I use just an ordinary Cell Phone no data or text so I'm secure there.  I just want a phone to be a phone for me.

 

It takes constant review of my PC system to keep it clean and safe.

 

I've often gone to these Forums for improving my knowledge of PC security.  So.. any thoughts ideas etc on improving PC security??

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107,045 views 37 replies
Reply #26 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I really doubt it, but stranger things have happened.  It's a shame too, this machine's been very very good to me.  Motherboard won't take 7 or 8, processor won't take 8.  It's an oldie.

Reply #27 from WinCustomize Forums Top

How do you put up with it? The only machine in my house that can keep up with me is the quad core. I would be pulling my hair out using that thing.

TouchTasks - Access tasks with ease on Windows touchscreens.
Reply #28 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting moshi, reply 18
Hardly paranoia, haven't you been infected just this week?

Yes, first time in a loooong time. It happens, I didn't say different. But I enjoy my PC without the loss of control. Anyone who spends any reasonable amount of time on the net is eventually gonna see a problem here and there.

 

That's why we have backups and such.

 

I enjoy my PC. If I have to worry all the time about everything it wouldn't be enjoyable.

 

I like to try betas, even beta OSes. I like experimenting and trying new things. I run about 6 OSes just because I can. That is the reason I own a PC, it's a toy, meant to be enjoyed, not worried over.

 

As I said, YMMV. Not everyone sees things the way I do, I'm just stating what I think about this topic.

 

Internet Security is an oxymoron. If you're connected to the internet, you are not 100% secure, no matter who you are, or what you do.

 

If that worries you, disconnect, and be safe.  ;)

 

 

Reply #29 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Seriously it runs pretty well. :)

I really don't want to sidetrack the conversation though, I was enjoying the security perspectives.  Guess I'll have to get off my a** and look into UAC.  Boy howdy, haven't been putting that off XD   FWIW, big fan of limited user logons here, been doing it pretty much since day 1, give or take the occasional screwdriver to make something work.

Reply #30 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting moshi, reply 18
i prefer to be asked if an executable wants to run on my computer for the first time.

I have never has an executable to run, on my machine, without I clicked it, and by doing so, I gave it permission.

 

 

Unless by executable you mean a virus/trojan, in which case I'd ask you, does UAC stop a virus, no.

Reply #31 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting DaveRI, reply 29
FWIW, big fan of limited user logons here, been doing it pretty much since day 1, give or take the occasional screwdriver to make something work

If I had kids, or even an adult in the house, who used my machine and I didn't trust them to be safe, I'd have a limited user account set up for them, without admin priviledges.

 

But I don't. No one but me uses my PC. So I have no password on my account, don't need one. I have no need for limited accounts.

 

One of the things that pisses me off the most is having my PC tell me I don't have admin rights for something. Vista did that a lot, if memory serves.

Reply #32 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting RedneckDude, reply 31
One of the things that pisses me off the most is having my PC tell me I don't have admin rights for something.

Ya I know what you mean.  I would guess that's why so many people don't use them.  From that perspective it's a pain in the neck.  Once you get specific folder or file permissions set though for non-compliant programs (which is really a pain in the neck on XPHome) it's not so bad.  I pretty much just log into admin to do installs or updates and shuffle files I want to keep a little more protected.

It's all a balancing act I suppose.

Reply #33 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting RedneckDude, reply 28
Anyone who spends any reasonable amount of time on the net is eventually gonna see a problem here and there.

Except me. :)

Quoting RedneckDude, reply 28
Internet Security is an oxymoron. If you're connected to the internet, you are not 100% secure, no matter who you are, or what you do.

Those Linux users and Mac users will disagree with you.

Reply #34 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting kona0197, reply 33
Except me

LOL. Kona, that was truly funny. Thanks, I needed that!   :beer: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Reply #35 from WinCustomize Forums Top

No laughing joke. I haven't had an issues with a virus in many, many years.

Reply #36 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting kona0197, reply 33
Those Linux users and Mac users will disagree with you.

Allow me to rephrase...... Anyone running a Windows PC who spends any reasonable amount of time on the net is eventually gonna see a problem here and there.

 

I have little experience with the others.

Reply #37 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Thanks once again everyone.

Overall, I agree with Monk about using a limited access user account to help thwart virus infection.  When I said that doing so will not prevent viruses from landing on your computer, I wanted to emphasize that no one strategy is sufficient.  It really does seem to take frequent scanning and monitoring system functionality for abnormalities.

I also tend to rely on Microsoft Fix-it to ensure my system settings aren't being reset by various software programs.  Internet Explorer and Media Player are frequent targets as is Windows firewall.

I've also used Hijack This with a supporting website like Bleeping Computer (back in the last of my XP days) to solve stubborn problems.

Wincustomize has also been a great source of info for removing nuisance malware like Ask toolbar or MyWebSearch.  Both of these were problematic on my wife's laptop.

And, yes RND, surf the web and you will have to deal with these sorts of problems from time to time.