Is it safe to say that if you do/don’t do these things, your 99% safe from viruses?

[Matt_Smi]

Ok let me know what you think here, I understand that you are always open to viruses, but if you do the things I listed below under the do list, and don’t do the things listed below under the “don’t” list, is it safe to assume that you are pretty much 99% safeguarded from viruses, Trojans and worms? In the “don’t” list I just tired to include the ways most people get infected by a virus, worm or Trojan, if you know others ways, please let me know. Also is it safe to assume that there is no way you are going to get a virus just from browsing legitimate websites (such as PC Mech)?


Do

• Use a more secure browser such as Firfox or Opera
• Check for and Install Microsoft Critical updates periodically
• Use a good antivirus program
• Use a firewall
• Install Spyware Blaster

Dont

• Use Internet Explorer
• Download files on a P2P network such as Kazza
• Open any attachments in your e-mail without contacting the person who appears to have sent it to you first, or dont open them period
• Visit adult and other sketchy websites

Remember this is not meant to be a complete list yet, give me some things to add and I will.

[Lobos]

Add to the Do list

A fire Wall
Spyblaster it protects firefox too also remember firefox has its holes too not as many but has them.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

You can set up IE to be almost as safe as fire fox you just need to keep up with the updates IE- spyads is one of the IE hosts ids another .

I just switched over to firefox for the speed . I still need IE it helps to diagnose bad sites for hijack logs sometimes. since im protected from those sites they wont let me visit them or block the dangerous parts of the site. There are also certain things you can do to make IE safer just by doing the suggestions from Tony kline in my sig below.


Lobos

[Confused]

In six years I have never had a virus.

I have always used IE. Currently using IE6

I do visit adult sites.

I do use a antivirus, firewall (hardware only), and
keep critical updates current.

I do not use any P2P.
Chas

[glc]

Do use an ISP that has server side virus filtering on the e-mail.

Do not use Outlook or Outlook Express for your e-mail. If you do use OE, turn off the preview pane. If you use either, consider using the security setting to deny access to potentially harmful attachments. Turn off HTML mail and use only plain text, if you must have pretty mail, use a Web interface instead of Outlook or OE.

[csp]

I never have had a virus before in my life.
All I do right now is use firefox, sypbot, adaware, and protowall.
I have not had a fire wall in a couple of months, i do not use any antivirus, i use overnet, and torrents.
All you got to do to be safe is not open any email thats not your friends or a website you know, and don't install anything you think would be carrying it.
On a sperate note, get protowall and the block list manager. They block information that is coming in or geting out, like cydore sending stuff out, or Sony seeing if you have stollen any of there movies.

[WhatsThisBoxFor?]

Originally Posted by csp I never have had a virus before in my life.

Originally Posted by csp i do not use any antivirus

How do you know there isn't a virus hiding if you don't scan with an antivirus?

[csp]

preformance, i check my files regualarly to see if any are gone, and protowall will probalbly stop it.
Also, I would'nt mind to have my files erased beause I havent installed 64 bit windows beta yet.
And, about that never had a virus thing, I had a mac for 2 years when alot of virus were going around, like last year.

[kev7555]

Add to the "DO" list:

UPDATE virus definitions and spyware definitions regularly.


-Kev

[Matt_Smi]

Damn, I can no longer edit the post, I forgot about that. Thanks for the suggestions though, also would you guys say that its impossible to get a virus just from browsing PC Mech for example?

[kev7555]

I would say there is NO "impossible to get a virus" situation. New strains are being developed every day and you have no idea where or how they are being distributed. Also, your anti-virus program cannot detect it if it hasn't been defined yet.

Taking the steps you have laid out in your "do and don't do list", along with the other suggestions made in this thread will keep you on the right track.

Foremost in virus, trojan and spyware/adware detection and removal is educating yourself as to how these things work and taking all the steps available to prevent them from being installed in the first place (including regular security updates for whatever operating system you are using).

Keep reading. There is plenty of information out there if you go and look for it. Tons of it is right here on this site, at Microsoft, Symantec Security Response, Panda, Trend Micro, etc. and on the Adaware forums.


-Kev