13 replies to this topic

[Nvyseal]

Does a antivirus or software firewall seem to slow down your system? Tired of having to always update the definitions? Hate having to renew your antivirus software?

Try these simple steps to healthy happy computing

What i do use to keep me clean and safe is:

* Firefox with no activeX addon, use adblock in firefox, do not allow popups
* I dont download from torrent sites
* Use buy my software or download software i know is safe from the source
* Have a Hardware firewall
* Look at the firewall logs for suspicious incoming and outgoing activity
* Do not Broadcast my wireless network
* Use encryption on my wireless network
* Use Ad Aware
* Use Spybot SD
* Do not share folders in MSN or accept files that may be unsafe
* Do Not use IRC
* Do Not use Outlook or OE. I only use a web based e-mail system and any files i feel might contain a virus i forward to my yahoo account for scanning.
* Patch up, but DO NOT use Windows Live Update
* Use common sense
* Dont let others use your computer(s)
* Do not allow others to connect their computers to your network
* Do not use public hotspots

I do the same for work, only i do have to accept public files. For this i have a special computer on its own network that only runs an antivirus program. Public files are passed through this machine before it ever hits our network computers. You would be suprised on what the public tries to pass you unknowingly

These rules are quite simple to follow and if adheared to, you should run healthy and happy. I have for the last 2 years

[m.oreilly]

sound advice i will install an av (nod32) every once in awhile to make sure (i also don't use an av app 24/7, and with running x64 windows, some online scanners won't work), though another member here, stormrosson, tipped me to an online that works great for his x64 install (i forgot the brand though ). a question: why wouldn't you use live update?

[Nvyseal]

Live Update sometimes installs Drivers and other questionable updates Microsoft "thinks" you need. Sometimes those drivers can really take your computer down.

[m.oreilly]

Nvyseal, on Aug 12 2006, 11:35 AM, said:

Live Update sometimes installs Drivers and other questionable updates Microsoft "thinks" you need. Sometimes those drivers can really take your computer down.

oh, i just use the "critical" option, and also do a disc cleanup after any app/patch installs.

[simon]

great advice I tell my customers things like that too ... but do they listen ? thankfully they dont or I would be out of business !!

[stormrosson]

hey MO that online scan I use is ....Trendmicro housecall...it's free and can be found at ...trendmicro.com..

[m.oreilly]

stormrosson, on Aug 15 2006, 12:27 PM, said:

hey MO that online scan I use is ....Trendmicro housecall...it's free and can be found at ...trendmicro.com..

that's it! thanks man

[Camaro]

stormrosson, on Aug 15 2006, 02:27 PM, said:

hey MO that online scan I use is ....Trendmicro housecall...it's free and can be found at ...trendmicro.com..

What a coincidence that is the same one I used to use, but have not for the past 6 months. Why? you might ask, well I didnt like the change in there design.

[Sphere]

how about keeping your system clean from windows?

[Linoman]

lol its not always possible

[PotatoMan83]

I never use AV/Firewall..for the past 6-7 years ive done without, and in that time Ive yet to recieve one virus. :gutar:

[simon]

what os do you use ? I have customers that get the same virus time after time

[donkballs]

thats because they keep doing the same stuff time after time, must have more dollars than sense

[m.oreilly]

donkballs, on Nov 15 2006, 05:56 AM, said:

thats because they keep doing the same stuff time after time, must have more dollars than sense

yep, i would have to agree