[SilverTears]

Introduction
Ok, I've decided to make a guide to have your computer safe from alot of viruses. And remember this, just because your computer is locked down with all theese defense programs ( firewalls, spyware removers... etc, ) doesent mean your ***ly invincible. ( meaning you cant get a virus or hacked. )

Unknown Programs
Ok, now I know everyone likes all theese great hack programs for their games. And also other programs such as cracks. If you dont know the program and havent heard about anything from it DONT RUN IT!! . Theese are usually known to have a trojan or some kind of virus such as key loggers in it. So be aware of them, and if you read this guide and do what I said not to do and wind up getting something bad on your comp dont come complaining.

Im Unstoppable!
Now everyone thinks as explained above that just because they have all theese great scanners and fire walls and stuff are invincible. Not true! There are very experienced coders out there and know how to hide things very good. ANYONE can get a virus at ANY time. So dont think you cant get one.

Scanners and Such
Now, its always good to have a virus scanner. Even know they cost money. Ey, everything costs money. So just get one if you want to keep your comp as safe as possible. Ill list some virus scanners that are known that people use.

Norton Anti-Virus
Pc Cillin
AVG Free
Mcafee ( This would be my last choice if your lazy and dont like to pay )
And some others that you may find online.

( etc,

Originally Posted by wm_hunter

If you want to scan a single file for a virus using a bunch of different Antiviruses, then use VirusTotal or Jottis Online Malware Scan

Scammas n' Spammas
Now, if you play an online game. There is usually a warning for something that the company will make. Let me take Blizzard for example. They warn you and say something about

Originally Posted by Blizzard

Blizzard will not ask you for your account and password or cd key!

. Something like that. Then someone says they will help and emails you with some kind of Blizzard like email. You will obviously think that they are from Blizzard. But if you are smart enough to remember the WARNING that they gave you. You should be fine.

Well, thats it. I hoped I helped people for this. This guide may not be posted anywhere else without my permission. If this is done, and/or people are caught. Action will take place. If i've left anything out please tell me.

Thanks

- Evan

P.S. - This will not make you 100% safe but should help!

Help from Members

Hellsing Said:

Dont go to **** sites etc, they are likely to have lots of viruses and add spyware to your computer. Also defrag your disks and scan your computer from time to time and dont just do that when you want to. If you know C++ programing and know how to spot bad files and stuff do that. Also delete suspicious cookies.

Thanks hellsing!
------------------------------------------------------
`Echo Said:

1. NEVER download free virus scanners, go to a store, buy them.
2. Some malware WILL USE YOUR SCANNERS AGAINST YOU. I really couldn't explain it in simple terms, but just realize this.
3. Use your head. Like I'm sure Divine states don't run things you don't know from a trusted site. Don't scan something from www.microsoft.com but from www.thisisntahack.com you'd want to steer clear from.
4. Lastly, as long as you use your head you'll be safe.

Thanks `Echo!

[wm_hunter]

Norton Anti-Virus
Pc Cillin
AVG Free
Mcafee ( This would be my last choice if your lazy and dont like to pay )

Ummm, I don't know where you got your info but McAfee costs money, probably more money then Norton. Norton sucks when it comes to AVs, and I haven't heard much about Pc Cillin...

Other then that, ok guide... there is a lot more to keeping safe then this, but that's ok. I personally recommend AVG Free for an antivirus... there is a link in my signature if you want to download it, Divine didn't leave a link.

[noob_pwner]

Nice guide man. Maby someone should stickie this?

[skidude]

McAfee has 30days free stuff too

[wm_hunter]

Originally Posted by skidude

McAfee has 30days free stuff too

Those are just trials... he said use McAfee if your cheap and don't want to pay money, while AVG Free is 100% free. I just don't think Divine knows what he is talking about, in another post he said "McAfee screwed up my comp" and he is talking about how McAfee is free

[hellsing293]

you misinterpetted what he said. he said the last choice if your lazy and don't like to pay. meaning if you want something quick and simple thats free don't get macafee.

shoulda added stuff about no bad sites(**** etc) and turning on firewall if you have windows xp or downloading firewall. and should have added links to stuff like that. and backround info on spywayre,malware, trojans, viruses and how they're different. and tools to scan items. also last resort reformatting.

i actually thought of making something like this but after all the questions i've asked in tech forum didn't think people would really take me seriously.

and if you know about C++ how to spot suspicous files. and shit to keep your comp running faster like disk defragmenting and deleting cookies. also running regular scans not just once in a while when you feel like it. also using safer browsers like firefox etc and keep updating your protection because there are always new viruses being created. and maybe using multiple programs incase one misses something. maybe links for stuff like ad-aware and spybot- search&destroy etc. eventhough you said you're no invincible with a bunch of programs you should say how they help A LOT.

ask questions and read up on this stuff, thats how i learned what i know(limited but above the average person)

[SilverTears]

Dunno but mcafee was free for me. Unless I got the wrong one -.-. Ill add what yo said hellsing and ill let you take credit for it Im not really sure what ALL of those viruses do.

Nice guide man. Maby someone should stickie this?

At least someone appreciates me O.o

[wm_hunter]

Maybe you got a McAfee rip off that was a rouge program (advertised as a virus\spyware remover but is really full of viruses\spyware itself). I don't say your guide is bad, I just think it only covers about 10% of how to stay safe on the internet...

[SilverTears]

To be honest. I dont know ALOT about viruses. But I thought it would be a little helpful.. I thought " Hey ill try to post a guide to try to keep people safe on here ". Well I gave it a shot.. =/

[hellsing293]

one word were you could find all this information to add filler to your guide:google. also when running a virus scan on whatever you have if you highlight it, you might get a description. also in the help tab it could elaborate on them.

[Sentience]

Originally Posted by Divine

Now everyone thinks as explained above that just because they have all theese great scanners and fire walls and stuff are invincible. Not true! There are very experienced coders out there and know how to hide things very good. ANYONE can get a virus at ANY time. So dont think you cant get one.

I'd like to note on this:

1. NEVER download free virus scanners, go to a store, buy them.
2. Some malware WILL USE YOUR SCANNERS AGAINST YOU. I really couldn't explain it in simple terms, but just realize this.
3. Use your head. Like I'm sure Divine states don't run things you don't know from a trusted site. Don't scan something from www.microsoft.com but from www.thisisntahack.com you'd want to steer clear from.
4. Lastly, as long as you use your head you'll be safe.

[SilverTears]

Added

[Seekndestroyer]

Another thing that doesn't have to do with the internet, but has happened before, is that when your friend gives you a disk with music or some cool game you need to scan it. One of my friends and his brother use to put their created viruses on a disc and hid it on the disk. Then they would give to to the other, then as soon as the other brother got his computer running again he would do the same. The lesson is just scan everything that isn't bought, before you run it.

[wm_hunter]

Originally Posted by `Echo

I'd like to note on this:

1. NEVER download free virus scanners, go to a store, buy them.
2. Some malware WILL USE YOUR SCANNERS AGAINST YOU. I really couldn't explain it in simple terms, but just realize this.
3. Use your head. Like I'm sure Divine states don't run things you don't know from a trusted site. Don't scan something from www.microsoft.com but from www.thisisntahack.com you'd want to steer clear from.
4. Lastly, as long as you use your head you'll be safe.

Your #1 is total bull. There are five or six free scanners that are the best on the market, Avast, Antivir, AVG... they beat the hell out of nearly any paid antivirus except maybe Kasperksy and McAfee.

And spyware scanners the market is almost dominated by free scanners, Adaware, Spybot, Windows Defender (originally named Windows AntiSpyware)... The best and only real good paid spyware scanner is Webroot Spysweeper.

There are rouge (bad) antivirus and antispyware scanners though, I see that stopsign scan advertised on TV and it puts more things onto your computer then it takes off

For a site that listes bad antispyware programs, see this page

A good online virus scanner is Kaspersky Online Scanner or Trendmicro Housecall.

2-4 are all good tips

One thing you should mention is keep your windows update up to date. Security updates for Windows\IE, service pack 2 for Windows XP, etc are all very important to keep you safe from hackers

[Sentience]

You see, your second point is exactly why I said that.an it's fine. Notice I said that only to download things from trusted sites, if you trust the antimalware download site than you'll be fine, but if you trust stopsign you're better off buying the programs so you KNOW they're safe. I wrote that concidering its your first day on a computer, so calm down.

[wm_hunter]

Sorry, you just made it sound so final like all free malware scanners are bad...

[hellsing293]

may i type go more in-depth on what i said and you can cp it in there? just to cover everything a little more.