Greetings everyone. I'm not exactly a nooB PC user, but my question is probably so elementary that I better post it in this section. It's not of vital importance to me to get any answer (so it's ok if there are no replies), but I wouldn't mind listening to your opinions about this.

I know of this person who runs a business and was "plagued by viruses" in the past. Her PC is almost five years-old, and back then her tech installed several "anti-everythings" (to quote her) for protection and maintains her PC on a weekly basis. I don't know the specifics, however, I'm almost certain the tech probably set her IE internet zone to "High" also, since she can't see sites with JavaScript, Flash, etc. Reading between the lines of what she told me, it looked more like the tech was really protecting the PC from the owner rather than from any Web threat.

I can understand she being paranoid about it, since it is her business computer after all... but is there such a thing like going overboard with protection?

I mean, I've probably visited quite a few harmful sites in my time, and stupidly downloaded suspicious files, but in the 10+ years I've been using PCs, I think I've been infected like 2 or 3 times, and only one of them was moderately serious.

Ok, I admit I never go "skinny dipping" with my PC, always have NOD32 updated, use Online Armor (and am probably protected by a hardware firewall as well), Spywareblaster, and periodically run CCleaner (it automates lots of things I used to do by hand before) and Superantispyware. I also surf the Web with Firefox (sometimes Opera or Chrome) instead of IE. I also never open weird attachments (and I use Thunderbird instead of Outlook Express). Still, I've never felt the need to "cripple" my browser to surf the Web... also (please don't hate me, I know it's stupid, but I'm too lazy) I use my WinXP machine with an admin account instead of a limited one *hides behind the desk*.

I imagine the overall answer will range from a "depends" to a "you can never be too safe," but I'd like to hear from people who know more about this than I do :-P

Ed

Heya Ed

well, users can 'overcare' their system by running too much security programs simultaneously. This causes a lot of unexpected problems and unsusual reactions of a system. In your mentioned case setting IE-security to the possible maximum is like trying to breath under water ;).. it's futile.

You told us few wonderful hints how to run a computer save and secure. Means running a good AV-, AS and IDS-program, a good firewall and taking care of regular updates.
Another really good move you made is to run browsers and mail programs which are safer than the 'with the OS delivered' ones. By avoiding programs with known leaks or vulnerbilities you can feel much safer.

But: there's no guarantee of 100% security.

Have a great day
B. Udo

Thanks for your reply :)



Of course, you are right. Probably the only way to come close to that percentage would be by axing the modem cable and never, ever exchange files with other computers. However, that would reduce the usefulness of a PC significantly.

About the case I described in my first post: I bit my tongue to refrain myself from telling her "Aren't you going overboard with that?" After all, she trusts her tech with her system, and I didn't want something to happen later and having her blaming me for it, heh :) . Still, I have no concrete proof, just the gut-feeling that the tech wanted to save himself the trouble to educate the client (and to having to dedicate his life to fish the client out of her own messes), and just placed a teflon layer between the system and the client. If that's what the tech did, well, I can almost understand him... knowing how some PC users are.

For instance, no matter how many times I tell some friends never to open odd e-mail attachments (like the ubiquitous PowerPoint presentations with puppies, jokes and stuff), nor forward them to all people in their address book, they go ahead and keep doing it. They expect their AVs to always save them from malicious code (as if malicious code couldn't hide behind a sad puppy face or a bathroom joke).

Still, I feel the user should take some responsibility instead of, say, hamstrung IE's browsing functions to the point that, IMO, they should simply go back to use Lynx. But *sigh* I won't tell her that. I'll try, at least, to persuade her to switch to another browser.

Ed

Me again Ed

well you can try to teach people not to open unwanted emails even when commin along with strange attachements. You can only tell em, to update the operating system regulary and running an AV program. If some of our mates, friends or relatives get a infection of their computers we can help em only to get rid of this problem; telling again and again to pay more attention of the system(s).

It's our 'destiny' to go that way, but Ed, it's not that bad one ;) cause I like to help others

Have a great day and til next time mate
B. Udo

Heh, destiny is the proper name for it alright. I'm no certified tech or computer engineer, I'm just a nerd who spends as much time with his PC as other guys do with cars. That, however, hasn't stopped friends and family from declaring me their own local computer Tech Support Guy™.

It's sometimes frustrating (especially when some seem to make the same mistakes time and time again, or when they ask for your advice and then end up doing whatever they please... and then later whine about it), and at others satisfying... regardless, like you, I am normally glad to help.

E.

I am a tad bit paranoid myself with the computer security stuff, I have (7) security related programs on my machine (all free ware). One of them is COMODO BOClean, if I have this correct, and Gladiator people fell free to correct me, this one will clean bad things if they manage to make it on to your machine. May be a good one for your friend. I also have Malwarebytes, and this little gem has identified infections that the others don't even scan for. If I also have this correct, no one program will cover everything anymore. Now days one should have a combination of programs working in conjunction with each other in my humble opinion.

Thanks
Wildman

Hi wildman

7 different security tools? Man, you must fear all devils available ;) . To be honest, look out for few good tools, update em regulary and go for updates and patches for your operating system. Avoid all websites which may be too generous by sepnding phishing and related malware and you'll enjoy a carefree time at the web.

Regards
B. Udo

I have bee seriously infected a few times, that was all it took. Spybot Search and Destroy caught an IE7 infection for me today, the others did not, so I am more than convinced one needs more than one program. If my machine starts to run different or at least once a week I run the programs. It is not necessarily fear, just caution. I check for updates on all of them daily.

Thanks
Wildman