Newbie question about security and backing up files...

[Billmanweh]

Well, I finally got my new computer put together and got it up and running. I'm using WinXP as my OS and I have a cable modem here at home.

Right now, I have no security or anti-virus software or anything of that sort (that I know of).

I guess I'm wondering, do I need any security? What am I protecting myself against? If I have my files backed up, what's the worse thing that could happen? And if I do need some kind of security, what are some simple suggestions?

And secondly, besides my pictures, mp3s, and personal files, what else should I keep backed up?

Thanks!

[Vernon Frazee]

Nobody believes anything bad can happen to them, until it does.If a bad guy can persuade you to run his program on your computer, it's not your computer anymore.If you don't keep up with security fixes, your computer won't be yours for long.If a bad guy can alter the operating system on your computer, it's not your computer anymore.Eternal vigilance is the price of security.Grisoft's AVG (anti-virus), free version: http://www.grisoft.com/html/us_downl.htm#FREE

ZoneAlarm Firewall, free version: http://download.com.com/3000-2092-10039884.html

[Alex Iannuzzi]

Originally posted by Billmanweh
Well, I finally got my new computer put together and got it up and running. I'm using WinXP as my OS and I have a cable modem here at home.

Right now, I have no security or anti-virus software or anything of that sort (that I know of).

I guess I'm wondering, do I need any security? What am I protecting myself against? If I have my files backed up, what's the worse thing that could happen? And if I do need some kind of security, what are some simple suggestions?

And secondly, besides my pictures, mp3s, and personal files, what else should I keep backed up?

Thanks!

You can also go to www.symantec.com and download Virus Removal Tools if you ever get a Virus and you can download the Trial version of Norton Anti-Virus 2003.

Basically if a person hacks into your computer, they can do anything you can do on your computer which leads to destruction of data, loss of control, etc

Your protecting yourself from the hackers out there, who are waiting to get into someones computer to destroy stuff and find security holes in the Operating Systems.

The worst thing that could happen is that your Hard Drive gets formatted or completely stuffed up, Motherboard and Video Card Bios killed, Virus put on HDD boot sector, etc, there is so many worster case senarios. I heard that some one got a virus that burnt out there CPU :eek:

Just remember, have a firewall, like Vernon Frazee said Zone Alarm is free and is pretty good.

You can backup anything else that you consider to be important to you.

[cbh]

Are there any free software that I can download? I have ZoneAlarm but I heard that the uninstallation process is not usually complete. Is that true? I also have RegCleaner and Norton AntiVirus 2002 but the latter is going to be expired next year. Where can I have free antivirus software other than AVG? Pls help me...

[Strawbs]

Originally posted by Alex Iannuzzi
...The worst thing that could happen is that your Hard Drive gets formatted or completely stuffed up, Motherboard and Video Card Bios killed, Virus put on HDD boot sector, etc, there is so many worster case senarios...I think the worst thing would be losing credit card and personal details to a cybertheif, who then goes out and runs up all kinds of bill and takes out credit with the ID he/she stole from you! :eek:

Too many ppl put their trust in M$ Wallet, The best method to protect your personal or private details is to keep them away from your computer altogether!

The best method to protect your personal or private details is to keep them away...and so on... :D

Run full Virus and Trojan scans on a weekly basis with the latest DAT files, and then back-up your critical files to something that can be removed from the computer and stored seperately (CD-RW, ZIP, Tape drive, etc.)

:t

[Radi0h3ad]

It's always a game of cat and mouse between trojan / virus writers and the companies who have to keep up with all the new ones coming out.
Basically if you're worried about security the only thing you need is common sense.
Always know who you are receiving a file off, and if possible scan it if you are unsure.
Never open an executable (.exe) or any other file for that matter, unless you trust where you got it from.

It is nice to have some kind of personal firewall ( I use Norton 2003 and it's great ) just as an extra helping precaution but at the end of the day it is possible to get round them if the hacker knows what he/she is doing.

Just be vigilant, and personally I do not keep any kind of bank details stored on my computer.:rolleyes:

:)

[kevrob1]

I use the Kerio Personal Firewall and E-Trust Antivirus... there are a lot of good choices out there, some like AVG are free and some you need to pay for. Still if not for yourself then think of the rest of us... we all have a responsibility to safeguard the virtual playground called the internet...:t

[elroy]

A firewall is very important when you have cable internet because with the always on connection hackers can walk right into your pc anytime without you being aware of it. Then they can start sending out whatever kind of mail they please with your name on it. [use your imagination here] Steal your credit card numbers, bank account info etc. As for anti virus programs, it is your choice which one to use but you WILL get infected without one. Especially if other people that won't follow the rules use your pc. :t

[Bigjakkstaffa]

AVG, Sygate personal Firewall and WInXP's built in system restore features all do the job well enough for me

--Jakk:t

[Strawbs]

Originally posted by cbh
Are there any free software that I can download? I have ZoneAlarm but I heard that the uninstallation process is not usually complete. Is that true? I also have RegCleaner and Norton AntiVirus 2002 but the latter is going to be expired next year. Where can I have free antivirus software other than AVG? Pls help me... Free Firewalls (http://www.webattack.com/freeware/security/fwfirewall.shtml) no one said you can only use one firewall! just don't lock yourself off the net completely.

Free Anti-Virus (http://www.thefreesite.com/Free_Software/Anti_virus_freeware/).

knock yourself out! :t

I think it's time we had a Freeware links thread! I'll start one in "General Tech".

[Eric Legge]

The Startup Monitor (http://www.mlin.net/) allows you to prevent any trojan from setting itself up as a start-up program.


Eric,

http://www.legge40.freeserve.co.uk/BuyerBeware.htm

[Billmanweh]

Ok, so I guess #1 is to make copies of everything important. I'll pick up some CD-RWs this evening and back up all of my personal files. I'll also keep all of my start-up disks handy...

And on top of that, I should get some kind of firewall security, and anti-virus software?

Should those three things pretty much keep my covered?

[rangeral]

Backing up is always recommended, if you have a finicky machine you can get an older version of ZA 2.6 that gets along with most machines at oldversion.com , you could also get norton av2002 on ebay for cheap just make sure its the package that gives you a years worth of free updates to try.

[KenKeith]

RadiOh3ad says,
Just be vigilant, and personally I do not keep any kind of bank details stored on my computer.

It's clear not to keep financial info and sensitive data stored and easily accessed if hacked. But links to financial data stored offline should be secure as those sites have their own firewall. Their firewall must be effective as I haven't heard of any loses.

[Strawbs]

Originally posted by KenKeith
... Their firewall must be effective as I haven't heard of any loses. 2 years ago, a Major British bank accidentally published all of it's customers names and credit card details to the web for a couple of hours by mistake. :eek:

[fasttoon]

Originally posted by Billmanweh

Right now, I have no security or anti-virus software or anything of that sort (that I know of).
If I have my files backed up, what's the worse thing that could happen?
Thanks!

The worst that could happen is more that losing personal information, credit cards, ie, that someone mentioned. You could have your computer turned into a zombie or full control by someone else who hacks say the CIA, Federal Govt., Bank and transfers that money someplace else, and you would get left holding the bag when the Gov't agents come knocking on your door. Good luck at that point, also just playing around people could get your ip address and complain about your actions which is really the hackers action and get you banned from your isp.

Warning!!

Do not use old security software they are not effective otherwise they would not have been updated! ZoneAlarm is a freebie but the old ones have flaws and will let intruders in without a warning. The new ones have conflicts with a lot of programs, True vector is the culprit. Try Kerio or Outpost both freeware or the better version of Kerio is Tiny Pro. A little harder to configure yet you get better protections.

AVG is free and AVG pro is cheap, you can also get norton av for around $10 or so.

Get a router, most routers have built in limited firewall plus other security features. Get the 4 port instead of the one port, price is about the same however you get to add more computers in the future.

Good Luck!

[cdroman]

For firewalls, I agree that ZA can cause some problems. Kerio is good, but definately not for novices. Outpost and Sygate are good choices for new users.
Layers of protection are the best way to go, but require research by the user to accomplish.

[Billmanweh]

I got the free version of AVG and I apparently don't have any viruses as of right now.

The entire firewall thing just sounds like too much trouble. I can't think of any sensitive data that I have stored on my computer. Maybe I'll just go with keeping everything backed up and running the AVG and keep my fingers crossed...

[kevrob1]

Going with just the antivirus is like wearing one shoe! The firewall is well worth your learning to use to keep people from gaining unauthorized access to your computer. It will also let you know if programs are trying to gain access to the net from your computer. As someone mentioned above, you don't want to be answering questions about why your computer was launching a denial of service attack on a government site. Oh well do what you want, I'll just keep up my defenses in case your machine should be used to try and send me something! :(

[Billmanweh]

Well, I feel slightly handcuffed by my own ignorance of what a firewall is...

[kevrob1]

With a firewall like Kerio for example, after you install it, when a program like internet explorer trys to gain access to the net Kerio will tell you and then ask you if you want the program to have access. For programs you trust, or don't trust, and IE fit's both categories, you can create a rule and either give it permission to access the net or not. This way you won't have to answer the same questions over and over again. I would make a list of all my programs, decide which ones need access to the net, and then read the instructions of what ever firewall you should decide to go with. Google can give you plenty of info on what a firewall is and how to use it. Think of it as a filter which keeps unwanted things out. It's not that complicated, you seem reasonably intelligent or you wouldn't of asked in the first place! Good luck!:t

[bluemoon]

Use removable hard disk trays.One for someone to beat up and you don't care.
Other one keep a virgin image copy of the os and other virgin images.
The one that keeps the images and for yuour heavy duty personl use seldom goes on line except for software update etc.

Router and software firewall,anti virus is a must for cable modem.

Use at least two removable tray if possible.

Keep in mind,if someone wants to get in,they will suceed.

Edit: If you want,you can overwrite the "you don't care" drive with the virgin image once a week.This may shorten the life of your hdd.????

[Billmanweh]

Ok, what is a router??

[bluemoon]

I am just another newbie on networking,so I think we can commuicate in our newbie language.

To what I understand,a router is a just like what it sounds.It directs the incoming info to the pc that sent the request.

The cheapo NAT routers we can buy from a general pc store does provide very limited firwall function by replacing your pc true id with the router's----ie ip address into your LAN address.

[KenKeith]

I have Zone Alarm installed (free version), but it is my understanding XP's ICF does an adequate job protecting home or small business networks from outside attacks. Additionally, the ISP has safegurards. Many people that have a router feel secure and don't go for all the commercials regarding the dangers and vulnerability of one's system to hacking.

Strawbs cites a loss of sensitive data, but that wasn't due to a hacker. Where is all the hacker activity? I only read commercials to prevent with scare tactics that one is vulnerable.

I did say Zone Alarm is free, but the cost for their installation is annoyance with popup reminders to go for the pay version as the present system configuration with the free version is still vulnerable.

A successful cracker/hacker with prerequisite skills is going to go where the money is or attack for sensitive governmental files. However,the danger of a virus should have everyone's attention as the motivation is somewhat perverse and all computers are a target unlike the hacker that would be more selective.

[rangeral]

Another point if you hang in chat rooms like icq or newsgroups you can open yourself to attack when you offend a cracker with time on his hands or they don't like your baseball team as examples of inviting trouble, be careful of where you go and what you do.

[Bigjakkstaffa]

Another reason i absoloutley despise chatrooms and only hang in one well trusted small IRC channel

--Jakk:t

[cdroman]

Real hackers will not bother with an average persons pc. The problem is script kiddies who use scanners to find vulnerable pc's and then use sub7 or similar backdoors to gain control of of pc's. These are zombies and are sent commands to do such things as DOS attacks, get your passwords etc.
Most viruses are not well written and if someone who actually knew what he was doing was to write one, it could shut down the web.
But most good code writers make their living off the web and won't do that.
The better code writers can easily bypass packet filters (firewalls) and do their bidding. That is why application layer protection is needed if you are paranoid, and the more research you do on security the more paranoid you tend to get.
Steve Gibson at grc.com had a heck of a time with a 15 year old script kiddy a while back.

[cdroman]

KenKeith;

Try Sygate (http://soho.sygate.com/free/default.php) just put any name and a hotmail address and register it and no more nag screens.

[KenKeith]

Thanks for the insight and the potential offender and offender sites that attract and motivate crackers. My computer leads a very sheltered life and there is very little exposure. But...

[LionSword]

In your place, I would at least get me an anti-virus program. I use McAfee, and I think It is good enough. Reason to get an antivirus program, except from keeping your system and files clean, is that It can both warn and - if it´s any "decent" one - put harmful files (viruses) in quarantine, or delete them from your system.

Note that some files might get your upcoming a-v prog in alert status, so It is very important that you always keep it updated. And, scan your system completely when you´ve got it at least once a month. That is, if you get that option in it.

Good luck! And stay :cool: