Internet Security

Published on October 13, 2013 By BigDogBigFeet In Internet

Well I must admit I'm a bit surprised. I use 2 Browsers. My main browser is IE 10 in protected mode. I also have Firefox only because I cannot comment in the WC Galleries without it. IE 10 just wont work there!! I have also removed all Java from my system.

I seldom use FireFox at all. For security I have MSE and Malwarebytes Pro. I hadn't turned on protection mode in awhile for Malwarebyte Pro until today.

It found a hijack in my registry to turn on graphics file execution in Firefox!! I didn't even know there was such an exploit. How did it even get there?? A bad email? (I try to be careful. I delete without opening when suspicious). An inadvertent web page landing??

So I used Revo Pro to de-install Firefox. I used Regedit to remove Mozilla from the Registry then rebooted. Finally I reinstalled Firefox.

Fortunately, since I seldom use Firefox I've seen no system instability or evidence of virus. However, it seems there is no end of effort to install viruses on pc's these days. I'm sure Smart Phones will become heavily targeted as well.

I use just an ordinary Cell Phone no data or text so I'm secure there. I just want a phone to be a phone for me.

It takes constant review of my PC system to keep it clean and safe.

I've often gone to these Forums for improving my knowledge of PC security. So.. any thoughts ideas etc on improving PC security??

Comments (Page 2)

kona0197

on Oct 13, 2013

the_Monk

reply 3

Never....and I mean NEVER use an account that has ADMINISTRATOR rights to browse the internet etc. Of course your system needs an ADMIN account but keep that one aside for installing/uninstalling etc. and use your regular USER account for everything else. Teach yourself the power that is your system's 'local security policy' (administrative tools) and again, provide your USER account with the least privileges necessary in order to use your system on a daily basis.

Whatever. I have used Windows in Administrator mode for years and have never gotten a virus.

RedneckDude

on Oct 13, 2013

the_Monk

reply 12

'Least Privilege' done right does not prevent you from using your computer or having access to anything/everything. I have been correcting this major fault in the IT world with my clients for many years and have yet to have even one single complaint. 'Least Privilege' does not = UAC turned on. In any case suggesting 'least privilege' is "for the kids" is not helpful.

I believe in running my PC with full admin rights no matter what I'm doing. To do less is allowing MS more control over my rig than I have.

I want total control over my PC as much as possible. I make my own decisions, I don't want MS or my machine making them for me.

YMMV.

moshi

reply 15

Quoting RedneckDude, reply 8 I want and will have access to anything and everything on my PC,

so why do allow any executable to run it's code on your computer and hope your antivirus-solution might catch it?

I see that as paranoia. As I said, if you're gonna be so afraid of things as to give up control, then unplug the thing from the internet, play games and print pictures.

moshi

on Oct 13, 2013

RedneckDude

reply 17

I see that as paranoia. As I said, if you're gonna be so afraid of things as to give up control, then unplug the thing from the internet, play games and print pictures.

Hardly paranoia, haven't you been infected just this week?

Microsoft did it wrong with Vista, but on Windows 7, and probably Windows 8 as well, UAC doesn't get in the way.

it is you who gives up control, i prefer to be asked if an executable wants to run on my computer for the first time.

the_Monk

on Oct 13, 2013

RedneckDude

reply 17

I believe in running my PC with full admin rights no matter what I'm doing. To do less is allowing MS more control over my rig than I have.

@RedneckDude

Allowing MS more control.........? The OS always 'technically' has more control over what your PC is or isn't doing at any given moment regardless of your own user credentials. There are any number of processes or services running with local system or other elevated privileges that are independent of your user account anyway.

By your responses it is obvious to me that you are not understanding the 'least privilege computing' concepts I am talking about so I think I'll just leave well enough alone as it is.......

DrJBHL

reply 14

Monk is very fortunate I have no pic of him. Very.

@Doc

Hehe........don't I know it!

the_Monk

on Oct 13, 2013

kona0197

reply 16

Whatever. I have used Windows in Administrator mode for years and have never gotten a virus.

Well whatever right back at ya! It's not at all like I just happen to work in the field but hey............ignorance is bliss as they say!

DaveRI

on Oct 13, 2013

the_Monk

reply 19

so I think I'll just leave well enough alone as it is.......

Please don't, this is enlightening. I'm wondering how you see UAC fitting in. I know a lot of people hate it but I've never used it or researched it.

DrJBHL

on Oct 13, 2013

RedneckDude

reply 8

I don't need to protect my system from me.

Why don't I believe yrag would agree with that?

kona0197

on Oct 13, 2013

the_Monk

reply 20

Well whatever right back at ya! It's not at all like I just happen to work in the field but hey............ignorance is bliss as they say!

I'm not ignorant. Evidence speaks for itself. I have gone years without a virus. All that time I have used Windows in admin mode. I have very good browsing habits. Perhaps other people being paranoid is the word of the day.

DaveRI

reply 21

Please don't, this is enlightening. I'm wondering how you see UAC fitting in. I know a lot of people hate it but I've never used it or researched it.

You have to have used it. UAC is enabled by default on a new install of Windows.

DaveRI

on Oct 13, 2013

kona0197

reply 23

You have to have used it.

XP, Kona, my machine and I are dinosaurs. (And ya I know, "April 2014" )

kona0197

on Oct 13, 2013

I wonder if Microsoft will again extend that deadline. So many computers are still running XP out there, and no one likes Windows 8.

DaveRI

on Oct 13, 2013

I really doubt it, but stranger things have happened. It's a shame too, this machine's been very very good to me. Motherboard won't take 7 or 8, processor won't take 8. It's an oldie.

kona0197

on Oct 13, 2013

How do you put up with it? The only machine in my house that can keep up with me is the quad core. I would be pulling my hair out using that thing.

RedneckDude

on Oct 13, 2013

moshi

reply 18

Hardly paranoia, haven't you been infected just this week?

Yes, first time in a loooong time. It happens, I didn't say different. But I enjoy my PC without the loss of control. Anyone who spends any reasonable amount of time on the net is eventually gonna see a problem here and there.

That's why we have backups and such.

I enjoy my PC. If I have to worry all the time about everything it wouldn't be enjoyable.

I like to try betas, even beta OSes. I like experimenting and trying new things. I run about 6 OSes just because I can. That is the reason I own a PC, it's a toy, meant to be enjoyed, not worried over.

As I said, YMMV. Not everyone sees things the way I do, I'm just stating what I think about this topic.

Internet Security is an oxymoron. If you're connected to the internet, you are not 100% secure, no matter who you are, or what you do.

If that worries you, disconnect, and be safe.

DaveRI

on Oct 13, 2013

Seriously it runs pretty well.

I really don't want to sidetrack the conversation though, I was enjoying the security perspectives. Guess I'll have to get off my a** and look into UAC. Boy howdy, haven't been putting that off FWIW, big fan of limited user logons here, been doing it pretty much since day 1, give or take the occasional screwdriver to make something work.

RedneckDude

on Oct 13, 2013

moshi

reply 18

i prefer to be asked if an executable wants to run on my computer for the first time.

I have never has an executable to run, on my machine, without I clicked it, and by doing so, I gave it permission.

Unless by executable you mean a virus/trojan, in which case I'd ask you, does UAC stop a virus, no.

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