Avoiding Viruses ???

Question

Yesterday I had to format my whole computer system, some virus was blocking Internet explorer to open. I have AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5 installed on my comp.Earlier I had Norton Antivirus installed but it slowed down the performance of my computer. From yesterday onwards I have been scanning my comp every time I exit internet explorer. Everytime it shows a list of cookies tagged as "medium risk" ? What r these cookies ?? I have some idea but not sure ??

Plz someone give me some tips to avoid viruses in future ??????


Thanks!!!

Answer 1

Don't worry; those are just tracking cookies. They don't pose a major threat unless security is a must on your computer.

Some good ways to avoid viruses just deal with common sense.

1) Keep a virus scanner (realtime) and a firewall running at all times (at least when online).
2) Avoid sites you don't think are very reputable (for example a user's webpage who isn't well known or very popular)
3) Naturally be suspiscious of all webpages.
4) Avoid downloads and installing add-ons unless you absolutely know what it is.
5) Avoid clicking ads and popups. (usually leads to adware)
6) Avoid using the default password manager for saved passwords and use a secure manager like AI Roboform.

Technical things you can do:

1) Disable Javascript, Java, Flash, and ActiveX controls. (there are addons like NoScript for Firefox that makes this easy) Keep in mind these controls are used by good websites in order to add functions, like launch a program on your computer using ActiveX or perform a special function on the page using Javascript.
2) Set your Internet Security Zone using Internet Properties to medium or higher (the higher up, the more stuff that gets disabled like cookies and controls)
3) Clear your private data after using the internet. (history, cookies, offline files)

Keep in mind surfing is only one way to get infected, you should apply the same common sense to checking email and instant messengers. Also, p2p programs like Limewire and Kazaa are a surefire way to get infected.

Answer 2

Cookies are just small .txt (text) files that by themselves cannot hurt your computer. Cookies are "set" by almost every web-site that you visit, on every visit. You can delete all your cookies today and by tomorrow you will have dozens again just be visiting web-sites.

Cookies do not slow down a computer, at least the first million or so that you might have on your computer!

They are not a virus or spyware, BUT some people consider "tracking" cookies to be an invasion of privacy.

Tracking cookies are usually "3rd party cookies" from advertising servers. They can track your movements around the web in order to deliver to you customized, targeted advertising.

It all depends on ones personal level of paranoia whether you consider tracking cookies some kind of threat. Some anti-spyware programs do not even report tracking cookies as even a minor threat.

If you are using Internet Explorer for a browser, you can permanently block all 3rd party (tracking) cookies. Go to tools > internet options > privacy > advanced > check-mark "override automatic cookie handling" > third party cookies > tick "block" > ok > ok.

Children are the people that are always the most nervous about cookies. Because cookies are an easy way for Mommy and Daddy to find out exactly what their darling 'lil b@$^@#d$ have been looking at on the web.

Personally, If I happen to remember it, I will delete my cookies every 6 months or so :-)

Cookies are much ado about nothin'.
____________________________

To avoid problems:
Keep your Windows fully patched and all your software and updated by going to Windows Updates at least once a month, or set up your comp for automatic updates.

Don't use Limewire or any other P2P file sharing programs. Much of the "stuff" you can steal with it are filled with viruses, spyware, trojans and worms.

Never open any e-mail if you don't know the sender. Spam e-mail is a major virus infection vector.

Never click a link in an offline instant message, they often take you to an infected website.

Use a firewall and NEVER disable it even for a minute. Without a firewall, your computer can become infected within minutes. A firewall is your friend; it is there to protect you from hackers and malware. Learn how to configure it properly instead of disabling it, if a game or a program won't work.

Update both your anti-virus and anti-spyware every day. New malware comes out every hour of every day. An un-updated anti-malware program cannot catch the new threats.
________________________________
Here is a little online security tool called The Secunia Software Inspector, that scans a computer for un-secure, un-updated and un-patched apps that may be installed on your computer.

The Secunia Software Inspector checks for possibly vulnerable programs like Adobe, Winamp, Java etc. and notifies if critical security updates are needed. Takes about 30 seconds and the results might suprise you!

Will work using IE, Opera or Firefox.

Pretty cool and free of course at:
http://secunia.com/software_inspector

Following the above hints will stop 99% of your virus and malware problems.
_______________________

And you need an anti-virus as well as your anti-spyware.
For your anti-virus needs, I would suggest Avira AntiVir® PersonalEdition Classic. It has excellent heuristics, a virus detection rate that is better than most "paid-for" anti-virus programs and is light on using your computer's resources. And did I mention that it's free!

Download here:
http://www.free-av.com/

Answer 3

2

Answer 4

Tracking cookies are not harmfull to your computer. They just track your movements around the web --> invasion of privacy.

I delete them every time i scan.

Now, avg antivirus is free and all. It's a mediocre program compared to the paid ones. Nod32 is the best in the world, and you can download 30 day free trials from there website. If you wan't security, you buy nod32.

You will always need an anti-spyware program.
I suggest using spyware terminator (with active shield), ad aware as secondary, and spyware blaster (it keeps spyware out, instead of deleting it afterwards).

Update all your software before using it. (nod 32 does it automaticly)

You are never 100% safe, not even with the best software out there. For that reason (and to keep hackers out) you need a firewall. The best one is zonealarm firewall. A firewall basicly keeps programs from accessing the internet. That's good. That way they can't be used to perfom attacks on other pc's, used as a dubious server, they can't bombard your screen with pop-ups, ...
The first day or so, you will need to give your programs permission to access the internet (internet explorer, firefox, msn messenger, anti virus software, ...) Let the firewall remember that and allow. If you are just surfing, and you get a firewall pop-up telling you something is trying to access the internet, deny it access. Google the name of the process.

To avoid virusses with common sense:
Never click links in emails (unless you registered somewhere). Never click links in msn messenger.
If you download something and you aren't sure the site is legit, scan the file with the anti-virus scanner (right click the file and press 'scan with avg'). If you want to use p2p, download your cd's and movies using torrent sites. Pick a site with commenting system like thepiratebay.org. If there are viruses, spyware attached to the file, it will be in the comments.

Update windows and your browsers on a regular basis. This is very imporant. They close the holes in the system.

oh, and the biggest problem is:
People have all the software they need, but when your firewall or spyware shield gives a warning, most people just press allow because they want to use that software, or don't want to be annoyed. This is how you get viruses and spyware most of the time on good protected systems. If a dial pops up, always google the process. Most of the times, it will be normal, then you just remember and allow, sometimes it will be malware, then you remember and deny. And scan the pc.

Answer 5

Be Security Savvy.

1.An anti-virus is used to detect and remove viruses found on your computer.
If You Wish To Avoid Viruses In The Future You Need To Be Protected.
Use A Free Anti-Virus If You Do Not Wish To Pay 100's Of
Dollars A Year.

AVG Free Edition:
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/downloads-products/us/frt/0?prd=aff

Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic:
http://free-av.com/

avast! Home Edition:
http://avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html

All are great, but remember to update these regularly since new viruses are created and detected everday.

2. Use A Firewall, it is used to block and alert you if malicious software attempts to install on your computer.
Here Are Some free one's

Zonealarm
http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/home.jsp

Comodo
http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/

When You Scan With The AVG Anti-Spyware
Tracker Cookies Tagged Medium Risk Just There To Alert You, They won't do much damage . So Just Right Click On Delete And Apply All Actions. And Probelm Solved! :)

Answer 6

1. Download and run firefox to protect your from future spyware attacks and pop ups which are coming in through internet explorer (Trojan downloaders, win32 ) .Then update your windows through firefox
http://securitynewsfromthenet.blogspot.com/2007/05/spyware-fighter-essentials.html

2. Run the vundo and combo fix
http://securitynewsfromthenet.blogspot.com/2007/05/vundofix-and-combo-fix.html


3. Run the anti spyware remove programs spybot
http://securitynewsfromthenet.blogspot.com/2007/03/spybot-search-and-destroy-spyware-and.html

and superantispyware
http://securitynewsfromthenet.blogspot.com/2007/04/superantispyware-home-edition-free.html
to get rid of the nasties

4. Run a free online virus scan to be sure you computer is virus and spyware free.
http://securitynewsfromthenet.blogspot.com/2007/03/online-virus-scan.html

5. Get the clean up tools to clean up the spyware from your temp folder (the place they are stored when downloaded by internet explorer)
http://securitynewsfromthenet.blogspot.com/2007/03/clean-up-tools-to-prevent-people-from.html
If you still have question or problems let the experts take a look at whats happening on your computer.Visit the HijackThis Logs and Analysis forum.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum22.html

Wiping your computer clean is not the solution.
Asking /paying someone else to fix the problem is not the solution .

TAKE A STAND NOW. IT's YOUR COMPUTER !!

Answer 7

Some cookies are needed to help go to your most frequent sites faster. Cookies do no harm to your computer for the most part. To avoid viruses (from personal ex.) always have that firewall on. good anti virus, anti spyware, and stay away from sites you are not sure about. A good program to have is Site Advisor. check it out.

Answer 8

make a routine to clean up the cookies which u have, Dont just go into website where there is lotta ads n ****, u can try downloadin Avast antivirus its pretty good, www.avast.com, free home edition. Cookies are contents which store info about ur browsing, its like when u login to yahoo, a cookie will be stored which has ur password n user but no worry its encrypted data, so clean ur cookies now n then, or just go to programs then accesories then system tools then disk clean up. :) happy surfin.

Answer 9

Best Answer - Choosen by Voters

Hi,
You should use "NoAdware". It's extremely effective. I don't have anymore problem with spyware, pop-up, Trojan or computer viruses. I came across this software in PC World Magazine. Featured as the top spyware/ Trojan remover. Now, you can download and try for FREE. Check it out here:
http://tighturl.com/5z9

Answer 10

cookie are webpage trackers. they tell internet explore that you have been on that page before and that infor u might have typed in. they are harmless. you dont need to run AV everytime u exit IE. That program will catch most of the internet file viruses.