For home desktop with broadband, what internet security measures should i take?

Question

Win XP Pro system and i've already got Active Virus Shield by Kapersky installed and regularly updated. What other products should i install for total protection? In terms of malware, firewall, phishing etc.... Suggest me a product or a combo please. I would be using the comp for Net Banking and a lot of other sensitive information.

Answer 1

Get a router, they are cheap, and provide the most protection for the dollar.

You can easily pickup a router, or wireless router for $20 to $40.

Your computer ( depending on operating system), can have thousands of ports that are accessible through your internet connection. Hackers, simply unleash software to scan each port address looking for a common response. When a response is detected, each important port on your computer is scanned for known vulnerabilities.
Your PC may also be advertising your location, which should also be prevented.

A router adds an extra layer of addressing to your computer.
Adding a router makes your PC invisible unless the correct address information is provided.

For example, a burglar can rob your house. But if he cant see your house, he cant see it to rob it.

Windows XP SR2 comes with a software firewall, but a router is a hardware firewall. All traffic must originate from behind the firewall/router out to your selected web site, then returned thought the same path. A hacker trying a cold scan, wont see your PC, or ports because they are only one address.
This can be gotten around, but will stop the vast majority of web worms, and amateurs.

After you get your router, change the default user ID and password. Most routers ship with default admin passwords, and hackers know this. Change the default password, so you cant get your router settings changed in the dead of night. For wireless routers, setup encryption so you are not a open hot spot for every Tom Dick and Harry to use your internet connection to download child porn in your name.

Here is a list of other things you can do to save you some grief. Everyone needs to clear their cache . . . .
Also checking your XP IE security settings. . . . .

Clearing the cache and limiting its size is good maintenance. Scanning for spyware may also turn up some problems.
Block hacker sites through the security control dialog box.
Follow the instructions below to install and use Spybot 1.5
Browser problems are often caused by problems with the cache.


First clear your cache.

close all IE browser windows, then open only one, and from the menu, select:
Tools, Internet Options,
in the pop up dialog box, select:
Delete Cookies, OK,
Then in the same dialog box:
click Delete Files,
and check the box that says " delete all offline content", OK
Your hard disk will spin for a bit ( 20 to 40 sec) depending on the size of your cache.

Dont worry about that deleting files message, it is just old web pages you visited, nothing worth saving.

Go back to the same dialog box, and select:
Settings,
On the dialog box for this, change the amout of disk space to use to 30MB. Somtimes, this value is set way too high.
Also on this dialog box be sure that the check box for:
Check for newer versions of stored pages,
Every visit to the page.

This setting can also solve a lot of web page access problems.

Go to Tools, Internet Options, Security,
The slider for "Internet" should be set to Medium.
click the Trusted Sites icon, there probably will not be anything in there. If you find a strange site you dont know, delete it. Only your trusted bank site, or place you know for sure should be in there.
Then click on Restricted Sites. The slider should be set to high, and it should be filled with restricted sites populated by your security program.

If it is empty, you can download spybot, download updates, select all available updates, download updates, and click imunize, it will show you how may bad products can be blocked, . . .
Great, but you need to click +imunize "again" at the top.
This will fill that restricted sites box so you dont go to a hacker site. Then scan your computer for problems.
It will usually find cookies and call them harmful, but it can also turnup key stroke loggers, and other nasty things, and it is free !

Reboot your computer when finished.

Get Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.5,
it works great, and is free.



May the force be with you . . . .

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

The key is to not be retarded with your comptuer habits. Don't visit suspicious sites, never give anyone personal information unless you trust them and its a secure site (like your online banking), and don't install anything suspicious.

If you have Kapersky, that should be a great antivirus. Turn on Windows Firewall, its not the best but its decent and included with XP.

You're also slightly more secure with broadband if you have a router since they use NAT to hide your individual computer from the internet.

Answer 4

You should downloand and install WinXP SP2 or even SP3 (if available) from microsoft.com/security

Then, you disable the antivirus of SP2 but use the firwall in SP2. In setting the firewall, you should reject all but allow permitted. In future, if there is a trusted site, you can add it into the permitted list.

Update the security of WinXP and SP2 monthly, normall around 15th of each month.

In addition, you need a good browser and e-mail. Try to install netscape which is petty good.

Answer 5

you sound pretty protected! Maybe consider a firewall such as Zone alarm which is totally free

if u want to get a new suite...


I recommend zonealarm security suite.. anti spam, virus, firewall, IM secure, and much more

Download mcafee site advisor.. lets u know if a website you are on is safe!

Answer 6

Well your pretty much protected already just get a firewall and spysweeper