View Single Post
emcon5 emcon5 is offline
Hilbilly Deluxe
 
emcon5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Reno
Posts: 6,492
Garage
Most professionals aren't. Unless your hard drive is encrypted, they are all cleanable.

Once infected it's a little late, but here is a recipe that had served me well for years, including ~15 years working in IT.

Make sure Windows automatic updates is on, set to install critical updates automatically. Let the PC phone home and patch itself.

Don't use Internet Explorer. It is a lot better than it was, but it is still has the most market share, therefore more malware targets vulnerabilities in it.

Instead of IE, use the latest version of Firefox, and let it check for updates. Install the Adblock plus firefox extension.

As added protection, install Spybot Search and destroy and run the "Immunize" tool. Update and re-immunize once a month.

Use anti-virus software, and keep it updated. In reality, it doesn't matter which one, they are only as good as their current virus definitions, and since they come out pretty much daily, who is best is a moving target. I am a fan of AVG free., it is free, with no subscription required.

And last, install Malwarebytes anti malware and update and run it periodically. Malwarebytes is the best removal tool out there at the moment, in fact a lot of malware knows this and includes code to prevent the installer for Malwarebytes from running.

This should cover 99.9% of problems, assuming you aren't regularly surfing/downloading from Russian porn/warez sites, and of course, practice smart browsing.
__________________
82 911SC Coupe
GTI Cup #43
Old 02-07-2010, 08:29 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #4 (permalink)