[CIRee]

I find that everyone has computer problem, most with simple solution that awdark can answer ;D. So I'm writing a security guide because most of the problem lies in weak security.

Firewall! Everyone needs a firewall be that a hardware firewall(consumer router ie. Linksys, Netgear, D-link, ect, ect...) or software firewall(sygate, kaspersky, zone alarm, ect, ect...) For those who don't understand what a firewall is or does let me explain. “Ports” is like a doors and windows to your house. Now are you going to leave the windows and door open? Of course not. A firewall is like a butler\maid they help you close all doors and windows for you, but its not as simple as that. Of course you have to tell it what to do. Once you install a software firewall it will ask you if you want to allow a certain application to connect to the internet. You can answer YES or NO. You may be wondering what application should be connecting to the internet. Well I don't know because its your computer but i do know what application or ports you shouldn't allow.
Here a few ports you shouldn't allow:
23 (telnet)
135 (RPC)
137(NETBIOS)
138(NETBIOS)
139(NETBIOS)
443(ssl)
Theres a few more known ports to close but i cant remember it right now.

Anti-virus! Enough said yes? Just kidding. Everyone and I mean everyone must have a RELIABLE anti-virus. I recommend NOD32 and Kaspersky if you want to buy it. AVG and AntiVir.

Internet browser! “DON'T USE INTERNET EXPLORER!” I'll repeat “DON'T USE INTERNET EXPLORER!” I may be biases but this browser hands down is crapware. Use Firefox or Opera, you may not like some features but the cons out weight the problem that affects Internet explorer. You browser should have some kind of anti-phishing feature via plugin. Phishing? What is that you may be asking? WELL... it's luring n00bs to a fake site to steal there information. YES anything to do with you is valuable information ie zipcode, areacode, birthdate ect.. ect...

E-Mail! “!!!Free [input something you want] ENTER!!!” Stop opening these damn email. Just delete them and forever they will disappear. Don't open attachments if your not expecting it, but blindboi it came from my friend, uhhhh your friend email most likely became compromised. So ask your friend first before you open that attachment. Double check heck triple check to make sure.

Instant Messenger! AIM, YIM, MSN, and everything else that nobody use. You may be wondering what the heck IM too, of course IM too you fool. You may not know it but some people IM are compromise, ever receive a message from your friend saying something like this “Look here a pic of me what do you think [link]” I know I have, I laugh my ass off . So don't open unexpected links period.

Password! Yes most of you guys have the most simples password, such as firstnamelastname, namebirthdate, birthdate, singleword, 123456, password. You get the picture. Come on people its not hard to remember a password. Don't use words that exist in the dictionary, add numbers, symbols, uppercase lowercase. Make your password 8 character or more. Need a password template? (damn I'm spoiling you people) word@word.com, $number$, (leetspeak?), you get the picture.

Files! Stop deleted random files that you don't know what use they are for. The source of your problem is YOU!!!! so stop deleted those files you don't know what use they are for. Ask in the forum. No question is too stupid for Awdark to answer ;D

Spy-ware/Ad-ware! Its covered. Unless you want to here my rant about it.

[edit(more to be added)]

Wireless! Everyone these days have wireless. Don't worry if you don't have wireless, your not missing anything but mobile interneting. So of you guys ask "how come I can't connect to my wireless?" First thing first the wireless router has to be configure. "How do I configure my wireless blindboi?" Well you can connect to it via webbrowser address 192.168.x.x(x = a number. Plus yours is different depending on the brand you get) read your manual(if you lost it download it from the manufacture website) and configure it. Make your wireless secure with WEP or WPA because you dont want anybody to use your internet or worst connect to your computer via shared files/folders. Now some of you my be trying to connect to somebody wireless(cafe? starbcuks?) well some of there wireless secure. Some even have sign-in features. Ask the owner if you need a password to connect to there wireless. Be warn there are dummy wireless Access Point. These AP are used for many reason, I would tell you but you don't really need to know. Just know that if you connect to it and theres no internet, something fishy going on. Well don't connect to a random wireless period if you going to log-in to something like email, bank account, ect ect... I warned you!


I think thats about it, if there is more just ask away, I'll try not to make you look like a fool =D

[DKYang]

I've always wandered what ports were.

My cpu is protected, but I got a question, I don't think it's related to this but since you know the stuff might as well ask.

I use my laptop and go wireless to surf the net at school. I use zone alarm firewall and I get this message popped up in red "BLOCKED" at least once a week. I'm like, is someone trying to hack me? O.o When I look up the info online, ZA website said it's nothing to worry about but I'm curious as to what the heck was blocked. Maybe I'll print screen the page next time I get the same message again.

[CIRee]

yes Print screen will help or just type out what it say.

Idea! i need to add wireless security

[froggy604]

Internet Explorer security is geting better since Internet Explorer 7 is released today the first update to IE in about 5 years and it seems more secure then internet explorer 6 according to this article i read on TG daily: http://www.tgdaily.com/2006/10/19/ie7_released/

you guys can download IE 7 here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.mspx

if you use firefox install the "Noscript extension" found here: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/722/ to prevent geting a java virus by disabling java for sites not on your safe list while leting sites on your safelist have access to java.

I dont really like ZoneAlarm when i used it. Zone alarm seems to notify you to a lot of stuff and in the log it saids it's nothing to worry about...., and sometimes it crashes

I use a d-link routor and free outpost firewall from agnitum " http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Fire...wall-Free.shtml " cuz it uses very little system resources, and it seems more stable then ZA on my comp atleast.

[CIRee]

Well IE7 being new an all, there bound to be bugs we will find. Since IE code is close source. Come on, a bunch of programmers vs. a community of programmers? thats why firefox is so good. IE7 is only in preview "beta" version. So they are not liable for anything that will cause your computer to crash or worst die.

[froggy604]

I think i just go learn how to use ubuntu linux or another linux distro." http://www.ubuntu.com/ " when i get a new comp or a second hard drive to install it onto and use it as my main OS, and just use windows for downloading on club box with IE, playing windows computer games, multimedia and using some software that only work on windows, so i dont have to worry as much about hackers, viruses, and malware.

[CIRee]

Linux are bound to get all that crap windows get but not as much. I would install Linux in a virtual OS first. Learn how to use linux before you install it as your main OS because its like mixing oil and water. It doesnt mix. Get ready to use your CLI on a regular basis.

[rich.paekk]

got mac?
mUAHAHAHAHAHAHA
mac>windows

PWND PWND OWND

[thachhao]

I think a good tip for creating a complicated password, but easy to remember is to make a sentence that describes you.

Example: "My favorite martial artists are Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee!" would make MfmaaJC&BL!<3

[Fishscene]

Excellent suggestions everyone.

And also, if anyone has a question about like "What are ports?" feel free to ask here on the forums. There is no such thing as a stupid question.

This inspires me to write a complete router configuration tutorial... *goes to work on it*

[HT2791]

got mac?
mUAHAHAHAHAHAHA
mac>windows

PWND PWND OWND

got mac?
can't use korean sites.
owned.

it's scary cuz 99.6% of the computers in south Korea are based on windows because all the sites are based off of activex scripting for security.

mac does not always > windows.

_______________

Firewall: I just discovered this cool free firewall, Comodo firewall. i think it's pretty good =P
Antivirus: hands down NOD32, free trial, very good

[slau]

got mac?
can't use korean sites.
owned.

it's scary cuz 99.6% of the computers in south Korea are based on windows because all the sites are based off of activex scripting for security.

mac does not always > windows.

_______________

Firewall: I just discovered this cool free firewall, Comodo firewall. i think it's pretty good =P
Antivirus: hands down NOD32, free trial, very good

Wow I wonder if they get lots of spyware and crap there? I've seen a few sites here that use plugins for security but it always seemed a bit wrong to me.

I'll avoid any mac vs windows stuff here because everybody loves windows here