[cycliss]

Would just like to point out a browser plugin that everyone should be using if you don't already.

https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere

The plugin is called https-everywhere and it's designed to automatically encrypt your browsing connection if possible. The reason why its important is because its quite easy to look at and record what other people are doing at open wifi spots like cafe's or libraries through techniques known as cookie stealing or raw packet sniffing. These days, you don't even need even basic technical knowledge; a proof of concept firefox plugin called Firesheep was released a couple years ago that allows you to see what everyone else around you is doing even if you know jack shit about how computer security. You can try doing it yourself with your friends.

https://www.pcworld.com/article/209333/h...sheep.html

Most sites like facebook or gmail only encrypt their login pages and unencrypt the rest to preserve server resources. This has meant that anyone with basic technical knowledge can eavesdrop on what other people are doing online; this isn't secret knowledge, there are tons of youtube videos online demonstrating how to do it. HTTPS Everywhere forces the server to encrypt your browsing session at all times.

Hope people find this useful.

[Caligula]

Even better, use a VPN whatever you're doing.

[Basil Ransom]

Thanks man. I tried out Tor and didn't get it to work, this is super simple. I'm on Chrome.

[gringochileno]

Nice, this is very simple and non-intrusive. Thanks for the tip.

[Screwston]

Can someone please recommend what safety plug ins we should use for Chrome and Firefox??

[Aureo]

(05-01-2012 08:34 PM)houston Wrote:  

Can someone please recommend what safety plug ins we should use for Chrome and Firefox??

You can use Tor, but I don't recommend it for social sites like FB, or even forums, as your username can trace you, another drawback is that is very slow, but is one of the most secure alternatives we have.

First, if you don't care about some sites losing functionality, disable javascript, if you don't mind having to enter all your info to every site every time, disable cookies.

You can spoof your user-agent (thingy that displays basic info about your computer), to show common info.

Encrypt traffic using a plugin like that one and so on.

You can check how secure you are in a page like this:
http://ip-check.info/

[Screwston]

I installed this for Chrome right now and am about to put it on firefox. I guess you let it run and don't even touch it? Do I need to check off the setting for Allow access to file URLs or leave it blank?

I run Chrome in Incognito mode so none of my info is saved. I have Firefox set up so everything erases when I close the window.

I'm usingAd Aware and Avast Antivirus. Are these any good? Thanks guys.

[Aureo]

Yes, running in incognito and enrypting traffic are good ideas.

Only if you're somewhat paranoid about security you should follow some of the advices I put, as someone can still stalk you online.

[Caligula]

Meanwhile you can test how unique / trackable your browser is here: https://panopticlick.eff.org/

[Screwston]

Can a computer nerd recommend the best anti virus/malware/spyware program(s)? I'm using avast and ad aware right now.

[WanderingSoul]

Are you still having problems with a virus? What I do is Google the characteristics/description of the virus find out the name of it. From there you can Google how to remove the virus. Generally there is one anti-virus/malware scanner that works better than the others for that particular virus.

[Screwston]

No, I got rid of the problem Rio. I'm just scared now and want to make sure it doesnt happen again.

[Walnuts]

Houston, I wasn't going to post anymore on this forum since I apparently "add little value to the forum" and seem to be not wanted here by a few people. but you're one of the dudes I like on here and you messaged me so I'll help out before I leave.

Need to ask a few questions first.

What OS are you running?

Are you willing to pay money for security software?

Do you watch porn or go on other shady websites on your computer? (not judging you.) if you do, stick to the big, well-known ones, they're less likely to be dangerous.

What is your level of experience with computers?

I hope you don't have any fucking browser toolbars. Am I right?

Do you download shit illegally? (again, not judging. Why pay for something you can get for free. Morality is a lie, this is basic economics)

Usually there's only a few common ways for a virus or adware to get into your pc.
Viruses from browsing the Internet.
Viruses from downloading or running shady shit on your computer.
Let's break this down a little.
You can't get viruses or adware if you're not connected to the Internet. They don't just originate from your own hard drive. Therefore, they come from what you browse and click on the Internet, or things that you download and run off te Internet or some other outside source like an infected USB drive.

I havn't been too up date on security softwares for about a year now since I got a mac (They're alright, not as amazing as they're made out, they still have major flaws) so I'll do some research and catch up.

I hope I can help you out before I leave or get banned.

[cycliss]

Quote:

Can a computer nerd recommend the best anti virus/malware/spyware program(s)? I'm using avast and ad aware right now.

Anti-virus is largely useless, it only really prevents against automated threats like bots and worms. All the stuff you see on TV is just marketing. Anyone who knows what they are doing can easily avoid anti-virus and get into your shit if they are targeting you specifically. You can help yourself a lot by not using Windows but in the end, unless you've been trained in counter-measures you will be hacked eventually. Wikileaks provides a good starting guide on its website for how to protect yourself if you want to go through the trouble.

The only AV programs I'd pay any money for would be Eset NOD32 or Kapersky.

Quote:

Yes, running in incognito and enrypting traffic are good ideas.

Incognito doesn't do anything except not record your browsing history. Its mostly just something you use if you are browsing porn and don't want your wife to find out or you are at a internet cafe.

Quote:

Thanks man. I tried out Tor and didn't get it to work, this is super simple. I'm on Chrome.

Tor and this plugin are two separate things. This plugin prevents people from snooping on what you are doing online, Tor prevents people from knowing who or where you are.

Quote:

No, I got rid of the problem Rio. I'm just scared now and want to make sure it doesnt happen again.

If you had a virus infest your computer, a complete format/reinstall is the only way to make sure its gone. If I hack your machine, the first thing I'm going to do is install a rootkit. After that it becomes almost impossible to detect or remove without a full wipe.

Here is an interview about what its like from the cracker's perspective.

http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/sq...rator_ama/

[Screwston]

I think I had malware, not a virus.


Walnuts - Windows 7, no I don't want to pay for anything to use, yes I go to pornhub.com and the free ones that pop up on Google when you type in "free porn videos", I know the basics of a computer but nothing real crazy technical, no browser toolbars, no I don't downlaod anything because it's an older slow laptop.

I'm just using Firefox with Ad Block Plus and Https everywhere. I didn't like Chrome because it seemed slower. Walnuts, I don't know what drama happened but you should stay. I don't have a problem with you and you need to remember that you have to be around for a while before you get respect around here.

Thanks players..

[Walnuts]

Alright Houston I looked around a little and found one that should keep you in good shape.

Microsoft Security Essentials.

The general consensus around the Internet is that this is one of the best FREE antivirus softwares without a doubt. The only catch is that you need a genuine copy of windows for it to run. No bootlegs.

So that's your antivirus sorted.
Let's talk about more general protection. If you've had you're computer for a good length of time then there's probably boatloads of shit on there that you really don't need and is sort of "clogging up" you're system. The best thing to do is to get an external hard drive. You can pick one up for like $80 or more depending on size. Put all the files you want to keep on there.

Then you format you're laptop's hard drive and reinstall windows using the genuine serial key on the sticker on the bottom of your laptop. This is now a brand new laptop. Clean as can be. First thing you do now is install MSE.

Then you install the few program's that you actually need and use. Treat this as you would a car. Imagine you have a Car that's not a bad model but really dirty inside because you've been negligent about keeping it clean and not careful enough about what you bring in there. Now you got all sorts of nasty shit in there. Big mac boxes, some fries scattered around, soda stains, dead hooker in the trunk, whatever. It's not great. So now with formatting the hard drive you're essentially getting a whole new interior. Sparkling clean just like the day it rolled off the dealership. Now you only bring in stuff that you need and trust. I hope this metaphor didn't come off as completely retarded.

The best method for keeping your system clean is exercising caution and not clicking on dumb or dubious shit.

From that point on, if you're systems ever gets infected again, you just rinse and repeat. You should be periodically saving/copying important files onto the external hard drive so that you can format the laptop at a moments notice should you need to whilst not losing anything.

I hope this helps. I'm not a certified computer genius but I'm relatively competent. I'm sure there are some users on here with way more knowledge than me on this topic.

And with my 500th post, I'm out.
I don't want to participate in something where it's commonplace for grown men to argue like keyboard warriors.
You must have seen the thread where the self-proclaimed international playboy starting calling me a bitch from behind his computer because I had the audacity to be skeptical instead of naively taking his word as gospel.
A grown man. Calling me names...
Even after I made it exceedingly clear that I was not trying argue with him.
Yet I'm the "hater".

It seems that when people get on the Internet they grow balls of steel. I think it's the anonymity. Since there are no consequences to their actions, they feel they can freely provoke people and say things that they would never say to them face to face.
I can absolutely guarantee you that the people with big mouths on the Internet are all bark and no bite.

Let's put it this way. A man who has been in some shit in the real world, in some real nasty street fights will never feel the need to overcompensate for his lack of self-confidence by bickering over trivial things on a message board.

So It's goodbye from me. I enjoyed my time here and Can honestly say that I learned some things. I guess the upside to this is that I no longer have the rvf addiction that so many of us struggle with. I know I spent way too much time on here. The turnover is incredible.

Take care players.

PS. Shout out to el mechanico. He's been incredibly helpful to me in my short time here. That's a stand up guy right there.

[Screwston]

(06-16-2012 08:59 PM)Walnuts Wrote:  

Alright Houston I looked around a little and found one that should keep you in good shape.

Microsoft Security Essentials.

The general consensus around the Internet is that this is one of the best FREE antivirus softwares without a doubt. The only catch is that you need a genuine copy of windows for it to run. No bootlegs.

So that's your antivirus sorted.
Let's talk about more general protection. If you've had you're computer for a good length of time then there's probably boatloads of shit on there that you really don't need and is sort of "clogging up" you're system. The best thing to do is to get an external hard drive. You can pick one up for like $80 or more depending on size. Put all the files you want to keep on there.

Then you format you're laptop's hard drive and reinstall windows using the genuine serial key on the sticker on the bottom of your laptop. This is now a brand new laptop. Clean as can be. First thing you do now is install MSE.

Then you install the few program's that you actually need and use. Treat this as you would a car. Imagine you have a Car that's not a bad model but really dirty inside because you've been negligent about keeping it clean and not careful enough about what you bring in there. Now you got all sorts of nasty shit in there. Big mac boxes, some fries scattered around, soda stains, dead hooker in the trunk, whatever. It's not great. So now with formatting the hard drive you're essentially getting a whole new interior. Sparkling clean just like the day it rolled off the dealership. Now you only bring in stuff that you need and trust. I hope this metaphor didn't come off as completely retarded.

The best method for keeping your system clean is exercising caution and not clicking on dumb or dubious shit.

From that point on, if you're systems ever gets infected again, you just rinse and repeat. You should be periodically saving/copying important files onto the external hard drive so that you can format the laptop at a moments notice should you need to whilst not losing anything.

I hope this helps. I'm not a certified computer genius but I'm relatively competent. I'm sure there are some users on here with way more knowledge than me on this topic.

And with my 500th post, I'm out.
I don't want to participate in something where it's commonplace for grown men to argue like keyboard warriors.
You must have seen the thread where the self-proclaimed international playboy starting calling me a bitch from behind his computer because I had the audacity to be skeptical instead of naively taking his word as gospel.
A grown man. Calling me names...
Even after I made it exceedingly clear that I was not trying argue with him.
Yet I'm the "hater".

It seems that when people get on the Internet they grow balls of steel. I think it's the anonymity. Since there are no consequences to their actions, they feel they can freely provoke people and say things that they would never say to them face to face.
I can absolutely guarantee you that the people with big mouths on the Internet are all bark and no bite.

Let's put it this way. A man who has been in some shit in the real world, in some real nasty street fights will never feel the need to overcompensate for his lack of self-confidence by bickering over trivial things on a message board.

So It's goodbye from me. I enjoyed my time here and Can honestly say that I learned some things. I guess the upside to this is that I no longer have the rvf addiction that so many of us struggle with. I know I spent way too much time on here. The turnover is incredible.

Take care players.

PS. Shout out to el mechanico. He's been incredibly helpful to me in my short time here. That's a stand up guy right there.

Are you talking about gmanifesto? I'll have a talk with him to see what happened if you stick around. PM me your email Walnuts