Computer security for the Cheap and Lazy

vanity | 9/2/07 | ancell2

[ansel12]

My out of state friend is lazy about computer protection, but he just bought a new laptop that has wi-fi (he may never use that).

I sent him what I hope is an easy, minimal list of actions to take, until he can look deeper into the subject.

I know that everyone has their own preferences for programs, and many of you computer guys have had to deal with indifferent friends and family.

How do you guys keep it simple and free for them, keeping in mind that an imperfect defense that is implemented, is better than no defense at all.

This is what I asked him to do.

ZONEALARM ( You want the free, Basic version) http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp ============================================================ ANTI VIRUS (avast free) http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html ===========================================================

SPYWARE BLOCKERS (download all three, and update each one) DEFENDER http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx ADAWARE http://www.lavasoft.de/products/ad_aware_free.php SPYBOT http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html ===========================================================

Wireless Security Basics http://compnetworking.about.com/od/wirelesssecurity/tp/wifisecurity.htm

[jwh_Denver]

Google it.

[DaGman]

"Since I don’t even know what that means,"

Ubuntu is a Linux operating system flavor that has become about the most popular. Check it out here. I'm using Ubuntu on my IBM laptop as I type this.

[ansel12]

I googled it and it seems to be something that people use for their work, I don’t know when or if my friend will ever need that.

For me personally, although I run a business, I have never used my computer for any kind of paper work related to it, I prefer file cabinets, stenographic work order tickets, and such.

[PAR35]

Word processing, spread sheet, presentation software, a simple database program. The equivalent of Microsoft Office, but in some ways better.

[PAR35]

What operating system will be on the machine?

[ansel12]

He already bought the machine, it has Vista, it is wi-fi capable, but I doubt that there is any rush on that.

I just wanted him to get some basic protections now, and then I thought that I could encourage him to take more interest in security as he spent more time on the internet.

Right now I just want to prevent his eyes from glazing over, and him ignoring me, until I can get him to install a few things, update them and run a few scans.

My theory is that once you can get someone to update a couple of programs and run maybe a half dozen or more scans, then that person will start taking an interest in these programs.

When they see that running scans is kind of fun and rewarding, then they will be receptive to new, and better security ideas.

[Vinnie]

Just tell your Friend to buy and install Trend Micro’s PCCillin anti-virus and Internet security suit and install it.

Exactly what I'm using on 2 machines and zero problems, but..I have a problem

I have an exception in 'scripts' for YouTube. About a week ago my Trend Micro started stopping YouTube for 'anti-fraud'.
I'm reluctant to change the settings until I find out what's going on.

Another... occasionally Trend Micro gives me a screen saying Google is looking for my credit card number. A cookie I believe. I refuse the cookie, but..

I have bought items online w/ my card and was wondering if and where my CC number might be stored on my machine.

I just ran a thorough search w/ 'search' using part of my CC number, nothing.

Any ideas?

[puppypusher]

Exactly what I’m using on 2 machines and zero problems, but..I have a problem

I have an exception in ‘scripts’ for YouTube. About a week ago my Trend Micro started stopping YouTube for ‘anti-fraud’.
I’m reluctant to change the settings until I find out what’s going on.

Another... occasionally Trend Micro gives me a screen saying Google is looking for my credit card number. A cookie I believe. I refuse the cookie, but..

I have bought items online w/ my card and was wondering if and where my CC number might be stored on my machine.

I just ran a thorough search w/ ‘search’ using part of my CC number, nothing.

Any ideas?

Sorry about that but I would’nt have a clue where to find an account number on the hard drive,If its not listed under cookies then it could be encrypted somewhere else.

That’s one of the reasons I don’t like storing account numbers on a computer.You have NO way of knowing how secure they are.