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Harvey's Security Recommendations - ProfessionalCriminal - Nov 1, 2010

[img]http://ploader.net/files/c6c38d2cbfe408536d8d9e14a1dd91a6.png[/img]

You're probably reading this because you've been infected at one point in time. Malware is becoming stronger and much more prevalent on the Internet in today's society, and that's why security software has become such a large topic for debate online. What's the best software to use? How can I keep my system secure? Where do I get it from? These are all questions I'll be addressing in this post.

The first and most important part of securing your system is understanding your system and how you use it. You're going to need to take a look at what you use your computer for and, based on that, we're able to look at setting you up with a tailored security configuration.

For example, we have Person A and Person B. Person A is a black-hat hacker and downloads hacking tools off Hack Forums and via torrents almost everyday. Person B does nothing more on their computer than watch YouTube videos and talk to their friends on Facebook. Obviously, there's going to be a difference in these peoples' security setup. Why? Because they use their computer for completely different things. Some people are prone to infection, and some are not.

This thread is going to be broken up into three sections. One section for each different stereotype of computer users. I ask that you think about what section you fit into before downloading and installing any security tools.

[img]http://ploader.net/files/9370b0d7475e883cd2028872ac8278dd.png[/img]

This section will contain a collection of tools and recommendations for Category 1 users. Below is a list of terms that might be used to describe a Category 1 member.
  • Computer Illiterate

  • Infrequent Computer User

  • Basic Internet Use


Below is a list of activities such users may undergo.
  • Checking E-Mails

  • Watching Videos (YouTube)

  • Chatting On MSN/Skype

  • Facebook

  • Microsoft Word/Excel Documentation

  • Online Research


Below is a list of people whom might fit this description.
  • Teenage Girls

  • Middle-aged Women

  • Housewives

  • Young Students

  • The Elderly


Now, obviously, this is based upon general stereotypes, but you can start to see the sorts of people this group is aimed at. Below is a set of recommendations for security setups.

Category 1 Security Setup
Description & Explanantion

This setup is designed to give a full range of security functionality, whilst still being rather lightweight. This setup should run smoothly on desktops and laptops that might not be the most resourceful machines. Considering most elderly people and young kids aren't going to be using their computers for much more than the above, they aren't likely to go out and spend five thousand dollars on a computer. For that reason, I've opted for the lightweight setup. However lightweight it may seem, the three security applications mentioned above will perform at an optimal level to ensure browsing integrity is met.

[img]http://ploader.net/files/821b5a6ed86fec5ddbfe4340ec363418.png[/img]

This section will contain a collection of tools and recommendations for Category 2 users. Below is a list of terms that might be used to describe a Category 2 member.
  • Decent Knowledge of Computers

  • Regular Computer User

  • Frequent Internet Use


Below is a list of activities such users may undergo.
  • Downloading Music

  • Playing Online Games

  • Social Networking

  • Some Torrenting

  • Microsoft Word/Excel Documentation

  • Online Research


Below is a list of people whom might fit this description.
  • Teenage Boys

  • Middle-aged Men

  • Older Students

  • Business Men & Women


You can start to see the kinds of people this group aims at. People who might not be extensive computer users, but know enough to get themselves into malware trouble. Once again, we're just making assumptions based on stereotypes here.

Category 2 Security Setup
Description & Explanation

This setup covers, probably, 80% of the computer-user population. This is for people who use a computer regularly (or a lot), and will occasionally download unsafe applications. This setup is very lightweight, and provides a good combination of protection. There isn't much that's going to get through this wall of defense!

[img]http://ploader.net/files/1a5114f56f92d4f69bc3252a9bab782c.png[/img]

This section will contain a collection of tools and recommendations for Category 3 users. Below is a list of terms that might be used to describe a Category 3 member.
  • High/Extensive Knowledge of Computers

  • Advanced Computer User

  • Extensive Internet Use


Below is a list of activities such users may undergo.
  • Downloading Warez

  • Downloading Music

  • Playing Online Games

  • Social Networking

  • Extensive Torrenting

  • Microsoft Word/Excel Documentation

  • Online Research

  • Software Development


Below is a list of people whom might fit this description.
  • Malware Removalists

  • Black-hat Hackers

  • Software Developers

  • Elite Gamers

  • Advanced Hack Forums Members


This is the business end. This group is mostly Hack Forums members who are downloading tools such as encrypters and RATs. Other people who engage in offensive computer manipulation may also be classified as a Category 3 user.

Category 3 Security Setup
Description & Explanation

This setup ensures the highest detection rates are met. Avira AntiVir has been known to show the highest detection rates out of antivirus software, and COMODO is known as the most advanced personal firewall. I've also added in WinPatrol as an additional tool, because it's HIPS capabilities are great. This is one of the best setups you can get without going over the top.

[img]http://ploader.net/files/71cf340fee9336d9124b9209db37f118.png[/img]

Please note the following points before downloading and installing any software.
  • Never have more than one antivirus running on your system.

  • Never have more than one firewall running on your system.

  • Always download from the official download locations.

  • Try not to overprotect yourself. Only use the essentials.

  • Only download these applications if your system is clean.


If you have any questions or queries, please direct them to myself via private message.

Thanks,
Malware Boss

* - Charmz - Nov 1, 2010

Very nice thread. Very useful. :)

* - NoComment - Nov 1, 2010

One of the better, if not best, anti-malware recommendations threads. You have a lists to accommodate just about everyone.

* - Nyan - Nov 1, 2010

Wow very HQ post with it's own GFX! Every single post I've seen from you has been nothing but HQ. Thanks for the info!

* - Invincible - Nov 1, 2010

Thanks for a truly HQ guide for our safety bud .

* - --([-S7N-])-- - Nov 1, 2010

Awesome! Where do you get those icons?

* - ProfessionalCriminal - Nov 1, 2010

Hi everyone,

Thank-you very much for the positive feedback. I only wrote this so I could work on a canned speech for it. 😅

Quote:Awesome! Where do you get those icons?


Hi --([-S7N-])--,

I got them from IconFinder.

Thanks,
Malware Boss

* - placeholda - Nov 1, 2010

Now why isn't Nod32 suitable for Category 3 users?

* - ProfoundZeus™ - Nov 1, 2010

Thank you, this is a great thread.

I think I would fit in category 3 as most people on here.

One question: what would happen if I would install two antivirus programs? I mean for example Avira AntiVir together with Kaspersky?

* - zealotico - Nov 1, 2010

Nice tread Harvey ;)
Really helpfull and hq.

(Nov 1, 2010 03:15 PM)ThundHack7™ Wrote:  Thank you, this is a great thread.

I think I would fit in category 3 as most people on here.

One question: what would happen if I would install two antivirus programs? I mean for example Avira AntiVir together with Kaspersky?

Well, you will get false alerts because you're AV's will interact with each other and they won't know what's a virus and what's not.
+ it will slow down your computer.

* - Silver - Nov 1, 2010

Dang, Malware Boss! All your threads are extremely neat and informational.

I agree with all of your recommendations for each section. I liked how you had the different sections depending on the users. Keep it up! 🙂

* - pro cv2er - Nov 1, 2010

Great tutorial i can see you put a lot of time into it

* - ProfessionalCriminal - Nov 1, 2010

(Nov 1, 2010 03:03 PM)placeholda Wrote:  Now why isn't Nod32 suitable for Category 3 users?

Hi placeholda,

It's perfectly suitable. All of these applications would work fine for each different category, however, having Avira as the primary antivirus is recommended because its detection rates exceed the NOD32 capabilities.

(Nov 1, 2010 06:20 PM)Silver Wrote:  Dang, Malware Boss! All your threads are extremely neat and informational.

I agree with all of your recommendations for each section. I liked how you had the different sections depending on the users. Keep it up! 🙂

Hi Silver,

That's very kind of you. Thank-you very much! 😁

Thanks,
Malware Boss

* - ⓢⓤⓕⓕⓘⓒⓔ - Nov 1, 2010

Nice thread man very useful and breaks down everything.

* - ProfessionalCriminal - Nov 1, 2010

(Nov 1, 2010 10:58 PM)ⓢⓤⓕⓕⓘⓒⓔ Wrote:  Nice thread man very useful and breaks down everything.

Hi ⓢⓤⓕⓕⓘⓒⓔ,

Thanks mate! Very much appreciated. 😉

Thanks,
Malware Boss