Hey there! There's so many dangers our there on the Internet/Computer, and whether white or black hat, everyone deserves to stay safe. I would like to show you how that can be accomplished.
Step 1: AntiVirus
An AntiVirus is a program that protects you from viruses and similar malicious programs like Trojans. These are quite crucial to staying safe, as viruses and trojans are very dangerous and can steal your information, and completely mess up your computer, to the point of where it can't even boot any more.
Now there are good AntiViruses and bad AntiViruses. This can be decided on their price, quality, detection methods, how much they are updated, and what perks they include (example Bonuses like Firewalls). A Few I would recommend and have used:
MCAfee (http://www.mcafee.com)
Bit Defender (http://www.bitdefender.com/)
Kaspersky (http://www.kaspersky.ca/)
Avast [Free] (http://www.avast.com/)
Step 2: Firewall
A Firewall is basically a program that blocks malicious connections. These connections could be things like Hackers trying to hijack your computer. In fact, there's a tutorial in this very section on how to take remote control of a victim without their consent, that only works if the potential victim does NOT have a firewall.
If you cannot get any firewalls, make sure you have windows default firewall enabled (assuming you're using windows). Otherwise, get another firewall that's stronger, like one of the following:
MCAfee Firewall (Comes with the AntiVirus)
Comodo (http://personalfirewall.comodo.com/)
Step 3: KeyScrambler
If you're an active member here in the Hacking section/WhiteHat Section I'm sure you've heard of a KeyLogger. If not, I'll explain it for you. They are basically malicious programs that hide deep in your computer, tracking every single key you type to find info such as social security numbers, passwords, credit card numbers, or anything that would be of use to the hacker behind them.
But the whitehats have made a great counter to these scary programs, called a keyscrambler. It basically encrypts every key, and tells the keylogger a different key than what you placed.
KeyScrambler Personal: http://www.qfxsoftware.com/download.htm
Step 4: Anti-Malware
An Anti-Malware Program is similar to an AntiVirus, though it goes for things like PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Program) and spyware, which your AntiVirus more or less ignores/doesn't detect as it doesn't seem as large of a threat. Here's the two best (in my opinion) out at the moment:
MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (http://www.malwarebytes.org/)
SuperAnti Spyware (http://www.superantispyware.com/)
Step 5: SandBoxie
Sandboxie is a program that allows you to run/install the software you're not quite sure about (Note never to install a program you know is infected even when using Sandboxie). It basically allows you to install the program into a box isolated from the rest of the files, so that the possibly malicious files can't infect the others. Here's a little diagram to show how it works:
Spoiler (Click to View)
Sandboxie (http://www.sandboxie.com/)
Step 6: Internet Browsing
Now keeping safe when browsing the internet can prevent so many problems itself. It can prevent malware, spyware, viruses, and so much more.
The first step here, is a good internet browser. Good internet browsers aren't only fast, but are also secure and updated regularly, like Chrome, Safari, and Firefox. There's also options you can enable to browse faster and stay safer.
The second step, is simply watching where you go to and what you look at. Many sites have java drive-by's, trackers, and malware, so be very careful. Step 7 will also cover how to help prevent from going onto these sites and how to stay safe if you ever do.
Step 7: Extensions
Extensions for your internet browser can be very helpful by preventing Ads, Tracking, and more. I will give you a short list of very helpful extensions that may just save your computer and info. Note that these are mostly only for chrome and firefox.
1. DoNotTrackMe
This Exension basically stops 3rd companies tracking you on sites, tells you who was tracking you, and tells you how many were tracking you.
2. AdBlock
AdBlock basically blocks ads. Not only will it remove extreme annoyances, but will also protect you from malware infected ads as well.
3. MaskMe
Made by the creators of DoNotTrackMe, it basically stops loads of spam in your emails. I could make that a whole other section if I wanted to, but I won't. Basically, when you sign up for many sites, the companies behind those sites will sometimes sell giant lists of emails, including yours, to companies that will spam them with things about casinos, hot singles in your area, and other things that are fake and that you REALLY don't care about. But the thing is, when you open them, malware/spyware is installed on your computer. Basically this software will give you a fake email for every one of those, so you won't get spam, and you'll even be able to track down who sold your email. That was very long.
4. Safe Search
SafeSearch is an extension that comes with MCAfee. It will tell you whether sites are fake or not, and if you stumble on to one, it will warn you if it has had malicious activity on it. Yes, that does mean that HF will be blocked, but you can click to continue onto it anyway, and it will remember your choice for the next time so you won't have to see the warning again.
Step 8: VPNs and Proxies
These will both protect your IP when browsing the internet. With Proxies, you are connecting to another IP to browse the internet through, so it will give a site the Proxy IP, not yours. A VPN is something that you use for all things with the internet. Browsing, games, ect. and will give the VPN IP too. There are free ones, though I wouldn't recommend using one. In fact, I will soon be starting up a VPN service, so when that comes out, I will put it here.
Anyway, here's a list of proxies:
Hidemy*ss (http://hidemyass.com/)
Free Proxy Canada (http://www.freeproxy.ca/)
Proxy4free (http://www.proxy4free.com/)
I also have my own incredible Premium Proxy. Click on my Signature for info.
Thanks for reading! I really do hope this helped you out!
Sincerely, Ceoff 👍
by ceoff
Step 1: AntiVirus
An AntiVirus is a program that protects you from viruses and similar malicious programs like Trojans. These are quite crucial to staying safe, as viruses and trojans are very dangerous and can steal your information, and completely mess up your computer, to the point of where it can't even boot any more.
Now there are good AntiViruses and bad AntiViruses. This can be decided on their price, quality, detection methods, how much they are updated, and what perks they include (example Bonuses like Firewalls). A Few I would recommend and have used:
MCAfee (http://www.mcafee.com)
Bit Defender (http://www.bitdefender.com/)
Kaspersky (http://www.kaspersky.ca/)
Avast [Free] (http://www.avast.com/)
Step 2: Firewall
A Firewall is basically a program that blocks malicious connections. These connections could be things like Hackers trying to hijack your computer. In fact, there's a tutorial in this very section on how to take remote control of a victim without their consent, that only works if the potential victim does NOT have a firewall.
If you cannot get any firewalls, make sure you have windows default firewall enabled (assuming you're using windows). Otherwise, get another firewall that's stronger, like one of the following:
MCAfee Firewall (Comes with the AntiVirus)
Comodo (http://personalfirewall.comodo.com/)
Step 3: KeyScrambler
If you're an active member here in the Hacking section/WhiteHat Section I'm sure you've heard of a KeyLogger. If not, I'll explain it for you. They are basically malicious programs that hide deep in your computer, tracking every single key you type to find info such as social security numbers, passwords, credit card numbers, or anything that would be of use to the hacker behind them.
But the whitehats have made a great counter to these scary programs, called a keyscrambler. It basically encrypts every key, and tells the keylogger a different key than what you placed.
KeyScrambler Personal: http://www.qfxsoftware.com/download.htm
Step 4: Anti-Malware
An Anti-Malware Program is similar to an AntiVirus, though it goes for things like PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Program) and spyware, which your AntiVirus more or less ignores/doesn't detect as it doesn't seem as large of a threat. Here's the two best (in my opinion) out at the moment:
MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (http://www.malwarebytes.org/)
SuperAnti Spyware (http://www.superantispyware.com/)
Step 5: SandBoxie
Sandboxie is a program that allows you to run/install the software you're not quite sure about (Note never to install a program you know is infected even when using Sandboxie). It basically allows you to install the program into a box isolated from the rest of the files, so that the possibly malicious files can't infect the others. Here's a little diagram to show how it works:
Spoiler (Click to View)
![[Image: qMAF1Q9.gif]](https://i.imgur.com/qMAF1Q9.gif)
Sandboxie (http://www.sandboxie.com/)
Step 6: Internet Browsing
Now keeping safe when browsing the internet can prevent so many problems itself. It can prevent malware, spyware, viruses, and so much more.
The first step here, is a good internet browser. Good internet browsers aren't only fast, but are also secure and updated regularly, like Chrome, Safari, and Firefox. There's also options you can enable to browse faster and stay safer.
The second step, is simply watching where you go to and what you look at. Many sites have java drive-by's, trackers, and malware, so be very careful. Step 7 will also cover how to help prevent from going onto these sites and how to stay safe if you ever do.
Step 7: Extensions
Extensions for your internet browser can be very helpful by preventing Ads, Tracking, and more. I will give you a short list of very helpful extensions that may just save your computer and info. Note that these are mostly only for chrome and firefox.
1. DoNotTrackMe
This Exension basically stops 3rd companies tracking you on sites, tells you who was tracking you, and tells you how many were tracking you.
2. AdBlock
AdBlock basically blocks ads. Not only will it remove extreme annoyances, but will also protect you from malware infected ads as well.
3. MaskMe
Made by the creators of DoNotTrackMe, it basically stops loads of spam in your emails. I could make that a whole other section if I wanted to, but I won't. Basically, when you sign up for many sites, the companies behind those sites will sometimes sell giant lists of emails, including yours, to companies that will spam them with things about casinos, hot singles in your area, and other things that are fake and that you REALLY don't care about. But the thing is, when you open them, malware/spyware is installed on your computer. Basically this software will give you a fake email for every one of those, so you won't get spam, and you'll even be able to track down who sold your email. That was very long.
4. Safe Search
SafeSearch is an extension that comes with MCAfee. It will tell you whether sites are fake or not, and if you stumble on to one, it will warn you if it has had malicious activity on it. Yes, that does mean that HF will be blocked, but you can click to continue onto it anyway, and it will remember your choice for the next time so you won't have to see the warning again.
Step 8: VPNs and Proxies
These will both protect your IP when browsing the internet. With Proxies, you are connecting to another IP to browse the internet through, so it will give a site the Proxy IP, not yours. A VPN is something that you use for all things with the internet. Browsing, games, ect. and will give the VPN IP too. There are free ones, though I wouldn't recommend using one. In fact, I will soon be starting up a VPN service, so when that comes out, I will put it here.
Anyway, here's a list of proxies:
Hidemy*ss (http://hidemyass.com/)
Free Proxy Canada (http://www.freeproxy.ca/)
Proxy4free (http://www.proxy4free.com/)
I also have my own incredible Premium Proxy. Click on my Signature for info.
Thanks for reading! I really do hope this helped you out!
Sincerely, Ceoff 👍
by ceoff