[bulby13]

If you're like me(and other many users), you probably had to deal with malware at least once. Well, this guide will teach you how to prevent these infections.
By following this guide, I am not responsible to any damage that may happen. Use these tools at your own risk and have a backup just in case.
I noticed ransomware is popular, here's another of my threads on that: https://hackforums.net/showthread.php?tid=3801143
1. Use a good antivirus
Norton, McAfee(aka McCafe), and AVG are the most popular, but you are not getting the best protection. This is my recommend setup.
Free($0, except your bandwidth to download these):
Avast Free
Comodo Firewall Free
KeyScrambler Personal
Malwarebytes Free
Comodo Dragon(Comodo's Chrome-based browser)
Web of Trust
AdBlockPlus
Bonus: NoScript
Cheap($24.99)
The free setup, except with Malwarebytes Pro instead.
Paranoid and willing to shell out a lot($24.99 + $14.99 + $49/year)
Bitdefender Internet Security(latest version)
Malwarebytes Pro
Comodo Firewall
KeyScrambler Premium
Comodo Dragon
Web of Trust
AdBlockPlus
NoScript
2. Windows Updates are important.
Windows Updates may include a critical patch for a very serious malware. Also, it has the latest features and security. DON'T DISABLE THE AUTOUPDATE ON SHUTDOWN! It is critical to update in some cases!
3. Use secure passwords
Don't settle on a password like "1234" or "password".
Make sure it has:
>8 characters
>20% numbers
>10% symbols
Not a word in the dictonary.
Examples:
Insecure: "diamonds"
Vulnerable: "lover1234"
OK: "ladybug123*()"
Secure: "1adybug149';"
Very Secure: "jilkysafcu6219('')"
Overkill: "thiwnsukwimsuwjsuw2384321';"
4. Scan with popular tools frequently
These tools are well known:
Malwarebytes(malwarebytes.org, scan every 2-3days)
HitmanPro(surfright.nl, scan every day-2days because it only takes 3min)
AdwCleaner(http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/, every 3-4 days)
TDSSKiller(http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/tdsskiller/, every week)
5. Backup your files
What happens when you have to reformat your drive? You lose all your data! That's why backups are important.
I don't have a recommendation, but here is one:
Malwarebytes Secure Backup(malware protected backup, http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/securebackup/)
Or just buy a backup drive.
6. Use a VPN
A VPN directs all your traffic into their system. You enjoy a hidden IP and anonymity. I don't have any recommendation, but you will have to shell out a few bucks to get a good one.
If you want to take it further, use Tor. It routes your traffic through multiple nodes(~6-10), for excellent anonymity.
7. Prevention and signs that you have malware
These are the signs you have malware:
Slow computer(Low risk)
Weird actions(Medium risk)
Typing without you doing it(Scan now!)
Mouse moving without you moving it 1mm.
If you have these signs, SCAN NOW!
8. HF download smarts
Before downloading, do my quiz on safe downloading:
1. Does the member have >5 rep?
2. Does the member have >100 posts?
3. Is the online time more than 1 day?
4. Is the member a 1337/Ub3r member?
5. Does the thread have good conventions?
6. Does the VirusTotal scan show less than 2 detections?
7. Read through their rep? Do you see no reps stating infecting?(if no, this reduces score by 5).
1-2: Don't download.
3-4: Download with caution.
5-6: Most likely safe
7: Safe(99%)
9. Steps in case you get infected
1. Don't use computer for banking or login.
2. Scan with the tools from step 4.
3. Post the logs in a new thread at the White Hat Help(Not MRT).
10. My HF infector blacklist
Work in progress.
It is still being made, check back soon!
Post here with the log with the tool below, and I can give you a protection score(out of 100)
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/securitycheck/

I hope this guide helped you, thanks!

[Ｔ ｅ ｓ ｓ ｅ ｒ ａ ｃ ｔ]

Interesting thread, even though it is mostly common sense people. Thanks for posting I suppose. Well done-ish :D

[pretka]

agree, very useful thread, found a lot of programs which i didint even know. Thanks

[SoulByte]

Web of Trust sends every website you visit to them. Wouldn't trust.

[legendrock7]

Very nice guide for beginners man. This will help many people. Although, people should have common sense, but today, many people don't, so good job.

[Mr. Corleone]

Very nice HQ thread!

This includes everything, thanks for posting this.
I will bookmark it.

[bulby13]

Very nice guide for beginners man. This will help many people. Although, people should have common sense, but today, many people don't, so good job.

Very nice HQ thread!

This includes everything, thanks for posting this.
I will bookmark it.

agree, very useful thread, found a lot of programs which i didint even know. Thanks

Thanks! This thread was created because malware is growing into encrypters and MBR infectors. I'm glad it helped you.

[Gustav.]

This is merely a guide, looks to me like a copy and paste. No type of codes inserting, seems like no form of effort was put into this. Not at all.

[bulby13]

Web of Trust sends every website you visit to them. Wouldn't trust.

I think pretty much every piece of software that affects web browsing does that.

[Gorgonite]

Good job OP. If you have time, you should add more information on the programs that you suggested and why you suggested them.

[Puppeteer]

That's a good post bulby! maybe basilar stuff for some people but definitely useful! Never been infected myself, even downloading the worst stuff, cause of the mac os! Any weird stuff or software I have to use is run in VM and, when I feel something could go wrong or I want to test some silly batch or any other, I just clone the VM and everything's fine! Good job!

[TheGrayAviator]

That's a very nice thread OP. Just a quick feedback, for future reference try making a thread that is more presentable.

Right now you just have a bunch of words on top of each other, which doesn't make your thread very HQ. I am not criticizing you, just giving you some constructive feedback.

[♛KinG♛]

lol nice guide for newcomers. it will help them lot

[Smurb]

This is merely a guide, looks to me like a copy and paste. No type of codes inserting, seems like no form of effort was put into this. Not at all.

He went out of his way to put something together for people.
You are just being a fucking dick.

[yesLAD]

decent i guess, but as others have said most is common sense, thanks though :), sure it will help some people.