Thread: Computer Security - Most Important Things To Be Looked Upon

One of the questions that constantly haunt a computer user’s mind is that whether their computer is safe. Many users are confused about which security suite to use. Whichever suite you choose, be aware that these things alone cannot keep your computer clean and safe.

I have a friend so worried about his computer who chose to use Kaspersky, McAfee and Avira – all of them together in his system. He had 2 GB RAM and all, but users who have used more than one antivirus might know that they usually have conflicts with each other which make us worried. Let us take an example, of McAfee and Kaspersky installed together in a system. When McAfee or Kaspersky performs one of its functions by scanning data or accessing the Windows directory, the other will show a red alert and say that the program is dangerous. I do wonder why these things don’t understand each other.

Anyway, let’s come back to the point. These shielding systems can do only up to 85% to keep you safe. The rest 15% depends upon you. First of all, ‘think before you click’. Always think before downloading a ‘prize’. It maybe a trojan, key logger or anything like that which might compromise your privacy and your computer’s stability.

I just wanted to share one incident that happened about 4 months before. I had heard many people suggesting ‘Zango’ as a solution for downloading movies, music and all for free, the legit way. So, I decided to use it and started downloading it. When it came up to 99%, luckily my Kaspersky sniffed it up and found it to be dangerous. Then, I stopped downloading it and went to Google and searched using exactly these terms: ‘zango dangerous’ and I was shocked to find the results it yielded, most of them being complaints about it and others being tutorials on how to remove it from your computer. For a moment, I couldn’t get how foolish I was.

So, be sure that you are not under danger while getting free programs like these that promise you ‘too much’ to be true. This, that is, being aware, does up to 10% of the rest. And the other 5% is up to your commonsense. As already mentioned by newprouser in one of his posts, your bank will not request your bank account details to credit you with money. And, be sure that you do not give any of your personal information to anyone else. Also, scan a file which you got from unknown sources before opening it. You can use free online scanners of Kaspersky and McAfee which obviously are the best in finding new threats.
When you are going to install an antivirus software, be sure that you got it from a trusted source. You can always download Kaspersky setup directly from its site and it is up to you to get the key. Be sure to check ‘Official Kaspersky Forums’ because they at sometimes give out free keys. I once got a 6-month key from the Official Chinese Kaspersky Forum. AVG’s time has gone and I think Avira and Avast are the best free antivirus available.

Please note that this article doesn't end here. So, please try to be in touch with this thread, if you would like to get more.

If you found this article to be helpful, or have any suggestion or complaint, please be free to express it. :001_smile:

Very well written article... I agree with the point "think before click"...

And even I personally b'lieve that Kapsersky is doing good... Atleast thats the impression I get from majority of the users of various forums including IBB... I don't trust free anti-virus anymore... I had bad experiences with couple of them...

One other security measure which we rarely follow at home is to log in windows by using an account which don't have administrative privileges... It helps to prevent malicious programs infecting our system...

p.s.- rep point awarded!

Originally Posted by itsmemad

Very well written article... I agree with the point "think before click"...

And even I personally b'lieve that Kapsersky is doing good... Atleast thats the impression I get from majority of the users of various forums including IBB... I don't trust free anti-virus anymore... I had bad experiences with couple of them...

One other security measure which we rarely follow at home is to log in windows by using an account which don't have administrative privileges... It helps to prevent malicious programs infecting our system...

p.s.- rep point awarded!

Yes, free antivirus softwares always have their own faults and other problems. It is always better to use one like Kaspersky. I'm satisfied with Kaspersky's efforts to keep their users safe with regular and crucial updates.

And, thank you for the valuable tip.

Good post.

i too support kaspersky.
i am using it for the last one year and had no problem in it.

justify the sender before opening an anonymous mail.if you guess it is unwanted, then just delete it.

Dont download unnecessary files from illegal websites.

Originally Posted by prasannaganesh

Good post.

i too support kaspersky.
i am using it for the last one year and had no problem in it.

justify the sender before opening an anonymous mail.if you guess it is unwanted, then just delete it.

Dont download unnecessary files from illegal websites.

That's right and thank you for sharing your valuable tip.

If its too good to be true, then its a virus !

And its also a good idea to manually scan every download with your anti-virus before u use it...

Also
-->Keep your anti-virus updated . [choose an anti-virus with real time protection]
-->Use a proper Firewall which will go a long way in helping to keep your system safe
-->Update your web browser/operating system with all the latest security patches


And if you discover a virus ... Dont feel shy about using System restore .... It does help in some [desperate]situations

Originally Posted by ShAdOwCoN

If its too good to be true, then its a virus !

And its also a good idea to manually scan every download with your anti-virus before u use it...

Also
-->Keep your anti-virus updated . [choose an anti-virus with real time protection]
-->Use a proper Firewall which will go a long way in helping to keep your system safe
-->Update your web browser/operating system with all the latest security patches


And if you discover a virus ... Dont feel shy about using System restore .... It does help in some [desperate]situations

Thank you very much for your tips.
And, I wanted to add one more thing.
If you don't have a good antivirus, or you believe that it si not soo good, you can always use free online scanners of Kaspersky, McAfee or Panda.
When the probability of the prescence of a virus is high, I just scan it with two antivirus softwares.

Extremely well written article.

Originally Posted by just4kix

Extremely well written article.

Thank you just4kix.

This is for everyone.
Please express your opinion on Brothersoft.
Is it really legit?

In the above post Zango is listed as a threat.
We would like to correct this listing.

Zango is a safe and secure program and is tested daily to make sure it is always safe.

We are certainly aware of the ever-growing number of harmful applications that have surfaced on the Web.
Please be assured that Zango, unlike such applications, will always make the user’s privacy our top priority. Zango is a safe and secure program which installs only upon user's download and does nothing without the user's consent.

Following are some clarifications on the function of Zango's software:

1. Zango does not build personal profiles.
2. Zango does not gather any data you enter in online forms.
3. Zango does not access any sensitive information entered while surfing, such as account details, passwords, credit card information, products you purchase online, etc.
4. Zango can be installed only through a standard download process and is easy to uninstall.

Unfortunately, it appears that some scanning applications have mistakenly included Zango on their lists. We are aware of this situation and our legal team is contacting these companies in order to be removed from their lists.

Zango is a user friendly program, and it is of paramount importance to us that our program will function properly and will be easily installed and removed.

As a common practice among online companies, Zango can be easily removed from your computer via "Add\Remove programs" (Start > Control Panel > Add\Remove programs). In addition you may use our uninstaller and you may also use the uninstall instructions we offer under the Zango component in the program's list.

Following this procedure, Zango and all Zango related components will be completely removed from your computer.

To remove Zango from your computer, please do the following:

1. Close all open applications/programs/windows
2. Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs
3. Find Zango on the list
4. Click the Change/Remove button
5. Check the components you wish to remove, click Next and follow the on-screen instructions.
6. Restart your computer

Alternatively, you can use our uninstaller located on our site.

For more information you may contact us directly at:
zangocustomersupport@zango.com

Originally Posted by Zango Support

In the above post Zango is listed as a threat.
We would like to correct this listing.

Zango is a safe and secure program and is tested daily to make sure it is always safe.

We are certainly aware of the ever-growing number of harmful applications that have surfaced on the Web.
Please be assured that Zango, unlike such applications, will always make the user’s privacy our top priority. Zango is a safe and secure program which installs only upon user's download and does nothing without the user's consent.

Following are some clarifications on the function of Zango's software:

1. Zango does not build personal profiles.
2. Zango does not gather any data you enter in online forms.
3. Zango does not access any sensitive information entered while surfing, such as account details, passwords, credit card information, products you purchase online, etc.
4. Zango can be installed only through a standard download process and is easy to uninstall.

Unfortunately, it appears that some scanning applications have mistakenly included Zango on their lists. We are aware of this situation and our legal team is contacting these companies in order to be removed from their lists.

Zango is a user friendly program, and it is of paramount importance to us that our program will function properly and will be easily installed and removed.

As a common practice among online companies, Zango can be easily removed from your computer via "Add\Remove programs" (Start > Control Panel > Add\Remove programs). In addition you may use our uninstaller and you may also use the uninstall instructions we offer under the Zango component in the program's list.

Following this procedure, Zango and all Zango related components will be completely removed from your computer.

To remove Zango from your computer, please do the following:

1. Close all open applications/programs/windows
2. Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs
3. Find Zango on the list
4. Click the Change/Remove button
5. Check the components you wish to remove, click Next and follow the on-screen instructions.
6. Restart your computer

Alternatively, you can use our uninstaller located on our site.

For more information you may contact us directly at:
zangocustomersupport@zango.com

I like that. Not many providers go about checking forums to support their services or offers. Not that I am for zango (I dont really know what it is anyways) but I really like that kinda availability for support. I wonder if you'd be as diligent with you own users which most support aren't. No offence meant.

Originally Posted by Zango Support

In the above post Zango is listed as a threat.
We would like to correct this listing.

Zango is a safe and secure program and is tested daily to make sure it is always safe.

We are certainly aware of the ever-growing number of harmful applications that have surfaced on the Web.
Please be assured that Zango, unlike such applications, will always make the user’s privacy our top priority. Zango is a safe and secure program which installs only upon user's download and does nothing without the user's consent.

Following are some clarifications on the function of Zango's software:

1. Zango does not build personal profiles.
2. Zango does not gather any data you enter in online forms.
3. Zango does not access any sensitive information entered while surfing, such as account details, passwords, credit card information, products you purchase online, etc.
4. Zango can be installed only through a standard download process and is easy to uninstall.

Unfortunately, it appears that some scanning applications have mistakenly included Zango on their lists. We are aware of this situation and our legal team is contacting these companies in order to be removed from their lists.

Zango is a user friendly program, and it is of paramount importance to us that our program will function properly and will be easily installed and removed.

As a common practice among online companies, Zango can be easily removed from your computer via "Add\Remove programs" (Start > Control Panel > Add\Remove programs). In addition you may use our uninstaller and you may also use the uninstall instructions we offer under the Zango component in the program's list.

Following this procedure, Zango and all Zango related components will be completely removed from your computer.

To remove Zango from your computer, please do the following:

1. Close all open applications/programs/windows
2. Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs
3. Find Zango on the list
4. Click the Change/Remove button
5. Check the components you wish to remove, click Next and follow the on-screen instructions.
6. Restart your computer

Alternatively, you can use our uninstaller located on our site.

For more information you may contact us directly at:
zangocustomersupport@zango.com

Anybody here have anything to say about it?
I'm still not sure.

I am just wondering how such a support member came across this thread ..... How did she know that there was a reference to Zango in the post .....

they probably have bots scanning the internet periodically to
see if their name is mentioned.

-F

These are the reviews of people who used the site & not just from security software.

MCAFEE Site Advisor: www.zango.com, Norton Safe Web: www.zango.com.

The site is great. I never seen this much spyware/malware/adware reports in one site before.

When I ran through some web pages on Zango, I found that when anything bad is said about them, the 'Zango Support' comes into their own rescue.

It seems that they are afraid of their real identity coming out, or maybe something else is the reason.

Originally Posted by Archer

These are the reviews of people who used the site & not just from security software.

MCAFEE Site Advisor: www.zango.com, Norton Safe Web: www.zango.com.

The site is great. I never seen this much spyware/malware/adware reports in one site before.

Still, the site has support from many other sites. Many internet users might fall prey to this.

About Brothersoft
Most of you here might be using Brothersoft or atleast would have heard about it.

Please see this :
Brothersoft : Site Advisor &
Brothersoft : Norton Web Safe

But, there is actually no need to be afraid about the site.
You just have to be cautious.

I first came to research about it when I found this page.

They say that they are not completely able to make sure that the links are not infected. But, still there are many unsafe links out there in the site, for a long time...

Still, Zango has support from some major sites.

Lets' get to a new topic :
Brothersoft
Most of us here might have used or at least heard of Brothersoft.
It is one of the most famous software download sites.
But, some have reported that they have some potentially unsafe downloads in its list. The first time I came to research about it was when I came to this page in Brothersoft.
This is a report on the site by McAfee SiteAdvisor : Brothersoft.com-SiteAdvisor

But, there is no need to worry about using it. You just have to be cautious. Brothersoft says that it is impossible for them to check all the links, and that is why these security flaws occur.

Anyway, some dangerous programs like Zango have been out there in the website for a very long time.

Hello Zango Support!
Are you there???

I know Brothersoft. I never used it because of the site interface. I mean it gives the impression that all softwares in there is shareware (the new interface is good). But I only use Softpedia or Download.com if I want to download software. Softpedia checks all packages for virus content and removes them or warn the user atleast. And Download.com is good too.

Brothersoft is a good site. Some of the software packages have virus. That's all.

Check this page.

Norton Safe Web: brothersoft.com

Yes. Both softpedia and download.com are good. But, still there are some small flaws in them also. Actually, nothing like these in the internet is 100% secure.

My WOT add on for Firefox gave Brothersoft a Security threat rating so i never used it :lol:

Just added that to my browser.

I rely on WOT too!

another one...

I have a question......

do these guys do this stuff all day, where do they get the energy to register in so many forums just to post a single thread which they know that no one is gonna take seriously.