Help with keeping clean online

[epicsunset02]

Hi there Tom's,

Recently I've just gotten my PC to a point where I feel it's running properly. My previous threads indicate a lot of problems with performance. I know they are not malware or anything bad because I have barely done anything on this install and I haven't really done any browsing.

That's not the point of the discussion so I'll get right on it: How can I keep as safe as possible online?

So back on my old install I had some really bad habits of not caring and doing stuff that was potentially harmful or threatening to my computer. I got very lucky though; never got a whole lot of viruses or malware I could remember. I think the majority of my protection can be attributed from AdBlock (by blocking potentially infected ads; see malvertising). In fact, I think the only real forms of malware I got were from one of those "installers" (was trying to install a program, website was previously reputable and refrained from bundling PUPs with programs but now it does), and I got a few additional "useful programs" I never asked for. They were pretty easy to remove, but I never really got along with that install anymore because of awful performance.

Fast forward to now, my current project is trying to eliminate or reduce my frame time variance and stuttering in my games. It has improved significantly just by switching to an SSD, buying a new video card, and by running Windows super clean. Obviously this thread isn't about that, but in a sense it is; I'm trying to protect what I have right now. I'll be honest, I think malware is interesting and removing it is extremely satisfying but I'm also terrified of it.

I just wanted the community to get in on the discussion and share some of their tips and tricks for staying safe online, and what sort of browser extensions or security software is recommended.

Stuff I know:

-Don't look at suspicious websites (I don't look at pornography and I do not use peer to peer programs)
-Keep all software and plugins updated, and update Windows to prevent exploits and zero days
-Have an anti virus and anti malware on hand (Currently using McAfee as it comes free with my internet (I know it's not one of the "best" but I've never had any issues with it), and Malwarebytes Anti Malware for turning malware into dust)
-Lots of other misc stuff (common sense things)

Browsing habits:

-I use Google Chrome, Google search engine, and using AdBlock plus at stock settings but turned off unintrusive advertising to eliminate all ads
-Only use YouTube for music and a few gaming videos, Reddit occasionally, Imgur simply for hosting images but I don't browse, TomsHardware, ZAM for Dark Age of Camelot info, Eve University for Eve Online info, Postcount.net forums also for Dark Age of Camelot, and I also use my local radio station website to listen to music through Flash

Figured I'd list them just in case.

PC Specs if relevant:

i7 2600 @ 3.9Ghz
16GB of RAM
GTX 970
250GB SSD

Can elaborate if needed, but I don't think it's 100% relevant.

So which extensions, programs, or tips do you guys have? What do you recommend?

I should also ask about a program called Ninite. The thought of downloading without toolbars and all this crap that still manages to make it through without my consent intrigues me greatly. Does it actually do that?

Thank you for reading. If any more information is needed I will be more than happy to add it. I typed this from my phone so it may be a little dodgy.

Thanks,

Sun

 

[BrandonYoung]

Sun, you have crazy patients for posting this through your phone.

You have done the safest thing currently, by blocking ads, and running some form of anti-virus on you computer, while keeping updated. Stay away from iffy sites (porn etc) and avoid clicking on iffy ads (which apparently you are aware of).

If you are crazy protective, and really hate re-installing windows incase of software failure or corruption you could backup your current installation of your OS, if something "bad" happens you could restore this "clean" install in a fraction of the time that it would take to re-install from scratch otherwise.

If your PC is acting weird, 1) virus scan 2) make sure you dont have any weird apps installed 3) common sense.

good luck.

 

[epicsunset02]

Hey Brandon and thanks for the reply!

Yeah I've learned to be patient over the years with technology and my phone is no exception. Running an older iPhone is awful some times because Apple seems to only cater to newer iPhone models. I've sometimes had to type entire essays for school on my phone because I didn't have access to a device.

Anyways, I think I got a lot of the common tips down to keep safe. I just don't like using my browser a lot because I know infections can come out of nowhere. I got an infection one time where I simply went to a website (even with AdBlock; not actually sure if AdBlock was configured at the time to block even unintrusive ads), and I ended up with an unwanted modification in my prefs file on Firefox. Luckily I realized even after visiting the website (it was a website for one of my games but you can "earn" premium currency by doing surveys, later learned that's a big no-no because it's more like earning "free malware") that something didn't feel right and I found a modification in my preferences file for the "Spigot Toolbar". Malwarebytes blew that up and I never saw it again, but web browsing hasn't sat right with me.

Do you know if there's a way to prevent that kind of modification? Like the website literally was able to edit my file without knowing. I'm using Chrome now.

Also, what about firewall settings? I've heard from a friend who works in IT that changing your firewall settings can make a huge difference.

Since my post I've installed Malwarebytes Anti Exploit since I am pleased with MBAM already. One thing I noticed though that the download page and MB's webpage wasn't https but regular http. This scared me because doesn't that mean it's basically public and anyone has a chance of hijacking the links to downloads and stuff? I even checked my version of Malwarebytes for any differences. Might be just over paranoid.

Thanks again for the reply it means a lot to me!

-Sun

 

[embers]

At the top of the privacy section on here there is a internet guide to look at, it is a sticky. Check it out.