[Miyuki]

Miyuki's Safety and Useful Guides and Tips for Newbies!

[Last edited: 11 October, 2009]






---///Table of Contents///---
--Introduction
---Antivirus
----Firewall
-----Antispyware
------Free Utilities
-------Safety Tips
--------Useful Links
---------Misc Tips
----------Extra Info

---///Introduction///---

The objectives that I created my guides is for those users who're new to the internet, or at least still not aware of the risks and also threats from the internet.

There's plenty of security suites available at the net, free or paid version, are all available. But what if you're student? Or still don't have income to get those paid version? Don't worry, in this guide, I'll lists all available free software and security software.

Well, my guide might not be the most perfect guide, but I hope it does helps others that who needs it "/.

As it's mentioned before, prevention is better than cure.

---///Antivirus Software///---

Viruses, viruses, viruses...trojans, worms...everyone familiar with those, right? Common symptom that someone infected by viruses/worms/trojans are:
- Slow system performances
- Sudden popups like "YOU GOT VIRUSES, 31 VIRUSES DETECTED" and such alerts, which are fake.
- Task Managers, Registry, Folder Options are disabled.
- And sudden files appears, like a TO folder inside a TO folder.
- Weird stuff happens after plugged in possible infected usb drives.
- And more.

Not just that, there's even rogue antivirus available in the internet that tempted to tricks users like "32 viruses detected on your system, scan NOW!" like the ads you see in certain website.

Please DON'T click on them as they're FAKE.

So, how to differentiate between FAKE and REAL antivirus? Legit software normally are available, and hosted @ such sites:
- Free Software Downloads and Software Reviews - Download.com
- FileHippo.com - Download Free Software
- SnapFiles - software reviews, download freeware and free trial programs
- Free downloads encyclopedia - Softpedia

Anyway, for this, there's plenty of antivirus software available, paid or free. But, as I mentioned, I'll provides a list of free software that you all can use for.

Some of the antivirus software that recomended are:

#1 - AntiVir Free Edition - Free antivirus - Avira AntiVir
- Fast detection and heuristic detection.
- Better heurestic scanning.

#2 - Avast! Home Antivirus- avast! antivirus - high security and protection from malware with anti-spyware and anti-rootkit software built in
- Fast detection rate.
- Hourly updates.

#3 - AVG 8.0 Free Edition - AVG Free - Download antivirus and antispyware software for Windows XP and Vista
- Popular antivirus software.
- Easy to use, included anti-spyware and linkchecker

Please take note, having more antivirus installed =/= your safety. Sometime it might causes your computer to slow down, or crashes if you having more than 1 antivirus software installed.

It's recommended that you just install 1 antivirus software at your system. I'd recommend users, especially newbie users to install Avira Antivirus, as it's easy to use, better detection rate, and have a user-friendly interface and this is useful if there's any virus outbreak in your system.


For more product comparissions, please check this website: http://www.av-comparatives.org/

---///Firewall///---

Hackers? Intruders??? Zombie pc??? DDOS???

Anyway, you probably read those a lot, on hackers, intruders or someone that attempts to DDOS you.

Here's some list of recommended firewall software that you can try on.

#1 - PC Tools Firewall Plus Free Edition
Website: http://www.pctools.com/firewall/
Download link: http://www.pctools.com/mirror/fwinstall.exe
- Easy to use firewall.
- Good performace as in security and system resources usage.
- Provides easy-to-navigate user interface.

#2 - Zone Alarm Free Firewall
Website: http://www.zonealarm.com/security/en-us/home.htm
Download link: http://www.softpedia.com/get/Securit...arm-Free.shtml
- Good and friendly user interface.
- Note: Avast! Antivirus users, please disable Network/P2P shield if you're using this, although Avast will automatically disables some incompatible components.

#3 - [B]Comodo Firewall[/B
Website: http://www.comodo.com/home/internet-...y/firewall.php
Download link: http://www.comodo.com/home/download/...?prod=firewall
- Powerful firewall security software.
- Provides informative info on the applications that are currently connecting to the internet.
- Might not be newbie user friendly.


Please take note, having more firewall installed =/= your safety. Sometime it might causes your computer to slow down, or crashes if you having more than 1 firewall software installed.

It's recommended that you just install 1 firewall software at your system.

For more firewall information, please check it here
- http://www.firewallguide.com/software.htm

---///Antispyware///---

Are you afraid that you're being monitored? Or someome attempts on stealing your information and spies on you? If you do online banking or online transaction, you might feel that if there's someone attempts to steal your credit card information?

Like antivirus software, there's rogue and legit antispyware software available in the internet, only download from legi websites.

Anyway, luckily there's plenty of free antispyware for you to use to. These are some of the free recommended software for you.

#1 - Spybot S&D - The home of Spybot-S&D!
- The most popular free anti-spyware solution available.
- Best used with TeaTimer and also with browser immunization enabled.
- TeaTimer = actively monitoring your system for any changes, like registry changes or unwanted entries.

#2 - Windows Defender- Windows Defender: Home Page
- Runs in background.
- Will automatically protects user from common spyware/hijacks threats.
- [Add more info later]

#3 - Ad-Aware 2008 Free - Ad-Aware 2008 Free - Lavasoft
- Good detection rate.
- Daily/weekly updates.
- [Add more info later]

---///Free Utilities///---

Doesn't want to pay for any stuff, but want to keep your pc on a good shape? Don't worry, I'm one of them, anyway, lol.
Here are some of the free utilies that can ensure your pc safety, and performs at good shape!

# Sandboxie - http://www.sandboxie.com/
- This tool is extremely recommended for those who wanted to try something that might be harmful to your system.
- While in sandboxed mode, the programs in sandbox will NOT affect your current system, once you terminates the sandbox, all of it will just terminated.

# Secunia Personal Edition - https://psi.secunia.com/
- This tool will helps you to check your computer for any open vulnerabilities, and will advice you on how to fix it.
- It will also scans your system for any outdated software that requires an update.

# CCleaner - Download CCleaner 2.23.999 - FileHippo.com
- Free, and useful cleaning utilities that will clears any junk files from your pc with a click of a button.
- You can also setup startup entries, and also add/remove programs there.

# Defraggler - Download Defraggler 1.13.155 - FileHippo.com
- Feel that Windows Defragment tool is too slow? Or not performs well, then you can use this tool to defrag your drive!
Alternative:
# Auslogics Disk Defrag - Auslogics Disk Defrag - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

# AxCrypt - Download AxCrypt 1.6.4.4 - FileHippo.com
- Worries about your confidential data? Then you can use this tool to encrypts your data, with ease!

# PC Inspector File Recovery 4.0 - Download PC Inspector File Recovery 4.0 - FileHippo.com
- Lost of files? Accidentally deleted it? Then use this tool to recover your lost files!
- Although it doesn't mean it can 100% recovers your data.
Alternative:
# Recuva - Download Recuva 1.30.435 - FileHippo.com

# TeraCopy - Redirecting to codesector.com...
- Having moving large files and want to monitors the files?
- Better file copying/cutting speed.
- Good for users who keep on copying large and many files, as if one is un-readable, the copying processes will not be interrupted!

# Microsoft Applocale - The Microsoft AppLocale Utility
- Having some unicode programs/software that requires you to change your System Locale, but don't want to do so, then use this tool to "emulates" it.

# Daemon Tools - Downloads :: DAEMON-Tools.cc
- Useful to mount iso images, instead of burning them just to use them.
Alternative:
# MagicDisc - Freeware MagicISO Virtual CD/DVD-ROM(MagicDisc) Overview

# CDBurnerXP Pro - Download CDBurnerXP 4.2.5.1541 - FileHippo.com
- Free cd/dvd burning software tool.

---///Safety Tips///---

///Browsing Safety///

# Get on safer Internet browser, use Firefox, or Opera instead.
- Firefox - Firefox web browser | Faster, more secure, & customizable
- Opera- Opera browser: Home page

# Keep the Fraud Protection enabled in Interter Explorer. FF and Opera is enabled by default.

# Keep on using Google or Yahoo to searches for information? What if the sites are fake? Use McAfee Site Advisor to notify and helps protects you!
- McAfee Site Advisor - Protection from Adware, Spam, Viruses, Online Scams | McAfee SiteAdvisor

Demo of McAfee Site Advisor:

Spoiler!

In Google:


In Yahoo:


Not safe/fake website:

# BANKS, Accounts, and financial related WILL NEVER-EVER ASKS FOR YOUR DETAILS IN EMAIL.

# Beware of scams, and phished websites that will tries to steal your information.

# Do not randomly clicks on advertisements, some of them are FAKE.

# Prevention is better than cure, use Spybot S&D's immunization and also using Spyware Blaster's protection database.
Spyware Blaster - SpywareBlasterR Download

# Keep your Windows Updated! They do patches the security holes or any vulnerability in your OS!
Windows Update - Microsoft Windows Update

# Never gives out your personal details! Like your own birthday, your phone, your family names and such to stranger! Why? The "friend" might uses these info to retrieve your password, via the "Lost Password" recovery.

///System Safety and Tips///

# Not sure whats currently running at your memory? Use Process Monitor to monitor whats running!
Process Monitor v1.35 - Process Monitor

# Installing something? Afraid of sudden key registry changes? Then enable TeaTimer [default is on on setup] to helps you monitors if there's any registry changes on your pc.

# Sharing usb drives? Or using them on public computers? Then make sure you SCAN it first with antivirus before USE!



///Useful Links///
# Jotti's malware scan - Jotti's malware scan
- Online file virus scan.

# Virus Total - VirusTotal - Free Online Virus and Malware Scan

# TrendMicro HouseCall - Trend Micro HouseCall - Free Online Virus and Spyware Scan - Trend Micro APAC
- Free online pc scan.

# Kaspersky Online Scanner - Free Virus Scan - Kaspersky Lab
- Another free online pc scan.

# Shields Up! - https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2
- Is your firewall secure?

# Firewall Test - Firewall Test - Free Internet Security Testing
- Test your firewall software!

///Misc Tips///

Useful Mozilla Firefox Addon!
Sure, Google Chrome looks interesting, right? And you still love Firefox and don't want to ditch it yet just for Google Chrome's function? Here's some FireFox addons that can bring some of Google Chrome's similar function, into your firefox!
Also included, some addons you might found interesting!

### Google Chrome - Incognito
- A privacy function, that will covers up all the traces of your surfing habits, especially you want to surf certain websites, that you don't want others to know.
- Lol, it's like somekind of ...pron mode browsing.
# Firefox addon - Stealther - https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1306

### Google Chrome - Download Statusbar
- When you downloading new files, a status bar will appears at the status bar at bottom.
# Firefox addon - https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/26

### Google Chrome - Domain Highlightning
- In Google Chrome, you'll noticed that the domain address is highlighted in the address bar.
- Useful to ensure the user doesn't fall into any scam or phishing sites.
# Firefox addon - https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/4014

### Google Chrome - Speed Dial
- When you click on new tab, google will display the most recent sites that you've visited, or specific websites that you've set into your speed dial list.
# Firefox addon - https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/4810


Credits to LifeHacker.com


### Extra useful Firefox addons ###
These addons for firefox, might becomes handy, for your surfing experiences ;o

# Adblock Plus - https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1865
- Useful to blocks those annoying ads, including flash ads!
- Related addons to this addon:
- https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1136

# All-in-one Sidebar - https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1027
- Don't you like everything in a sidebar?
- If you used Opera, then you'll be familiar with this addon!

# DownloadHelper - https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3006
- Good for downloading flash or any videos, such as from Youtube and more.

# FlashGot - https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/220
- Have multiple download managers installed?
- You can use this addon to specify which download managers you want to use to download your files.

# Greasemonkey - https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/748
- Allows you to customizes the views of certain websites by using some javascripts.

# NoScript - https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/722
- Allows you to surf the net safely, and with those malicious javascripts completely disabled.
- You can specify which websites you allows the javascript to run to.

---///Extra Info///---
- My guide might not be perfect, but I'll keep update it, change it, fix it and provides extra info and safety tips x3.
- Also, thanks for reading, and +rep me if you like it ^_^.