Security & Privacy

T

TheRedBaron

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Nov 28, 2012
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I've realized that I need to improve my understanding of computer security, virus protection, malware, privacy, etc...

I have more to lose than ever. The idea of some eastern European having remote access to my computer or pulling personal data from my machine makes my sphincter tighten like a winking starfish.

Beyond the standard firewall and anti virus protection, what do I need to be looking in to or thinking about? Is standard firewall and anti virus enough for most of you or are some of you really locking your shit down? If you are, and you have any suggestions or thoughts I would really appreciate any knowledge drops or resources you could list.

Many thanks :bowdown:
 


TheRedBaron said:
so that is pretty much all you need? that with some basic virus protection and a firewall?

/derp
Click to expand...

i use truecrypt for encryption of my OS & XHDDs. i use the OS firewall. it seems every anti-virus i've used turns out to be a wad of fucking gum in my hair, so i have a basic avast antivirus & choose to backup both system images and individual files to 2 redundant XHDDs, basically planning on needing to chuck any tangled mess out and restore the system image.

i have some other shit for masking my IP etc, but that's a different discussion.
 
Don't mean to hijack but are there any best practices one can take to protect their privacy when it comes to skype or just accept that they're waving their dick in the wind?
 
drave said:
i use truecrypt for encryption of my OS & XHDDs. i use the OS firewall. it seems every anti-virus i've used turns out to be a wad of fucking gum in my hair, so i have a basic avast antivirus & choose to backup both system images and individual files to 2 redundant XHDDs, basically planning on needing to chuck any tangled mess out and restore the system image.

i have some other shit for masking my IP etc, but that's a different discussion.
Click to expand...

thanks drave... i'm reading up over at truecrypt.org ... i understand what this is better now (should have read more before asking). this is totally seperate from malware, anti virus, etc... as they say, if your mounted truecrypt drive has malware then you are pretty much open, you need to take care of your malware yourself.

ok cool. i guess my next question would be if anyone has found a truly solid malware/virus program. because you're right, they all seem to be hyped-marketed products that are more of a headache than anything.

i like the idea of system image backups to external drives. but there is still that possibility that you could have someone logging your keys and sending data remotely without you ever knowing, meanwhile your system seems to be running fine and no detected threats.

will keep digging.
 
OP makes it clear you don't have a clue. Real life != Hackers (1995)
 
SkyFire said:
OP makes it clear you don't have a clue. Real life != Hackers (1995)
Click to expand...

I freely admit that. Like I said, I need to learn.

What do you mean by real life does not equal hackers 1995? I don't think I said anything that makes it seem like I think they float through swirling numbers and fly through cyberspace shooting down numbers and symbols with lasers.

Little help would be cool rather than just saying I'm clueless. Thank you captain obvious, I know that already.
 
TheRedBaron said:
so that is pretty much all you need? that with some basic virus protection and a firewall?

/derp
Click to expand...
There's no such thing as "all you need". Security is a spectrum. "Pain in the ass" is on one side, "completely insecure" is on the other.

If you're super paranoid, get a Linux Live CD (aka can't save to disk), throw the truecrypt drive o a USB key, and only use the drive from the live CD. Make sure to dismount it when not in use and disconnect it.

If you're reasonably paranoid, put the truecrypt drive on a USB drive. Use Linux, don't login as root. Don't have any open ports, and install any servers you need(Apache, Mysql, etc) on a secondary compautre you SSH into. Order a VPN, use it anytime you're not on your own Wi-Fi.

For "other" security, use tiered password.
1 Password for things that don't matter.
1 Password for things that can spend your money.
1 unique password for each bank account, or anything that can see your CC#/SS#, etc
1 COMPLEX password for your email. If they get your e-mail, they have the keys to the kingdom. This should NEVER be the same as any other password. It should not be words, it should involve mixed cases and symbols..and not just at the end of the password.
 
you should be more concerned with things like geotracking things like Tweets through API calls. Ah never mind
 
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