new forum on Skins's island

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/109510506

Oh my.

It's brand-spanking new, the "computer help and support" forum, about a week old, and run by the steve2470 primitive.     

forum link: http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1095

steve2470 (19,563 posts)    Sun Mar 16, 2014, 12:52 PM

Stickied thread: Safe internet browsing habits

This discussion thread is pinned.

I'm going to keep this thread open and stickied at the top of CHaS for the aid of our members. Feel free to post helpful advice about safe internet browsing habits here.

Nice start, dude.

steve2470 (19,563 posts)    Sun Mar 16, 2014, 01:16 PM

1. I'll kick us off: Use a anti-malware/antivirus program

For Linux (very little known malware, afaik): http://www.linux.org/threads/malware-and-antivirus-systems-for-linux.4455/
 
For MacOs X: http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/best-free-antivirus-software-for-mac/#!z0wir
 
For Windows: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2388652,00.asp

There's several good programs for Windows, which are listed at the article above. Two good free ones are Malwarebytes and Microsoft Security Essentials. There are several others, of course.
 
It's a good idea to update the antivirus definitions regularly to maintain its effectiveness.

butterfly77 (17,000 posts)    Thu Mar 20, 2014, 06:36 PM

6. I had microsoft essentials on another computer for a few years on another computer

no problem,I tried it on this one recently and virus occurred..

steve2470 (19,563 posts)    Thu Mar 20, 2014, 06:37 PM

7. ok try Malwarebytes and Spybot Search and Destroy

butterfly77 (17,000 posts)    Thu Mar 20, 2014, 06:39 PM

8. Will do..

then what?

steve2470 (19,563 posts)    Thu Mar 20, 2014, 06:40 PM

9. I would run them once a week to be safe or keep them running all the time

TygrBright (13,096 posts)    Sun Mar 16, 2014, 06:18 PM

3. A few of my safety practices.

Never save passwords in my browser.
I configure all of the browsers I use, to NOT save passwords. I use dozens of passwords, so I have a vault program to manage them. KeePass is free and suits my simple needs, but there are plenty more. Here's a recent review/comparison from PCMag.
 
I use secure passwords.
That is, they are more than 8 digits long, they use numbers, upper and lowercase letters, and non-alphanumeric characters where permitted.
 
I use a script blocker.
Most browsers have an add-on or plug-in that you can install to prevent your browser from automatically executing scripts when you land on a new page. This is incredibly tedious at first because virtually every website uses some scripts, so the first time you go there after installing the blocker, you have to whitelist or make temporary exceptions for all the scripts on the page. That's the bad news. The good news is that in addition to whitelisting, which allows you to specify trusted sites and scripts where the blocker will permit them to run when encountered, there are an AWFUL lot of scripts out there that are totally unnecessary to do what you want to do on any given page. Leaving them blocked can speed your browsing experience and keep annoying advertising trackers, etc., from snooping you or throwing garbage at you.
 
I have additional download scanning enabled on my security programs.
I get the occasional false positive, but mostly things run smoothly. I'm also careful what I download. Most of what I download are .pdf documents, or images from well-managed stock sites, etc. If I want to view an image or video online I generally try to find a site where I can view it within my browser, without having to download, unless I'm getting it from a trusted source. I download some executables--freeware, etc., but I do so only from reasonably secure sites or trusted sources.
 
I manage my download settings carefully.
That is, nothing executable is allowed to download and run automatically. I *always* select "save" file rather than "run" file, and scan the saved file before running it. I also READ what pops up when I do run something I've downloaded: This has saved me from enabling PUPs any number of times. For example, never run Ye Olde Java updater without carefully unchecking the "enable crapware" offers that come with it.
 
Beyond that, safe browsing is mostly a matter of being careful, and having a little common sense. Most malware, crapware, etc., rides in on "cool" stuff-- fancy "free" screen savers, pr0n images, etc. Before you click a download link on something "cool," especially on a site you don't know well, back out, open another browser tab, and run a search on the name of whatever it is, the supplier, etc. Amazing how many times the first page of the search results will include articles from AV/malware libraries, pegging the culprit.

steve2470 (19,563 posts)    Mon Mar 17, 2014, 12:53 PM

4. This looks like a good cyber-security site

http://us.norton.com/security_response/browsewebsafely.jsp

Any inaccuracies on this page (besides the hype for Norton), please correct in this thread. Thanks.

steve2470 (19,563 posts)    Mon Mar 17, 2014, 12:56 PM

5. 2 more sites

http://www.wikihow.com/Sample/Internet-Safety-Rules

http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Safe-on-the-Internet

<<<admires a host who gets, and keeps, engaged with his drones.

Unlike a certain hostess on a certain other forum.

It's possible as long as the steve2470 primitive keeps this up, the "computer help and support" forum'll outgrow the "cooking and baking" forum in no time at all.

Good job, dude.

[Delmar]

Is it just me or is TygrBright up to no good with all the safety practices?  Seems kinda paranoid to me.  He must have something to hide.

[franksolich]

By the way, I just put the links to this new computer forum and to the primitive mortuary in the "rules for the DUmpster" thread stickied to the top of the forum here.

It's easier just to click on a link rather than going over to Skins's island to look for a forum.

But remember, if one's moling, don't do that.  Use these links only if lurking.

[GOBUCKS]

DUmmy stevenumbers is as skilled at computer support as he is at seducing women.

Sun Mar 16, 2014, 08:50 AM
Star Member steve2470 (19,565 posts)

Anyone mind if I become a Host of this group ?


1- I promise not to abuse my powers, if granted, honest 

2- I'm very aware that my computer-related technical expertise is very limited. I won't attempt to be more than I am. Many people here are very skilled and knowledgeable.

3- I'm here a lot.

4- I'd like to be able to pin some FAQ's type threads to the top of the forum, so we don't have to retype everything all the time (i.e, safe browsing habits).

Canetoad has gone AWOL and I hope she's OK. The only other host is struggle4progress.

Any questions ? If it's ok with everyone, I'll point Skinner to this thread. Thanks all.

Steve

He won after a power struggle with DUmmy canetoad:

Response to steve2470 (Original post)
Sun Mar 16, 2014, 09:20 AM
Star Member discntnt_irny_srcsm (7,209 posts)

I notice the 1st host is canetoad who hasn't posted since Wed Aug 22, 2012, 01:39 AM.

.

[GOP Congress]

I'd go ahead and add other security measures including but not limited to...

1. Do NOT give out details of where you work, as well as any activity unbecoming of a normal adult human, such as hiding remotes in rafters after changing the TV station from Fox to MSNBC.

2. Refrain from announcing your political ambitions, unless you:
      A) Can afford to lose over 18 million dollars and don't really give a damn about being criminally charged by your wife for abuse.
      B) Are able to run your campaign knowing that your potential voting constituency and political opponents will be privy to all your lovely posts in DU, perhaps even websites created to highlight that fact.

3. When posting wishadoo requests, do not use an email that you've used in other similar scams. Google is not your friend when that happens.

Feel free to add on basic computer security items. For people who are worried we are giving up TMI, remember: it's the DUmp that's the focal point.

[tanstaafl]

Is it just me or is TygrBright up to no good with all the safety practices?  Seems kinda paranoid to me.  He must have something to hide.

I see it as BriteKat bitch slapping Stevenumbers because BriteKat is soooo much smarter at these 'puter things than stevenumbers could ever hope to be. Stevenumbers thought he be dealing with a bunch of ignorant neophytes and really hoping to score with the Dummy chiks. More of BriteKat's ilk with slither in to keep stevenumbers in his place as a know-nothing, flat-earther whose sole purpose will be to act as a speed bump for the scammers that are sure to show up.