Tech/Computer advice from me

[Fear The Spear]

If you are sitting through 7 hours whilst Malwarebytes does a scan, it means it must be set to scan EVERYTHING on your hard drive, and thoroughly! You really only need to scan system files as your anti-virus program should be intercepting any suspicious file as it downloads.

Yea I was doing a Full Scan. And there was an option for Quick Scan on Malwarebytes. I figured the more thorough, the better, since I assumed viruses can hide anywhere.

If I was you, I would go and buy an external hard drive (I have 2 of 2TB capacity), drag-and-drop ALL your files (not system files, just files you have create, plus music and photos),

Will a flash drive work just as well as an EHD ?

multiple virus/malware scanners can conflict with each other and cause problems. I strongly recommend ditching the old school approach of using multiple scanners.

read the updates and antivirus section here:
http://www.bgobsession.com/showpost.php?p=132804&postcount=2

Good point, and something I failed to mention.

Find one anti-virus program you are happy with and stick with it - ditch the rest.
The same with anti-malware software.

Hmm, I was under the impression that AV programs only interfered with other AV programs, and not anti-spyware or anti-malware programs. So, all I need is a good AV program, and update Java and Adobe like that link says, and no other programs, and I should be ok ?

 

[SkinnedAussie]

A flash drive, or multiple flash drives (depending on how much you have to save) is sufficient for the short term, as you will want to put the files back on to your hard drive once the re-format process has finished.

When I g to do a repair of a computer, I take copies of:
1 x anti-virus program (my preference is Panda Cloud Anti-virus free)
1 x Malwarebytes
1 x CCleaner

Once I am satisfied that the pc is clean, I then install Firefox, deactive IE, update Microsoft Security Essentials, download and install what is needed from http://ninite.com/, then advising to run them ALL once a week, at a minimum. All the updates, if any,will be downloaded and installed if you select what you need in the Ninite program (save the installer to your desktop), then just run the programs once they have been updated.

Now you can understand why I prefer to use Ubuntu. None of the bull**** needed to keep the system 'clean'.

 

[tshile]

Hmm, I was under the impression that AV programs only interfered with other AV programs, and not anti-spyware or anti-malware programs. So, all I need is a good AV program, and update Java and Adobe like that link says, and no other programs, and I should be ok ?

Well, they interfere with each other yes but the outcome can be almost anything - maybe the scans take really long, maybe it slows down your computer, maybe it corrupts files.

I would recommend 1 AV program, and update software and your operating system regularly. If it has automatic update options enable them.

 

[fansince62]

depends on what is meant by interfere.

if you're running them at different times....not so sure on that. putting cost aside, I am an advocate of running multiple AV pgms. There are varying degrees of sophistication, but the underlying technology is generally based on signature searches. there are two qualifications here:

- different products wills have different signature profiles

- the attack software can be designed to escape/fool various search algorithms. there are times when using more than one product increases the odds.

 

[fanboyof91]

Password strength tool: http://howsecureismypassword.net/

 

[fansince62]

so...let's open the aperture some to place AV in context. we have some very smart, experienced folks weighing in like tschille, mike, SA, and others (apologies if I missed some). I'm in the same business and they know what they are talking about far as I have any bona fides to vouch for!

some thoughts:

- most AV tools are signature based. that is, they blacklist based on some text string (usually) - "If a string matches this item in the blacklist do something (drop it, warn the user, etc.)" there can be more sophisticated conditional checks, but that is the gist if it.

- hackers have access to all these vendor tools. it's comparatively easy to figure out how to get around the blacklist. part of this is built into the equation - ultimately it's just ones and zeros. some software is parsing the ones and zeros and providing meaning. it is the parsers - or the logic behind them - that can be subverted. often this takes the form of a simple change to the text string or a change in codec/encoding that parser logic is not designed to handle.

- blacklist AVs are inherently reactive...they do not catch the proverbial zero day. because of this, they also represent an endless tail chase - you're forever downloading the profile of the latest hack. as a sidebar, variants of this problem exist elsewhere - firewalls, for example, are really just speedbumps for accomplished professionals again because folks can learn the logic and exploit it.

- your machine is just one node in a system of systems enabled communication. this brings in the unoriginal idea that security elsewhere matters.

get rid of AV? no. but understand that the success rate of these things is around 20% (hence, the suggestion to use more than one). more importantly, you need to understand what you're hooking into. at the very least, what security does your ISP provide? do they have automated anti-DDoS capabilities? does their e-mail infrastructure scan attachments? do they have anti-malware capabilities? yea...this can get into sticky privacy concerns and cost add-ons. but...is part of knowing the total security "posture".

anywho.....this is probably one of the best threads...ever.....on BGO. I know the folks moving the bourbon and boobs threads might dispute this - I have my own doubts at times! but overall....it really shows the breadth of interest and professionalism in the BGO community!

 

[fanboyof91]

So I'm trying to mine bitcoins...

 

[tshile]

let me know the startup cost compared to when you cash out

 

[fanboyof91]

Already in the red. I just wanted to see how hard it was to set up.

 

[tshile]

not hard, just costly.

it can get challenging when you're mounting 10 graphics cards to a piece of ply wood, hooking them up with a handful of powersupplies, and running fans over them.

http://www.digitaltrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/bitcoin-minging-rig.jpg

when you're ready to buy a rack and throw blade servers around let me know

http://cdni.wired.co.uk/620x413/a_c/Bitcoin_1.jpg

 

[SirClintonPortis]

Thanks T, I got a much better understanding on it, now.

Although, I just dug myself into a hole again. In the process of beginning to back up files, I accidentally deleted a HUGE amount of important files off of a flash drive. They're completely gone, because I didn't COPY them to the flash, but I CUT and pasted them to the flash, and then accidentally deleted them.

In the past, I had success recovering lost files with a program called "UndeletePlus". However my free trial on that has run out. Can anyone recommend another good file recovery software for deleted files, that's free ?

This is really late, but Recuva might help as long as you didn't write anything to the drive afterwards. Usually, the file is not truly wiped until it is overwritten with another file, and even though, there are (rather expensive and not as easy) ways to still recover the data. That's why programs such as Eraser exists: to securely wipe out data.

For hard disk analysis, HD Tune can help you out in checking for bad sectors.

Do note that part of your computer's slowness is due in part to the hardware itself, namely the Celeron D processor and slow-as-molasses IDE hard drive.

Since apparently you do not have a budget to get a new computer, it is best to start rummaging the used or refurb market for Core 2 Duo computers or perhaps an AMD Phenom II system.

 

[Fear The Spear]

Do note that part of your computer's slowness is due in part to the hardware itself, namely the Celeron D processor and slow-as-molasses IDE hard drive.

Since apparently you do not have a budget to get a new computer, it is best to start rummaging the used or refurb market for Core 2 Duo computers or perhaps an AMD Phenom II system.

You suggest upgrading the processor before the memory ?

 

[SkinnedAussie]

You'll have as much luck as a snow ball in hell finding a faster processor that is compatible with your motherboard. It would be cheaper to buy a new computer!

 

[tshile]

You'll have as much luck as a snow ball in hell finding a faster processor that is compatible with your motherboard. It would be cheaper to buy a new computer!

Yup.
Processors are designed to work with specific motherboards - which also work with specific types of memory.

Odds are they don't make memory for you computer anymore, but you may find some. Zero chance you'll find a processor worth buying.

He was talking about finding a cheap refurbished computer that is an upgrade to yours.

 

[tshile]

Honestly you could get a 200 dollar google notebook and have much more horsepower. If you have no other options than it may be worth considering.

 

[Fear The Spear]

You'll have as much luck as a snow ball in hell finding a faster processor that is compatible with your motherboard. It would be cheaper to buy a new computer!

Honestly you could get a 200 dollar google notebook and have much more horsepower. If you have no other options than it may be worth considering.

I assume you guys are talking about buying a brand new or refurbished unit ? But what's your opinion on picking up a lower-priced used one at a pawn shop ?

 

[fansince62]

Yea I was doing a Full Scan. And there was an option for Quick Scan on Malwarebytes. I figured the more thorough, the better, since I assumed viruses can hide anywhere.



Will a flash drive work just as well as an EHD ?




Hmm, I was under the impression that AV programs only interfered with other AV programs, and not anti-spyware or anti-malware programs. So, all I need is a good AV program, and update Java and Adobe like that link says, and no other programs, and I should be ok ?

that would be incorrect. I'm at the other end vis how the programs are written - they are easy to evade. the various tools even within a category employ different signatures and different algorithms. AV tools can catch the basic stuff so they are still worth including in the strategy. multiple tools have an additive effect on probability of detection - with diminishing returns. let's just say that folks who protect assets of greater value than a home PC employ multiple AV tools as a matter of best practice.

 

[Fear The Spear]

that would be incorrect. I'm at the other end vis how the programs are written - they are easy to evade. the various tools even within a category employ different signatures and different algorithms. AV tools can catch the basic stuff so they are still worth including in the strategy. multiple tools have an additive effect on probability of detection - with diminishing returns. let's just say that folks who protect assets of greater value than a home PC employ multiple AV tools as a matter of best practice.

So, if I install an AV program on a PC that already has an AV, and the "new" AV warns me that I need to remove the old AV to avoid problems, I can just dis-regard that warning ?

 

[tshile]

I assume you guys are talking about buying a brand new or refurbished unit ? But what's your opinion on picking up a lower-priced used one at a pawn shop ?

It's all about the specs and the cost of them. I can't tell you whether the lower-priced used PC at the pawn shop is worth the cost without knowing what it is you're paying for it.

There are deals to be had everywhere - in stores, online, pawn shops, and craigslist.

You have to know what you're budget is, then figure out what you're trying to do, then see who/what meets those needs.

 

[SkinnedAussie]

If you source a cut-price computer from a pawn shop, you could possibly inherit MORE problems than you have now.

What I have done is rent my laptop, and it is a rent-try-buy scheme where I pay $x per month, over 36 months, then when I have 6 months remaining, I am offered an upgrade, which also means a new contract, or I can retain what I have, pay $1 as the last payment, then the laptop becomes mine to do whatever with. The good thing about this is that if ANYTHING fails, I just take it back to the rental outlet and they fix it, free of charge. The bad is it could take some time for the repaired laptop to be sent back to me.

But, as mentioned above, assess your budget and decide whether it is better financially to purchase a new unit, refurbished unit, or to keep trying to resolve the problems with your existing unit.