Guide Avoiding viruses

Arun.P · Mar 5, 2010

Re: Avoid viruses 100%

ultimabasher said:
Okay tell me how would you handle this.

1) You take a snapshot of your C drive
2) You download some things and install programs and then put the other files in your D:
3) Your pc works fine so you think, hey lets go ahead and take another snapshot now that everything is working fine.
4) After few days your computer is infected, you restore the snapshot but the snapshot you had, had got infection already. So you are still infected after restoring.

5) Apart from this, you have your D which is not being monitored by Deepfreeze so again the files in D have a chance of getting infected, which is like everything you have.

How do you suggest go around that? Without losing any of your data that is.

err if i have anti-virus paid version it can run stable without any issue or hick

if i use deepfreeze software it might receiver lot of bug issue and backup depend on virtual box at different os might not been stable due to power cut

p.s i surf any porn or unknown website with malware the software automatic block the website another third party software and it run stable
so if we have high end pc so we can run lot of addition third party security software

btw the software is idea for old machine like p4 with 256 mb ram basic one for cafe internet center

Compiler · Mar 5, 2010

Re: Avoid viruses 100%

ultimabasher said:
Its not about the ram its just that you will be running 1 OS and then 1 OS on top it in virtual box.

I never faced such kind of issue even in 512 Ram.It all depends on kind of applications you use.

Bye the way what is your normal computer usage .I can help you with best way to go about it.

Arun.P said:
err if i have anti-virus paid version it can run stable without any issue or hick

if i use deepfreeze software it might receiver lot of bug issue and backup depend on virtual box at different os might not been stable due to power cut

p.s i surf any porn or unknown website with malware the software automatic block the website another third party software and it run stable
so if we have high end pc so we can run lot of addition third party security software

btw the software is idea for old machine like p4 with 256 mb ram basic one for cafe internet center

Never faced bug issue in any of software i m using.
What if your internet connection is not active(How would you update your Antivirus)?
Even using paid Mc-cafe i suffered from Trojan .

Naga · Mar 5, 2010

Re: Avoid viruses 100%

pinga123 said:
You have a choice to save you data in d: let c: be the system oriented and d: be data oriented .In this way you can save your data.
Use Virtual Box for testing the software for viruses.
Please read the guide carefully .No need of putting that smiley .

Dood, how would you know which files that you save on D are infected or not? What if a file that you save on D is an infection (you wouldn't know cos you don't have an AV)? What if an infection corrupts all your data on D? You think a virus is going to warn you to revert to your snapshot just before it corrupts your data?

Apart from all the hassles, do you know that a VM environment will degrade the performance of your PC more than the heaviest of AVs?

Lol, you go to all these lengths to be safe from viruses when a simple AV installation will solve everything. Nobody in their right mind would do something so stupid and think it's even remotely clever. Yes, stupid is the word to describe this process. How's that for being frank and not using smileys? You not only post a stupid review edit: guide but your high and mighty attitude which can be gleaned from your responses is pathetic.

Just for your information, if you just want to get back your OS with a restart, check this out. Non of the stupid hassles of this "guide". AND this works in cafes etc. too.

Edit: Are you by any chance on a dial up/ slow connection? Cos on a broadband connection, there's no hassle of updating AV signatures daily. It's automatic and it happens in the background. Also, just noticed you're new here. Want you to know my harsh response is not the standard here. Would've put in a smiley in the last sentence but...

ultimabasher · Mar 5, 2010

Re: Avoid viruses 100%

Exactly my point. No doubt its a good way but just a workaround as there is no real way to be 100% virus proof and do your normal work daily with the kind of viruses that are cming in without an antivirus.

Naga said:
Dood, how would you know which files that you save on D are infected or not? What if a file that you save on D is an infection (you wouldn't know cos you don't have an AV)? What if an infection corrupts all your data on D? You think a virus is going to warn you to revert to your snapshot just before it corrupts your data?

Apart from all the hassles, do you know that a VM environment will degrade the performance of your PC more than the heaviest of AVs?

Lol, you go to all these lengths to be safe from viruses when a simple AV installation will solve everything. Nobody in their right mind would do something so stupid and think it's even remotely clever. Yes, stupid is the word to describe this process. How's that for being frank and not using smileys? You not only post a stupid review but your high and mighty attitude which can be gleaned from your responses is pathetic.

Just for your information, if you just want to get back your OS with a restart, check this out. Non of the stupid hassles of this "guide". AND this works in cafes etc. too.

Compiler · Mar 5, 2010

Re: Avoid viruses 100%

It worked for me since 2 year and i m happy with it.

Thats all i have to say .

madnav · Mar 6, 2010

Re: Avoid viruses 100%

have you considered using linux instead?

your method is keeping the host machine from being in direct contact with the internet and/or external media.

but that does not warrant complete safety.

try scanning your drives with updated AV to make it sure.

i'm not trying to prove you wrong, but switching to linux might be much more easier for the said purpose.

lastly, the best way to avoid viruses is to play safe.

do not visit suspicious links, disable autorun in windows. use Explorer tree view to avoid double clicks

Disable 'Hide file extensions of knows file types' etc..

DO not click on serach results returned by google blindly..read the description and link before doing so..it can clear if the site is genuinely willing to serve what you require.

these are some safe practices one can adapt to and reduce the necessity of having to worry about viruses online.

99% of the time it is the flash drives that carry viruses (just because majority of population does not update antivirus)..and you really can't avoid that without either having proper AV or without using different Platform (different that what the virus is written for

)

ibose · Mar 6, 2010

Re: Avoid viruses 100%

Hmm.. Deepfreeze is commercial.. for a free option which provides similar functionality check out Returnil

n00b · Mar 6, 2010

Re: Avoid viruses 100%

Thanks for the guide Pinga123. This was just what I was looking for my cousin's cyber cafe =) Even with AV softwares and the like installed, there are always infections.

Kudos for the rest of us for bashing on this dude (albeit he's a defensive lil chap)!

Pinga, you might want to update the guide based on the feedback given by others. Just a thought.

Compiler · Mar 6, 2010

Re: Avoid viruses 100%

Thanks noobs you got me right .Even I m using a same strategy in my friend's cyber cafe.

I might not reply to Every single thread to defend my site.

Samkong · Mar 6, 2010

Re: Avoid viruses 100%

pinga123 said:
You can't use VMBOX in cafes so snapshot wont work there.(Snapshot technology only exists in VM machines)

n00b said:
Thanks for the guide Pinga123. This was just what I was looking for my cousin's cyber cafe =) Even with AV softwares and the like installed, there are always infections.

pinga123 said:
Thanks noobs you got me right .Even I m using a same strategy in my friend's cyber cafe.

I might not reply to Every single thread to defend my site.

This is epic.

@n00b, check out returnil. There are lots of snapshot based softwares which are fine for public machines. None of the hassles of a VM. You might also consider that viruses don't only steal data. Some of them attack the boot sectors and/or file systems too. A good AV in conjunction with a snapshot setup is best for public machines. Nevertheless, an AV is still needed, at least in a public machine where lots of different ppl have access.

Mega Epic :rofl::rofl:
http://www.techenclave.com/security-solutions/fighting-with-virus-without-anti-virus-160178.html

pinga123 said:
Hi guys ,
the reason for opening a thread like this is to get some tips from advance window users.
It has been long time since my computer started working as i wish it should be.
Whenver i click on my computer computer takes hell lot of time to display the different drives.
I have installed process explorer to find which process is taking maximum resource but could able to understand it.

Let come together to discuss the way to avoid such behavior .

I know its difficult but at the end of the day we will learn something.

First line in this guide

This may not be THE PERFECT way of dealing with viruses but it has surely helped me since last couple of years to get rid of viruses.

From his own thread here

pinga123 said:
Finally i came across 100% full proof solution to avoid virus.
My frend using this trick from last 2 year and not yet suffered from any virus.
HE is not using anti spyware ,anti mal ware program.

Great going and welcome to TE :hap2:

Compiler · Mar 22, 2010

Re: Avoid viruses 100%

Some Useful information for removing virus manually.

Beginning of tut:

Start->Run->type cmd
in each drive type attrib /s /d it will display the list of all files in that drive along with folders.concntrate on files having SHR attribute.normally virus files have two characteristics
1.SHR attribute
2.Queer name like amvo.exe,r6r.exe,autorun.inf etc.

Note:some system files also have this attribute like MSDOS.SYS,IO.SYS etc so before deleting googling about that file will help.

to delete these files type c:\>del /f /s /a <filename with extension>

>> to view the content of files with .inf,.vbs,.c etc i.e files which r not batch files or executables.goto explorer n then goto the required drive or folder n type the filename with extension it wil open up in notepad.

>>there is another method also.goto the required location n type attrib -s -h -r filename
then use gui to see that hiden file.if it is not n exe or .bat or then open it with notepad.Here you will get some information like a file name or a registry key which the virus affects or a startup item or process.Change this or uncheck the startup.

if file is not deleted like it says access denied it means it already used by some process.open task manager n find a process of the same name or some process which is not a valid windows process(better google) n end that process.

if not found open msconfig goto statrup tab n look at if a startup items seems queer(u wil have this feeling if u r n experienced windows user otherwise all da start up items may seem queer.)uncheck that.u may also learn about the start up item by googling.after un checking restart the computer then restart the computer.

This method is effective in removing some spywares or some small but annoying virii like maskrider etc. which r sometimes not detected by antivirus softwares.

blr_p · Mar 22, 2010

Re: Avoid viruses 100%

Have you considered 'hijackthis' logs ?

Naga · Mar 23, 2010

Re: Avoid viruses 100%

Just get a god damned av. Prevention first, then a cure if necessary.

Nemesis_41 · Mar 23, 2010

Re: Avoid viruses 100%

madnav said:
have you considered using linux instead?
your method is keeping the host machine from being in direct contact with the internet and/or external media.
but that does not warrant complete safety.
try scanning your drives with updated AV to make it sure.
i'm not trying to prove you wrong, but switching to linux might be much more easier for the said purpose.

lastly, the best way to avoid viruses is to play safe.
do not visit suspicious links, disable autorun in windows. use Explorer tree view to avoid double clicks
Disable 'Hide file extensions of knows file types' etc..
DO not click on serach results returned by google blindly..read the description and link before doing so..it can clear if the site is genuinely willing to serve what you require.

these are some safe practices one can adapt to and reduce the necessity of having to worry about viruses online.
99% of the time it is the flash drives that carry viruses (just because majority of population does not update antivirus)..and you really can't avoid that without either having proper AV or without using different Platform (different that what the virus is written for )

Actually, there is a way to avoid viruses on a flash drive/portable media .. no dvd's or cd-r's as these cant be modified. A friend of mine showed me this trick:

1) Disable hidden programs and hidden file extensions in the folder options menu.

2) Disable autorun on all protable media.

3) Always and i mean always use the Explore option for your portable media to view the files. 98 out of 100 times you can see your virus there as it normally would be a hidden file and it can do nothing in the explore mode unless it has infected your system already.
4) Now simply shift delete it.

Another way to disable autorun.inf adding on to your flash drive is to create a folder named autorun.inf. this would kill any chances of it running automatically off your portable media.

Now, im not saying this works all the time but so far in my experience it has worked wonders.

Hope that helped

Compiler · Mar 23, 2010

Re: Avoid viruses 100%

SoMxNemesis said:
Actually, there is a way to avoid viruses on a flash drive/portable media .. no dvd's or cd-r's as these cant be modified. A friend of mine showed me this trick:

1) Disable hidden programs and hidden file extensions in the folder options menu.

2) Disable autorun on all protable media.

3) Always and i mean always use the Explore option for your portable media to view the files. 98 out of 100 times you can see your virus there as it normally would be a hidden file and it can do nothing in the explore mode unless it has infected your system already.
4) Now simply shift delete it.

Another way to disable autorun.inf adding on to your flash drive is to create a folder named autorun.inf. this would kill any chances of it running automatically off your portable media.

Now, im not saying this works all the time but so far in my experience it has worked wonders.

Hope that helped

Great share .I used to perform all the above mentioned steps its good that you have highlighted them again.

phreak0ut · Mar 25, 2010

This is such a 'painful way' of avoiding virus. Updated AV, good firewall and patched machine and the MOST important thing, common sense to stay away from unwanted sites and unknown/untrusted s/w==system running perfectly for years without issues

Compiler · Mar 25, 2010

phreak0ut said:
This is such a 'painful way' of avoiding virus. Updated AV, good firewall and patched machine and the MOST important thing, common sense to stay away from unwanted sites and unknown/untrusted s/w==system running perfectly for years without issues

Thanks for your suggestion .

In our collage we don't have internet connection. What should i do to avoid viruses.?
My Question is still unanswered.
R we so dependent on Internet? In my society there are many students who can't afford an internet connection. Can any body give me a Better solution than this?

Samkong · Mar 27, 2010

Re: Avoid viruses 100%

pinga123 said:
Some Useful information for removing virus manually.

Beginning of tut:

Start->Run->type cmd
in each drive type attrib /s /d it will display the list of all files in that drive along with folders.concntrate on files having SHR attribute.normally virus files have two characteristics
1.SHR attribute
2.Queer name like amvo.exe,r6r.exe,autorun.inf etc.

Note:some system files also have this attribute like MSDOS.SYS,IO.SYS etc so before deleting googling about that file will help.

to delete these files type c:\>del /f /s /a <filename with extension>

>> to view the content of files with .inf,.vbs,.c etc i.e files which r not batch files or executables.goto explorer n then goto the required drive or folder n type the filename with extension it wil open up in notepad.

>>there is another method also.goto the required location n type attrib -s -h -r filename
then use gui to see that hiden file.if it is not n exe or .bat or then open it with notepad.Here you will get some information like a file name or a registry key which the virus affects or a startup item or process.Change this or uncheck the startup.

if file is not deleted like it says access denied it means it already used by some process.open task manager n find a process of the same name or some process which is not a valid windows process(better google) n end that process.

if not found open msconfig goto statrup tab n look at if a startup items seems queer(u wil have this feeling if u r n experienced windows user otherwise all da start up items may seem queer.)uncheck that.u may also learn about the start up item by googling.after un checking restart the computer then restart the computer.

This method is effective in removing some spywares or some small but annoying virii like maskrider etc. which r sometimes not detected by antivirus softwares.

My brother........... why don't you agree that you do use anti virus???
Who's gonna take all these hassles while a simple anti virus is serving the purpose? Only thing you have to be careful while opening any removable drive that's all.
By the way are you still on some MMX or P-I/P-II machine yet? AFAMKC even a P-III machine can handle modern AV

hyeah:

baccilus · Mar 28, 2010

Why can't you use Linux instead. It will save you so many hassles. And it's easy to use. Believe me, I have installed it on one of the computers in my office and everyone uses it. Even older people who have always used Windows and technologically challenged ones too. Now everyone tries to use that computer because they know it won't screw their pen drives.

Compiler · Mar 30, 2010

baccilus said:
Why can't you use Linux instead. It will save you so many hassles. And it's easy to use. Believe me, I have installed it on one of the computers in my office and everyone uses it. Even older people who have always used Windows and technologically challenged ones too. Now everyone tries to use that computer because they know it won't screw their pen drives.

Thats a very good point raised by you.

"Why dont you use good anti virus."
There are people who make them self so strong that they can face everything .
However some people hire others to do their work.

With no hard feeling for second type species I would like to be a part of Type 1 (and I m still a learner).

Guide Avoiding viruses

Arun.P

Warning: Do Not Trade

Compiler

Naga

ultimabasher

Compiler

madnav

ibose

n00b

Compiler

Samkong

Compiler

blr_p

Naga

Nemesis_41

Snore PHD

Compiler

phreak0ut

Compiler

Samkong

baccilus

Compiler