Advice needed on viewing without gettin a virus...

[donut]

Hi folks,
I hope this isnt off topic but youll have to forgive me for being wet behind the ears!!
This probably applies to many of your members.

Can anyone help or advise on how to visit certain adult sites and view all material (java and cookie enabled stuff) without disabling the firewall or virus blocking software i have installed.

Eroticy.com is one site in particular.... and by the way has the lovely sandie and janey webb as residents.......

I run XP and ive already had two versions of blaster worm so subsequently formatted and installed a norton firewall and virus blocker.
As you know, to visit some site, you need to enabled cookies or disable security software..... im absolutely shit scared of getting another batch of virus nightmares.

Im asking you lovely 24hr porn people because im sure theres plenty of you in the same situation.

Your help would be so well appreciated...

Thanks

[Pianaman]

Firewall is critical too - some unscrupulous sites covertly dl diallers onto your system and a firewall will help detect unauthorised web access. Also make sure you check your system regularly using a tool like hijackthis that will tell you if your browser dns settings have been modified - certain sites install spyware type crap like coolwebsearch and similar viruses behind your back. Most avs don't pick any of these up.

http://www.spywareinfo.com/forums/index.php?act=idx

best to read a review if possible before joining any site - any reviewer worth their salt should warn you about potential risks like this - its the unscrupulous sites that do this, the majority of sites are safe. The risk is when you start randomly searching sites - especially if that search is based on keywords as these sort of sites use all sorts of techniques to skew search engines (so do sites like ebay - I once typed Saddam Hussain into google and got back "buy Saddam Hussein" on an ebay site LOL)

[mart]

I hope you made a good profit on the deal. Just like the yanks not to think of looking for him on ebay. You must excuse me now - I'm off to do a search for Osama bin Laden.

Mart

[DavidS]

I have no specific knowledge regarding this but I have found Norton products pretty good, although nothing is 100% certain. I download their updates once a week and do a full virus scan regularly. It takes about an hour but you can do the scan offline.

[Deuce Bigolo]

So are you using broadband or dial-up?

If broadband I'd say your playing with fire by lowering your defences
even if you run the likes of adaware,spybot,CW Shredder & have spyblaster installed theres always the possibility something like a dialler will get through

Apart from disabling some of XPs worse features(messenger) which are highlighted at there are no alternatives to anti-virus & firewalls that I'm aware of.While your there run the security tests without your security.Will tell you exactly where all your open ports are

Also plenty of good detailed links at
about unwanted invaders

cheers
B....OZ

[Guilbert]

I have been trying to do the same as you, and protect my two PCs.

Even with a firewall, Anti-virus software, and adaware things have still crept through.

From my experience I think the main dangers are as follows:

Viruses (install an anti-virus program, keep it up to date, run in regulalry
AVG is a good free one)

Hacking (install a Firewall, Zone Alarm is a good free one, NEVER take it down even if a site asks you to).

Cookies: Not dangerous as such, but used to track your internet viewing habits. Delete them every so often.

IE Helpers (Internet Explorer Helpers). Install WinPatrol (free) which will highlight when IE helpers are installed

Hosts file. May be changed to reroute your browser. Use WinPatrol to track when anyone tries to change it

Active X Controls. In Internet Explorer set them to be Disabled, or to Prompt.

NEVER open an e-mail attachment if you do not know what it is.

NEVER reply to an e-mail that says 'press here' to be removed from the mailing list.

Run Adaware once a week to remove data miners and the like

Run WinPatrol all the time to see who is trying to change your system

Run Windows Update and Office Update to get all your Microsoft software up to date. They have been putting out a LOT of security fixes lately so get them all on.

Note that when Microsoft produce a security fix all it does is to highlight to the hackers a way in (saves them looking). Get the fixes on quickly.


Guilbert

[mart]

Microsoft DOES NOT email security patches. Be warned that there are bogus emailed MS security warnings with alleged security patches attached.
DO NOT OPEN THEM.

Mart

[donut]

Thanks everyone....

Its such a minefield out there....

Only probs i have are tyring to get the video-chat screens to run (java etc) and i am asked to disable firewall etc...

The site is Eroticy.com which im sure some of you must know...

Maybe its just a good idea to not go there anymore...

Thanks again.

[Guilbert]

Bought a magazine today you all may find useful.

It is Windows XP Focus Guide - How to keep your PC secure.

It is smaller than the standard magazine, with a blue cover,
and I got it from W H Smiths.

The book is 130 pages and covers all the different ways you
can protect your PC.

It comes with a CD with over 70 utilities including Anti Virus,
Firewall, etc etc etc, some free full software, plus some
shareware and demos.

It is produced by Future Publishing and costs ?6.99

Worth it if it protects your PC.

Guilbert