One in Five PCs Infected With Rootkits - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Gurkha · #1 12-14-2007, 11:45 PM

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,140538/article.html?tk=nl_dnxnws

Malware researchers have uncovered 'massive growth' in the number of PCs harboring silent rootkit infections.

waybomb · #2 12-15-2007, 12:05 AM

I just went to majorgeeks.com and downloaded a free AVG anti-Rootkit. None on my laptop.

Carson357 · #3 12-15-2007, 12:09 AM

http://www.prevx.com/freescan.asp

LaRondo · #4 12-15-2007, 12:09 AM

Oh man ... every week something else. Now I have to run a PrevX ...?

Gurkha · #5 12-15-2007, 12:10 AM

Check out Avira Free at www.free-av.com

Its top in detection as per AV Comparatives and has rootkit detection and removal as well and best of all its free.

LaRondo · #6 12-15-2007, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carson357

http://www.prevx.com/freescan.asp

Thanx.

LaRondo · #7 12-15-2007, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gurkha

Check out Avira Free at www.free-av.com

Its top in detection as per AV Comparatives and has rootkit detection and removal as well and best of all its free.

Thanx as well.

Gurkha · #8 12-15-2007, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaRondo

Thanx as well.

And its GERMAN......

KAdams4458 · #9 12-15-2007, 01:02 AM

The best thing you Windows users can do to protect yourselves it to...

Stop doing things that don't require administrator privileges with an administrator account!

Seriously. How many Windows users here typed in one user profile name when they set up their PC, and automatically load that profile every time they boot? It's just a bad idea, folks. Web browsing, writing reports, and watching videos can all be done from a limited account, and it's much safer.

pawoSD · #10 12-15-2007, 01:05 AM

I run my XP Pro (vista....yeah, lets not talk about that.) install perfectly well with the master account and no virus or scanning software of any kind. I have 0 things on my pc, no popups. I simply know what to click and not to click, and I use firefox as my browser, faaar superior in security and browsing speed. My current installation has been in use for nearly a year and I've yet to have a single malicious program/virus/pop-up whatsoever.

I'll be an IT person once I leave college in the next 5 months or so....so I suppose thats cheating a little.

Gurkha · #11 12-15-2007, 01:08 AM

LUA is a very good idea for XP or for that matter any Windows.

KAdams4458 · #12 12-15-2007, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

I run my XP Pro (vista....yeah, lets not talk about that.) install perfectly well with the master account and no virus or scanning software of any kind. I have 0 things on my pc, no popups. I simply know what to click and not to click, and I use firefox as my browser, faaar superior in security and browsing speed. My current installation has been in use for nearly a year and I've yet to have a single malicious program/virus/pop-up whatsoever.

I'll be an IT person once I leave college in the next 5 months or so....so I suppose thats cheating a little.

That, and not surfing for pron helps a lot, too.

pawoSD · #13 12-15-2007, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KAdams4458

That, and not surfing for pron helps a lot, too.

Yeah, have to agree there. I have 0 interest in porn, so my PC stays nice and clean (as well as the mind)

I wonder what percent of PC infections occur due to the junk on those types of sites, I'd be willing to be its over 85%......with the rest being other odd download sites and sites catering to things people want....like ring tones....wallpapers.....all those types of things.

KAdams4458 · #14 12-15-2007, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Yeah, have to agree there. I have 0 interest in porn, so my PC stays nice and clean (as well as the mind)

I wonder what percent of PC infections occur due to the junk on those types of sites, I'd be willing to be its over 85%......with the rest being other odd download sites and sites catering to things people want....like ring tones....wallpapers.....all those types of things.

I would venture to say that you're right. I have a wife, use whatever generic ringer happens to come with the phones I've used, and have a zero infection issue with my windows machines. My linux machines aren't really prone to much of anything, yet.

Gurkha · #15 12-15-2007, 02:42 AM

You can surf all the porn you want and stay fully safe if you use Linux with a browser like Opera. Even in Windows you are relatively safer using Opera.