Firewall, Anti-Virus, Spyware FAQs

[Pol]

@markkur
I think that it would be best to schedule disk cleanup weekly. Nothing more what you can do I'm afraid.

FF must have add-ons:

Script blocking:
NoScript
Flashblock

Nifty:
Download YouTube Videos as MP4
Copy HTML
Cookies Manager+

Web devel - the base:
Screengrab
MeasureIt
ColorZilla

[markkur]

Ok then. Thanks a lot.

[mr.hackcrag]

Recently I had to reinstall Windows 10 due to virus. Two questions:

1. Windows was installed on SSD drive and that is the one that got wiped. I have another regular hard drive. Is it possible that one needs to be wiped too due to potential virus?

2. I have problem when I search Google, a second or two after I search, I see Google search ads that appear. In the past it appeared all at once and there was no delay. It's annoying because it shifts the search result down as I'm about to click and causes me to click on ad.

Also in the past the google search ads didn't appear in places like Wiki or Google Images and now they do. Example below. Does this mean my computer still has virus and how can I fix this?




EDIT: I have cyber zombie title now which is fitting considering a virus killed me.

[Kalah]

As to that last note, there's definitely some kind of adware infection going on since you're seeing ads on Wikipedia. Read more here.

[Pol]

@mr.hackcrag
As Kalah said, the ads are being added from your computer. Probably the same with google search - so you are infected.

Wiping whole HDD is a bit hard solution, why you were not first trying to remove it with MBAM or similar antimalware thrasher?

If you wipe system hdd, you will get new system. The key question is, what you have on remaining hdd, which is connected to your computer. If there are programs (any actually) and one of them is infected, you will get the infection back immediately when you click here.

Saying that, you should do one check before.

Launch cmd, write here: ipconfig /all and tell me what DNS you are using on your active connection.

[mr.hackcrag]

I used Malware program Pol linked and it found threats. Windows Defender didn't and I am surprised that I had problem even after wiping SSD (although not sure if problem was on SSD or HDD). Should I take other actions to make sure I am virus and malware free?

Pol, what specific line should I be looking at for DNS active connection?

[Pol]

Each of them, having DNS mentioned. You may have like 3 DNS used, the point is to check if they are trusted.

[mr.hackcrag]

Would pasting the ipconfig result hear be safe or foolish? I still don't know what info I'm looking for.

[Pol]

Paste just the DNS, that's safe.

cmd, there:
ipconfig -all

Paste the line with: DNS servers, with all IPs.

Example from google:

[mr.hackcrag]

DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 209.18.47.61
209.18.47.62

[Pol]

DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 209.18.47.61
209.18.47.62

Hmm, these are likely safe. Anyway, you may try to check if there aren't some faster DNS servers for you, run the test on this app.

[Kalah]

Updated this a little bit.

[Pol]

As Discord allows you to upload files, not only images. You are advised to be careful, especially in case of archived files, like zip - which can contain virtually everything.

So far things uploaded to Discord last forever but I guess, that there will be restrictions in the future.

[Pol]

Kaspersky Antivirus solution is not recommended anymore, because of misuse possibility by Russian Federation. Please keep that in mind, it's a good reason to switch to something else. You may take a look at hardware firewalls, this small box is conveniently placed between modem and your router.