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- Thread starter Clarity
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LitlBuck
Kevin Warren is an ass
Spam filter
I'm back! Is anyone aware of a good spam filter for the best way to get rid of it? I am running Outlook Express and have Norton Antivirus 2007 but it offers no spam protection. My spam mail wasn't too bad up until a couple weeks ago but it has been on the increase ever since.
I'm back! Is anyone aware of a good spam filter for the best way to get rid of it? I am running Outlook Express and have Norton Antivirus 2007 but it offers no spam protection. My spam mail wasn't too bad up until a couple weeks ago but it has been on the increase ever since.
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LitlBuck;862588; said:
Mozilla Thunderbird has a much better spam filtering system (among its many, better features), FWIW.
Outlook Express is just a big steaming pile ... gives me nothing but headaches at work with its mailbox management system and the 2Gb file size limit in the OS. Either switch to the more full featured Office bundled Outlook, or go with Thunderbird. OE just is not that robust -- it wasn't designed to be.
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LitlBuck
Kevin Warren is an ass
Dryden;862619; said:
Thanks! I probably will give Mozilla a try. If I do will you be on call 24/7?
When I first got this PC in January I almost installed plain old Outlook and probably should have. I have read about Thunderbird and it seems like a pretty good product with good support. I know it was a fine wine during my college days.
Do you know what it's compatibility is with IE 7.0? (See above five posts previous to this one).
Do you know of a good way to export my e-mail addresses from OE to import them into Thunderbird? I assume I will lose all my messages which isn't that big of a deal.
My wife also uses this PC and does not like change. I guess I will just have to point her to you if things don't work out:). Thanks again and I'll be back sooner or later.
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When you first launch it you will be given the opportunity to set it to your default e-mail client. You can also select default applications from Control Panel -> Add or Remove Programs -> Set Program Access and DefaultsLitlBuck;862753; said:
If that menu appears as empty, click the down arrow to the right of 'Custom' and set Thunderbird as default e-mail there.
Just launch Thunderbird and go to Tools -> Import. Run this utility three times, once each for Settings, Mail, and Address Books to import everything.LitlBuck;862753; said:
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LitlBuck
Kevin Warren is an ass
Thunderbird assistance
When I want to insert an e-mail address in a Thunderbird e-mail do I have to create a file with the e-mail address in it in order for it to show up as a link to an e-mail address. I have searched Thunderbird help but cannot find the answer.
Also, when I receive an e-mail from other people that include "images" when I go to forward that e-mail to other people the images disappear. I have looked for an appropriate setting but cannot seem to find one. I was wondering if anyone knew if there was a setting so that I could forward images without having to save them first.
Thanks for any help.
When I want to insert an e-mail address in a Thunderbird e-mail do I have to create a file with the e-mail address in it in order for it to show up as a link to an e-mail address. I have searched Thunderbird help but cannot find the answer.
Also, when I receive an e-mail from other people that include "images" when I go to forward that e-mail to other people the images disappear. I have looked for an appropriate setting but cannot seem to find one. I was wondering if anyone knew if there was a setting so that I could forward images without having to save them first.
Thanks for any help.
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TexasBuck
Heisman
Another thing that helps is: If you have your computer set up to automatically create a back-up snap shot, disable it. These spyware/adware things hide in the back-ups and will re-infect your computer every time you reboot.
Also, Spy Bot (has a place where you can see what launches when you start up your computer) Check this out. Sometimes, the adware will fix itself in your startup menu and keep coming back every time you re-boot.
Also, Spy Bot (has a place where you can see what launches when you start up your computer) Check this out. Sometimes, the adware will fix itself in your startup menu and keep coming back every time you re-boot.
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Muck
Enjoy Every Sandwich
One major security "don't" I have not seen mentioned yet is doing your daily routine from an account that has admin rights.
If you are using XP the first thing you should do is create a new user account that only has "limited" rights and log on to that account when you are using your computer normally. That will prevent a large number of malicious programs from being installed on your machine.
If you need to install a program you can just sign off and then log on the admin account.
That alone will save you uncounted headaches.
If you absolutely have to run off of an admin account then think about products like Drop My Rights & suDown which selectively limit access to specified applications.
You can also use virtualization software like Sandboxie, GeSWall or BufferZone which run your browser in a virtual environment and will prevent it from saving data to your hard drive.
It is also important to make sure you stay on top of keeping everything updated. Make sure you download all the security fixes for Windows and don't neglect the other software you have installed. Stop by Secunia and either run their online scanner or download the client version. Either one will tell you what applications you have installed that need to be patched or updated.
The best thing is to just pay attention to what you are doing and where you are browsing. Don't click on links if you have no idea where they lead (McAfee's Site Advisor plugin can help you with that) don't open email attachments from people you don't know. Just use your everyday common sense.
Spyware Blaster doesn't actually do any real time monitoring. What it DOES do is block ActiveX exploits from sites that are known to install malware via that route. You run Spyware Blaster and it blocks all of those sites at once. It doesn't run constantly.
If you are using Firefox or other non IE browsers it is not as effective as those browsers do not run ActiveX.
The makers do have another app that provides real time scanning and was designed to work with Spyware Blaster. That program is called Spyware Guard.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
One newer development over the past couple of years is the proliferation of HIPS (Host based Intrusion Protection Software) apps "non-signature" detection refers to the same thing).
A standard anti-virus or anti-spyware program matches files on your system against a known database of malicious code. Even heuristic scanning extrapolates off of the internal database. If a virus or bit of malware is not in the database it will not be detected (that is why updating regularly is so important!).
HIPS on the other hand looks at how code is behaving on your system. What it is trying to do and/or access. So even if the malicious code is brand new it can be detected by how it acts rather than what it looks like (the popular WinPatrol falls into this category).
It can be a bit frustrating because so many security applications are becoming a hodge-podge of additional features. Anti-virus programs that check for spyware, firewalls that act as HIPS etc etc, so you have to think a bit about the various security programs you are installing and what features each one has...however there are a couple of HIPS products that are worth mentioning in their own right.
Threat Fire is consistently one of the higher rated stand alone HIPS programs.
Spyware Terminator is nominally an anti-spyware app, but it also has a capable HIPS scanner, making it a good candidate for your back-up antispware program and killing two birds with one stone (three if you count it's integrated ClamAV database).
ThreatFire
Spyware Terminator
Unfortunately the threats have continued to evolve over the past few years but AdAware & SpyBot have not done a good job of evolving along with them. Luckily there are a number of new anti spy/scumware programs out there that have stepped up to the plate.
Arguably the best pay anti-spyware program is Spyware Doctor and even better there is also a free version of it available for download via Google Pack.
One thing that hasn't changed is that no single program picks up everything so a secondary program to run on demand scans is a smart bet.
The two I would recommend to back up Spyware Doctor are:
SUPERAntiSpyware
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
Finally it can't hurt to go ahead and install Microsoft's anti-spyware app MS Defender. It may be a step down from the others but it has virtually no overhead and won't slow your machine down so better safe than sorry (especially since Microsoft gives you two free support calls with it).
---Independent antispyware comparison.
I'm going to go in a different direction with my recommendations. I personally would avoid Norton and McAfee antivirus or security products at all costs these days. They have both become bloated with "extra" features, most of which you do not need and neither is at the top of the charts for detection anymore either.
If you are cheap and want to go the free route there are three programs I would recommend:
Avira AntiVir
avast! Home Edition
Grisoft AVG
AVG is probably the most popular but AntiVir currently does the best in tests w/avast! at #2. All offer real time protection although AntiVir does not scan emails (the others do). Still it's better scanning engine more than makes up for it.
---Independent antivirus comparison.
This is another area where I believe changing times have created a new order. :)
The free version of ZoneAlarm is no longer among the better free firewalls out there (although the pay version is still recommended as is their antivir program).
There are only a few free firewalls I would recomend:
Comodo Firewall
Jetico Firewall
Online Armor Personal Firewall
Comodo is probably the best bet for most folks. It is relatively easy to setup and use for the non-techie. Jetico has great potential but takes a lot more tweaking.
I have never used Online Armor, it is a newer product but it is getting glowing reviews from everyone who has used it so far.
Edit: I went ahead and downloaded Online Armor and installed it on my test box to fiddle with it. So far so good. The interface is pretty straightforward and easy to understand. It passed all the security tests I've thrown at it as well. All in all I have no problems recommending it right along with Comodo.
---Independent firewall comparison & comparison.
...
If you don't mind a little bit of work an even more effective solution is to build your own firewall...
Take an old PC you have sitting around and throw something like m0nowall, Smoothwall or IPCop on it.
It's a bit more complicated than that but not unreasonably so. If you can build your own PC and install an OS you won't have too many problems setting up and configuring a PC/Unix based firewall.
Anti-Rootkit & Anti-Trojan
Rootkits are apps that take control of your system at the root level without you knowing about it. Trojans are similar but instead of being an invisible service they disguise themselves as a benign bit of code.
Panda Anti RootKit is probably the best option for those who want to keep things simple while Unhooker is more powerfull but more complicated to work with.
RootKit Unhooker
Panda Anti Rootkit
(AntiVir, the anti-virus program I recomended earlier has a highly regarded built in anti-rootkit scanner)
Like with the rootkits, Trojan scanners are not something you really need to run constantly but an occasional on-demand scan is not a bad idea.
Trojan Hunter
A-Squared
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware listed above with the anti-spyware apps also has an integrated trojan scanner.
Edit: A couple of years ago AVG bought out ewido antispyware which was a pretty good antispyware program but it also had a good anti-trojan engine.
AVG renamed AVG Anti-Spyware Free (7.5) and offered it for awhile. They have since rolled it into their Security Suite (a pay product). Anyways...by chance I found out that you can can still download the original free product and AVG is still supporting it with updates. No idea how long they will continue to support the program but for now it is still an option as a dual use product (secondary anti-spyware app & a trojan scanner).
Edit: Checking AVGs boards it looks like they will continue to issue updates for AVG anti-spyware through at least the end of 0'8.
AVG Anti-Spyware Free
____________________________________________________________________________________________
If you would like to check your own system's security there is an entire battery of tests you can download at TestMyPCSecurity. Shields UP! from Gibson Research is another good site that allows you to test the effectiveness of your firewall.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
As I mentioned earlier there is currently a lot of crossover integration in the various security products right now so be sure to read the FAQ on whatever apps you decide to go with. If you are using a good firewall that has built in HIPS then you don't need to run a stand alone scanner. If your antivirus & firewall both have integrated HIPS you will want to disable the scanner in one of them. Running too many real time scanners can be just as disasterous as none.
Ultimately you will want to have a firewall, antivirus and (maybe) one antispyware program running in real time. It's not a good idea to have multiple antivirus programs installed at the same time and it is self defeating to have more than one anti-spyware or HIPS running live scans.
.
.
.
Edit: Found some comparison tests and linked them.
I'm definitely pleased that the results tend to be inline with my recomendations (pats self on back).
If you are using XP the first thing you should do is create a new user account that only has "limited" rights and log on to that account when you are using your computer normally. That will prevent a large number of malicious programs from being installed on your machine.
If you need to install a program you can just sign off and then log on the admin account.
That alone will save you uncounted headaches.
If you absolutely have to run off of an admin account then think about products like Drop My Rights & suDown which selectively limit access to specified applications.
You can also use virtualization software like Sandboxie, GeSWall or BufferZone which run your browser in a virtual environment and will prevent it from saving data to your hard drive.
It is also important to make sure you stay on top of keeping everything updated. Make sure you download all the security fixes for Windows and don't neglect the other software you have installed. Stop by Secunia and either run their online scanner or download the client version. Either one will tell you what applications you have installed that need to be patched or updated.
The best thing is to just pay attention to what you are doing and where you are browsing. Don't click on links if you have no idea where they lead (McAfee's Site Advisor plugin can help you with that) don't open email attachments from people you don't know. Just use your everyday common sense.
Clarity;17895; said:
Spyware Blaster doesn't actually do any real time monitoring. What it DOES do is block ActiveX exploits from sites that are known to install malware via that route. You run Spyware Blaster and it blocks all of those sites at once. It doesn't run constantly.
If you are using Firefox or other non IE browsers it is not as effective as those browsers do not run ActiveX.
The makers do have another app that provides real time scanning and was designed to work with Spyware Blaster. That program is called Spyware Guard.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
One newer development over the past couple of years is the proliferation of HIPS (Host based Intrusion Protection Software) apps "non-signature" detection refers to the same thing).
A standard anti-virus or anti-spyware program matches files on your system against a known database of malicious code. Even heuristic scanning extrapolates off of the internal database. If a virus or bit of malware is not in the database it will not be detected (that is why updating regularly is so important!).
HIPS on the other hand looks at how code is behaving on your system. What it is trying to do and/or access. So even if the malicious code is brand new it can be detected by how it acts rather than what it looks like (the popular WinPatrol falls into this category).
It can be a bit frustrating because so many security applications are becoming a hodge-podge of additional features. Anti-virus programs that check for spyware, firewalls that act as HIPS etc etc, so you have to think a bit about the various security programs you are installing and what features each one has...however there are a couple of HIPS products that are worth mentioning in their own right.
Threat Fire is consistently one of the higher rated stand alone HIPS programs.
Spyware Terminator is nominally an anti-spyware app, but it also has a capable HIPS scanner, making it a good candidate for your back-up antispware program and killing two birds with one stone (three if you count it's integrated ClamAV database).
ThreatFire
Spyware Terminator
Unfortunately the threats have continued to evolve over the past few years but AdAware & SpyBot have not done a good job of evolving along with them. Luckily there are a number of new anti spy/scumware programs out there that have stepped up to the plate.
Arguably the best pay anti-spyware program is Spyware Doctor and even better there is also a free version of it available for download via Google Pack.
One thing that hasn't changed is that no single program picks up everything so a secondary program to run on demand scans is a smart bet.
The two I would recommend to back up Spyware Doctor are:
SUPERAntiSpyware
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
Finally it can't hurt to go ahead and install Microsoft's anti-spyware app MS Defender. It may be a step down from the others but it has virtually no overhead and won't slow your machine down so better safe than sorry (especially since Microsoft gives you two free support calls with it).
---Independent antispyware comparison.
I'm going to go in a different direction with my recommendations. I personally would avoid Norton and McAfee antivirus or security products at all costs these days. They have both become bloated with "extra" features, most of which you do not need and neither is at the top of the charts for detection anymore either.
If you are cheap and want to go the free route there are three programs I would recommend:
Avira AntiVir
avast! Home Edition
Grisoft AVG
AVG is probably the most popular but AntiVir currently does the best in tests w/avast! at #2. All offer real time protection although AntiVir does not scan emails (the others do). Still it's better scanning engine more than makes up for it.
---Independent antivirus comparison.
This is another area where I believe changing times have created a new order. :)
The free version of ZoneAlarm is no longer among the better free firewalls out there (although the pay version is still recommended as is their antivir program).
There are only a few free firewalls I would recomend:
Comodo Firewall
Jetico Firewall
Online Armor Personal Firewall
Comodo is probably the best bet for most folks. It is relatively easy to setup and use for the non-techie. Jetico has great potential but takes a lot more tweaking.
I have never used Online Armor, it is a newer product but it is getting glowing reviews from everyone who has used it so far.
Edit: I went ahead and downloaded Online Armor and installed it on my test box to fiddle with it. So far so good. The interface is pretty straightforward and easy to understand. It passed all the security tests I've thrown at it as well. All in all I have no problems recommending it right along with Comodo.
---Independent firewall comparison & comparison.
...
If you don't mind a little bit of work an even more effective solution is to build your own firewall...
Take an old PC you have sitting around and throw something like m0nowall, Smoothwall or IPCop on it.
It's a bit more complicated than that but not unreasonably so. If you can build your own PC and install an OS you won't have too many problems setting up and configuring a PC/Unix based firewall.
Anti-Rootkit & Anti-Trojan
Rootkits are apps that take control of your system at the root level without you knowing about it. Trojans are similar but instead of being an invisible service they disguise themselves as a benign bit of code.
Panda Anti RootKit is probably the best option for those who want to keep things simple while Unhooker is more powerfull but more complicated to work with.
RootKit Unhooker
Panda Anti Rootkit
(AntiVir, the anti-virus program I recomended earlier has a highly regarded built in anti-rootkit scanner)
Like with the rootkits, Trojan scanners are not something you really need to run constantly but an occasional on-demand scan is not a bad idea.
Trojan Hunter
A-Squared
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware listed above with the anti-spyware apps also has an integrated trojan scanner.
Edit: A couple of years ago AVG bought out ewido antispyware which was a pretty good antispyware program but it also had a good anti-trojan engine.
AVG renamed AVG Anti-Spyware Free (7.5) and offered it for awhile. They have since rolled it into their Security Suite (a pay product). Anyways...by chance I found out that you can can still download the original free product and AVG is still supporting it with updates. No idea how long they will continue to support the program but for now it is still an option as a dual use product (secondary anti-spyware app & a trojan scanner).
Edit: Checking AVGs boards it looks like they will continue to issue updates for AVG anti-spyware through at least the end of 0'8.
AVG Anti-Spyware Free
____________________________________________________________________________________________
If you would like to check your own system's security there is an entire battery of tests you can download at TestMyPCSecurity. Shields UP! from Gibson Research is another good site that allows you to test the effectiveness of your firewall.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
As I mentioned earlier there is currently a lot of crossover integration in the various security products right now so be sure to read the FAQ on whatever apps you decide to go with. If you are using a good firewall that has built in HIPS then you don't need to run a stand alone scanner. If your antivirus & firewall both have integrated HIPS you will want to disable the scanner in one of them. Running too many real time scanners can be just as disasterous as none.
Ultimately you will want to have a firewall, antivirus and (maybe) one antispyware program running in real time. It's not a good idea to have multiple antivirus programs installed at the same time and it is self defeating to have more than one anti-spyware or HIPS running live scans.
.
.
.
Edit: Found some comparison tests and linked them.
I'm definitely pleased that the results tend to be inline with my recomendations (pats self on back).
Last edited:
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0
Four years later, I'm surprised any of my original recommendations are still valid, even if the sentiment and philosophy may be. Thanks for bringing us up to date, Muck. I'll link your post from the top of the first one, if you have no objection.
I do agree about not recommending Norton and McAfee. I use Microsoft Windows Live OneCare 2.0 myself, and no longer keep AdAware on the system. OneCare is more convenient than brilliant, but it gets the job done. I have heard a lot of good things about AVG and Panda.
Another thing I'll suggest people use (if they run Firefox) is NoScript, from NoScript - **********/Java/Flash blocker for a safer Firefox experience! - what is it? - InformAction, which blocks scripts on sites you don't flag (in whole or in part) as trusted. It's a condom for the intartube.
Beyond that, keep your flavor of Windows updated, and try to limit the number of novelty or otherwise superfluous pieces of commercial software (for example, instead of ICQ, AIM, Yahoo, MSN, etc., I just have Pidgin from Home | Pidgin).
Finally, here's one that is still valid. Unless you have eidetic memory, use KeePass (KeePass Password Safe) or something like it! It's easy, intuitive, and you should be using a different password on every different site and service you visit online -- that's doubly true for any on which you have financial ties or data.
I do agree about not recommending Norton and McAfee. I use Microsoft Windows Live OneCare 2.0 myself, and no longer keep AdAware on the system. OneCare is more convenient than brilliant, but it gets the job done. I have heard a lot of good things about AVG and Panda.
Another thing I'll suggest people use (if they run Firefox) is NoScript, from NoScript - **********/Java/Flash blocker for a safer Firefox experience! - what is it? - InformAction, which blocks scripts on sites you don't flag (in whole or in part) as trusted. It's a condom for the intartube.
Beyond that, keep your flavor of Windows updated, and try to limit the number of novelty or otherwise superfluous pieces of commercial software (for example, instead of ICQ, AIM, Yahoo, MSN, etc., I just have Pidgin from Home | Pidgin).
Finally, here's one that is still valid. Unless you have eidetic memory, use KeePass (KeePass Password Safe) or something like it! It's easy, intuitive, and you should be using a different password on every different site and service you visit online -- that's doubly true for any on which you have financial ties or data.
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Muck
Enjoy Every Sandwich
Clarity;1167141; said:
Feel free to use it however you want.
It's actually something I've been wanting to throw together for awhile (like many of us I'm officially tech support for too many members of my family).
BTW I didn't touch on the spam filters at all because I don't actually use one.
I have a couple of different email addresses and for anything that could possibly end up generating spam I use free online accounts (yahoo/gmail/hotmail etc).
Only close friends and family have access to my "real" address.
I also made an effort to stick exclusively with free products. If retail products are added to the mix some of the recomendations would change a little. That being said the best free apps are definitely worth using and in some cases are better than most (if not all) of the retail options.
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I actually don't filter spam out anymore. Doing so does nothing to fight back.
I highly recommend KnujOn as an option for those who want to try and do something about the problem. I can't promise you'll see a tangible reduction in spam volume, but I can promise that you'll see sites shut down as spammers have the links in their own emails used against them by this group.
I forward all of my spam to them by way of a simple Thunderbird add-on, a few thousand emails a month, but it's been lower lately (happily).
I highly recommend KnujOn as an option for those who want to try and do something about the problem. I can't promise you'll see a tangible reduction in spam volume, but I can promise that you'll see sites shut down as spammers have the links in their own emails used against them by this group.
I forward all of my spam to them by way of a simple Thunderbird add-on, a few thousand emails a month, but it's been lower lately (happily).
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0