A few more tips on keeping your PC safe.
We recently had an exploit on ECF, which was found and removed. This happens about every six months as the hackers get cleverer and find a new loophole. However, it's worth taking a look at who was affected - a tiny percentage of our visitors (less than 20 we think), who all complied with the following:
1. They used Windows.
2. They used Internet Explorer to browse with - probably not updated.
3. Their PC software was out of date - specifically Java, Adobe PDF Reader, and Flash.
4. Their security software was ineffective and did not stop the infection (or they had none).
As far as we can see, people were not affected unless they were using an old version of Internet Explorer, had out-of-date software, and either had no antivirus and HIPS firewall or it was not updated.
Ideally you should keep everything updated: Windows, Java (and also remove all old Java by the use of the JavaRa program), and *especially* any Adobe apps such as PDF, and Flash.
You are also advised to install a software update advisor such as one listed here:
Best Free Software Update Monitor
JavaRa can be found here:
How to Remove Old & Dangerous Versions of Java
There are several alternatives to Adobe's PDF reader and many say they are preferable, for numerous reasons:
Best Free Non-Adobe PDF Reader
Security apps
You need a good antivirus like Avast or Symantec SEP and a full-feature 2-way firewall like Online Armor before you can say that you have taken care of security properly on your PC. Using antivirus that does not benchmark well, or using Windows firewall, does not constitute taking care of security. Keep in mind that if you use Internet Explorer you face far more issues than users of other browsers.
We recently had an exploit on ECF, which was found and removed. This happens about every six months as the hackers get cleverer and find a new loophole. However, it's worth taking a look at who was affected - a tiny percentage of our visitors (less than 20 we think), who all complied with the following:
1. They used Windows.
2. They used Internet Explorer to browse with - probably not updated.
3. Their PC software was out of date - specifically Java, Adobe PDF Reader, and Flash.
4. Their security software was ineffective and did not stop the infection (or they had none).
As far as we can see, people were not affected unless they were using an old version of Internet Explorer, had out-of-date software, and either had no antivirus and HIPS firewall or it was not updated.
Ideally you should keep everything updated: Windows, Java (and also remove all old Java by the use of the JavaRa program), and *especially* any Adobe apps such as PDF, and Flash.
You are also advised to install a software update advisor such as one listed here:
Best Free Software Update Monitor
JavaRa can be found here:
How to Remove Old & Dangerous Versions of Java
There are several alternatives to Adobe's PDF reader and many say they are preferable, for numerous reasons:
Best Free Non-Adobe PDF Reader
Security apps
You need a good antivirus like Avast or Symantec SEP and a full-feature 2-way firewall like Online Armor before you can say that you have taken care of security properly on your PC. Using antivirus that does not benchmark well, or using Windows firewall, does not constitute taking care of security. Keep in mind that if you use Internet Explorer you face far more issues than users of other browsers.
