Virus Problem: Forget passwords this is it!

[humblejohn]

Since I am a novice I hope I don't make everyone laugh but I read that passwords are worthless if a virus installs a keylogging cookie on your computer. Is there any way to prevent this or am I whistling in the dark. I have Karpinsky as well as malware antiMalware and super antispyware. To me this is the run of the mill stuff-is there anything to be done about keylogging?
Thanks in advance.

[fluffmonster]

seems to me infections are driven more by computing habits than having protection (or not). the best prevention is probably making sure you are not usually logged in as an administrator unless you have a specific need to do so. use a separate non-admin user account.

[wh666-666]

Or if you dont want to handicap your browsing habits .......

Dual boot OS's ... Use a linux distro for browsing .. Use a MS one for all software on MS ...

Get firefox sync addon, it means all your added bookmarks while on your linux distro, will be available on your MS distro ...



MS is a massive target for malware, so that's your only real option .....


Also, not to scare you further, but .........

Even without installing keyloggers, I could obtain details off you if you have wireless by capturing packets from down the street.

The point is, anything is possible, take reasonable steps to protect yourself. Going too OTT can actually make you more suseptable to attacks. For instance a hacker might see a wall as a challange especially where such a massive barrier has been put up, it may entice people in to thinking there is something of mass value to hide.


Its possible to get your data by various different means, so my advice to anyone worried about security is:

- As stated by another user, change harmful browsing habits.
- Consider using a test system to try out software, to weed out those that contain rootkits and spyware.
- Makes passwords more secure by using non dictionairy words in combination with numbers and other characters. This gives you a bit of an advantage over brute force attacks.
- Never, EVER, use the internet for sensitive things such as banking. Anyone who banks over the internet is positively retarded.
- Never use real names online and use different aliases where you can.