Knowledgebase

The following steps can be used to help with securing your computer.

Step 1
Use the following online vulnerability scanner and ensure your software is up to date: http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/online/?task=load

Step 2
Download an anti-virus program and fully scan your computer for malicious files. Here are some free scanners:
A. MalwareBytes: http://www.malwarebyts.org
B. ComboFix: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/combofix/
C. These have been reported to be able to clean a recent strain of malware that resists detection by almost all other anti-virus agents. It is highly suggested that you use both of them and one of the following:
i. http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
ii. http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html
iii. http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner
iv. http://support.f-secure.com/enu/home/ols.shtml
v. http://www.eset.com

Step 3
Update all passwords for any account that you access/own that may not be up to standards. Standards for secure passwords are as follows:
A. Contains uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols
B. Does not contain any dictionary words and is not resembling any dictionary word
C. Is 12 or more characters in length
D. An example of a secure password is S9LX1FpF:9VZP?Dy8q{RSQFy
E. An insecure password would be h0StG@t.R,cOm or word12345hey
F. Your password should not be something that you can easily remember, purchase a thumb drive and install KeePass or KeePass portable to store your passwords and keep the thumb drive on you at all times. This allows you to access all passwords at any PC without having to remember them. Please note that you should ensure that any PC that you insert the thumb drive in to is secure prior to accessing your passwords.
G. You can get KeePass here: http://keepass.info/
H. KeePass portable is obtainable here: http://portableapps.com/apps/utilities/keepass_portable
I. Each password that you use should only be used for one location or account. Reusing passwords is highly insecure and can allow even a single password's compromise to compromise every account that uses the same password.


Step 4
Keep your computer secure from malware infecting it. If your computer is compromised your accounts can be compromised by the malware sniffing out the passwords that you use.
A. Ensure that you use the latest browser version and ensure that the browser subscribes to Google's blacklist API (such browsers are Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and Safari)
B. Disable javascript (only allow it on websites that you trust)
C. If you use FireFox, use the addon NoScript
D. Make sure your anti-virus program has a subscription to new database and version releases. This may cost some money but it's well worth the expense.
E. Use http://www.avg.com.au/index.cfm?section=avg&action=onlinescan to test suspicious links you are given in emails or find online.

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