Protect your personal computer/smartphone - Save yours coins from hacking!

[TGD]

Hardware wallet all the way, i don't trust ccleaner software and the rest, if you used to cc cleaner very well you should know that it sometimes deletes off some files in windows and your pc won't run without giving you notice of missing window files, safe yourself the headaches and go for hardware wallet instead

I'm a long time Ccleaner user and I agree with @Lucius's preference for it, but so far, I haven't had any experience of instability just like what you've mentioned.

But to be sure, I think its best to activate windows system restore as a contingency plan if something bad really happens unexpectedly.

Ccleaner is the best on deep cleaning computer. Cleaning in terms of junk file but not on potential risky file. Better to combo that app with Malwarebytes premium. With that combo in your desktop, you can guarantee that your computer is prone to malware or unwanted running apps. I never used anti virus like avast and eset. I preferred Malwarebytes and ccleaner. Both light to run and never cause your computer make slow which antivirus do sometimes.

[coolcoinz]

I've learned to check processes, autostart and registry since I had my first infections on windows 95. I can tell you that what system and software you're using is only responsible for a small fraction of overall security. The most important part is learning good habits.
Don't open email attachments from unknown senders. Ignore sam, don't even open it. Don't click on links and always check on your bottom bar if the link is leading to the same place it shows it's leading. The main cause of people being hacked is not the lack of antivirus software but their inability to surf safely. Back when I was a kid most of my friends would get infections from looking for game hacks and codes. Sites that provided them were usually packed with malware. Pretty much like some of the torrent and porn sites are now.

[BitMaxz]

I've learned to check processes, autostart and registry since I had my first infections on windows 95. I can tell you that what system and software you're using is only responsible for a small fraction of overall security. The most important part is learning good habits.
Don't open email attachments from unknown senders. Ignore sam, don't even open it. Don't click on links and always check on your bottom bar if the link is leading to the same place it shows it's leading. The main cause of people being hacked is not the lack of antivirus software but their inability to surf safely. Back when I was a kid most of my friends would get infections from looking for game hacks and codes. Sites that provided them were usually packed with malware. Pretty much like some of the torrent and porn sites are now.

If you have a good AV you don't need to be worry if you click a  file or download a file from unknown sources AV will automatically block them I don't know if all AV works like that but with my antivirus called Kaspersky Total Security, they always block any suspicious links and websites.
So the important here is to have updated antivirus like KAS.
There are some websites that have auto-install script every time you visit them so if you don't have AV they'll install the malware in your PC without notification or message from them.

One of my child doing this "looking for game hacks and codes" but since I have AV every time he downloads that file AV will quarantine or delete the file if they detected it as malware or virus.

A combination of Malwarebytes plus Kaspersky to me is a perfect combination for PC protection based on my experienced. My laptop never format since 2013 and use Kaspersky for a long time until now my laptop still alive and clean.

[Steamtyme]

Steamtyme, maybe its time to try something new, most security programs offer 30 or more days trial, so there are no costs and risks.

Any reason in particular or just because of the frustrations that I had mentioned? Those have largely passed, and my Sub is up in 7 months I believe? I just want to make sure I'm not missing something glaringly obvious as to why I should switch maybe sooner. I will likely try out a few  trials next time around, just to get a decent idea of what is out there.

[lobat999]

Steamtyme, maybe its time to try something new, most security programs offer 30 or more days trial, so there are no costs and risks.

Any reason in particular or just because of the frustrations that I had mentioned? Those have largely passed, and my Sub is up in 7 months I believe? I just want to make sure I'm not missing something glaringly obvious as to why I should switch maybe sooner. I will likely try out a few  trials next time around, just to get a decent idea of what is out there.

Maybe this security news - McAfee antivirus software impacted by code execution vulnerability would persuade McAfee users to reconsider their security options though I think its just normal since I assume all security products has had their own share of security vulnerabilities also.

Btw, have guys tried Zonealarm Antivirus and Firewall? I find their firewall component superb too!

[jseverson]

Personally, I don't think paid services are necessary. Windows Defender is more than good enough as a primary antivirus, especially when used in conjunction with Malwarebytes and good browser add-ons (uBlock Origin, NoScript, HTTPS Everywhere, etc.) The less third party programs you have in your computer, the better; you never really know which ones spy on you these days, and they could easily end up being vulnerabilities themselves.

One thing to note though, is that no matter how protected you might think your system is, you still shouldn't be clicking random links and downloading random files. Better yet, you should have a separate system (dual boot, live USB OS, Raspberry Pi, etc.) just for crypto and/or financial stuff, so a single misstep doesn't end up costing you thousands of dollars.

[Lucius]

Any reason in particular or just because of the frustrations that I had mentioned?

I got the impression that you are not completely satisfied with the current option, and personally I was in that situation and tried out most of the security software until I found a satisfactory solution. There is nothing wrong with sticking to a proven solution

Btw, have guys tried Zonealarm Antivirus and Firewall? I find their firewall component superb too!

I used ZoneAlarm Security more than 5 years, and I agree that their firewall was then one of the best one could have. The whole security package was great, but at one point I wanted to try something new and found Norton as a worthy successor.

Personally, I don't think paid services are necessary. Windows Defender is more than good enough as a primary antivirus, especially when used in conjunction with Malwarebytes and good browser add-ons...

I read the article on the link you posted, and the conclusion is that only Microsoft can make a good security solution and that the Windows Defender only thing we need. But at the same time, Microsoft Windows 10 is one big spy machine that collects a huge amount of data and sends it for analysis. Malwarebytes Premium version is not free, and a free version does not have any protection, it is only for scan&remove.

[jseverson]

I read the article on the link you posted, and the conclusion is that only Microsoft can make a good security solution and that the Windows Defender only thing we need. But at the same time, Microsoft Windows 10 is one big spy machine that collects a huge amount of data and sends it for analysis.

Windows 10 is a privacy nightmare, though there are steps you can take to prevent that. It has a built in keylogger, and even amidst large improvements on Microsoft's end, users are finding that they're still collecting data. These may all be inconsequential at the end of the day considering Microsoft's reputation, but some people are still understandably concerned. I actually only use Windows for games and Linux for everything else (not because I don't trust Microsoft, Linux is just easier to secure), but I realize that that may be too big a leap for most people.

This may also be a good opportunity to remind people to review their privacy settings.

Malwarebytes Premium version is not free, and a free version does not have any protection, it is only for scan&remove.

Yeah I only use the free version on my Windows machine, and come to think of it, I've never actually needed it lol. I've found that Windows Defender is good enough protection, and I only really have Malwarebytes for added insurance. To each his own though.

[Annisa_crypto]

You can use hardware wallets to store your cryptos securely and without loss of any functionality. A hardware wallets such as Ledger nano s and Trezor which can allow the device virtually plugged into the system without the risk of your private key or any other sensitive information. So in hardware wallet enter your seed and transfer the money out of your restored wallet.
But for hardware wallet always high-level security has been provided.setting of this wallet is very easy. All you need for this internet and after doing transactions checking your balance.
The only drawback is it can't download the whole blockchain.

[Avirunes]

You can use hardware wallets to store your cryptos securely and without loss of any functionality. A hardware wallets such as Ledger nano s and Trezor which can allow the device virtually plugged into the system without the risk of your private key or any other sensitive information. So in hardware wallet enter your seed and transfer the money out of your restored wallet.
But for hardware wallet always high-level security has been provided.setting of this wallet is very easy. All you need for this internet and after doing transactions checking your balance.
The only drawback is it can't download the whole blockchain.

Hardware wallets also have vulnerabilities so it's not that 100% secure. There is a possibility that it might fall into the wrong hands before developer notices it and fixes it. However so far there is no such cases happened yet but doesn't means that it wouldn't in future.

I also have Ledger Nano S and I also don't keep my whole balance it and I suggest others should too.

[asayoyaasa]

You guys forgot one very important thing, the source of that anti-malware software. I got a friend that insisting on using "premium" software. Cc cleaner is free to use but he wants the pro version, instead of paying for it he tries to download the crack version of it. Next thing he knows that he downloaded a virus on his pc.
So the point is just avoid cracked software completely, always download an app directly from its source. And use an AdBlock on your browser, it's not just blocking ads but also block other dangerous scripts. There is a 97% chance you get redirected to false software when you try to download it from a shady site. You can get viruses, ransomware, or rat, etc.

I think windows defender is more than enough to protect your pc though, as long you don't go to some shady site and try to download everything you see there. And make sure that your windows defender up to date, they asking an update for a reason.

[EdenHazard]

You guys forgot one very important thing, the source of that anti-malware software. I got a friend that insisting on using "premium" software. Cc cleaner is free to use but he wants the pro version, instead of paying for it he tries to download the crack version of it. Next thing he knows that he downloaded a virus on his pc.
So the point is just avoid cracked software completely, always download an app directly from its source. And use an AdBlock on your browser, it's not just blocking ads but also block other dangerous scripts. There is a 97% chance you get redirected to false software when you try to download it from a shady site. You can get viruses, ransomware, or rat, etc.

I think windows defender is more than enough to protect your pc though, as long you don't go to some shady site and try to download everything you see there. And make sure that your windows defender up to date, they asking an update for a reason.

Yuppp spend a little money to save more money rather than taking risk for the sake of free stuff , completely not worth it.

One more thing ... you shouldn't connect your device into a public wi-fi or any other public connection especially the one with no authentication to get in the network! Bad guy waiting there to access everything in your device once you did connected in, love your coins! In the end everything is back to you where you have to becareful all the time.
Imagine you have all the necessary software installed in your devices and one mistake ruined it all .