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May 16th, 2008, 2:48am
   Mischel Internet Security Forum
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   Please Help: Is my pc Secure?		 « Previous topic | Next topic »
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   Author  Topic: Please Help: Is my pc Secure?  (Read 787 times)
Vinzki
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Please Help: Is my pc Secure?
« on: Jul 17th, 2007, 3:52pm »		 Quote Quote  Modify Modify
Hello,  
I have relocated to India, and have now connected to the internet using a "local Network Provider" Basically a guy threw a cable which was wound around a nearby tree, onto my balcony and plugged it into my laptop (window XP) He then did some configuring to my laptop and told me I have to pay him cash monthly.  
I can see I am on a network, When I went to "My Network places" I saw mine and 10 other shared folders. I have unshared my folders and can now longer see them but I can still the other users files. I have changed my windows firewall to don't allow exceptions, In the exceptions I have unchecked File and Printer sharing,Remote Assistance, Remote Assistance - Windows Messenger and Voice and Remote Desktop. I haven't unchecked Network Diagnostics for Windows XP.. Should I?.  
I am using Windows Defender, and AVG free edition for virus scanning. I have all the latest patches for XP.  
I want to use my laptop for eBay,Paypal, and internet banking.. But I am worried my PC is not secure. My IT knowledge is very limited and i would be grateful for any advise. Thank you
« Last Edit: Jul 17th, 2007, 3:53pm by Vinzki » IP Logged
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doubledown
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Re: Please Help: Is my pc Secure?
« Reply #1 on: Jul 18th, 2007, 9:29am »		 Quote Quote  Modify Modify
I would consider investing in a basic NAT router and also a software firewall (e.g ZoneAlarm - which has a free version).
 
Check out this excellent FAQ at Broadband Reports for information on securing your machine -  
 
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/8463
 
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siliconman01
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Re: Please Help: Is my pc Secure?
« Reply #2 on: Jul 18th, 2007, 10:20am »		 Quote Quote  Modify Modify
From your basic description of the "environment", I strongly recommend that you:
 
-  Install a good hardware firewall/Nat router and immediately change the default password to the router.
 
-  Install a strong 2-way software firewall and strengthen its default settings.
 
-  Install a strong anti-virus package.  Perhaps a suite such as Norton Internet Security 2007 or Kaspersky Internet Security 7.0 would be a good direction for you.
 
-  Install TrojanHunter and dedicated anti-spyware program such as SuperAntiSpyware.  
 
-  Throw out Windows Defender.....it's detection/protection rate is far too weak in my opinion.  (Personally, I have the same opinion of some of the free anti-virus software).  
 
-  Use the realtime protection components of your installed security software so that you get immediate detection of malicious elements running in memory.  
 
-  Either convert to FireFox with additional security add-ons or upgrade to Internet Explorer 7.0.  Strengthen the default settings to as much as you can withstand.  
 
-  Strengthen ALL your passwords... 8 characters+ with a mix of caps, small letters, numbers, and special characters.  BE SURE all your Windows User Accounts are heavily password protected.  Implement a BIOS password if your machine permits it and especially if your computer is being left in apartment or hotel room where others can fire it up while you are gone.  
 
-  If you have any type of wireless equipment such as a keyboard or mouse, be sure their security features are fully implemented.  
 
-  Do not let anyone install software on your system unless you are right there looking over their shoulder watching every maneuver and making sure you know exactly what is being installed.  And look out for that "oh, we need to install this little connector on your keyboard to make it work correctly"...it could be a hardware keylogger.  Wink
 
-  Set up a password protected Limited User Account that is the normal log in account.  Only use an Administrator account when absolutely necessary.    
 
Quote:
I haven't unchecked Network Diagnostics for Windows XP.. Should I?.  

 
I see no reason to uncheck Network Diagnostics as long as only you have access to running them.
 
Based on what you have said your computer useage will be, I certainly would not spare the expense to ensure that your system is secured...hardware wise or software wise.  $200-$300 on the front end can easily save you $$$$$ if you get hacked or permit access to your bank account or credit cards.  
« Last Edit: Jul 18th, 2007, 10:21am by siliconman01 » IP Logged
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Vinzki
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Re: Please Help: Is my pc Secure?
« Reply #3 on: Jul 18th, 2007, 3:38pm »		 Quote Quote  Modify Modify
Thank you all for your replies.
 
 
I am very grateful for your advice and I’ll be following it to the letter,  
 
I have now found the location in Delhi where I can purchase a Nat router. I am unsure which make/model is good. I am on a very limited budget so I’ll have to opt for the cheaper end, googling has led me to believe a netgear (preferable wireless) should be within my budget.. Assuming I can find one here, do you think that would be ok?  
 
I’d like to get Kaspersky 7.0 especially as its free, but I see that’s because it’s beta version so I’m wondering if that’s a good idea for a novice?.
The alternative is a Norton at $69.99 download
 
I shall replace Windows Defender, and am now using Internet explorer 7, and shall now password my Window User Accounts , I’ll need to research setting a BIOS password.
 
I am using a wireless keyboard and mouse (Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop 700) which I only purchased only today in Delhi, but I don’t know how or if I can secure this?
 
I shall be reading through FAQ at Broadband Reports and spending time trying to educate myself security wise.
 
I should add my TrojanHunter scan:
Registry scan
No suspicious entries found
Inifile scan
No suspicious entries found
Port scan
Port 9999/TCP is open (matches ForcedEntry.100)       
Port 9999/TCP is open (matches Infra.100)       
Port 12346/TCP is open (matches Netbus.160)       
Port 12346/TCP is open (matches Netbus.170)       
Port 9999/TCP is open (matches Prayer.120)       
Port 9999/TCP is open (matches Prayer.130)       
Port 9999/TCP is open (matches Skipper.100)       
Port 9999/TCP is open (matches SpadeAce.100)       
Port 9999/TCP is open (matches TakeOver.200)       
Port 9999/TCP is open (matches TakeOver.300)       
Memory scan
No trojans found in memory
File scan
Error: Directory not found: E:\
No trojan files found
 
My E: is my dvd drive
Am I right in assuming that the Nat Router will close these open ports?
 
 
Once again thank you for your time
« Last Edit: Jul 18th, 2007, 5:13pm by Vinzki » IP Logged
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siliconman01
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Re: Please Help: Is my pc Secure?
« Reply #4 on: Jul 19th, 2007, 4:04am »		 Quote Quote  Modify Modify
Quote:
I am unsure which make/model is good. I am on a very limited budget so I’ll have to opt for the cheaper end, googling has led me to believe a netgear (preferable wireless) should be within my budget.. Assuming I can find one here, do you think that would be ok?

 
Netgear is good, Linksys is good, Zywall is good.  Just be sure it is a NAT router, preferrably with a firewall incorporated.  
 
Quote:
I’d like to get Kaspersky 7.0 especially as its free, but I see that’s because it’s beta version so I’m wondering if that’s a good idea for a novice?.  
The alternative is a Norton at $69.99 download

 
Unless you are an experienced computer person, I would not recommend a Kaspersky beta version.  
 
You should be able to find a cheaper Norton NIS 2007 either online or in a computer software store.  Sites/Stores are offering significant rebates.  For example, here in the USA at www.buy.com, you can now purchase NIS 2007 for $18.00 because there is a $50 rebate.  With Symantec's strong presence in India, I would think you can find it significantly discounted there.  
 
Quote:
I am using a wireless keyboard and mouse (Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop 700) which I only purchased only today in Delhi, but I don’t know how or if I can secure this?  

 
I'm not familiar with all that is necessary concerning wireless security because I do not use wireless equipment.  You can research this via Google using "wireless security"....all sorts of hits.  Here's one example link:
 
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/security/wireless.ms px
 
Quote:
Am I right in assuming that the Nat Router will close these open ports?

 
No, it depends on what software on your system is holding these ports open.  They are probably open because of some non-malicious software on your system.  TH is just alerting you that these ports are used by malicious software and they are not "normally" found open via standard Windows.  
 
I recommend that you download/install TCPView from the link below.  It will tell you what software is opening these ports.
 
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Network-Tools/Network-Information/TCPView.s html
 
« Last Edit: Jul 19th, 2007, 4:13am by siliconman01 » IP Logged
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Vinzki
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Re: Please Help: Is my pc Secure?
« Reply #5 on: Jul 23rd, 2007, 11:02am »		 Quote Quote  Modify Modify
Thank you for your reply,  
 
My connection is down... hence the delay in this post.
 
I am looking into alternative connections.  
 
Using an internet cafe at the moment (not going to sign into any financial sites as I don’t trust the security)  
 
I used TCPView (Thanks)... and discovered that Port 12346... was being used by a cyberlink process which I have now disabled, My last open Port TCP 9999 is being used by memcheck.exe which belongs to my Acer Management system. I could try ending and just see what happens... Or is it ok to leave this program port open and rely on TrojanHunter and Norton to inform me if it's being breached ?
 
Cheers for your time
 
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siliconman01
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Re: Please Help: Is my pc Secure?
« Reply #6 on: Jul 23rd, 2007, 11:34am »		 Quote Quote  Modify Modify
Sorry to hear about the connection problems at home.
 
It is okay to leave memcheck.exe running with port 9999 open...you know it's a valid program opening and using the port.  
 
Hope you get things all sorted out soon so you can use your system for your needs.   Cheesy
 
Were you able to find a cheaper source for NIS 2007?
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