firewall/scanner security

[overkill84]

I'm not sure if this is right place to ask.    what would you say is best program to use for firewall and/or scanner?

[TheLANguy]

Windows Defender is very good and tends to be enough for most people.

Check out the The PC Security Channel's test:

If you need free guaranteed latest definitions scan you can download "Microsoft Safety Scanner" (which is not a replacement for an antivirus)

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/security/intelligence/safety-scanner-download?view=o365-worldwide

Just remember to re-download it for each scan to ensure you have the latest definitions.

[Eigenvektor]

Your router's firewall should be active by default and block any unsolicited incoming requests. That should cover the basics for most.

 

Otherwise use the firewall built into Windows/Linux.

 

If you need more, use a separate machine with pfsense/opnsense.

[overkill84]

much better than Norton nowdays I'm guessing?

[TheLANguy]

40 minutes ago, overkill84 said:

much better than Norton nowdays I'm guessing?

Yes much better.

McAfee or Norton isn't worth keeping on computers that include them for free!

[Touch My Hamm]

As long as you have a head on your shoulders you can be relatively safe. Dont go to sketchy sites and do NOT download anything from emails or click links in emails. Double check the sender for anything you even remotely believe to be a real email from someone you expect

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook_com/forum/all/how-do-i-check-a-senders-address-without-opening/18750add-c155-47d2-b6d5-98416a4c305e

https://support.google.com/mail/thread/9692180/how-to-display-the-email-address-of-the-sender-of-an-email?hl=en

 

That will stop most attack venues. Unless your some crazy rich target or a company most "hackers" simply dont care about you. They want payouts and money.

 

If you download a file you can check it with malwarebytes, windows defender and you can also use https://www.virustotal.com/gui/.

 

Simply downloading the new 3rd avatar movie from some random tor site off grid that contains an exe will cause more issues lol.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/keep-your-computer-secure-at-home-c348f24f-a4f0-de5d-9e4a-e0fc156ab221

 

Its never 100% sadly as you could do everything correctly and still be targeted but its a risk everyone takes. its the same thing you could catch a cold while on a buss in public.