Web site to see if you're infected with malware

[Doug_FL]

http://dcwg.org/  This web site is suggested by the FBI, to check for malware. Below is the 2011 story about it.

http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2011/november/malware_110911

Looks like a good idea to check from time to time. There's no software to download. It's just a web site. I'm very careful about what I download.
Microsoft and Adobe and going to give me updates now and then. But otherwise, I'm a little apprehensive to download anything.

I have heard there's a free program called Sand Box. I haven't ever used it. I think the concept is a good one. Protect your PC from programs
other programs that don't play nice. Anyone else have any ideas on protecting your PC?

 

[Ned]

That web site checks for one specific piece of malware, DNS Changer.  That threat has been neutralized and is no longer a problem.

 

[carson]

Not trying to confuse the matter, but I learned something yesterday.

MS-IE has a manual way of checking on their Malicious Software Removal tool activity.

Seems to be a malign check...I've tried it and learned about it. It is not widely advertised by MS.

Simply do this:  Start > Run > then type MRT.EXE. and go

  Try "Quick check",only takes a few minutes instead of hours for a complete check---your choice.

  Read the instructions before you proceed. Maybe Ned has a comment.

 

[Ned]

The Malicious Software Removal tool is updated and distributed each month on "patch Tuesday" with all the other security updates and hot fixes for Windows.  It's also run at that time but you can run it manually as Carson describes.  It's important that you don't skip the monthly updates.

 

[Doug_FL]

So what is the best way to check for malware. The manual way, or another way? It seems reasonably to check for malware once a week. I don't surf
on IE as much as I do with other browsers. I figure IE is a bigger target. That manual way sounds to me like it would check for malware designed to take
advantage of IE users. What do you do for other browsers, that I also run?

In XP I would look at processes going on, see if anything looked unusual. Never had a problem. However, Win 7 is a lot more complicated. Making that
much harder to do.

Shouldn't the browser itself, protect users for all the bad stuff people claim is out there. When surfing I have gotten warning messages. I then chose not
to go to that web site. At first viruses were being spread by 3.5 inch disks, then it was e-mail. Now it seems like it's up to the browser to protect users.
Along with being careful about what software you download. Am I missing something besides this?  In terms of how problems are spread.

 

[SeilerBird]

I use Chrome as my browser and getting malware is just about impossible. If a site has a history of giving out malware you get a big giant notice on the screen before you can proceed there. I have never had a piece of malware on any system I have ever owned. But then again I only surf legitimate sites.

 

[Ned]

The best defense against malware is using common sense.  Don't click on links if you don't know where they lead, don't open unexpected email attachments, use extensions to your browser, like NoScript for Firefox, and only allow scripting on trusted web sites.  However, if you suspect you still got infected, use a respected malware scanner like Malwarebytes.  Some malware hides so well you'll need an offline scanner that runs from a booted CD, usually running Linux.

 

[SeilerBird]

The best defense against malware is using common sense.  Don't click on links if you don't know where they lead, don't open unexpected email attachments, ...

Ned is correct. This is the method I have always used and it works. Stay away from porn sites, gambling sites and sites that offer something for nothing.

 

[tnthub]

In addition to the above excellent recommendations, I will add the majority of malware infested computers I see are on computers that frequent discount shopping and coupon sites.  It seems those "special" tool bars and "special" coupon print drivers often do more than simply allow a person to receive a discount and not in a good way.

Keeping Windows up to date with patches, a decent anti-virus/anti-spyware package updated regularly, and common sense go a long way in minimizing risk.  Having a good image based backup is also convenient for those times when all else fails and you simply want to restore to an earlier day or week without the hassle of diagnosis.  In the vast majority of cases, email, documents, and pictures can be reloaded after restoration and your pc can be fully functional within a couple of hours instead of days or even a week...

 

[braindead]

There is no 'one size fits all' solution for malware/spyware/virii/worm protection and/or prevention.  Computer security is handled in layers.  First line of defense is usually a firewall however most people can't manage one properly so they end up poking huge holes in it.  Second line might be user awareness, being aware of where you're browsing to is very important.  Virus/malware/etc scanners come after that, once something bad has made it to that point you're system has been penetrated (maybe not fully compromised). 

It's a trade off, most people do not have the time or inclination to invest is proper computer security which is why viris/malware/badstuff scanners are so popular.  They're easy to install and you can mostly forget about them.  I recommend Microsoft Security Essentials (it meets PCI requirements and has a good track record.. and it's free) for windows users.

Computer security is a tradeoff between convenience (cost now) vs. potential future cost (cost later).  People seem to often prefer saving cost now so don't invest much in security.  This attitude affects companies as well as individuals, which is one reasons so many businesses have had their systems compromised.

Further defenses require more complex solutions that generally get less and less user friendly and can require more and more of your time.  If anyone is interested in going down that rabbit hole I'd be happy to contribute my 2 cents but it probably would be better on another thread.