ktulu wrote:My best advice, don't use the internet. Yes, I do work for a provider, and chances are really good your packets have crossed our network.
The only solution: Smash your computer into many thousands of unrecognizable pieces.
Now, with that said, I don't beleive that the internet is so dangerous that you shouldn't use it. I feel that with educated decisions, active monitoring, regular updates, and regular scans, that you can keep ahead of the virus curve. (Keep in mind I do not update the same day they come out, I wait for 2 days, then update - rushed updates can be just as dangerous as not being protected by them, I view it as it's better if someone else's computer gets hosed, and then I know which updates to avoid.) :D: How kind of me.
I, however, have a special issue for my laptop. I use it for digital forensic investigations, and that causes a big problem. My antivirus has a tendency to eat and purge my forensic tools, as well as collected evidence. (How helpful...) So, I have no antivirus on my laptop.
Here's what I've done to protect myself. I have a copy of my registry, which I can compare my registry to what is on my machine. I also have snapshots of what processes are running, how much memory and CPU usage is being used by each process, each service's location, each process's location. I also watch for the signs of an infection - changes, slowdowns, things of those sorts. This doesn't mean I'm protected really by any means, but I do take measures that I can spot a problem early on, and sometimes get away (depending on the lovely virus/malware) with not reimaging my laptop.
