How to stay safe from getting hacked?

[Elites]

It's been almost a year since the hackings began and the two threads in the advanced player section are just 80 pages long. So alot of us aren't really aware of what measures to take to stay safe from being hacked. My question is can anyone give a good indepth outline as to what we need to do to stay safe? I already run mozilla with noscript+adblock, AVG free edition as my virus scanner and spybot as my anti-spyware+CCleaner. Just did a fresh install of windows today so looking if im missing anything else. I also updated my flash but a direct link to the update would be helpful. Thanks~

[Kohan]

If you want to be as safe as possible, there are even more options open to you. In addition to NoScript and AdBlock Plus (which you should replace regular AdBlock with), I recommend these plug-ins:

Flashblock: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/433

WOT (Web of Trust): https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3456

Since AVG isn't as good as it used to be, Avast! Anti-Virus is a better free anti-virus program: http://www.avast.com/eng/download.html

Spybot is excellent, but you may also want to use Malware Bytes: http://www.download.com/Malwarebytes...-10804572.html

As far as FFXI is concerned, enter your password using the on-screen virtual keyboard and save it. Make sure your POL Member and Login passwords are very different, and preferably not ones you use on any FFXI forums.

Aside from scanning anything before you install it, and being careful about what sites you allow, these are the best protective measures you can take.

[SephYuyX]

There is no guide.

The only guide that actually works is: dont turn your PC on, and if you have to turn your pc on, dont have the ethernet cable plugged in.

Sorry, no amount of security will make you secure. The only real answer is is to be smart about everything. I use IE6, no firewalls, no virus scanners, no special little thingys, and i've never ever had a problem with FFXI or anything in general.

[Elites]

Thanks kohan, downloaded the extra suggestions you listed, Also should i reset my password after installing all these programs + running a scan. I reset mine earlier as soon as i formatted my pc.

[Kohan]

Thanks kohan, downloaded the extra suggestions you listed, Also should i reset my password after installing all these programs + running a scan. I reset mine earlier as soon as i formatted my pc.

Nah, that's being overly worried. If you're on a fresh install, have all of this protection, and haven't visited any crazy websites (or installed any questionable software), it's basically impossible for any kind of a keylogger to be on your machine.

Only change your passwords if they violate the aforementioned advice (e.g., the member and login passwords on POL are identical).

And remember: it is true that having protection won't save you from everything, but it's still safer to be smart.

[Cephius]

The only real answer is is to be smart about everything. I used IE6, no firewalls, no virus scanners, no special little thingys, and i've never ever had a problem with FFXI or anything in general.

Wrong.

Being smart will protect from the things that are obvious. Virus scanners, Firefox with addons, and firewalls will protect you from the things that aren't. To not use something as free and simple as firefox with Noscript is pure stupidity. Just because you've gotten lucky doesn't mean someone else should take the same risk.

[Elites]

I downloaded and installed avast however, it says i have 59 days left till the Demo is over. Thought it was free?

[Jones]

I'll chime in here to ask a follow on question. I've been blocking all scripts (even those on whitelist) since late August after reading this thread on Windower.net.

There is still debate in that thread over whether Flash Player 9.0.124.0 is "safe."

I know nothing is "safe", but my question is Flash Player 9.0.124.0 "safe for now" to the point I can allow my whitelists to run their scripts.

[Ashira]

Keep programs up-to-date: filehippo.com (freeware) and updatestar.com (most programs).

Use KeePass: http://filehippo.com/download_keepass/

Use a firewall, I like Outpost Security Suite, and there are freebie ones available too.

Use a few real-time spyware shields, WebRoot Spyware Sweeper and AVG Anti-Spyware are nice. Also freebies available in this line of products, Spyware Terminator is pretty decent.

And of course your AV software.

Run your scans regularly, etc.

Pray.

[Elites]

What is Keepass necessarily good for? Also is the windows firewall trash compared to the freeware ones out there like zonealarm etc.

[Kohan]

I downloaded and installed avast however, it says i have 59 days left till the Demo is over. Thought it was free?

It is free, but you do have to register it. This is also free. They will E-Mail you an activation code once you've done it.

You can do that here: https://secure.avast.com/web/eng/home-registration.php

[levish]

firefox with no script would be a good start, ideally don't browse on the same machine you game on (or at least the same partition / windows install).

[Cream Soda]

I just keep FFXI and Windows on C drive, and keep firefox and anything/everything else on D drive.

[Elites]

How effective is that really? So create a seperate partition for just ffxi+windows ? How much space would be needed to partition for the FFXI drive?

[Omniyoji]

Personally I use:

Adblock Plus
AmIOnMySpace (lulz)
Firekeeper
Flashblock
KeyScrambler
NoScript
WOT (web of trust)

and probably the biggest one

DropMyRights

run a search on em and pick out the ones you likey

Oh and I'd like to also add supergenpass.com for website passwords