How do you totally secure comps. from hackers?

[Vel Straty]

Hello,

I've been told by my friend today that his PC was hacked by stalkers. Yes, stalkerS. Not one but from many. He said he almost got killed because of them coming to his house. He's a good person that I know for years and never does bad things to people. He just got in sight of people that doesn't like him. And attacking the PC and getting personal information e.t.c. was one of the attacks.

He said he has been using software firewalls, like the one that is sold everywhere. I don't know what he has been using, but it should be one of Norton or Macfee product, just forgot which one.

Anyway, his computer was hacked and cracked or whatever it maybe called and because of it, my identity was released to those personels and from it, my PC too was been attacked also.

The question is nice and simple. What is the total secure way that one can protect its PC? Any help wuld be appreciated. By the way, I have a http server on my system.

[Se7eNdUsT]

The real answer: Don't use the net at all.

However that's not really a solution, so a harware firewall, software firewall with default "No" answers to outgoing programs and incoming connections and last but not least: common sense.

A http server for one is not a very safe idea at all.

[baggers02]

Two ways, unplug computer from the phone socket or leave computer connected, just don't turn it on!

I have always believe there is no real way, and if there was, I always assume the hacker is one step ahead looking for the next flaw to exploit so 'total nail down' would not be for long.

Apart from the usual security, firewall, AV etc the biggest weapon you have in your arsenal is Common Sense!! Just watch what you do, emails, attachments, sites you visit. Don't give them a way in and you don't have to worry about getting them out.

I would recommend a router with firewall built in. I have one and wouldn't be without it BUT do not let a false sense of security arise.

[Vel Straty]

Thank you for your quick response Se7eNdUsT!

Well, the real answer is not to use the net at all. The person that is helping my friend as I heard from him was that he didn't connect at all to the net for a year.

Well, I have to use the net and my friend has to use the net for work and leisure and I need a web server.

I only used a firewall with default answers with "no" w/ common sense, anti-virus and no other programs.

Router with firewall, inside windows, a software firewall, IDS, anti-virus, spyware remover, e.t.c.? What else would be needed?

[Se7eNdUsT]

Just be smart on the net, don't open emails from unknown people, don't visit warez/crack sites don't download suspicious files from people you don't trust and keep your computer running smoothly so you can easily tell when something is not right.

I also recommend downloading X-NetStat Pro ( http://www.copperhead.cc/xnetstatpro.html ) so if you do suspect something is a bit suspicious you can find out if a hacker (or at least an unknown computer) is connected to you.

[baggers02]

Another genre of sites to avoid: Gamers Cheat Sites!

And thats advice above about keeping youur machine running smoothly is spot on.

I do and it is easy to spot a slow down, strange behaviour etc.

[baggers02]

Of course in this case I would advise reporting this to the authorities.

[Vel Straty]

From what I've heard, the stalker/hacker person used some sort of program that doesn't leave a trace inside Windows' log files and that he, my friend got a help from one of his fans(my friend plays music) and got introduced this retired so-called-hacker. That was the person who was helping him so I guess he won't go to the authorities. Anyway, in Japan, the authorities won't help you until someone gets INJURED or KILLED. They don't care s*** about the people anyway. They only work when the media is behind them, trying to act only as heros to the medias' and nothing more to the public.

Anyway, for a fact, I don't know much about the networks or TCP/IP so I couldn't help my friend other than to watch out and stay secured at all times.

But thanks for telling me baggers02!

[msbhi22]

1) Apply security policies in case of Nt mach like 2000 , XP Pro through secpol.msc

2) Keep good antivirus sofware and keep the Singnatures up to date

3) Install Anti-Spyware Tools that detect Hijack's entery in registry

forex spware blaster from www.javacoolsoftware.com, Trojan Scan, Spy sweeper 3.02, Ad-aware from Lavasoft

4) Keep complex passwords so that one could not guess it easily.

[Vel Straty]

Thanx msbhi22!

One other thing. Is there really a software that can easiy hack your system? or was mine and my friends' PC plain a** unsecurized?

[tacticus85]

most likly just unsecure thats all really vel but i would recommend moving your web site on to a third party server as well

[Subcodec]

Stories like this seem almost like a conspiracy theory to me. I just can't see a hacker going thru all this trouble to stalk someone. What would the motive be? Maybe I'm too laid back. I don't run any antivirus, no anti-spam, and the only firewall I run is WinXP's. I use common sense with the Net and with my emails and I keep fairly current with hotfixes and other program updates. In the 6 years I've owned a computer, I've only had 1 minor virus. It probably does help that I do a fresh install every 3 months or so.

I have 2 suggestions for Vel Straty. First, do what others have mentioned and use common sense and keep using firewall software, anti-spam utilities, etc. My other suggestion is to relax a little. I don't think anyone would pick you and a friend at random to stalk and even kill ya.

Subcodec

[laderio]

What about VMware?

The way you could have one secure computer behind a firewall and your Webserver could run in VMware, with open ports. When being hacked the main-system would'nt care

[totoymola]

Yes, using a virtual machine can be safe, but it's not practical.

There are several ways to protect your privacy, and most of them are already listed on the previous posts.

In addition to those:

1) Stay away from PORN SITES. (P2P also)

2) Use a proxy.

3) Scan files, emails, ZIP folders, etc. before opening.

4) Use a folder/drive security program so you can hide or password protect your folders or drives. (Folder Guard Pro is an example.)

5) Delete temp files, history and cookies regularly.

[brian873]

As everyone has said there is not ture way to stay safe but you can minamize the risk. i use a PC that has kazza and all my insecure internet enabled software on it. And I use a PC for my email and internet banking so the PC is only on for a shoort period of time it has nno extra software apart from antivirus and contains all my word excel docs. this means when my internet PC gets bogged down with cr*p i just reinstall, no problems. All this depends onn havingn two pc's though.

hail hail