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Tips to help protect from infection


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Tips to help protect from infection

NOTE: Though most of these ideas and tips apply to all Windows computers most of it is geared for Windows 10 and 11. If you're on an older version of Windows make sure any updates, or changes apply to your system.

The following information and links are provided to help ensure your computer and account remains safe. No rush but please take your time and read, review, and watch some of the videos which will help you to better manage your digital life both now and into the future.

PrivacyTools - Encryption, and tools to protect against global mass surveillance - https://www.privacytools.io

Privacy - Protecting Your Digital Footprint
https://www.sans.org/newsletters/ouch/ouch-april-2021/

Please stop messing up your computer and read Do I need a Windows Registry Cleaner?

Cybersecurity basics & protection
https://www.malwarebytes.com/cybersecurity

Help Secure your browsers

If you're not backing up your data and you're still using Google Chrome then you're just not serious about Privacy, Safety, and protecting your data. Malwarebytes is a fantastic program but you still need to back up your data and you still need to block scripts and Ads in your browser. 
Are you're still using Google Chrome? You may want to consider using Firefox instead. For more advanced users you might also consider installing NoScript as well (it does have a higher learning curve though)

You may be interested in using our new Malwarebytes Browser Guard to help protect your browser from items that uBlock or others don't target.

Also, don't forget to visit the bottom of the page listed here to make some privacy settings in Firefox if you're using Firefox, but be careful. implementing all those changes will greatly change how Firefox works and may be too strict for many users.  https://www.privacytools.io/browsers/#about_config

How to disable WebRTC in Firefox?
Set "media.peerconnection.enabled" to "false" in "about:config".

Firefox now tells Mozilla what your default browser is every day
In the Firefox address bar, you can type the following to check your settings:       about:telemetry

How to See (and Disable) the Telemetry Data Firefox Collects About You
https://www.howtogeek.com/557929/how-to-see-and-disable-the-telemetry-data-firefox-collects-about-you/

Firefox users in the U.S.
You are at risk of leaking DNS requests to Cloudflare, no matter which VPN setup you have. To prevent this, open Firefox Options > General > Network settings > Settings, then deselect "Enable DNS over HTTPS."

Please install uBlock Origin for your browsers to better protect your system.

FireFox, ChromeOpera , SafariMicrosoft Edge
AdBlock Plus for Internet Explorer

How to use uBlock Origin to protect your online privacy and security | uBlock Origin tutorial 2018
This video tutorial above explains how to use uBlock Origin in advanced user mode and all the advanced settings to protect your online privacy and help prevent unwanted sites from changing your browser settings

Delete Cookies Automatically

Cookie AutoDelete plugin
Chrome  | Firefox 

ClearURLs
ClearURLs will automatically remove tracking elements from URLs to help protect your privacy when browsing through the Internet

ClearURLs for Firefox, Edge, & Chrome


Browser push notifications: a feature asking to be abused
HTTPS Everywhere
NOTHING TO HIDE documentary

If you're having unexpected behaviors in your Web Browser that you can't seem to fix then you may need to consider resetting to Default Settings.
How to reset default settings in an Internet browser

Review your email and Office choices

Quit Gmail for free encrypted email - Tutanota
Why ProtonMail Is More Secure Than Gmail
LibreOffice - Free and open source office suite

Use Password Management software

Bitwarden
KeePass Password Safe

Make sure you use a strong master password
Then set the key transformation settings (the link below helps provide information on how to choose good settings)
https://pthree.org/2016/06/29/further-investigation-into-scrypt-and-argon2-password-hashing
KeePass Password Manager: Full Detailed Setup (good YouTube video on setup and using Keepass but choose the Argon2 method for Key transformation)

Password Managers Compared: LastPass vs KeePass vs Dashlane vs 1Password

https://www.theregister.com/2021/02/25/lastpass_android_trackers_found/

Encrypted Instant Messenger and Voice Calls

Please review the following site for a breakdown of features of different Messenger applications.

SafeSwiss
Riot
Signal
Wire     
NOTE: Recent news of Wire having new investors and moving to the United States.
Wickr Me  NOTE: Amazon acquires secure chat app, June 25, 2021 https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/25/amazon-acquires-wickr-secure-messaging-app-used-by-government-agencies.html

 

Follow-up Reading

Everything you need to know about cybercrime
10 easy ways to prevent malware infection 
Keep your data backed up

Best Practices

Follow best practices when browsing the Internet, especially on opening links coming from untrusted sources.
First rule of Internet safety: Slow Down & Think before you "click"

Never click links without first hovering your mouse over the link and seeing if it is going to an odd address (one that does not fit or is odd looking or has typos)

Never open attachments that come in unexpectedly ( out of the blue ) email no matter how enticing. Even if from friends always be cautious.
Never open attachments from the email itself. Do not double click in the email. Always Save first and then scan with an antivirus program or upload to https://www.virustotal.com and allow them to scan it with multiple scanners.

Pay close attention when installing 3rd-party programs. It is important that you pay attention to the license agreements and installation screens when installing anything off of the Internet.
If an installation screen offers you Custom or Advanced installation options, it is a good idea to select these as they will typically disclose what other 3rd party software will also be installed.
Take great care in every stage of the process and every offer screen, and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next".

Why You Shouldn’t Use an Admin Account as Your Main Account
https://www.maketecheasier.com/why-you-shouldnt-use-admin-account/

Make certain that Automatic Updates are enabled.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12373/windows-update-faq

Keep your system and programs up to date. Several programs release security updates on a regular basis to patch vulnerabilities. Keeping your software patched up prevents attackers from being able to exploit them to drop malware.

Thank you and Stay Safe

Thank you for choosing Malwarebytes as your preferred security protection software and tell your friends and family too. We're here to help.

For a much more extensive set of articles please visit Bleepingcomputer

 

Edited by AdvancedSetup
updated information
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