Recommended Posts

best thing to do is have an up to date virus scanner and do a malware scan once in a while. every site can get infected from time to time, it would also depend on if you are using one or particular sites all the time, or using google to search around for what you wanted, using many sites would be more likely that you come across one that is going to infect your machine.

if you dont have a malware/spyware scanner

Malwarebytes

http://www.malwarebytes.org/

While it is a good idea to do a virus scan from time to time, that is not the end all. Personally I should hope my AV NEVER picks something up. Not because I want an AV that sucks, but because I hope it doesn't find malware on my system simply because I don't have any. I would focus really hard at keeping java off the system and windows / 3rd party software updated. Sure you can still get infected, but now it's of your stupidity running a file rather than getting nuked from an exploit / drive by download.

WinRT apps are sandboxed and Flash in WinRT IE is locked to trusted sites...I'm sure it would help.

I don't know how my brother still gets infected, but I'm pretty sure it'll happen again. :p

Nice I did not know that, I installed Win 8 on a partition on my comp, but I keep falling back to 7. I only use my Windows PC for gaming and streaming, so I do not use it much these days. That is definitely a great reason to suggest using it.

I verified with him, he did not install a single .exe, so it had to somehow be the ads from pron sites it sounds like.

So disabling Java, does anyone know if the Zune player relies on it at all? My friend is also one of the last people on earth who uses a Zune (I have offered him a FREE iPod, he has not taken it), so just want to make sure if disabling Java completely would interfere with that. I know I use Java on my machine for PS3 Media Server, so I have to admit disabling Java seems a little extreme to me as I feel it has its uses, but if it really will help stop all of this, I will un-install it.

See, I am my friends default tech support, which is ironic as you can all probably tell, I am not a Windows oriented user whatsoever, I know how to keep Windows running to play games and not much else (okay maybe a little more, but I am not on the level of people here who do it for a living, not even close), so anything I can do to make my life easier, I am all for it. :laugh:

Thanks again to everyone for all the different responses and help. I had a feeling I would grab peoples attention with the subject title, but I also knew more people than care to admit probably have had dealings with such sites. :shiftyninja: :D

Zune uses .NET, doesn't touch Java at all.

So disabling Java, does anyone know if the Zune player relies on it at all? My friend is also one of the last people on earth who uses a Zune (I have offered him a FREE iPod, he has not taken it), so just want to make sure if disabling Java completely would interfere with that. I know I use Java on my machine for PS3 Media Server, so I have to admit disabling Java seems a little extreme to me as I feel it has its uses, but if it really will help stop all of this, I will un-install it.

Uninstall Java (or don't install it if you don't already have it

Make sure (if you have them) you have the latest versions of Adobe Reader, Flash, Java (if you have it install). I would grab patchmypc and run it on that machine and see what out of date 3rd party software it finds. it updates all of them with 1 click.

Make sure you have all your windows updates

Run Firefox with adblock, flashblock. You can use noscript but it's sorta a pain in the ass.

I also recommend running standboxie. It won't prevent you from getting "infected" but if you do it should just infect the samebox. So to remove the virus infection, you just terminate all sandboxed processes and clear the sandbox.

Moral of the story, make sure you don't have java and keep your system up to date.

I should start playing "warwagon java bingo" :laugh:

qft btw... :)

Glassed Silver:ios

Zune uses .NET, doesn't touch Java at all.

Perfect thanks. That is my friends #1 reason for his computer, he loves music, and has an incredibly large music collection, so he always has Zune player running, which I have to admit after playing around with it one day at his house helping him do some house keeping, is a nice interface at least. So I just wanted to make sure disabling Java would not disable it at all. Thanks for the fast response. (Y)

I admit i check out the sites now and again for a free viewing and its hard to tell if its the site your on, some dodgy add that pops up or as mentioned before some image that has some bad code hidden in it (ive had warnings saying such and such an image is dangerous but i believe its the site address being flagged).

Anyway here is what i use and dont seem to have any issues:

Chrome

Kaspersky

Adblock Plus

AdMuncher (Premium adblocker)

I do "sometimes" scan for malware and what not using malwarebytes and i probably do that more than a virus scan lol (maybe once every 2-3months sometimes longer)

Things ive tried:

Flash Block - Found annoying

Noscript - Sounds good and can do a good job but can be annoying to set up and configure so it works correctly with sites i normally ended up just disabling it

What I don't understand is that if you have Kaspersky which blocks most of the ads, and have AdBlock Plus, why have a premium Ad Blocker?

I suggest a HOSTS file along with Firefox protection (i.e. Adblock, NoScript, etc). Also check his Java plugin and make sure it's up to date.

There we go!

Took a second to find a reply that suggests a host file!! #1 protrection tool!!

Get a good one here, http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm and then you don't even need some stupid ad blocking addon!!

NoScript and WoT are both pieces of junk and/or more of a PITA, than anything else.

Porn sites ARE NOT anymore dangerous than coming here. It's all about what has been injected/added to the particular site you're at.

I verified with him, he did not install a single .exe, so it had to somehow be the ads from pron sites it sounds like.

There was a vulnerability in the Java applet runtime a couple versions back that allows attackers to trigger the machine to download a payload executable without the user having to click anything (other than simply visiting a site).

I had to deal with the fallout of one such incident.. The payload exe in this case would run, sniff for a while, then start sending out emails to the user's contacts in webmails (yahoo, gmail, hotmail) with links to similarly infected sites. Oh yeah, as a bonus, it also joins your PC as a zombie in one of the major botnets.

There are other payloads making rounds on the net, but that was one of the nastier ones.

Oracle allegedly fixed the vulnerability in the recent versions, but I still tell people to NOT install Java under any circumstances. And if they REALLY must have it for one of their apps, then I would point them to articles about how to disable the browser applets (which you have to do for EACH browser you have installed. Each of them in slightly different ways. A bloody annoyance.)

See, I am my friends default tech support, which is ironic as you can all probably tell, I am not a Windows oriented user whatsoever.

I feel you. I'm the exact opposite - Windows user with Mac-using friends. I'm lucky to know enough Unix command-line, as I wouldn't know which button to click to, say, disable DHCP on a Mac... :pinch:

I don't know what kind of porn sites you guys go to, but I've never had any problems with any,

and IE does a perfect job as is without the need to fiddle with the HOSTS file.

I've been going to porn sites on a regular basis since 1995.

Getting viruses from porn sites is a myth. If anything, it'd be a virus site disguised as one, but very unlikely.

I've been going to porn sites non stop for close to 20 years now and I've never gotten a virus from one.

Out of all the years running computers, I've gotten 2 viruses which I've had no problem manually removing them myself in no time at all.

Quoted for the truth ...! Not just been going to them, but I worked in the adult industry on web design etc for a fair few years and most hosting platforms are very well protected. The worst thing that could happen to porn online would be the ludicrous suggestion that viruses come from the sites turning out to be a real thing. Doesn't happen.

What I don't understand is that if you have Kaspersky which blocks most of the ads, and have AdBlock Plus, why have a premium Ad Blocker?

AdMuncher catches the ones that they dont... I admit i started this counter before adding adblock but it still goes up. Also i have noticed that on two sites it removed the wait time for the videos and on some others removes the video ads that the service adds (bbc, c4, youtube etc). On top of that i feel i got a good deal by saving ?25 or $50 whichever you prefer for lifetime updates. Of cause adblock probably can do what admuncher can if you set it up but there is always something i forget to do and thats back up my settings so i have to start from scratch everytime i format it just makes life simpler.

Statistics for Ad Muncher v4.93.33707/4384

Adverts removed: 70,572

Bandwidth saved: 2,077 MB

Counter started: November 16, 2012

I'll admit - 3 pages, i haven't read through it all so this may have been suggested

But what about doing his porn activities on a virtual machine using say VMWare Player?

From what i read up (whether it's true or not i don't know) it doesn't infect the host machine. Get a virus on the VM & it's on the VM, not the host.

I'll admit - 3 pages, i haven't read through it all so this may have been suggested

But what about doing his porn activities on a virtual machine using say VMWare Player?

From what i read up (whether it's true or not i don't know) it doesn't infect the host machine. Get a virus on the VM & it's on the VM, not the host.

On certain processors it can actually escalate outside of the VM (though it's probably rare you'd come across one that does that.)

There we go!

Took a second to find a reply that suggests a host file!! #1 protrection tool!!

Get a good one here, http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm and then you don't even need some stupid ad blocking addon!!

NoScript and WoT are both pieces of junk and/or more of a PITA, than anything else.

Porn sites ARE NOT anymore dangerous than coming here. It's all about what has been injected/added to the particular site you're at.

Sorry, but I have to disagree with you about the usefulness of Adblock and NoScript. Adblock is so good that it should be installed by default, but

since it isn't, it's always recommended. NoScript is useful too, but I agree that it's a PITA. Most people could do without it but it's great for the paranoid!

I haven't used WOT in a long time though, so I can't say much about it. Good job mentioning the MVPS site; I've been using that one forever!

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • Microsoft confirms Windows 11 26H2, urges IT admins to prepare for release by Usama Jawad Windows 11 typically follows an annual update cycle, but Microsoft recently broke that tradition a bit by releasing a "26H1" version in the first half of this year as a "scoped" build for select new silicon PCs only. This version was not available for customers using 24H2 and 25H2 builds, as Microsoft is busy preparing version 26H2 for them, confirmed officially for the first time. In a Windows IT Pro blog, Microsoft has urged IT admins to prepare for the upcoming release of Windows 11 version 26H2. The company has confirmed that this will be a small enablement package (eKB) that will simply light up certain disabled features that are already present in the operating system's code base. This means that the "refined" Windows update and deployment experience will be simpler and quicker, with minimal disruptions, as the feature update will simply toggle a few flags rather than performing a complete replacement. Microsoft has explained that this is all possible because the standard Windows 11 releases share the same servicing branch and hence, the same source code. However, this also means that Windows 11 26H1 users won't be able to upgrade to 26H2 as that is a different branch, but this is something we have known for a while now. Similar to previous annual feature updates, Windows 11 26H2 will offer the following support cycles: 24 months of support for Home, Pro, Pro EDU, and Pro for Workstations editions 36 months of support for Enterprise, Education, IoT Enterprise, and Enterprise Multi-session editions Microsoft has not confirmed a concrete release date for Windows 11 26H2, but noted that it is "coming soon". If we go by the ongoing release cadence, we can expect it to begin rolling out in early October 2026. As such, IT admins have been encouraged to begin validating Windows Insider releases in the Experimental Channel, plan rollout rings, and strategize the utilization of their existing deployment tools.
    • Windows 11 gets new audio improvements in the latest builds by Taras Buria Today's Experimental builds (26H1 and Future Platforms, formerly Canary) pack several audio-related improvements. If your device is enrolled in the Experimental Channel (26H1), you can download build 28120.2315, while those in the Future Platforms version have build 29613.1000 to try. Here is what is new in build 29613.1000: [Audio] Following up on our previous improvements, we’re making some more adjustments to Settings > System > Sounds based on your feedback. Namely, we’ve updated the “All sound devices” page so: You now have the ability to change default devices from this page. Each of the devices displayed on this page now has a little volume meter next to it to show if there is audio actively playing. We’ve adjusted the page design slightly so now you can filter whether you’re viewing input or output devices. We’ve added toggles so you can choose if you want to hide or show disabled, disconnected, and unplugged devices on this page. We’ve also updated the input and output audio properties page for devices in Settings to now include jack information for those that need it. And here is the changelog for build 28120.2315: This update includes a small number of minor bug fixes and improvements. [Accessibility] This update improves caption style responsiveness by redrawing captions immediately for caption style changes. If no current caption is visible, a sample caption string is displayed. [Audio] This update improves the reliability of the inbox HD Audio driver. You can find the official release notes for build 28120.2315 here and for build 29613.1000 here.
    • I agree with what I think you are saying, just not in the way you are saying it. Like any tool, the amount it represents your work is perorational to the effort you put into it. It is similar to why 2nd grade math students learning to add and subtract are not allowed to use calculators, but a high-school calculous student is. For the 2nd grader, that tool would completely replace the work they are doing, for the calculous student the same tool allows them to work far more effectively while in no way replacing their effort or knowable. If you spend 30 seconds writing a prompt, then the image that comes out is no more "yours" than if you found the same image with a Google Image search. However, many of these generative tools also support highly iterative processes that allow back and forth, and merging generated images with photos or human created images. I am sure you would agree that a human spending hours of time working on a project, even if AI was involved in the process, still reflects that human's work.
    • Windows 11 version 26H2 is now available for testing in the latest preview build by Taras Buria Friday Windows 11 preview builds are here. Insiders in the Experimental (formerly Dev) and Beta Channel can download builds 26300.8697 and 26220.8690. There are no new features, but Microsoft is officially moving the Experimental Channel to version 26H2. In addition, Microsoft is improving the copy dialog in File Explorer, the Start menu reliability, and fixing virtualization issues. Here is the changelog: [General] With today’s build, Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel will see the versioning updated under Settings > System > About (and winver) to version 26H2. For more information, see the Windows Insiders blog. [File Explorer] We’ve improved the visual consistency and reliability of the Copy dialog in Dark mode, including its launch experience and the expanded progress view. [Start menu] - Also available in Beta Improved reliability of Start menu reflecting newly installed or removed apps without requiring sign-out or restart. [Taskbar] Fixed an issue for Insiders using the new smaller taskbar option, where the system tray might get cut off or pushed off screen. [Settings] - Also available in Beta Improved reliability of Settings > Apps > Startup. [Virtualization] - Also available in Beta This update addresses an issue that could result in bugchecks citing HYPERVISOR_ERROR (0x20001) and KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED (0x1E) errors after installing the latest flights on some devices during system restarts, virtual machine operations, or while running some gaming applications. You can find the official changelog for the Experimental build here and for the Beta build here.
    • I've always preferred this possibility. There is something that feels good about the idea that all matter in the universe will eventually come back together and maybe even result in another big bang. The idea that the universe would fizzle out over the eons and forever drift apart is a little depressing. I realize it is not logical to let a basic human desire for life to have a grand everlasting meaning change the way I feel about a scientific theory, but I am human, so that is how I feel :-).
  • Recent Achievements

    • Collaborator
      ryansurfer98 went up a rank
      Collaborator
    • Week One Done
      Eurosoft10 earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • One Month Later
      Eurosoft10 earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • One Year In
      Skeet Campbell earned a badge
      One Year In
    • One Month Later
      Sharbel earned a badge
      One Month Later
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      574
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      188
    3. 3
      Michael Scrip
      77
    4. 4
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      76
    5. 5
      neufuse
      71
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!