I saw a comment on a post before about how their virus protector could be preventing them from seeing certain websites and such, what virus protector is not woke and decent? I just got a new PC and I am trying to set it up with the least amount of intrusion possible (I even bought a webcam cover for it)
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I thought a virus protector was a fire wall? I know very little about these things.
No, virus protectors or "anti-virus" as they are called are software programs that very simply put run on your computer and ensure you dont get hit by a virus.
Firewalls, on the other hand operate at networking level and stops anyone from accessing your computer on the internet. They can be hardware or software.
Most systems come with inbuilt firewalls (Windows,Linux and Mac), but I personally prefer to configure a hardware firewall, and I never install any "anti-virus" software. I do use secure browsers such as Brave, enable ad and popup blockers.
I dont use the same computer to access bank accounts and other sensitive stuff as I use for my general internet browsing and I refrain from downloading shady apps in general. I use a virtual machine to access bank accounts.
On top of all that, I take backup of my files regularly, and disconnect the backup harddrive when not in use.
I would also suggest using a VPN, but not any off the shelf services, because they are all compromised. If you use it, you should install your own.
In my own experience, this setup is splendid against almost all attacks you and your computers may face from the external world. The only attacks this won't protect you from is if someone has physical access to your devices.
One of my earliest redpills was regarding anti-virus software. (Check out McAfee and its colorful founder.) Basically the whole thing is a scam run by criminals who create new viruses just to stay in business and sell your personal data "accidentally".
THank you for so succintly summarizing COVID. ? You just connected a couple dots for me. You're on to something.
The connections between computer viruses and real viruses is uncanny, especially once you realise Bill Gates is directly connected to both!
Yeah one of the first things I did was install Brave and disable windows IE. I have two external drives (one HD one SSD NVMe) the SSD is for my games the HD is for pictures and stuff, then the computer has built in a 1 TB HD that I will probably put other games on that I am not so attached to.
I run my own business and a friend of mine is giving me his old laptop I thought that would be good for keeping it separate from my day to day stuff so my bookkeeping doesn't get corrupted.
Yeah this pc is Win 10 and has its own built in firewall, I know nothing about virtual machines to run something like that to access my bank account and VPNs are beyond me because they require a monthly subscription.
If you have an old laptop that you can use for banking and stuff, dont worry about the virtual machine. Just use the laptop for important stuff and the PC for games and browsing etc. If your wifi router can create two separate networks use one for laptop and one for the rest. It will be very insulated and provide you good security.
Your PC has some yummy hard drive. Games on the NVMe will load so far you wont want to use HDD any more!
Educate yourself on how to restore the computer from the rescue CD.
Save anything of value in 2 places. On your PC and off your PC on backup drive.
What might be of value?
A.Your internet links. All major browsers have built in tool to export your favorites, history, etc.
B. Sentimental photos/music/art
C. Financial or legal records.
With those 2 steps, you can get back up and running in an hour even with a complete hard drive wipe.
Hope that helps. I havent used an anti-virus app on my home PC in decades.
I don't want to draw a COVID paralell, but like the poster bubble_bursts points out,
The Anti-Virus vendors(think vaccine vendors) rely on fear of VIRUSES to sell AV PRODUCTS (vaccines).
Same business model. Wonder where Bill got the idea?