Wayne in BC
New member
For a couple years now i have been using a few add ons for Firefox. They have eliminated many problems i used to have with tracking cookies and adware/malware.
First is "BetterPrivacy" a great tool for removing the normally unremovable flash cookies, super cookies, and tracking cookies that can be a threat and long term problem.
BetterPrivacy
Next is "NoScript" which provides much safer browsing with a customizable "set and forget" menu for the websites you normally go to and a safety net sorta like a specialized firewall for net surfing. Note a couple negative reviews here by idiots who think it is an anti virus, duh!
NoScript
"Adblock Plus" removes those miserable "third party" banner ads and even protects against many malware hosting sites by blocking them. It will also speed up your browsing by not allowing many ads to load. It does not affect your favorite safe sites, eg i have not even configured it and it does not block anything from Findmall cause its safe here.
Adblock Plus
All are very small downloads and do not use up computer resources to any noticeable degree.
Finally, for those who do not know of it, the premier anti malware program in the world today is "Malwarebytes anti malware". A free edition which will actually remove threats that top anti virus programs cannot. In fact, for example, Norton, MacAfee, Avira, etc, all recommend it to their customers on their forums when faced with malware/virus problems their program cannot deal with! The free edition must be manually updated and is run as an "on demand "scanner/repair" program.
They also have a pro or paid edition which i use. Wonderful program will prevent infection far better than anything i have ever seen!
I added it to wife's computer and various boneheaded kids in the family for obvious reasons
It updates itself automatically several times a day and has a huge database of malicious IP's and sites that it will automatically block if you stumble across one, eg a google search does not tell you if a site is hosting malicious content and even the various "safe search" options provided by MacAfee, Norton, etc are not near as accurate!
The pro edition is only about 25 bucks for a lifetime license for one computer, transferable to a new one if at any time you replace the old one.
It does not replace your anti virus! But works with it and in a very few cases depending on your anti virus you need to add it to the exclusion list on your anti virus program.
Malwarebytes should be updated at least weekly and only run a "quick scan", full scan is rarely required, usually only if you have had a problem.
I have used it for a couple of years now and am still impressed at how it works and will admit it has saved the butt of this usually careful and paranoid puter user a few times.
Download free version or paid Here
Malwarebytes forum for free help with any malware/virus problem is Here
Finally, for those who use free anti virus programs a word of caution, AVG free for instance has become very bloated and slows computers down, it also no longer ranks very well with its protection. Other better options are ......
Antivir by Avira, it works very well but has a "nag screen" that pops up asking you to buy the paid edition, slightly annoying but no big deal.
Avira free Avira free
Believe it or not Microsoft has finally built a free anti virus that is really good and ranks right up there with the best! I use it on one of our laptops and am impressed with the simplicity and protection!
MSE free
A layered approach to internet security is always the best option and these days it is very very dangerous to not have the best you can get.
This has been a public service announcement by your friendly local nerd who has been bit a few times
First is "BetterPrivacy" a great tool for removing the normally unremovable flash cookies, super cookies, and tracking cookies that can be a threat and long term problem.
BetterPrivacy
Next is "NoScript" which provides much safer browsing with a customizable "set and forget" menu for the websites you normally go to and a safety net sorta like a specialized firewall for net surfing. Note a couple negative reviews here by idiots who think it is an anti virus, duh!
NoScript
"Adblock Plus" removes those miserable "third party" banner ads and even protects against many malware hosting sites by blocking them. It will also speed up your browsing by not allowing many ads to load. It does not affect your favorite safe sites, eg i have not even configured it and it does not block anything from Findmall cause its safe here.
Adblock Plus
All are very small downloads and do not use up computer resources to any noticeable degree.
Finally, for those who do not know of it, the premier anti malware program in the world today is "Malwarebytes anti malware". A free edition which will actually remove threats that top anti virus programs cannot. In fact, for example, Norton, MacAfee, Avira, etc, all recommend it to their customers on their forums when faced with malware/virus problems their program cannot deal with! The free edition must be manually updated and is run as an "on demand "scanner/repair" program.
They also have a pro or paid edition which i use. Wonderful program will prevent infection far better than anything i have ever seen!
I added it to wife's computer and various boneheaded kids in the family for obvious reasons
It updates itself automatically several times a day and has a huge database of malicious IP's and sites that it will automatically block if you stumble across one, eg a google search does not tell you if a site is hosting malicious content and even the various "safe search" options provided by MacAfee, Norton, etc are not near as accurate!
The pro edition is only about 25 bucks for a lifetime license for one computer, transferable to a new one if at any time you replace the old one.
It does not replace your anti virus! But works with it and in a very few cases depending on your anti virus you need to add it to the exclusion list on your anti virus program.
Malwarebytes should be updated at least weekly and only run a "quick scan", full scan is rarely required, usually only if you have had a problem.
I have used it for a couple of years now and am still impressed at how it works and will admit it has saved the butt of this usually careful and paranoid puter user a few times.
Download free version or paid Here
Malwarebytes forum for free help with any malware/virus problem is Here
Finally, for those who use free anti virus programs a word of caution, AVG free for instance has become very bloated and slows computers down, it also no longer ranks very well with its protection. Other better options are ......
Antivir by Avira, it works very well but has a "nag screen" that pops up asking you to buy the paid edition, slightly annoying but no big deal.
Avira free Avira free
Believe it or not Microsoft has finally built a free anti virus that is really good and ranks right up there with the best! I use it on one of our laptops and am impressed with the simplicity and protection!
MSE free
A layered approach to internet security is always the best option and these days it is very very dangerous to not have the best you can get.
This has been a public service announcement by your friendly local nerd who has been bit a few times