introduction: in this guide u will find some good instructions and tips on how to raise ur security level and be protected from hackers\virus\trojans etc. following these steps for the home user will get u protected from the majority of the hackers or other threats but remember, u can never get 100% secure with an internet connection.





Step 1: Anti-Virus, Firewall and Windows Update.

1.Anti-virus - an absolut must. it will protect ur computer from virus as well as worms\trojans. ur anti-virus program needs to be updated atleast once a week bcuz new threats come out all the time. wich anti virus is the best, norton or kaspersky, or panda? everyone has their own opinion but if u r looking for a good FREE anti virus then ide suggest AVG Anti-virus

3.Firewall - extremely important. it controls and monitors ur incoming\outgoing traffic and protects u from hackers. it allows u to choose which programs u want to allow connecting the internet and wich not. without it, any program can connect to the internet, even trojans, and also u r exposed form the outside to packets attacks. i recommend ZoneAlarm Firewall - its free, easy to use, and gives u excellent protection.

4.Windows Update - highly important. some bugs and security holes wich were discovered only after windows` release can be fixed by downloading windows updates from the windows update site. simply scan and then install the patches wich microsoft realases to fix the bugs security holes wich were found in ur operating system. to update windows visit the Windows Update site



Step 2: Disabling unnecessary services

1.Disabling unnecessary services - Windows XP or 2000 ONLY. some risky and unnecessary services r enabled by default and may allow a malicious hacker to hack u. in order to disable them do: start >run > services.msc
double click the service u wanna disable and change it's type to disabled\manual. here is an excellent guide to help u decide wich services to disable or set to manual: Click here.



Step 3: Defence against Spyware\Adware

1.what is adware\spyware? - adware is advertising software, while u surf sites, or install some programs (like KaZaA i.e) adware may be installed on ur computer. its mostly extremely annoying since it pops out Ads and commercials when u surf the web but it also slows down ur computer. spyware, is the same is adware, but it spys after ur actions, wich sites do u surf and according to that they send u advertisments. not only that it slows down ur computer and annoys u, it also hurts ur privacy.

2.what can i do? - get spybot and AdAware the best (and free) programs currently in the field. they scan ur computer to discover spyware\adware and then aliminate it. spybot also has a great feature thats called "Immunize" it immunize u against the common threats so it wont be downloaded to ur comp while u surf in the first place (for advanced users i reccomend using the other great feature of spybot called "TeaTimer" wich watches ur registry). **highly important: update ur spybot and adaware programs atleast once a week, new spyware\adware r spreaded constantly ** get it: Spybot 1.3 and Adaware SE Personal



Step 4: Configure mIRC, ICQ and Internet Explorer for maximum security

1.Internet Explorer - dont use it. use the excellent alternative Firefox. but if u have to use explorer then configure it right: open ur explorer. go to Tools >Internet options now go to "Security" tab. in "Internet" press defualt level > "Local Intranet" set it on medium > "trusted sites" set on medium > "restricted sites" press default level. now go to the Privacy tab and press "advanced". mark V in "override automatic cookie handling" now go to Third party cookies and select "block" do ok. also i reccomend using Proxomitron wich is a free proxy program that protects u from malicious cookies, adv, popups, javascripts, activx etc, get it in www.proxomitron.info
also its recommended that u use proxy since it hides ur ip while surfing in sites. get free proxy servers list in here. now in FireFox do: Tools > Options > Connection Settings > Manual proxy configuration > now add the ip of ur selected proxy server to the first 2 lines.
in Internet Explorer: Tools > Internet Options > Connections > LAN Settings > mark V in Proxy Server > Advanced > now put the ip of ur selected proxy server in the firsr 2 lines

2.mIRC - if u r authed(only in Quakenet) write:
//mode $me +x
it hides ur ip, highly important. put it in perform (remember to put this line right after the AUTH line).
also hide urself from other ppls /whois with the +i mode:
//mode $me +i
another settings is:
/ignore -wdt *
it ignores all dcc and all ctcp. if u choose to use it but all ur list has become red then in mirc press alt+b and go to "Nick" tab and change the red thingy.
Note for Quakenet channel operaors: if u r a channel operator i advise u to put the following channel modes on ur channel: C,n,t and N. do so by writing:
/mode #channel(name of ur channel) +CnNt
more information about the channel modes can be found here

3.ICQ - dont use it. use ICQ Lite instead. its more secure plus it requires much less RAM. now after u have it go to main > perferences and security > general
remove V from "Allow others to view my online\ofline status form the web" also select "my authorization is required..." now move to "Spam control" and mark V in "do not accept email express messages" and "do not accept world wide pager messages"



Step 5: Important ending notes

online ports scaner - check if u r secured and if all of ur ports r stealthed in _this_ online ports scanner



highly important - the most important thing: Do not open suspicious e-mails & links - in mirc, icq, msn outlook etc, they could contain virus\trojan. and do not accept files wich u r not sure r virus free! instruct ur family to do so as well **





Thats all for now, I hope you found it usefull. * thread might be updated