How about an "ALL-Things-SECURITY Forum?

Forgive me - I knew not where else to post this.

After happening upon the advice below from TimW today (in the Malware Forum - to another member/poster), I am left once again wondering (yet this time also asking): Why would there not be a “Security” Forum – here - @ MG’s?

(QUOTE)
I strongly advise you to cleanup your Desktop. Remove everything but links to run programs. Do not download and save programs here and definitely do not use it for long term storage. You need to keep ComboFix.exe here for now as we need it, but we will be removing it when we are finished with your cleanup. A cluttered Desktop is malware's playground and it can also cause performance degradation especially when you start saving large files here like you are doing. (END QUOTE)

I never realized this. I’ve “suspected” it before – at times. I’ve “wondered” about it – from time to time – but I never knew it to be a hard fact. It may have been mentioned here (many times?), but I think it would help a GREAT many (MORE) people, if it were this plain … not in any sort of “geek-speak”, but rather just this simple:

1. Do NOT Download, “Save” or “Store” programs to, on, or in your Desktop (as is most commonly done – and even usually “suggested” – from my experience).

2. A cluttered Desktop is a veritable “playground” for Malware - and it can also cause performance degradation especially when saving large files to it.

3. Etc., etc., etc. …… - something to this effect. A place where people could BEGIN the process of internet Safety/Security – and a place to come back to with ONLY security/safety types of questions.

I have NO (-0-) “formal” training or education in this stuff – and I’m taking a bit of a WiLd guess that the vast majority of the however many “members” that have “joined” here (posted once or twice in however many years) do not either.

I, personally, am not a ‘younger-gen (X? Y? Z?) that might have other “geek-type” friends rolling-through my place on any sort of regular basis - I’m an OLD guy (will be 49 exactly two months from today! Egad!) - and I live in a rather isolated, rural community these days, so I wouldn’t have many techie-type people popping-in to offer advice or suggestions (IT knowledge?) anyway. I pretty much rely and depend upon this site exclusively for “education” in regard to my PC’s and keeping mean-n-lean in dealing with the internet. Most everything I’ve learned (which is not much - `cause I’m a s-l-o-w learner) has been here – but it all seems a bit “fragmented” … (which is probably the perfect adjective to use – especially in an environment such as this). I’ve picked-up bits & pieces all along the way, and I’m grateful for what has been freely offered and given here. But I’m missing A LOT. I feel that I am, and I KNOW that I am.

Surely I can’t be the first to wonder or ask about this (?). I’m speaking of a Forum where ‘all-things-security’ is the #1 priority. Most everyone (it seems) is “concerned” with “Speed/Performance” these days (including yours Truly) but it also occurs to me that the faster a computer processes, the faster it can become infected with any one of the, what, 15 million forms (literally) of malware discovered just last year alone?! And if we are not as ABSOLUTELY secure as we can possibly be at all times, all the speed/performance in the world could render us dead-in-the-water at moment – no?

It seems to me that a Security Forum could take some of the “heat” out of (and off of) the Malware forum. I don’t need to tell anyone that the vast majority of us tend to get a bit “wigged” at the first sign of ANY trouble with/on our machines. And yes, it would mostly be a forum for newbies – and folks like me – but I have this God-awful, gut-wrenching feeling, that security issues … Security BREACHES, are about to escalate – so that even some of the more seasoned “veterans’ among us may well have some sort of trouble(s) in the not-too-distant future.

There’s a great deal to know about this (tech) stuff – and by its very nature, an on-going or continuing type of education seems necessary (please correct me if I’m wrong here). I’d say, by virtue of the fact that everything continues to fly at like a million miles-an-hour towards technology – it’s vital, crucial – and downright critical, that we are ALL on the same page with this stuff.

A sad (and rather “dangerous”??) fact (and unfortunately it applies about 99% for me) is that the “Backup” section here is one of the least viewed/read parts of the site. And obviously no one can be made to read it – but after reading through it myself, I still have many questions about the practice. I have so many questions regarding security most days that I don’t know where to begin. And I spend so much time paranoid about updating protection programs, and running scans (and then a great deal more time trying to “improve performance” of my wretched machines) that there are simply not enough hours in the day to get to them all.

I’ll end this rather than risk any more humiliation.

Replies? Please?

 

Because there is a great deal to know about it is exactly why we have the Malware Forum for security related problems, and those who advise in there are specifically trained in these tools.

If the questions are application related only (and not cleaning advice) then there are plenty of Sticky threads that give that advice. Specific questions to certain applications can be made in the software forum. To split the software forum up in to the different areas of applications e.g. cleaners, defraggers, AVs, firewalls, would create countless sub-forums to moderate, and needless to say, threads would be posted all over the place incorrectly, and fewer people would read each forum, so less advice.

I think we already provide what you are asking, just not in the format you are asking i..e separate forums for each software application subject.

 

I can't get my own family to stop downloading malware, feel for you guys in malware. Your work is much appreciated. I've not seen hide nor hair of malware for years because I read and follow your guide. *smiles*

 

That's really sad eh Tim? I bet you that even if you had a red flashing blurb on all forums to follow that, not many would even bother looking at it. Same goes for the R&R. Sigh, the crap ya'll put up with. :eek

Pope Augie the 375th declares all malware experts and fighters as saints. No need to die first either and you don't have to be Catholic.:-D

 

Could I kiss your ring, Your Auggieness? :foolish

 

I'll send you a genuine replica for only $9.99 plus S&H. You can kiss it all you want then! 1_800-CALL-AUGIE

CALL NOW!!!:-D

roflmao @ Your Auggieness. I think I just abdicated. uke:-D

Phew, this is in the lounge. I won't get banned then.

 

Because it would look messy, is what they're trying to say. Don't deny it!!!

 

Thanks very much to all who posted to this thread.

:-o I suppose my point was (where I seem to have problems) is noticing (or quickly finding) the information I am trying to ascertain - and when things go awry as concerns Security/Vulnerability/Malware/Breaches (or even seem to be going awry - which I am finding more and more often to be my case), Rapid ascertainment is what I feel compelled towards - and I believe that is the case with the majority of users (?).

Thanks much again to all, especially TimW here. The http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=44525 link has proven to be more of what I was looking for - I suppose I was thinking that it would simply have ~*!ALARMS!-BELLS-WHISTLES & RED FLAGS*~ to go along with it :-D I reckon I thought it should simply jump-out of my monitor, off the screen, fall into my lap, and start slappin' me around a bit! And I also suppose I was thinking that the 'Safely Using/Navigating the Internet' (or something to that effect) sticky by Major Attitude was sort of the end of it (here at MG's), and I occasionally get confused as to where best to post some of my questions ... which Forum, that is. I try to spare the Malware Squad from questions that are best asked elsewhere (but then I recently got myself misguided by naively accepting some rather errant advice/suggestions over in Software, until Lev showed-up for the "Rescue", so ....?).

Now, the above mentioned link having been, uh, mentioned, I have gone through the procedure (mostly ... well, I had some "trouble" with it - shocker, eh?), and have some questions.

To keep things simple, I'll simply ask: should I start a new thread (in Malware? Or in Software??), or should I start listing them, one-by-one, here, now?

Thanks again to EVERYONE!

 

If the problem is associated with the application itself then post in Software. If it is actually malware removal using an application that is your issue then start a new thread in the Malware Forum

 

Re: How about an "ALL-Things-SECURITY" Forum?

Great - Thanks!

 

Of course you can keep even program links off your desktop by creating a folder and dropping all your shortcuts there, and create a tool bar from it. Then drag it onto the desktop if you want. I've got three folders I use commonly there now.

 

hmmmm. Now there's an idea. Now all I have to do is figure-out how to do all that ...

1. Create a folder (name it, say; "Run-Program Links"?)
2. Create a Toolbar from it ... ok, I'm stuck (?). How would one "create a toolbar from it"?

I'm wondering now, why might one want to "drag it onto the desktop"? And, would any of this (really) enhance security - at all?

My head's startin' to hurt again now - am I maybe "thinking" TOO much ... yet again? :banghead

 

How about downloading Smart Bookmarks Bar from Firefox? https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/search?q=Smart+Bookmarks+Bar&cat=all

Just add in a "new folder" in the Bookmarks Toolbar which is part of the Smart Bookmarks Bar. Name it the way you desire. Then add in all the links from MG you want. You can drag and drop if you have already some of them and can also open them in tabs. Too bad that I haven't found a way (yet) to change the ugly manilla folders into something more attractive.

See my pic as an example.

 

Thanks oma! This is very interesting, and I'm going to be looking into it more when I have time.

I have to say this though: You impress me as the KING of Browser "tricks and gadgets" (Browser "know-how")! Or at least the reigning Crown Prince! Thanks again!

 

Thank you, I'm flattered although I'm just a senior in age, am a "she" so would classify as neither of them you mentioned. :-D
Found many info about Firefox in easy readable format in this link: http://www.tweakguides.com/Firefox_1.html

What I did with my FF browser in order not to occupy too much space vertically, because Smartmart Bookmarks add an extra toolbar in the browser, was to create a streamlined version, moving the icons from FF's toolbar to the Navigation Toolbar. It's explained how to do it in this link:
http://www.tweakguides.com/Firefox_6.html

 

Editing time expired. Just one more thing to add to the previous post.

WRONG!! Sorry!!

One has to move the icons from the Navigation Toolbar to the Bar above it. Forgot the exact name of that "Bar".

I unchecked and deleted the Navigation Bar after first having dragged and dropped the existing icons etc besides File, Edit, View, Bookmarks, Tools, Help etc. It can be undone anytime if you don't like it just by reversing it through putting a check in front of the Navigation bar and by dragging and dropping the back to the Navigation Folder. Easy stuff.

 

Oooops! Please accept my apology (I "assuME" too much, and then end-up making an ***-out-of-ME :eek .

Great stuff here from you - I've already added the Toolbar (and rather like it!). Really good stuff - thank you again (ma'am)!

 

No apology needed since my user name doesn't really reflect (in English) whether I'm a man or woman. Only people who know the Dutch language would know.

Glad you like the Smart Bookmarks Bar add-on from FF. I just love this add-on, very handy for the "most visited" sites.

 

Yes "ma'am" - and thank you again.

I reckon that you can be the "Queen of the FF Browser Gadgetry Department"! lol :-D

And no, although I took a year of German instruction in high school many, MANY moons ago (and "wasted" another year there), I don't know any Dutch - though I have seen "some" similarities between the two languages.

Thanks again ....

 

Now THIS is scary. :major

--Says the woman who carries a backup of critical data on her keychain, just in case home and office blow up on the same day.

 

Actually it's easier than it sounds. Mine is entitled Shortcuts, and it contains all the shortcuts for the programs I use.

Put the mouse down on the taskbar and right click. At the top is Toolbars. The menu it opens has a link at the bottom for new toolbar. You can then direct it to the folder you've created for shortcuts. Hit okay, and it's on the toolbar. Now they'll all open as a menu that you can select from. To move it on the Desktop, which gives you a block of icons or another space to add toolbars, right-click the task bar, and then click Lock the Taskbar to unlock it. Left-click and hold on the title of the folder in the task bar and drag it up on the desk top. If it's close to an edge it'll snap to it, but I prefer it floating in the center. Let go and viola, you have a toolbar with icons. Everything is one click accessable and won't take up miles of space like Desktop icons will.

Plus the titles are against a different background so if you have a desktop background that's not conducive to reading titles...

 

Yeah, I use that as well for shortcuts.

Mine I called Apps and Apps1. Apps is for weekly maintenance and Apps1 is for shortcuts I use on occasion. The actual 2 folders with their shortcuts are located in My Documents.

For website links I use Smart Bookmarks Bar.

Here's a pic of Apps.