Recommended Security Suite for Firefox 25. Using Mcafee Security Center ver 12.8, wondering if I should change to Bitdefender or Kaspersky? Any suggestion

Have 2 Win 8 machines, running Firefox 25 and one lap top with Win 7. All three are using Mcafee Security Suite ver 12.8 with Anti Virus 16.8. The subscription runs out in February 2014. I would like to make a change and am concerned about compatibility issues using Firefox ver 25. Are there any compatibility issues with Bitdefender Windows 8 Security? Are there any compatibility issues with Kaspersky Internet Security 2013 or Pure 3.0 Total Security? If I do make a change on the Security Suites, I will be using the same version on the Win 8 and the Win 7 machines. All three will be using Firefox 25. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Firefox doesn't have any known compatibility issues with any of the major anti-virus suites, but honestly you are wasting your money if you pay for them. Uninstall them and use Window 8's built in Windows Defender. Update your Windows 8 machines to Windows 8.1, and make sure your win 7 machine is up to date, and always keep everything on your machines (Firefox, plugins, etc.) all up to date. That will keep you secure as possible.

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Keep getting a window to install a security update for Firefox 25.0.1. I have installed it 3 times already and still get the notice to install it again.

At least twice a day I get a pop up window alerting me to the need to install a security update for Firefox 25.0.1. I have installed it several times and still I am prompted to install it again. I have received no response from Mozilla on this issue. I had sent in an email about this several days ago.

Please note that all technical support is performed through this site. Mozilla will not respond to emails requiring technical support.
'''Try Firefox Safe Mode''' and updating while in safe mode to see if the problem goes away. Safe Mode is a troubleshooting mode, which disables most add-ons.
''(If you're not using it, switch to the Default theme.)''
* On Windows you can open Firefox 4.0+ in Safe Mode by holding the '''Shift''' key when you open the Firefox desktop or Start menu shortcut.
* On Mac you can open Firefox 4.0+ in Safe Mode by holding the '''option''' key while starting Firefox.
* On Linux you can open Firefox 4.0+ in Safe Mode by quitting Firefox and then going to your Terminal and running: firefox -safe-mode (you may need to specify the Firefox installation path e.g. /usr/lib/firefox)
* Or open the Help menu and click on the '''Restart with Add-ons Disabled...''' menu item while Firefox is running.
[[Image:FirefoxSafeMode|width=520]]
''Once you get the pop-up, just select "'Start in Safe Mode"''
[[Image:Safe Mode Fx 15 - Win]]
'''''If the issue is not present in Firefox Safe Mode''''', your problem is probably caused by an extension, and you need to figure out which one. Please follow the [[Troubleshooting extensions and themes]] article for that.
''To exit the Firefox Safe Mode, just close Firefox and wait a few seconds before opening Firefox for normal use again.''
Please report back soon.

What is the best security package for an imac using yosimity

What is the best security package for an imac using Yosimity

Mac users often ask whether they should install "anti-virus" software. The answer usually given on ASC is "no." The answer is right, but it may give the wrong impression that there is no threat from what are loosely called "viruses." There is a threat, and you need to educate yourself about it.
1. This is a comment on what you should—and should not—do to protect yourself from malicious software ("malware") that circulates on the Internet and gets onto a computer as an unintended consequence of the user's actions. It does not apply to software, such as keystroke loggers, that may be installed deliberately by an intruder who has hands-on access to the computer, or who has been able to take control of it remotely. That threat is in a different category, and there's no easy way to defend against it.
The comment is long because the issue is complex. The key points are in sections 5, 6, and 10.
OS X now implements three layers of built-in protection specifically against malware, not counting runtime protections such as execute disable, sandboxing, system library randomization, and address space layout randomization that may also guard against other kinds of exploits.
2. All versions of OS X since 10.6.7 have been able to detect known Mac malware in downloaded files, and to block insecure web plugins. This feature is transparent to the user. Internally Apple calls it "XProtect."
The malware recognition database used by XProtect is automatically updated; however, you shouldn't rely on it, because the attackers are always at least a day ahead of the defenders.
The following caveats apply to XProtect:
☞ It can be bypassed by some third-party networking software, such as BitTorrent clients and Java applets.
☞ It only applies to software downloaded from the network. Software installed from a CD or other media is not checked.
As new versions of OS X are released, it's not clear whether Apple will indefinitely continue to maintain the XProtect database of older versions such as 10.6. The security of obsolete system versions may eventually be degraded. Security updates to the code of obsolete systems will stop being released at some point, and that may leave them open to other kinds of attack besides malware.
3. Starting with OS X 10.7.5, there has been a second layer of built-in malware protection, designated "Gatekeeper" by Apple. By default, applications and Installer packages downloaded from the network will only run if they're digitally signed by a developer with a certificate issued by Apple. Software certified in this way hasn't necessarily been tested by Apple, but you can be reasonably sure that it hasn't been modified by anyone other than the developer. His identity is known to Apple, so he could be held legally responsible if he distributed malware. That may not mean much if the developer lives in a country with a weak legal system (see below.)
Gatekeeper doesn't depend on a database of known malware. It has, however, the same limitations as XProtect, and in addition the following:
☞ It can easily be disabled or overridden by the user.
☞ A malware attacker could get control of a code-signing certificate under false pretenses, or could simply ignore the consequences of distributing codesigned malware.
☞ An App Store developer could find a way to bypass Apple's oversight, or the oversight could fail due to human error.
Apple has taken far too long to revoke the codesigning certificates of some known abusers, thereby diluting the value of Gatekeeper and the Developer ID program. Those lapses don't involve App Store products, however.
For the reasons given, App Store products, and—to a lesser extent—other applications recognized by Gatekeeper as signed, are safer than others, but they can't be considered absolutely safe. "Sandboxed" applications may prompt for access to private data, such as your contacts, or for access to the network. Think before granting that access. Sandbox security is based on user input. Never click through any request for authorization without thinking.
4. Starting with OS X 10.8.3, a third layer of protection has been added: a "Malware Removal Tool" (MRT). MRT runs automatically in the background when you update the OS. It checks for, and removes, malware that may have evaded the other protections via a Java exploit (see below.) MRT also runs when you install or update the Apple-supplied Java runtime (but not the Oracle runtime.) Like XProtect, MRT is effective against known threats, but not against unknown ones. It notifies you if it finds malware, but otherwise there's no user interface to MRT.
5. The built-in security features of OS X reduce the risk of malware attack, but they are not, and never will be, complete protection. Malware is a problem of human behavior, not machine behavior, and no technological fix alone is going to solve it. Trusting software to protect you will only make you more vulnerable.
The best defense is always going to be your own intelligence. With the possible exception of Java exploits, all known malware circulating on the Internet that affects a fully-updated installation of OS X 10.6 or later takes the form of so-called "Trojan horses," which can only have an effect if the victim is duped into running them. The threat therefore amounts to a battle of wits between you and Internet criminals. If you're better informed than they think you are, you'll win. That means, in practice, that you always stay within a safe harbor of computing practices. How do you know when you're leaving the safe harbor? Below are some warning signs of danger.
Software from an untrustworthy source
☞ Software with a corporate brand, such as Adobe Flash Player, doesn't come directly from the developer’s website. Do not trust an alert from any website to update Flash, or your browser, or any other software. A genuine alert that Flash is outdated and blocked is shown on this support page. Follow the instructions on the support page in that case. Otherwise, assume that the alert is fake and someone is trying to scam you into installing malware. If you see such alerts on more than one website, ask for instructions.
☞ Software of any kind is distributed via BitTorrent, or Usenet, or on a website that also distributes pirated music or movies.
☞ Rogue websites such as Softonic, Soft32, and CNET Download distribute free applications that have been packaged in a superfluous "installer."
☞ The software is advertised by means of spam or intrusive web ads. Any ad, on any site, that includes a direct link to a download should be ignored.
Software that is plainly illegal or does something illegal
☞ High-priced commercial software such as Photoshop is "cracked" or "free."
☞ An application helps you to infringe copyright, for instance by circumventing the copy protection on commercial software, or saving streamed media for reuse without permission. All "YouTube downloaders" are in this category, though not all are necessarily malicious.
Conditional or unsolicited offers from strangers
☞ A telephone caller or a web page tells you that you have a “virus” and offers to help you remove it. (Some reputable websites did legitimately warn visitors who were infected with the "DNSChanger" malware. That exception to this rule no longer applies.)
☞ A web site offers free content such as video or music, but to use it you must install a “codec,” “plug-in,” "player," "downloader," "extractor," or “certificate” that comes from that same site, or an unknown one.
☞ You win a prize in a contest you never entered.
☞ Someone on a message board such as this one is eager to help you, but only if you download an application of his choosing.
☞ A "FREE WI-FI !!!" network advertises itself in a public place such as an airport, but is not provided by the management.
☞ Anything online that you would expect to pay for is "free."
Unexpected events
☞ A file is downloaded automatically when you visit a web page, with no other action on your part. Delete any such file without opening it.
☞ You open what you think is a document and get an alert that it's "an application downloaded from the Internet." Click Cancel and delete the file. Even if you don't get the alert, you should still delete any file that isn't what you expected it to be.
☞ An application does something you don't expect, such as asking for permission to access your contacts, your location, or the Internet for no obvious reason.
☞ Software is attached to email that you didn't request, even if it comes (or seems to come) from someone you trust.
I don't say that leaving the safe harbor just once will necessarily result in disaster, but making a habit of it will weaken your defenses against malware attack. Any of the above scenarios should, at the very least, make you uncomfortable.
6. Java on the Web (not to be confused with JavaScript, to which it's not related, despite the similarity of the names) is a weak point in the security of any system. Java is, among other things, a platform for running complex applications in a web page, on the client. That was always a bad idea, and Java's developers have proven themselves incapable of implementing it without also creating a portal for malware to enter. Past Java exploits are the closest thing there has ever been to a Windows-style virus affecting OS X. Merely loading a page with malicious Java content could be harmful.
Fortunately, client-side Java on the Web is obsolete and mostly extinct. Only a few outmoded sites still use it. Try to hasten the process of extinction by avoiding those sites, if you have a choice. Forget about playing games or other non-essential uses of Java.
Java is not included in OS X 10.7 and later. Discrete Java installers are distributed by Apple and by Oracle (the developer of Java.) Don't use either one unless you need it. Most people don't. If Java is installed, disable it—not JavaScript—in your browsers.
Regardless of version, experience has shown that Java on the Web can't be trusted. If you must use a Java applet for a task on a specific site, enable Java only for that site in Safari. Never enable Java for a public website that carries third-party advertising. Use it only on well-known, login-protected, secure websites without ads. In Safari 6 or later, you'll see a padlock icon in the address bar when visiting a secure site.
Stay within the safe harbor, and you’ll be as safe from malware as you can practically be. The rest of this comment concerns what you should not do to protect yourself.
7. Never install any commercial "anti-virus" (AV) or "Internet security" products for the Mac, as they are all worse than useless. If you need to be able to detect Windows malware in your files, use one of the free security apps in the Mac App Store—nothing else.
Why shouldn't you use commercial AV products?
☞ To recognize malware, the software depends on a database of known threats, which is always at least a day out of date. This technique is a proven failure, as a major AV software vendor has admitted. Most attacks are "zero-day"—that is, previously unknown. Recognition-based AV does not defend against such attacks, and the enterprise IT industry is coming to the realization that traditional AV software is worthless.
☞ Its design is predicated on the nonexistent threat that malware may be injected at any time, anywhere in the file system. Malware is downloaded from the network; it doesn't materialize from nowhere. In order to meet that nonexistent threat, commercial AV software modifies or duplicates low-level functions of the operating system, which is a waste of resources and a common cause of instability, bugs, and poor performance.
☞ By modifying the operating system, the software may also create weaknesses that could be exploited by malware attackers.
☞ Most importantly, a false sense of security is dangerous.
8. An AV product from the App Store, such as "ClamXav," has the same drawback as the commercial suites of being always out of date, but it does not inject low-level code into the operating system. That doesn't mean it's entirely harmless. It may report email messages that have "phishing" links in the body, or Windows malware in attachments, as infected files, and offer to delete or move them. Doing so will corrupt the Mail database. The messages should be deleted from within the Mail application.
An AV app is not needed, and cannot be relied upon, for protection against OS X malware. It's useful, if at all, only for detecting Windows malware, and even for that use it's not really effective, because new Windows malware is emerging much faster than OS X malware.
Windows malware can't harm you directly (unless, of course, you use Windows.) Just don't pass it on to anyone else. A malicious attachment in email is usually easy to recognize by the name alone. An actual example:
London Terror Moovie.avi [124 spaces] Checked By Norton Antivirus.exe
You don't need software to tell you that's a Windows trojan. Software may be able to tell you which trojan it is, but who cares? In practice, there's no reason to use recognition software unless an organizational policy requires it. Windows malware is so widespread that you should assume it's in every email attachment until proven otherwise. Nevertheless, ClamXav or a similar product from the App Store may serve a purpose if it satisfies an ill-informed network administrator who says you must run some kind of AV application. It's free and it won't handicap the system.
The ClamXav developer won't try to "upsell" you to a paid version of the product. Other developers may do that. Don't be upsold. For one thing, you should not pay to protect Windows users from the consequences of their choice of computing platform. For another, a paid upgrade from a free app will probably have all the disadvantages mentioned in section 7.
9. It seems to be a common belief that the built-in Application Firewall acts as a barrier to infection, or prevents malware from functioning. It does neither. It blocks inbound connections to certain network services you're running, such as file sharing. It's disabled by default and you should leave it that way if you're behind a router on a private home or office network. Activate it only when you're on an untrusted network, for instance a public Wi-Fi hotspot, where you don't want to provide services. Disable any services you don't use in the Sharing preference pane. All are disabled by default.
10. As a Mac user, you don't have to live in fear that your computer may be infected every time you install software, read email, or visit a web page. But neither can you assume that you will always be safe from exploitation, no matter what you do. Navigating the Internet is like walking the streets of a big city. It can be as safe or as dangerous as you choose to make it. The greatest harm done by security software is precisely its selling point: it makes people feel safe. They may then feel safe enough to take risks from which the software doesn't protect them. Nothing can lessen the need for safe computing practices.

I just downloaded Maverick last week, and ALL of my contact groups have duplicated. When I use one to send a group e-mail, everything is doubled in the address bar. Any suggestions? Very frustrating.

I just downloaded Maverick last week, and ALL of my contact groups have duplicated. When I use one to send a group e-mail, everything is doubled in the address bar. Any suggestions? Very frustrating.

Hello Joannah,
Thank you for details of the issue you are experiencing with duplicates in Contacts after upgrading to OS X Mavericks. I would be frustrated by this too.
If you have enabled iCloud Contacts, I recommend following the steps in the article below:
iCloud: Resolving duplicate Contacts after setting up iCloud Contacts
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4147
If you’re not using iCloud, I recommend this article instead:
Contacts (Mavericks): Combine duplicate contacts
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH15079
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
Best,
Sheila M.

I can, I can't get my address book to snyc with my ipad2. I'm using Outlook express 2004. I followe the steps in itunes, but still no contacts. Any suggestions?

Can't get my address book to sync to IPAD2. Using Outlook Express 2004. I followed the steps in Itunes, but still not contacts. Any suggestions?

Mine is doing the exact same thing, and nobody on any of these threads has had any luck fixing it yet, so far as I can tell. iSync is worthless since it simply won't see the ipod and basically is not used at all now as .mac is done through its own preference window. What did work for me, and was quite easily done, was to just open your ipod through the finder and delete the vcard data in the contacts folder. Export your contacts from address book as a vcard to that contacts folder on your ipod, and it all works fine.
Still won't sync...but at least this only takes a minute to do. I'd like to actually fix it though.

TS3276 On iMac with Mountain Lion I am now unable to send but can receive e-mails. Previously worked fine. I use an iCloud acct and Safari browser. Internet connection is wireless via cable modem. Any suggestion? Thanks.

On iMac with Mountain Lion I am now unable to send but can receive e-mails. Previously worked fine. I use an iCloud acct and Safari browser. Internet connection is wireless via cable modem. Any suggestion? Thanks.

Hi tarifiq and welcome to the BlackBerry Support Community Forums!
Can you send me a private message with your PIN so I can check this out for you?
Thanks
-CptS
Come follow your BlackBerry Technical Team on twitter! @BlackBerryHelp
Be sure to click Kudos! for those who have helped you.Click Solution? for posts that have solved your issue(s)!

I'm trying to find an external drive for the MacPro that will allow me to password protect the external drive in case it is taken. Any suggestions on a very reliable on that is 2TB or a third party software that is compatable with the need I describe?

I'm trying to find an external drive for the MacPro that will allow me to password protect the external drive in case it is taken. Any suggestions on a very reliable one that is 2TB or a third party software that is compatable with the need I describe?

How much of a hurry are you in, and are you considering upgrading to Lion?
File Vault on Snow Leopard only encrypts home folders you select, and doesn't work well with Time Machine.
But Lion will have "full disk encryption" of local or external disks. See File Vault 2 here: http://www.apple.com/macosx/whats-new/features.html

Need to connect a web cam and external mike to my McBook Pro running snow leopard for a Skype session with another school. Attached an HP webcam (USB) and can't get video. Any suggestions?

Need to connect a web cam and external mike to my McBook Pro running snow leopard for a Skype session with another school. Attached an HP webcam (USB) and can't get video. Any suggestions?

-->Click HERE<-- Does item "B" (Turn video on/off) in the last topic on the page help?
You control the camera for Skype from within Skype, so Skype must be running to running to make video work.
Message was edited by: EZ Jim
Mac OSX 10.7.4

HT204053 I've recently changed my email address and my apple ID but sometimes I'm still prompted to use my old apple ID and password which I don't use anymore. I can't seem to be able to delete my old Apple Id, any suggestions?

I've recently changed my email address and my apple ID but sometimes I'm still prompted to use my old apple ID and password which I don't use anymore. I can't seem to be able to delete my old Apple Id, any suggestions?

Please follow these steps in order to get it working properly again.
Please change your Apple ID back to your old email address (that you used as Apple ID before) here:http://appleid.apple.com
Then go to all your devices - iPhones, iPads, Mac etc. - ("Settings > iCloud") and delete your iCloud account from this devices (+ turn off Find My iPhone, but I guess it will ask you that anyway)
After that go back to http://appleid.apple.com sign in again, and now change your Apple ID again to your new email address.
Finally, set up your iCloud account on all your devices again.
Now, everything should working properly again.

Security Suite won't download, even McAfee can't fix it

I have been working with both Verizon and McAfee techs to get installation of my security suite installed after my computer was out of order for more than a 30 day period. Apparently McAfee is now handling the security suite. Verizon is able to remote access into my computer, but McAfee can't. I have spent more than 10 hours on the phone with techs and still no security suite. I spent 6 hours on calls with McAfee of and on just today alone. Tomorrow I will receive yet another call to attempt the fix........we'll see if it gets done.
Don't know if it is because it is a 64-bit. Verizon did not originally have security suite when I got the computer last year, but then they got it and it was installed. Now I have no security!!!!! Why can't they figure this out?

Check your memory and servicepack in a nutshell. Make sure that you are not running any of the 3rd party software.
I had the same problem over the weekend and was extremely disgusted! My PC is old (ancient) and the McAfee tech, after deleting my 3rd party software which was spybot (he said it was interferring with the download) told me that I needed to upgrade my PC's servicepack to 3 AND to increase the gb to 512 which I was running at 500gb. I rarely use the machine since I have a laptop and my house is wireless. This has happened since FiOS was upgraded and I have had it for a year. No problems previously. I informed the tech, not kindly, that I would not increase memory or order the servicepack for this old PC. I made him restore the spybot that he deleted and told him I will cancel the service. Today, the activation started on my PC and downloaded without a problem. Spybot is still running in the background!!!

How do I know if an email to click on a link to download a security upgrade for firefox is legitimate?

I received a pop up, supposedly from firefox, that a stability upgrade for security was available by clicking on a link in the pop up and the pop up said it was strongly advised. Did firefox send this pop up or is it a phishing scam?

You appear to be using an outdated unsupported version of firefox. (From looking at the system details aside). You possibly will be unable to update from Firefox 5 to Firefox 7 using the Help menu.
Download the latest version from an official website such as:
* http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/products/download.html
* take CARE '''not''' to use any options saying something along the lines of'' remove personal settings'', because that is likely to remove profiles from all normally installed versions of Firefox, and you will loose data such as settings, passwords and bookmarks.
* see also
** [[Installing Firefox on Windows]]
**[http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/phishing-protection/]

What internet security suites does Firefox work with completely?

My Kaspersky internet website blocker and advisor won't work with the new Firefox update. This is why I am not updating. What security internet suites does Firefox work completely with. This is a constant problem with Kaspersky which is one of the higher rated security suites available. I don't like paying for security that Firefox disables.

Toolbars and other applications bundled with anti-virus are usually not helpful in any way. I stay away from all toolbars simply because they are useless and offer no real protection other than annoying me.
If you <s>ever</s> have Kaspersky or any other anti-virus installed, you will be protected. Every antivirus protects your whole system, not just a certain program. You will be fine.
As for Firefox and Kasperky's toolbar not existing peacefully, that's a problem on Kaspersky's side. They need to keep up-to-date with Mozilla's roll out schedule. (Firefox 37 will be rolled out in 3 days). Contact Kaspersky for an update on their toolbar.

Internet security suites for Mac

With the various internet security suites on the market, I wonder which one would be a good one to purchase? I tend to be very leery of the reviews I read of these various security suites. Therefore any feedback would be most appreicated. Thanks Dave

1. This comment applies to malicious software ("malware") that's installed unwittingly by the victim of a network attack. It does not apply to software, such as keystroke loggers, that may be installed deliberately by an intruder who has hands-on access to the victim's computer. That threat is in a different category, and there's no easy way to defend against it. If you have reason to suspect that you're the target of such an attack, you need expert help.
OS X now implements three layers of built-in protection specifically against malware, not counting runtime protections such as execute disable, sandboxing, system library randomization, and address space layout randomization that may also guard against other kinds of exploits.
2. All versions of OS X since 10.6.7 have been able to detect known Mac malware in downloaded files, and to block insecure web plugins. This feature is transparent to the user, but internally Apple calls it "XProtect." The malware recognition database is automatically checked for updates once a day; however, you shouldn't rely on it, because the attackers are always at least a day ahead of the defenders.
The following caveats apply to XProtect:
It can be bypassed by some third-party networking software, such as BitTorrent clients and Java applets.
It only applies to software downloaded from the network. Software installed from a CD or other media is not checked.
3. Starting with OS X 10.7.5, there has been a second layer of built-in malware protection, designated "Gatekeeper" by Apple. By default, applications and Installer packages downloaded from the network will only run if they're digitally signed by a developer with a certificate issued by Apple. Software certified in this way hasn't necessarily been tested by Apple, but you can be reasonably sure that it hasn't been modified by anyone other than the developer. His identity is known to Apple, so he could be held legally responsible if he distributed malware. That may not mean much if the developer lives in a country with a weak legal system (see below.)
Gatekeeper doesn't depend on a database of known malware. It has, however, the same limitations as XProtect, and in addition the following:
It can easily be disabled or overridden by the user.
A malware attacker could get control of a code-signing certificate under false pretenses, or could simply ignore the consequences of distributing codesigned malware.
An App Store developer could find a way to bypass Apple's oversight, or the oversight could fail due to human error.
For the reasons given above, App Store products, and other applications recognized by Gatekeeper as signed, are safer than others, but they can't be considered absolutely safe. "Sandboxed" applications may prompt for access to private data, such as your contacts, or for access to the network. Think before granting that access. OS X security is based on user input. Never click through any request for authorization without thinking.
4. Starting with OS X 10.8.3, a third layer of protection has been added: a "Malware Removal Tool" (MRT). MRT runs automatically in the background when you update the OS. It checks for, and removes, malware that may have evaded the other protections via a Java exploit (see below.) MRT also runs when you install or update the Apple-supplied Java runtime (but not the Oracle runtime.) Like XProtect, MRT is presumably effective against known attacks, but maybe not against unknown attacks. It notifies you if it finds malware, but otherwise there's no user interface to MRT.
5. XProtect, Gatekeeper, and MRT reduce the risk of malware attack, but they're not absolute protection. The first and best line of defense is always your own intelligence. With the possible exception of Java exploits, all known malware circulating on the Internet that affects a fully-updated installation of OS X 10.6 or later takes the form of so-called "trojan horses," which can only have an effect if the victim is duped into running them. The threat therefore amounts to a battle of wits between you and the malware attacker. If you're smarter than he thinks you are, you'll win.
That means, in practice, that you never use software that comes from an untrustworthy source, or that does something inherently untrustworthy. How do you know what is trustworthy?
Any website that prompts you to install a “codec,” “plug-in,” "player," "extractor," or “certificate” that comes from that same site, or an unknown one, is untrustworthy.
A web operator who tells you that you have a “virus,” or that anything else is wrong with your computer, or that you have won a prize in a contest you never entered, is trying to commit a crime with you as the victim. (Some reputable websites did legitimately warn visitors who were infected with the "DNSChanger" malware. That exception to this rule no longer applies.)
Pirated copies or "cracks" of commercial software, no matter where they come from, are unsafe.
Software of any kind downloaded from a BitTorrent or from a Usenet binary newsgroup is unsafe.
Software that purports to help you do something that's illegal or that infringes copyright, such as saving streamed audio or video for reuse without permission, is unsafe. All YouTube "downloaders" are in this category, though not all are necessarily harmful.
Software with a corporate brand, such as Adobe Flash Player, must be downloaded directly from the developer’s website. If it comes from any other source, it's unsafe.
Even signed applications, no matter what the source, should not be trusted if they do something unexpected, such as asking for permission to access your contacts, your location, or the Internet for no obvious reason.
6. Java on the Web (not to be confused with JavaScript, to which it's not related, despite the similarity of the names) is a weak point in the security of any system. Java is, among other things, a platform for running complex applications in a web page, on the client. That was always a bad idea, and Java's developers have proven themselves incapable of implementing it without also creating a portal for malware to enter. Past Java exploits are the closest thing there has ever been to a Windows-style virus affecting OS X. Merely loading a page with malicious Java content could be harmful.
Fortunately, client-side Java on the Web is obsolete and mostly extinct. Only a few outmoded sites still use it. Try to hasten the process of extinction by avoiding those sites, if you have a choice. Forget about playing games or other non-essential uses of Java.
Java is not included in OS X 10.7 and later. Discrete Java installers are distributed by Apple and by Oracle (the developer of Java.) Don't use either one unless you need it. Most people don't. If Java is installed, disable it — not JavaScript — in your browsers.
Regardless of version, experience has shown that Java on the Web can't be trusted. If you must use a Java applet for a task on a specific site, enable Java only for that site in Safari. Never enable Java for a public website that carries third-party advertising. Use it only on well-known, login-protected, secure websites without ads. In Safari 6 or later, you'll see a lock icon in the address bar with the abbreviation "https" when visiting a secure site.
Follow the above guidelines, and you’ll be as safe from malware as you can practically be. The rest of this comment concerns what you should not do to protect yourself from malware.
7. Never install any commercial "anti-virus" or "Internet security" products for the Mac, as they all do more harm than good, if they do any good at all. Any database of known threats is always going to be out of date. Most of the danger is from unknown threats. If you need to be able to detect Windows malware in your files, use the free software ClamXav— nothing else.
Why shouldn't you use commercial "anti-virus" products?
Their design is predicated on the nonexistent threat that malware may be injected at any time, anywhere in the file system. Malware is downloaded from the network; it doesn't materialize from nowhere.
In order to meet that nonexistent threat, the software modifies or duplicates low-level functions of the operating system, which is a waste of resources and a common cause of instability, bugs, and poor performance.
By modifying the operating system, the software itself may create weaknesses that could be exploited by malware attackers.
8. ClamXav doesn't have these drawbacks. That doesn't mean it's entirely safe. It may report email messages that have "phishing" links in the body, or Windows malware in attachments, as infected files, and offer to delete or move them. Doing so will corrupt the Mail database. The messages should be deleted from within the Mail application.
ClamXav is not needed, and should not be relied upon, for protection against OS X malware. It's useful only for detecting Windows malware. Windows malware can't harm you directly (unless, of course, you use Windows.) Just don't pass it on to anyone else.
A Windows malware attachment in email is usually easy to recognize. The file name will often be targeted at people who aren't very bright; for example:
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥!!!!!!!H0TBABEZ4U!!!!!!!.AVI♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥.exe
ClamXav may be able to tell you which particular virus or trojan it is, but do you care? In practice, there's seldom a reason to use ClamXav unless a network administrator requires you to run an anti-virus application.
9. The greatest harm done by security software, in my opinion, is in its effect on human behavior. It does little or nothing to protect people from emerging "zero-day" threats, but if they get a false sense of security from it, they may feel free to do things that expose them to higher risk. Nothing can lessen the need for safe computing practices.
10. It seems to be a common belief that the built-in Application Firewall acts as a barrier to infection, or prevents malware from functioning. It does neither. It blocks inbound connections to certain network services you're running, such as file sharing. It's disabled by default and you should leave it that way if you're behind a router on a private home or office network. Activate it only when you're on an untrusted network, for instance a public Wi-Fi hotspot, where you don't want to provide services. Disable any services you don't use in the Sharing preference pane. All are disabled by default.

Default security context for signed applets using WinXP+IE8

What is the default security context for signed applets from the internet zone using Java 6 and WinXP+IE8 combination? My guess is that all file and socket access available for the user's Windows account is provided to the applet as well. Is this correct and if so, is there a way to limit these access privileges for signed applets from the internet zone?
This information is surprisingly difficult to find given how security concious people now are using the internet.

AntonBoer wrote:
Thank you for your swift reply.
Unfortunately your answer reflects to my worst fears. Frankly I find this security model naiive. Anyone with euros can get their applet signed so that is no security control at all.The same naive security model applies to just about anything signed and downloaded; not just to Java Applets.
>
Working for a corporate IT how I am supposed to allow Java installations on any of our computers with internet access? That automatically means I am providing them as platforms to whoever wishes to run Java code on them (given that the user of course visits the web site). I would have expected Sun to put more effort into this but it appers nothig have changed in this regard for 10 years.I don't see this as a Sun problem; it is indicative of what I consider to be a general security weakness for all computer systems. For example, for Windows, Vista just added more user involvement in the trust process but it still allows programs to run pretty much unconstrained if the user agrees to them running.
For some time I have advocated a more fine grained approach. I would like to see ALL programs run in a sandbox that a user can specify what and what cannot be done by each individual program. Unfortunately, this would annoy the hell out of most users so it has little chance of every of ever being accepted. The average user just wants a run-and-forget-about-security model.

No MAIN tab to select per yout homepage directions for firefox/windows --using win7

Your prompts to set homepage (aol) for Firefox Windows are Click Tools then select MAIN tab then HOMEPAGE etc. - No MAIN tab appears - Im using Windows 7 HP Pavilion desktop

It is called the General tab in Firefox 3.6, it was called Main in Firefox 3.5
Where did you see the instructions that called it the Main tab? The [[How to set the home page]] article refers to it as the General tab.

Recommended Security Suite for Firefox 25. Using Mcafee Security Center ver 12.8, wondering if I should change to Bitdefender or Kaspersky? Any suggestion

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