I am writing this guide to try and keep people safe from these types of exploits, to some this might be common sense but its a common problem and so clearly to some it is not. I am going to break this down into sections.
1. What are and how do keyloggers and RATS work?
RATS (Remote Administration Tools) effectivly allow someone else control over your computer, along with keyloggers they are generally disguised within other files which are passed off to be genuine. When executed unknown to the user they plant files on the system which either then report back to a server what the user is doing or allow control, depending on the code.
2. So how can you stop them?
Common Sense
Where possible only download files from trusted sources, don't visit sites where you are not sure what they contain, never execute a file when you do not know its origin. Trust few. If you have to then execute programs you are unsure of in a virtual machine.
Anti Virus
Everyone should have it anyway but what you use is also an important factor, if you are going for paid software Kaspersky is generally regarded as the best, if you don't want to pay then Avira is one of the better free solutions.
Anti Malware
Anti virus programs do not focus on malware which keyloggers and the like come under, paid anti virus products will generally have this so if you have it included then great! If not this is your next step.. I personally use Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and have had good results but use whatever you think is best.
Firewall
Again if you have a paid solution this probably is contained, if not I use COMODO, there are plenty out there and if you read reviews you can pick what you want. These moniter incoming and outgoing connections to your computer, therefore you can moniter and have blocked any transmissions between such programs.
Brands
Brands DO matter, one program is not the same as the other.. Norton and AVG might be popular but frankly they are shit and don't pick up some things, I will update with a list of what are generally seen as strong ones when it's not 4am.
Update, Scan and monitor reguarly
The programs are useless if you don not use them properly, keep their databases updated and scan often, most have automatic guards which will alert you to a problem when it is first bought onto your computer but doing
a complete system scan every week using both anti virus and malware is recomended.
So yeah, I think thats everything covered... If people have suggestions to add then feel free to post.. when it's not 4am I will edit this to make it better
1. What are and how do keyloggers and RATS work?
RATS (Remote Administration Tools) effectivly allow someone else control over your computer, along with keyloggers they are generally disguised within other files which are passed off to be genuine. When executed unknown to the user they plant files on the system which either then report back to a server what the user is doing or allow control, depending on the code.
2. So how can you stop them?
Common Sense
Where possible only download files from trusted sources, don't visit sites where you are not sure what they contain, never execute a file when you do not know its origin. Trust few. If you have to then execute programs you are unsure of in a virtual machine.
Anti Virus
Everyone should have it anyway but what you use is also an important factor, if you are going for paid software Kaspersky is generally regarded as the best, if you don't want to pay then Avira is one of the better free solutions.
Anti Malware
Anti virus programs do not focus on malware which keyloggers and the like come under, paid anti virus products will generally have this so if you have it included then great! If not this is your next step.. I personally use Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and have had good results but use whatever you think is best.
Firewall
Again if you have a paid solution this probably is contained, if not I use COMODO, there are plenty out there and if you read reviews you can pick what you want. These moniter incoming and outgoing connections to your computer, therefore you can moniter and have blocked any transmissions between such programs.
Brands
Brands DO matter, one program is not the same as the other.. Norton and AVG might be popular but frankly they are shit and don't pick up some things, I will update with a list of what are generally seen as strong ones when it's not 4am.
Update, Scan and monitor reguarly
The programs are useless if you don not use them properly, keep their databases updated and scan often, most have automatic guards which will alert you to a problem when it is first bought onto your computer but doing
a complete system scan every week using both anti virus and malware is recomended.
So yeah, I think thats everything covered... If people have suggestions to add then feel free to post.. when it's not 4am I will edit this to make it better
