By Staff Post Your Security and Tech Tips Here

[Jack]

Hello everyone,
We've added a new section on the site that shows tips from our community.




So, in this thread, members can post Security Tips, Performance Tips, or Maintenance Tips, and (if valid) they will be added to the block. The tip can be for Windows, Android, iOS, or macOS and about anything that you think it's helpful to know for the other members.

Basic requirements are:

- Keep it short. Because the space where the tips are displayed is limited, you need to keep the tip short.
- Must be in English with proper spelling and punctuation.



You can post any tip you have below, and if valid, we'll add it and be displayed in the dedicated section.

 

[plat]

Well, I'd posted this tiny thing earlier within a thread but might as well re-post it. If you ever look at Event Viewer, esp. after you've reinstalled your Windows, you might find certain yellow DCOM "warnings" in the System logs--usually in clusters of 4.

They do no harm. Let me stress that first and foremost. But if you like a clean (er) EV, there is one way you can easily get rid of this DCOM warning 10016, with GUID ending B6F3A001407E specifically. You will remove this GUID from the registry 4 times. The first time--the video doesn't show it but you hit Enter on your keyboard. Then in the registry for the next 3 times, you click Find Next.

Spoiler

OK, someone please post after me--lol. Don't leave me hanging here all by myself.

 

[Freki123]

Since windows 10 default settings are not showing known file extensions it's best to make them visible. So you can see that a file named movie.mkv.exe isn't a movie (and more likely something bad).

4 Ways to Make Windows 10 Show File Extensions

Malware developers love to disguise executable files as other file types, but showing file extensions in Windows 10 blows their cover wide open.

www.makeuseof.com

@plat So you don't feel alone here

 

[show-Zi]

For people who use online software a lot.
To sum up the difference between each alert, smart screens are security guards and defenders are cops. If you are sure of your identity, tell the smart screen confidently.

 

[Kongo]

Make sure that you only keep software installed that you are using regularly. Software that is barely used can bare the risk of getting exploited by hackers due to the lack of security patches for example. In short - added attack-surface. Use the portable version instead.

 

[Jack]

For people who use online software a lot.
To sum up the difference between each alert, smart screens are security guards and defenders are cops. If you are sure of your identity, tell the smart screen confidently.

Could you redo this? Is unclear about what exactly this is?

Well, I'd posted this tiny thing earlier within a thread but might as well re-post it. If you ever look at Event Viewer, esp. after you've reinstalled your Windows, you might find certain yellow DCOM "warnings" in the System logs--usually in clusters of 4.

They do no harm. Let me stress that first and foremost. But if you like a clean (er) EV, there is one way you can easily get rid of this DCOM warning 10016, with GUID ending B6F3A001407E specifically. You will remove this GUID from the registry 4 times. The first time--the video doesn't show it but you hit Enter on your keyboard. Then in the registry for the next 3 times, you click Find Next.

Spoiler

OK, someone please post after me--lol. Don't leave me hanging here all by myself.

Can you redo this to take less space? I want to avoid adding links or videos.

Make sure that you only keep software installed that you are using regularly. Software that is barely used can bare the risk of getting exploited by hackers due to the lack of security patches for example. In short - added attack-surface. Use the portable version instead.

Since windows 10 default settings are not showing known file extensions it's best to make them visible. So you can see that a file named movie.mkv.exe isn't a movie (and more likely something bad).

4 Ways to Make Windows 10 Show File Extensions

Malware developers love to disguise executable files as other file types, but showing file extensions in Windows 10 blows their cover wide open.

www.makeuseof.com

@plat So you don't feel alone here

Both of these were added.





Keep posting here, and I'll review them. 1 tip per post, try to be clear and avoid using too many sentences.

 

[plat]

Can you redo this to take less space? I want to avoid adding links or videos.

Hi, Jack! I can absolutely redo this but there is no Edit or Delete function. If a forum staff member can delete my OP, I will be happy to try posting again.

 

[show-Zi]

Could you redo this? Is unclear about what exactly this is?

From now on, I will try to keep my writing concise and focused only on the main points. Metaphorical writing is a double-edged sword.

 

[oldschool]

@oldschool tip: Keep your browser updated and protect yourself and your privacy by always clearing browser data completely upon close.

 

[wat0114]

Use Process Explorer instead of Task Manager; open Process Explorer-> Options->Replace Task Manager

Process Explorer - Sysinternals

Find out what files, registry keys and other objects processes have open, which DLLs they have loaded, and more.

docs.microsoft.com

 

[brambedkar59]

If a random website/pop-up says you have been infected by virus/malware then immediately close that browser tab and stay away from that website.

 

[brambedkar59]

No matter what DO NOT call phone number on a random website claiming to be Microsoft, it's most likely not.

 

[Back3]

Use a good tool like Macrium and learn how to make complete, incremental and differential backups.

 

[Nevi]

Everything downloaded from the internet, should be scanned with a good on demand scanner, before anyone click on it.

 

[struppigel]

Do not use several antivirus suites at once. They will fight each other, thinking the signature patterns, vaccines and defense mechanisms of the other AV are malware. You will end up having a slower computer and worse security.

 

[brambedkar59]

"No, you can't just download more RAM."

 

[eonline]

If your computer hardware is not secure then your computer is not secure no matter how much security software you install.

 

[CyberTech]

Hey MT members! how can i help you Sir/Madam? Coffee? Soda? Cake? PM Jack aka the Admin.

 

[Pixel_]

Don't be paranoid. It's good to know and practice privacy and security related topics, but don't go too deep into the rabbit hole.

Teach yourself what to do after the fallout (because there is a chance in your lifetime something bad will happen: ransomware, hardware failure, people spreading and misusing your personal info via email, chat, phone and so on).

Take a break, go on vacation, it's sometimes good to clear your mind from tech related stuff.

 

[Jan Willy]

If you want to know or learn something, just stroll through the threads on this forum or - even better - use the search function. And just ask if you couldn't find an answer.