T
Ten Blade
As per the subject line, this is very much an off-topic question. The
reason I'm asking it here is that I have lurked here for a long time and
respect the technical skills of the people here more than anywhere else I
can think of. I'm hoping you can point me to a newsgroup or website where I
can find similiarly knowledgeable people in the field of computer security.
In a nutshell, I picked up some malware the other day and I'm trying to
find out what I need to do to be 100% sure that I've resolved the problem
completely and have changed any passwords that may have been exposed.
My first thought was that I should take advantage of the old maxim that
"Google is your friend" and just search for answers that way.
Unfortunately, that only revealed that there are many, many websites that
purport to handle security issues - but few, if any, of them seem very
credible. In fact, a lot of them seem like deliberate tricks to exploit
user naivete about security. Many sites begin by offering you a "free
checkup" without making any serious attempt to explain what this checkup
does. Apparently, even though you don't know these people or their
intentions, you are just supposed to assume that they are benevolent and
won't do you any harm. I'm afraid that is just more than I am willing to
do.
I'm looking for a place where I can find knowledgeable people that can give
me advice on security matters and are willing explain what they want me to
do and convince me that those steps won't leave me in worse shape than
before I started BEFORE I undertake any steps that they advise. I'm
moderately technical but probably not technical enough to really be sure of
my own understanding of issues so I'd like to find a place where I can ask
advice of people that won't make me regret going there.
I've got many basic questions and some advanced ones. I'm also on a budget,
which is basically zero, which rules out some options.
Can anyone direct me to a website or newsgroup where I can find such
people? If so, I'd be very grateful!
reason I'm asking it here is that I have lurked here for a long time and
respect the technical skills of the people here more than anywhere else I
can think of. I'm hoping you can point me to a newsgroup or website where I
can find similiarly knowledgeable people in the field of computer security.
In a nutshell, I picked up some malware the other day and I'm trying to
find out what I need to do to be 100% sure that I've resolved the problem
completely and have changed any passwords that may have been exposed.
My first thought was that I should take advantage of the old maxim that
"Google is your friend" and just search for answers that way.
Unfortunately, that only revealed that there are many, many websites that
purport to handle security issues - but few, if any, of them seem very
credible. In fact, a lot of them seem like deliberate tricks to exploit
user naivete about security. Many sites begin by offering you a "free
checkup" without making any serious attempt to explain what this checkup
does. Apparently, even though you don't know these people or their
intentions, you are just supposed to assume that they are benevolent and
won't do you any harm. I'm afraid that is just more than I am willing to
do.
I'm looking for a place where I can find knowledgeable people that can give
me advice on security matters and are willing explain what they want me to
do and convince me that those steps won't leave me in worse shape than
before I started BEFORE I undertake any steps that they advise. I'm
moderately technical but probably not technical enough to really be sure of
my own understanding of issues so I'd like to find a place where I can ask
advice of people that won't make me regret going there.
I've got many basic questions and some advanced ones. I'm also on a budget,
which is basically zero, which rules out some options.
Can anyone direct me to a website or newsgroup where I can find such
people? If so, I'd be very grateful!
