1.0 -YOUR COMPUTER
1.1 - Windows update
1.2 - Programs & Instructions
1.3 - Browsers
1.4 - Other
2.0 - YOUR ACCOUNT
2.1 - Your Password
2.2 - Recovery Questions & Tricks
2.3 - Email Registration
3.0 - Anti-Viruses
When I started writing this guide, I wanted it to be very unique and awesome. Something people would enjoy reading while learning lots of new things at the same time. As such, it is picture heavy and may require several refreshes in order for all images to load. It follows a Marvel-type comic layout. Secondly, please use a dark skin - the guide will look much much better. Finally, this guide is split into two categories: computer & account. Thank you and remember to post!
» Dec 11, 2010: Added a new program (must have), added a new section (anti-viruses), and a couple of small changes
» Sept 18, 2010: Completed the computer category
» Sept 17, 2010: Guide posted
By keeping your computer secure, you're automatically keeping your account secure. You can also clean and speed up your computer in the process of following this guide. Isn't that great :P? The programs I provided play an important role in this guide, so it is vital you download them.
Account "hacking" simply doesn't happen. Very few (only Kaitnieks & friends) have actually hacked into Runescript/Runetek. The correct term would be "account stolen". Most people get their accounts stolen via one of these methods:
- computer was keylogged
- phising
- entered your Runescape password on a "safe" website
- password was too easy, and someone guessed it
- account sharing, then the other person changes password
- JMod has a bad day at work and accepts a poorly filled recovery appeal
Those are the only ways accounts are stolen, and the last one is unlikely to happen but does happen from time to time. The most common is keylogging. There are a variety of ways a computer can be keylogged. You download a file, and it contains an undetectable keylogger. You visit a website, and it injects a keylogger. "Friend" sends you a file via MSN/ect and it contains a keylogger. As well as other little ways. From here on is when the guide begins. Remember to do everything I said if you want a safe computer and account!
1.1 - Windows Update
Windows Update is a very important tool. It is basically updates provided by Microsoft that fix loopholes in your system. Here are instructions on how to install and/or enable Windows Update:
Windows Vista and Windows 7
1. Click start
2. Open Control Panel
3. Open Windows Update [img]http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/8123/smalls.png"]http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/8123/smalls.png[/img
4. Click "Change settings"
5. Change to "Install updates automatically (recommended)"
6. Click OK.
Windows XP desktop. Couldn't find a proper picture. ^^^^
Windows XP
1. Click Start
2. Open Control Panel
3. Click Automatic Updates
4. Select "Automatic (recommended)"
5. Click "Ok"
1.3 - Instructions
These are programs which are very helpful in keeping your computer clean, fast, and most importantly: safe! I really you download all of them. Tip: don't run all scans at once, but one after another. What one program missed, the other should catch. Download & install them, please. Alphabetically ordered.
Advanced SystemCare
Description: Has a lot of useful little programs that come with it
Tools: Registry fix, Junk files clean, Privacy sweep, Spyware removal, Security defense, Disk cleaner, Disk explorer, Startup manager, and many more. Most are free, some are only in the PRO version
Download link: Click here
Created by: Iobit
Auslogics Disk Defrag
Description: This program is amongst the best when it comes to defragmenting your system, if not the best!
Tools: Defrag
Download link: Click here
Created by: Auslogics
CCleaner
Description: This is a great program that is awesome at removing junk files and cleaning up your registry. Certainly a must have
Tools: Cleans your computer of many unnecessary files, registry fix, startup manager
Download link: Click here
Created by: Piriform Ltd
Comodo
Description: This is a firewall and the best in the business. Better than the paid versions, better than any other free firewall. It will detect pretty much every single thing. Even when programs are trying to connect to the internet to verify a serial, it will ask you for permission. A must have!
Tools: Firewall
Download link: Click here
Created by: Comodo Group
Malwarebytes
Description: This program specializes in removing malware and is extremely good at it. Malware basically is adware (programs that download stuff that will slow your PC down), spyware (tracks your internet activity), trojans, and the alike. The best
Tools: Malware removal
Download link: Click here
Created by: Malwarebytes
Sysinternals
Description: This is basically a folder with a lot of very useful programs provided by Microsoft. Very useful and everyone should have it =]
Tools: RootkitRevealer, Process Explorer, RAMMAP, and more
Download link: Click here
Created by: Sysinternals
Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool
Description: This is a tool provided by Microsoft which will scan & remove malicious software found on your computer. It is not an actual anti-virus. Hence, it will not conflict which your current anti-virus (if any). It is great tool and a must have (as with all the other programs listed).
Tools: Malicious software removal
Download link: Click here
Created by: Microsoft
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After you have downloaded and installed all the programs I listed, please do the following in order. It is important that you do it in order for the best effect.
NOTE: Certain tools/utilities within the programs are only available with the paid/PRO version
1. Open CCleaner
->Click "Run Cleaner"
-> Click "Registry" then "Scan for Issues"
-> Click "Fix selected issues", decide whether to backup or not
-> Click "Fix issue"
2. Open Advanced SystemCare
-> Click "Scan" and then "Repair" under Maintain Windows
-> Click "Diagnose System. Disable "Disk Defragment" if you like, it can take some time
-> Click "Scan" and then "Repair"
-> Click "Utilities"
-> Open "Disk Cleaner"
-> Select which files you which to delete. All are unnecessary to the computer, otherwise they wouldn't be listed
-> Play around with the other utilities
3. Open Malwarebytes
-> Select "Perform full scan"
-> The scan can take some time, but it is well worth it
4. Open your Sysinternals folder
-> Open "PageDefrag" (Vista: Run as Admin)
-> Click "Ok"
-> Open "RookitRevealer" (Vista: Run as Admin) (what does this do?)
-> This will open a whole screen of its own. A popup may appear, make sure to click to view the "message"
-> There are other useful tools, such as: Process Explorer, Process Monitor, RAMMap, ect
5. Open Auslogics Disk Defragment
-> Select which drives to defrag (C:, D:)
-> Click "Defrag"
6. Open Comodo
-> Your internet connection may be blocked at first, if so click the X in "X outbound connections" and change everything to allow
-> Don't really need to do anything else, other than make sure it runs at startup
7. Open Startup (taskbar)
-> Search for "malicious"
-> Open windows-kb890830-v3.13.exe
-> The numbers will differ but it'll still be a similar name
-> Click Next
-> Select Full scan
-> Click Next
1.5 - Browsers
Browsers also play a very important part in keeping your computer secure! I listed them in my personal preference. If you're using Internet Explorer, well say goodbye to it. IE has very little protection against the many threats of the internet. It fails to block even the least complex ad from downloading itself into your computer, without your permission. Here is your selection for a new browser:
Firefox is the best browser in my opinion (of course, some will disagree). It is very safe, very fast. The image to the left is my Firefox. It has a custom theme as well as some add-ons. There are so many add-ons :).
Download link: Click here
After you have installed it, here are add-ons that you must install:
- Adblock Plus
- Anti-virus link checker
Recommended add-ons:
- Fasterfox for 3.0+ (makes your Internet much faster)
- NoScipt
Helpful links:
- Themes
- More addons
This is Google Chrome. It is a very simple browser and hard to customize. There are little to no add-ons. There is also speculation that it relays your browsing history back to Google. The "pro"s of the browser is that it is fast (I would say same as Firefox) and downloads a blacklist from Google every 30 minutes.
- Themes
- Extensions
Download link: Click here
1.6 - Other
Now that your computer is safe, clean, and fast.. here are a couple of tips and things to look "out" for.
- Always check the URL of whatever you're about to click
- When entering your Runescape username and password, always make sure the website is RuneScape - MMORPG - The No.1 Free Online Multiplayer Game, Jagex Games Studio, or FunOrb - Free Online Games by Jagex Games Studio. If it isn't one of these sites and it's asking you for your details, don't put them.
- No "pin generators", "stat editors", "item spawners", "automatic firecape", "omfg program hax", ect work. They do NOT work. They're only keyloggers!
- No such thing as a "make 1000M in a week guide! click here!". Chances are the websites contains a keylogger which will attempt to inject int your computer when you visit it
2.1 - Your Password
The password of your Runescape account should differ from any other. That means it should not be the same as your email account, Facebook profile, ect ect. The password should be something you can remember but not so easy whereas others can guess it.
2.2 - Recovery Questions
Having your recovery questions set is extremely important, as they are play a vital role in a recovery appeal. They also add a big layer of security to your account. Go to "Account Management" and then click "Set Recoveries" to do such =]. The questions can be anything, really. As for the answers, I suggest they aren't related to the question being asked. Why? someone might guess it. A better idea is to have an unrelated answer. A good trick is to have your questions as "Answer to recovery question 1", "Answer to recovery question 2" and all the way up to 5. The reason is because when an account doesn't have recoveries, that is what will show in the recovery appeal. So if someone is trying to steal your account, he/she will incorrectly check "This account doesn't have any recovery questions".
2.3 - Email Registration
Having an e-mail registered to your account is important, as it adds an extra layer of protection. In the past, it required an email to create an account. To register your email go to "Account Management" under "Account". Then select "Email registration". Follow the instructions. Further instructions will be sent to the e-mail. Follow them and you shall have an e-mail attached to your account =]!