PC Security Advice Needed‏.........Please Help!

Associate

Hi guys,

I need your advice on a few issues, I hope you will kindly bear with me and be as comprehensive as possible. SORRY in advance for the detailed post.

I have got a Pentium 4, 40 GB, 512 Ram with Windows XP, Home PC.

Recently I had a an infection on my PC where I got a "W32.Myzor.FK@yf" message after my Internet Explorer Homepage had been taken over and a false message displayed. This happened despite me having Virgin's Anti-Virus, Virgin's Firewall (my Internet Service Provider) and Spy Bot Search and Destroy Anti-Spyware. Fortunately, I managed to fix the problem.

I would like your guidance on the best Free available security programs, I realise that most have their limitations, especially the Free ones. I normally download them from Filehippo.


Firewall

1) I don't know how familiar you are with Virgin Firewall that comes with their Broadband service, but do you think I should keep it?

2) Which Free Firewall would you recommend?


Anti-Virus

1) I've turned off the Virgin Anti-Virus program that came with their Broadband, again I don't know how familiar you are with it, but do you think I should stop using it?

2) Which Free Anti-Virus Program would you recommend, taking into account best detection and real time detection?


Anti-Spyware

I have currently got Spyware Terminator for Real Time scan and AVG 7.5 for a Full scan.

1) Is any particular one Free Anti-Spyware adequate enough that I should go for that even though it may not have the Real Time feature it's Full scan feature is comprehensive enough to make up for that and is better than those with the Real Time feature?

2) On the other hand, is there a Real Time Free Anti-Spyware program you would recommend that I should go for on it's own?

3) Or would you recommend that I should install an Anti-Spyware program that has Real Time and another I should install for a Full scan, therefore a combination of two, if so, which two would you recommend?


Summary

I realise that in such matters there isn't always a clear cut and straight forward answer......but making the best of a unideal situation and using your experience and judgement, in conclusion, which combination of Free Security Programs would you recommend I have on my PC that will best compliment each Security aspect for the following:


Firewall:


Anti-Virus:


Anti-Spyware (Single or Two):




I hope I didn't exhaust you too much!

Thank you very much for your kind assistance!

Jay

Browntoa

I don't think there is any total protection, if someone on the PC decides to just open that attachment , follow that link in that email , download that codec that this web page says I need , do that free antivirus scan that pops up on the screen or leave their version of windows without doing windowsupdates then you WILL get infected regardless

penrhyn

You could try reading the article 'kit out your PC for free'
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/free-anti-virus-software

dmahler

Hello Jay, I actually teach this stuff online and to all English speaking colleges and universities so here's what I recommend.

ONE and only one antivirus product.

If money is an issue, AVAST is a very good Free software along with AVG. If you need the links, I can dig them up for you.

ONE and only one Firewall product. Windows Firewall does not constitute a firewall product.

Again, if money is an issue, ZoneAlarm Free Home Firewall is outstanding.

TWO Spyware products. I recommend to all my students Spybot S&D (safer-networking.org) and Lavasoft's Ad-aware. Each one picks up what the other misses. (Both free!)

Turn on your Internet Explorer Phishing Filter and if at all possible switch to Firefox. I just did some research and found that in driveby downloads, IE had received the file before their warning bar popped up on the top that it had blocked a download. Whereas Firefox pops up with a download box asking you if you want to download instead of automatically accepting it onto your computer. Firefox is by far safer.

I hope this helps and if I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to post a reply.

Debbie

Geoffo_M

Hi Jay - I use Avast as my AV, Online Armor as my firewall, and two of the best malware, SUPERantispyware and Malwarebytes AntiMalware. All seem to be effective. Online Armor has added advantage of a Program Guard, and prompts you any time an unknown prog wants to run - all helps to make you feel secure.

Good luck

spud17

Online Armor as my firewall,

+1 for Online Armor.

But still not yet Vista compatible.
The Program Guard is great and only needs to be told once, unlike others I have tried which never seem to learn.

Associate

Thank you all for your thoughtful contribution.......it has helped!

I've sent you a PM Debbie, hope that's ok.

Jay

Domokun

Whether Debbie has heard of this add-on (small, optional program run alongside Firefox) or not, I would seriously suggest Googling "No Script" and adding it to Firefox, if you decide to get it.

Fair winds!