Qu. about antivirus,firewall and internet security

Rex_Mundi

personaly i run nod32 antivirus and no firewall.

These are two different types of products. An antivirus is there to keep you free of any virus infection. A firewall is there to control access in and out of your computer. Without a firewall, you have no idea whether a piece of spyware (this is different to a virus) is sending out your passwords from your computer, or whether someone is hacking into your computer.

There is currently no product on the market that scans for everything in one hit. This is why you'll see people reccomending antivirus+spyware scanner+firewall.

As a guideline, the MINIMUM security you should have if you want to stay safe while online is.
Antivirus
Firewall
Spyware scanner (preferably more than one)
Latest Windows updates.

I have also used ZA in the past but got fed-ip of the warning boxes popping up every few seconds when anything tired to access the internet so ditched that too.

Zonealarm is an excellent free firewall. When it is first installed it asks each time if you want to allow a program to access the internet. If you put a tick in the box that says remember this setting. It won't ask again, it will allow it automatically. You should only get this happening for the first few days after installing ZA and each time you install a new program. The warning boxes that tell you it has stopped some traffic can also be turned off.

Party_Animal

Rex, I'm using Microsft Anti Spyware and Norton Security for a firewall. Is this enough or would you recommend another spyware prog?
Thanks

Rex_Mundi

I'm using Microsft Anti Spyware and Norton Security for a firewall. Is this enough or would you recommend another spyware prog?

AdAware http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
Spybot http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html

I use both of these. Sometimes each one will find something that has been missed by the other. Before you run them, read how to update them and check that you have all the latest updates.

The best thing I did to stop spyware on my computer was to switch to Firefox instead of internet explorer. I scan regularly and have not had one bit of spyware now for 6 weeks. With IE I used to pick up spyware all the time.
You can download this here http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/
A very few web pages don't work properly with Firefox. I'm only talking about 1% or 2% , in these cases if I trust the site I use IE.

All of these programs are free and IMHO excellent.

Curry_Queen

There is a handy little tool you can use called Shields UP!! which can be found here.

Now according to this I have 100% stealth and security using just my router firewall, so is there really any need to clog my system up with unnecessary software?

Party_Animal

Many thanks Reg. I'll have a look at these. I've got Adaware , but that seems to be the one that Norton wants me to get rid of?

zax_2

FIREFOX is definitely a must switch.
Not only is it safer than IE. It seems to also work faster. With tabbed browsing, skins, extensions you can download for it. It really has opened my eyes.
I install it now on all computers I fix or build and trying to get people to learn to use it.
for example I added foxytunes to mine(so I can listen to my favourite tunes directly from the browser), I get my local weather constantly on the right lower corner.
I have added chatzilla and session saver. So if I shut it off, or my computer crashes (knock on wood) next time I open it firebox goes back to the exact same place in all pages I had open at the time.
Fantastic!
I love it

Rex_Mundi

Many thanks Reg. I'll have a look at these. I've got Adaware , but that seems to be the one that Norton wants me to get rid of?

Who's Reg??? lol

Don't know why Norton would pick up on this?

Just a small possibility. Some spyware vendors bundle their sh1te in authentic looking versions of programs. Did you download adaware from a reliable site? You could uninstall your version of AdAware, then download it again from the link I posted. It's only a small chance of this, but better safe than sorry.

Party_Animal

Thanks Rex, and I haven't had a drink yet.

Party_Animal

zax wrote:

FIREFOX is definitely a must switch.
Not only is it safer than IE. It seems to also work faster. With tabbed browsing, skins, extensions you can download for it. It really has opened my eyes.
I install it now on all computers I fix or build and trying to get people to learn to use it.
for example I added foxytunes to mine(so I can listen to my favourite tunes directly from the browser), I get my local weather constantly on the right lower corner.
I have added chatzilla and session saver. So if I shut it off, or my computer crashes (knock on wood) next time I open it firebox goes back to the exact same place in all pages I had open at the time.
Fantastic!
I love it

I've used Mozilla for some time and I like it. Aren't the other stuff you mentioned extra. Also I'm having probs with Incredimail. Isn't there a good E Mail system attached to Mozilla?
Thanks

Rex_Mundi

Isn't there a good E Mail system attached to Mozilla?

You must be thinking of Thunderbird. Get it for free here http://www.mozilla.org/products/thunderbird/