Which security options to use.

[cadburysfingers]

Hi. I am in the process of reformatting my hard drive and returning my pc to full performance as it has been running very slow of late. What I would like to know is am I using the correct options for my security. I have AVG 7.1 and Sygate Personal Firewall Pro lined up to go onto the machine, I was just curious as to is this a good combination and is it sufficient. Any help and advice greatly appreciated.

[glc]

If you have broadband and are using a router, you don't even need Sygate - the WinXP SP2 firewall is a sufficient second line of defense. AVG is good. You will need some anti-spyware apps to go along with AVG.

[cadburysfingers]

Yes I do have a router, its a ZyXEL Prestige 600 series. which connects via an ethernet cable, to an always on broadband connection. I am surprised I dont need Sygate, but definitely take your word for that. Would you mind suggesting some of the other security/spyware apps I need to accompany AVG. Thanks for your help, much appreciated.

[Ghost(BOO!)]

here you go

ad-aware http://www.majorgeeks.com/Ad-Aware_SE_Personal_d506.html

spybot http://www.majorgeeks.com/SpyBot-Search_&_Destroy_d2471.html

ewido http://www.ewido.net/en/download/

the ewido has a free 30 day trial of a lot of options like resident shield. and the other 2 are free and ewido is free also but after 30 days you lose some options and it will be like the other 2

[cadburysfingers]

here you go

ad-aware http://www.majorgeeks.com/Ad-Aware_SE_Personal_d506.html

spybot http://www.majorgeeks.com/SpyBot-Search_&_Destroy_d2471.html

ewido http://www.ewido.net/en/download/

the ewido has a free 30 day trial of a lot of options like resident shield. and the other 2 are free and ewido is free also but after 30 days you lose some options and it will be like the other 2

Thanks very much for those, I do have Ad-Aware and Spybot search and destroy so can add those, have never heard of Ewido though, so will definitely check it out, thanks again.

[jayb1234]

Spyware Guard and Spyware Blaster, both free here (http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/products.html).

[Ghost(BOO!)]

Spyware Guard and Spyware Blaster, both free here (http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/products.html).


Both of those are good. You could also try windows defender


http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4466

[cadburysfingers]

Thanks again, anymore for anymore before this thread drops down the list.

[law99]

These are free & posted in many forums.
WinPatrol
AVG antivir
AntiVir (a inactive 2nd antivir check, also online scanners)
Process Guard
a2
Ewido
Windows Defender
Firefox (IE needed for some sites)
ZoneAlarm firewall
PC Pitstop Erase (I use for greyware cookies)
--- Of course Spyware Blaster, Spyware Guard, AdAware, SpyBot
new-Super Antispywre Free Edition
All at download.com with reviews I think
Les

[snoober]

maybe I should have started a new thread but it would of had the same title. I am setting up new computer with a cable connection. I have avg 7.1 and would like to know what others I should install (free of course). All this stuff confuses me and sometimes when I am reading they all look the same but have different labels....

[law99]

http://www.castlecops.com/t116539-Guide_Make_your_own_System_Security_Suite_for_Free.html
http://forums.spywareinfo.com/index.php?showtopic=60955

[Panama Red]

All these suggestions have merit but running them all is major overkill. I've been running the same combination of security software for a couple years now without any difficulties and I use this same combo on all the customer machines I service. As glc said, if you're running broadband, use a router. Even if you only have one pc, use the router for the NAT firewall. This in combination with the XP SP2 firewall is all you need in the firewall category. Use AVG Free edition and make sure it runs daily and checks for updates daily. Only install 2 other programs for spyware removal - Adaware and Spybot-Search and Destroy. Run both of them weekly. CCleaner is a proven winner for cleaning up the registry but it's not really a security item. You can use the online scanner at Ewido.net and/or the online scanner at Trendmicro.com to check for hidden issues. I check my systems with Ewido about once a month. The fewer programs you have running in the background the more resources you have available to run apps. Extra software firewalls and anti-spyware programs just slow things down and cause problems in my book.

My #1 rule to prevent infections is still the one I preach to all my clients - Think before you click!

[snoober]

I know I am asking a bunch of probably self explainable ?'s but I have trouble figuring this out. I have installed AVG and Ewido. I am hoping to set up networking ( I have a post of there to figure it out) and when I do that would you install something like zone alarm or just use the built in one.

Thanks

[Alaron]

If your networked computers are all attached to a router, it is acting as a firewall for all of those systems. If your computers have XP, the firewall that comes with service pack 2 (SP2) is all they need.

[Panama Red]

As I said right above you, no need for Zone Alarm. You'll use a router for networking (most likely) and SP2 has a firewall built in.

[glc]

PR, I do add Spyware Blaster to the list of stuff that you use. It's passive protection - it adds bad sites to the browser's restricted zone. It does not run in the background. I also make sure I use the Immunize function in Spybot S&D.

[kev7555]

Spywareblaster!!

That was the one I saw missing from the list also. This program blocks so many objects that the customer has less scanning to do.
A superb anti-spyware tool.

-Kev

[glc]

Even the Spybot people recommend Spyware Blaster.

[cadburysfingers]

Thanks to everyone, some excellent informed replies. I have just run Spy Sweeper, (we bought it ages ago, so thought may as well run it) that found 33 things mainly cookies. Currently running Ewido and that has already found 20 more things, one of them being a trojan (so much for spy sweeper) Also I have downloaded the free version of Spyware Blaster, which you all seem to recommend. I will run that when Ewido has finished. Thanks again for all the replies, a great thread.

[kev7555]

Spywareblaster is a blocking program. All you have to do is install it and update it regularly. There is no scanning feature. It simply blocks about 90% of the adware/spyware that is out there. Even when you close out its main screen it is still protecting you.

-Kev