What is the best security/fire wall/ani spyware...etc.Any suggestions?

Nov 28, 2006
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Hey guys!!!!
What is the best internet security?anti virus/firewall/anti spyware/anti spyware combo???
What is everyone using????

I'm thinking of going with the free kasperky anti virus from aol and the free zone alarm or comodo fire walls and windows defender.

Should I go with a full security suite???(I cant afford norton 2007..lol).
I tried using zone alarm security suite in the past but it seem to slow down my
computer and its difficult to understand sometimes.I have been hearing good things about spyware sweeper and spyware doctor.I dont want to have too many things running on my computer at the same time..

Any suggestions.wisdom or comments guys??

Bare with me lol..I have been putting my pc together all this week and I want to have the best set up within my limits...Please dont get offended by all my post.....
I have noobie ambition and aggression..lol.
 

Lemon law

Lifer
Nov 6, 2005
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To Goldlight,

You raise a pile of hotly debated subjects. Nor is it given to the wisdom of man to decide what is the best current decisions. The best you can do is read what you can and go with your gut.
The consolided security thread is good---look up John's links also---look up what mechbgon has to say---look at forums like castle cops and spywarewarrior.---and add them all together and you still will not discover consensus.---other than a multilayered defense is needed.

But as somewhat a student of current strategies---and barring unlimited wealth---free is always preferred unless there is a compelling reason that paid is much better. So it may pay to invest in either spysweeper--or spyware doctor---but hedge that bet by always opting for spybot, adaware, windows defender, and spyware blaster,

Tour AOL kaspersky is almost certainly the best AV choice in MHO---maybe I am being unfair--but from what I have read zone alarm is bloatware for a firewall--I still use sygate--many recommend Kerio---comodo is good---but you will have a learning curve with whatever you install for a software firewall--learn to configure and maintain on and keep it maintained.

I am not a fan of all in one suites--putting all your eggs in one basket is never very smart---and I would not have the bloatware that Norton has become on my computer.
 

mechBgon

Super Moderator<br>Elite Member
Oct 31, 1999
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Originally posted by: goldlight
I dont want to have too many things running on my computer at the same time..

Any suggestions.wisdom or comments guys??
I'm going to regurgitate some of mine below.
Originally posted by: mechBgon
Besides security software, here are other security ideas (some of which the Consolidated Security Thread already covers):

  • Common sense (avoid warez, cracks, and software that you don't know is definitely "clean")
  • Turn on Automatic Updates
  • Check your other software for vulnerabilities
  • Enable full Data Execution Prevention
  • Use a Limited account for daily-driver stuff like web browsing, IM and email. Add on a Software Restriction Policy if you have WinXP Professional
  • Use a router as your perimeter firewall, and the Windows Firewall or another firewall in case someone hooks up an infected computer to your router
  • If you have a wireless router, secure it with a strong password, enable MAC filtering, and use the highest level of encryption it offers. If you don't actually use the wireless capability yourself, disable the wireless feature entirely.
None of that stuff requires that you have extra software running for protection, unless maybe you count Automatic Updates and the Windows Firewall. The combination of a Limited account and a SRP is amazingly powerful. Limited accounts by themselves are still excellent protection from typical spyware/adware.

Also, see this thread for getting troublesome software to work under a Limited account: thread.

 
Nov 28, 2006
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Thank you lemon law...
I don't mean to raise a pile of hotly debated subjects(not intentionally).

All I have been doing for the past month is researching on the internet
and reading maximum pc and cpu magazines.unsatisfied with Dell and my 9150's
limitations....I decided that I was going to build my own computer....which I did all by myself....I returned my 9150(which was a long drawn out fight...but I won)and I used the money to buy parts for my new set up.......A new path of illumination has opened up and GOldlight was born!!!!!Lol

So I found anandtech.com and it was like a mouse in a room full of cheese...a gold mine!!!!

I have read about over clocking but I want to do it right=====anandtech!!!!!

I have used many security suites and adware,anti virus',and etc in the past but which ones use less memory,resources,and etc....oh let me look on =====anandtech!!!!!

I want to learn how to dual boot 2 operating systems on a hard drive======anandtech didnt help me with this one but I researched and found out any way...lol

Why does my 500 gig hard drive register at 465 gb instead of 500=======let me check on anandtech!!!!!!(I didnt know that I was going to be called dumb for this one...it was a honest noobie mistake lol)

So as you can see.....anandtech has become my new obsession.......
a weeks worth full of research can be shortened to a day.....well it depends on the answers that you get.......some answers are good and to the point.....
some people insult you for even asking a question(lol)......and some people have become so technical that their answers are not even human anymore..lol.Good or bad...I love it!!!!!!

Has anandtech spoiled me....yes!!
should I stop researching on my own???No, but there is always anandtech!!!lol
Do I feel bitter about giving Dell thousands of dollars over the years...yes!!!I'm
never going back..

So there you have it......
And remember before everyone of you became a platinum,diamond,elite member,and etc..
You were all newbies just like me!!!!!!!Lol

Happy New Year!!!!!Now I'm going to check out "Hot deals"..lol

 

TheRyuu

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2005
5,479
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The free AOL powered by Kaspersky is probably one of the best AV's (and it's free).
Otherwise you can't go wrong with NOD32 or Kaspersky Pro (just repeating what was in the AOL thread) ;)

As for a anti-spyware, Windows Defender+Spybot catches a lot if not most of the junk. Windows Defender does it real time too.

For a firewall, nothing beats a router.