13 replies to this topic

[DaemonX]

OK.... since we want more posting, I thought I'd start a topic too.

Now I know everyone has their own pet hates and favourites, but I want to know what people recommend for protecting their PC while online.

I personally don't know what is the best, I know a few people who use AVG as it's free and apparently very good.

I switch from Nortons to McAfee when one plays up, then back again.

Firewalls I've tried Blace Ice Defender (which I liked), nortons, mcCafe but quite a few people are happy with Windows to do the job.

Just thought people may have other things I've not tried, or people haven't considered.

I know some of you out there strip viruses and rework them, so have no protection at all.


Finally the Biggest Question of ALL.....

If packages like McAfee and Nortons are SO EASY to crack and get free subscriptions (I have live update for 100 years) and registering etc....
WHY TRUST THEM TO PROTECT YOUR PC????

[baz]

I on XP and use AVG, Firefox and the windows firewall.

Firefox I like cos it blocks pop-ups and automatic downloading (eg viruses and spyware)
Windows firewall only blocks incoming attacks, but then if you scan all your downloads then you'll not have a trojan trying to connect out.

I,ve been using that setup for years, and only ever had 1 java virus. So now I just disable java in firefox when I need to visit a *dodgy* website.

As for Norton etc, I wouldn't trust any cracked anti-virus software. These resourse hungry things are only designed for the flawed Internet Explorer anyway.

[memia]

Hi all,
I personally believe the only way to go if you are permanently connected (as I'm sure most of us are) is hardware firewall protection.

I use a Netgear DG834G wireless ADSL firewall router, which has a 54Gb WAP built in, 4 RJ45 ethernet ports and an RJ11 ADSL uplink.
It is far faster at protecting you than any software based firewall and has the added benefit of allowing all your PCs to securely use the same internet connection.

The only problem with it (typically) is that it costs more than the software (which can be picked up for free).

Have fun,
M

[ady]

Hi all,
I personally believe the only way to go if you are permanently connected (as I'm sure most of us are) is hardware firewall protection.

I use a Netgear DG834G wireless ADSL firewall router, which has a 54Gb WAP built in, 4 RJ45 ethernet ports and an RJ11 ADSL uplink.
It is far faster at protecting you than any software based firewall and has the added benefit of allowing all your PCs to securely use the same internet connection.

The only problem with it (typically) is that it costs more than the software (which can be picked up for free).

Have fun,
M

July's PC EXTREME has a 'how to' pictorial on this.....can also be very bulky too

[gimmegimmegimme]

AVG, Spybot Search & Destroy, Windows firewall. All free and never had any probs

[jayroller]

AVG, Spybot Search & Destroy, Windows firewall. All free and never had any probs

thats what i have now (for the last 2 weeks as i have just had to reformat)

not had any problems so far

I also use MS antispyware

[DaemonX]

Thats roughly what I'm thinking of going for now AVG, spybot and windows.

[ninestonecowboy]

personally i use avg free(anti virus),windows firewall (but i also use zonealarm free),spybot search and destroy and spywareblaster together and a great freeware prog called ccleaner(crap cleaner) which is great for removal of temp files,history files and redundant registry entries and is very easy too use......been using those progs for years and i have never had a problem(though zonealarm can be a bit awkward too configure).....damn i hope i haven't tempted fate now

[duplu]

A router and common sense!

The router blocks all the traffic I don't want and the common sense prevents me opening an attachment virus. I also use Firefox but mainly because it's quicker than IE.

[Big_G123]

well at first i did not use anything stupid of me i know as i had about 1700 diff virus's on the computer and about 300 bits of spyware/adware. Now that i have learnt my lesson i use avg free McAfee and zone alarm plus a promgram called ad-aware se since then not had a problem but that will change now i have said this!!!!!

[algypan]

Personally, I use a router,McAfee and Spy Sweeper, all paid for!

McAfee is good at picking up viruses and Spy Sweeper is by far the best at spyware detection.

Ad Aware and Spy Bot does not remove spyware very well, I must see about 4 pc's a week that have spyware (e.g. LOP) and the owners think that ad aware or spy bot should have protected them.

I have to drill into all my customers heads that COMMON SENSE is the best part of virus/spyware protection.

[Magz]

If you don't wanna pay for the antispyware, then MS antispyware is a really good option. It's officially in Beta testing at the moment, but I have it installed on hundreds of PCs and it has not caused a problem on them. Other than that, I'd recommend using a hardware router, simply because it eliminates having an internet routable IP address on your host PC. Plus it allows you (on most routers anyway) the option to easily add other PCs, laptops, wireless devices to your home network as you wish.

[jayroller]

try reading this gives a few pointers and links to useful programs

http://forums.techguy.org/t208517.html