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Thread ID: 64977	2006-01-03 18:13:00	How safe is my new Computer I now have	cybergran (9452)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
417762	2006-01-03 18:13:00	:cool: installed Norton Internet Security 2005 with firewall...NIS turned off SP2 firewall when I executed it...Spybot & Ad-Aware SE Personal...I am running Win XP....Spybot is the only program which has picked up nasties so far...the computer is one month old...Do I need any other spyware programs etc...if so which free downloads...When NIS expires in March what firewall, antivirus & anti-spam programs should I download...free downloads please...I have run Microsofts scans for "full service scan"..."Protection scan"..."clean up scan" & "tune up scan" all is OK....your input would be much appreciated....thanx	cybergran (9452)
417763	2006-01-03 18:18:00	spywareblaster/avast antivirus/zonealarm firewall, or kerio	drcspy (146)
417764	2006-01-03 18:48:00	:cool: installed Norton Internet Security 2005 with firewall . . . NIS turned off SP2 firewall when I executed it . . . Spybot & Ad-Aware SE Personal . . . I am running Win XP . . . . Spybot is the only program which has picked up nasties so far . . . the computer is one month old . . . Do I need any other spyware programs etc . . . if so which free downloads . . . When NIS expires in March what firewall, antivirus & anti-spam programs should I download . . . free downloads please . . . I have run Microsofts scans for "full service scan" . . . "Protection scan" . . . "clean up scan" & "tune up scan" all is OK . . . . your input would be much appreciated . . . . thanx This seems to be the ONE post that generates the most heat on this or any other site . BUT!, I will dive in and start the flames going again . Norton's is such a resource hog that it will cause the OPSYS to compromise the RAM and madly switch back and forth trying to satisfy Windows and Norton's with each other . They both need a lot of RAM just to function that it is a constant fight for resources . I just spent 14 hours cleaning out Norton's, installing my choice of security (AVG-FREE, SpyBot S & D, Ad-Aware, Spyware Blaster, Microsoft's Anti Spyware Beta [BIG], HiJackThis, Belarc Adviser, Microsoft's Baseline Security Adviser, and CrapCleaner), with XP's Firewall enabled . This 14 hour job was on matching computers (his-n-hers) at a friend's home . They both were severly infected with trojans, dialers, keyloggers and viruses that Norton's missed and allowed to live . I have little respect for Norton's bloated junk . . . but that's just my opinion . I personally don't use Avast . . I am sure it's good . . but the stuff I have all runs well together and there's no fighting for resources and RAM that might make it intolerable to me . Security comes at a price in the form of SLIGHTLY crippling some speed, but if we are gonna use Windows platforms, we have to all become certified IT's anyway . (Please no LINUX v Windows debates again!) Typically I install pretty much the same package on 'puters that I "fix" or set up for friends and relatives (I'm retired and have a lot of free time), and they can do with their system what they want after I leave . . . but on the whole, they seem to be very happy and stick to what I tell them to use . I get an occasional rogue who wants to try an on-line scan . . and then all bets are off! Most of them falsely accuse your system of being rife with bad stuff on the guise of selling you their anti-stuff . Don't fall for it . I also switch them to the Mozilla Suite with Firefox and Thunderbird for extra protection . . . but that's a whole 'nuther posting that generates pyrotechnics too .	SurferJoe46 (51)
417765	2006-01-03 19:18:00	:waughh: Thanx so much for your quick replies...I have a few more questions...please excuse my ignorance but I am not used to all the new programs you need now days....Do I install Spyware Blaster now with NIS & Spybot running...SurferJoe46 you stated "with XP's firewall enabled...do you mean for all those programs you mentioned or just some...What I need now are programs that will run with NIS enabled until it expires...then I will download the others just before NIS expires....Thanks again have a nice day	cybergran (9452)
417766	2006-01-03 20:13:00	Sounds like you have a reasonable set-up . Norton's is a resource hog, as SurferJoe46 stated, so you'll want at least 512MB RAM, which most new PC's have . Your CPU should be more than sufficient if your PC's new . Regarding NIS versus AVG, I have more faith in a commercial version than freebies . After 23 years in the IT biz, over the long haul I've learned it's just less risky to pay for protection than not . There are additional steps you can take, such as disabling services and group policies, but it depends how far you want to take your security . Just like performance tuning a car, it depends on how much time you have . If you're using a broadband connection, such as ADSL, you may want to invest in a hardware based firewall, such as these: * Linksys BEFSR41 ($115) * Linksys BEFSX41 ($150) An yes, you may use both a hardware and software based firewalls together for more protection .	kingdragonfly (309)
417767	2006-01-03 20:26:00	Before you use your pc, set up windows the way you like it, install the programs you will need, update windows, then create an image of this clean install, so when you need to reinstall you can just pop the disk in and then in 20 min you are back into your orginal windows, all you will need to do is restore the back ups you made.	Prescott (11)
417768	2006-01-04 00:08:00	Ditto. Not Nortons. NOD32 is good but not free. Depends if you want free or pay stuff. Non-free anti-spyware - Counterspy. But AdAware and SPybot (together) are good also. The more the better with spyware programs. And I'd skip Windows useless firewall and get Zone ALarm or something. ZA has a free version too...	pctek (84)
417769	2006-01-04 00:18:00	:waughh: Thanx so much for your quick replies . . . I have a few more questions . . . please excuse my ignorance but I am not used to all the new programs you need now days . . . . Do I install Spyware Blaster now with NIS & Spybot running . . . SurferJoe46 you stated "with XP's firewall enabled . . . do you mean for all those programs you mentioned or just some . . . What I need now are programs that will run with NIS enabled until it expires . . . then I will download the others just before NIS expires . . . . Thanks again have a nice day It would be a good idea to install SpywareBlaster now as it prevents spyware loading themselves onto your computer in the first place . If you are running Spybot make sure you "immunise" your system for further protection . XP's firewall should NOT be running if you have a third-party firewall, whether Nortons, ZoneAlarm or whatever . Don't run more than one at a time, nor more than one anti-virus program at a time . It is safe to use more than one spyware prevention program however, and they can be running now, alongside NIS .	FoxyMX (5)
417770	2006-01-04 01:14:00	It would be a good idea to install SpywareBlaster now as it prevents spyware loading themselves onto your computer in the first place. It prevents SOME spyware loading. Nothing protects you against everything short of disconnecting it from the net - permanently.	pctek (84)
417771	2006-01-04 01:45:00	Before you use your pc, set up windows the way you like it, install the programs you will need, update windows, then create an image of this clean install, so when you need to reinstall you can just pop the disk in and then in 20 min you are back into your orginal windows, all you will need to do is restore the back ups you made . I almost agree . . but I can be persuaded to change my opinion if I can get a really good reason . I personally feel that one should get SP-2 installed before any other updates and hotfixes, then any other security programs can be installed . Have seen some really bolloxed-up updates caused by waiting too long in the installation history to get the necessary M$ fixes . Then the poor user gets all bent at M$ thinking they screwed up their system . It isn't the fault of the updates . . . it's just that the system got too long in the tooth for SP's and such to get in clean and perform their job correctly . Now . . . I WILL consider statements to the possibility that getting the latest drivers and programs in first MIGHT be better in the event of needing to restore or repair Windows . . but that might just be an idea of lesser merit . . . . I just think the sequence of installs should be more like: 1) Install Windows; 2) Use the SP-2 update cd-rom, 3) Install any other security stuff you can find . . . like the cd-rom freebees we all get from time to time . . even if they are outdated, just for some security (like AD-Subtract, or even a Norton's or McAfee outdated cd-rom from any one of a number of packages from other puters); 4) Wire on a router for a physical firewall; 5) Go immediately to Windows for any/all updates and hotfixes . 7) Then add on anything that floats your boat security-wise . . . . . . . waiting in my flame-proof undies again . . . . . . . :annoyed:	SurferJoe46 (51)
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