What's The Minimum Software You Should Use

[chiang mai]

I realize that PC security is rarely if ever going to be 100% but wonder what are the reasonable steps that people think they should take to safeguard their system. Obvious steps such as keeping up to date on downloads and updates is a must, as is a firewall and an anti-virus solution. malware and spyware detection systems are also important. Perhaps the most important one for me is not logging on and using the PC as an Administrator for daily surfing needs.

My protective software suite comprises the following:

Norton Anti-virus

Comodo firewall,

Spyware blaster

Spybot

Ad-Aware

Rootkit revealer

Crap cleaner and Easycleaner

Using Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird.

Microsoft Baseline Security Manager

A packet sniffing router

Anybody see anything missing they think is very important?

[Richard-BKK]

You can also use Linux (Ububtu for free)....then none additional security/protection software is needed...

[Thaising]

I realize that PC security is rarely if ever going to be 100% but wonder what are the reasonable steps that people think they should take to safeguard their system. Obvious steps such as keeping up to date on downloads and updates is a must, as is a firewall and an anti-virus solution. malware and spyware detection systems are also important. Perhaps the most important one for me is not logging on and using the PC as an Administrator for daily surfing needs.

My protective software suite comprises the following:

Norton Anti-virus

Comodo firewall,

Spyware blaster

Spybot

Ad-Aware

Rootkit revealer

Crap cleaner and Easycleaner

Using Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird.

Microsoft Baseline Security Manager

A packet sniffing router

Anybody see anything missing they think is very important?

Unless you go into unreliable sites, your anti protective software almost similar to mine, so far I do not encounter any problems and only visit safe internet site.

[Firefoxx]

Use your PC with care and you won't need all that software. I do just fine with:

Antivirus

Windows Firewall

Firefox/Opera

Yet I've got no spyware/adware/malware.

People these days are just taking anti-whatever measures too far. The actual "threat" of whatever you're protecting has been replaced by the perpetual slowdown, scanning, headache, and whatnot from the tons of anti-whatever software installed.

[Mid]

bin Norton and save money and system resources ..............

Avast is one option .

[mac.wheeler]

Why do people insist on burning resources running totaly over the top security measures?

AVG Free - anti virus

Windows defender - anti malware

Windows firewall - firewall

Common sense - No P2P downloads, don't open suspect emails etc

[RKASA]

I have to say I did bin NORTON a few months ago it was a pain, It caused me more trouble then virus ever did. I am just using windows live one care and seems to be woeking vary well without slowing down system at all. That and firewall is all I need for XP. Don't open Fwd Fwd Fwd Fwd e mails even if from a friend and tell your friends to get you off the group list they used to send the junk. When on Linux just don't be logged in as root. I like that.

[cdnvic]

I agree that those security measures are over the top. All you need is:

A router

A good antivirus (not AVG as I keep having to disinfect many machines that it has been "protecting". Better free options exist)

Windows Firewall

Windows Defender as an antispyware tool (do a quick scan with Ad-Aware or Spybot to double check once in a while.)

Even on Linux I run an antivirus (Avast) to ensure I'm not passing on infections to others.

[chiang mai]

I don't agree that the security measures are over the top nor that they are hogging valuable resource, other than disk space which is cheap enough today.

We all seem to agree that anti-virus software is essential and that some form of software firewall is sensible. We could debate the merits of Windows XP firewall vs other free more complete software versions but that may not be helpful since the industry seems to universally agree that the XP firewall is not a complete product.

A hardware router is essential if you are using broadband hence it makes sense to purchase one that has inbuilt intelligence such as packet sniffing.

I regard any other software listed as maintenance or cleanup software, something that is to be run periodically by way of preventative maintenance. Agreed that there is a tendency for folk to go to either extreme when considering security and that the best measures involve lots of common sense as has already been pointed out.

[cdnvic]

since the industry seems to universally agree that the XP firewall is not a complete product.

Please show me where "the industry" says this.

Come to think of it, please show me where it speaks with one voice on anything.

[Mid]

I don't agree that the security measures are over the top nor that they are hogging valuable resource, other than disk space which is cheap enough today.

so neither RAM or money are a valuable resource ................

fair enough , carry on .

[cdnvic]

I don't agree that the security measures are over the top nor that they are hogging valuable resource, other than disk space which is cheap enough today.

so neither RAM or money are a valuable resource ................

fair enough , carry on .

Apparently panic and fear are in abundance though

[sjaak327]

I agree that security suites are over the top and most annoying. I make due with a good firewall on the router (running DD-WRT), Vista's build in firewall and windows defender, Mcafee Virusscan enterprise and spybot as additional spyware tool in addition to defender and Virusscan.

Of course making sure that your OS is patched is another very important taks, but of course MS update or in my case WSUS does that trick. Of course also make sure other software is updated on a regular basis as well as these might contain security problems as well.

[stumonster]

I would add the noscript plugin for firefox to your list - only enable scripts for domains you believe you can trust.

[cdnvic]

I just prefer to be careful rather than turning off scripting. It makes the web too unusable otherwise. It's a good tool to have though if you are visiting a link that you're not sure about.

[mac.wheeler]

I don't agree that the security measures are over the top nor that they are hogging valuable resource, other than disk space which is cheap enough today.

We all seem to agree that anti-virus software is essential and that some form of software firewall is sensible. We could debate the merits of Windows XP firewall vs other free more complete software versions but that may not be helpful since the industry seems to universally agree that the XP firewall is not a complete product.

A hardware router is essential if you are using broadband hence it makes sense to purchase one that has inbuilt intelligence such as packet sniffing.

I regard any other software listed as maintenance or cleanup software, something that is to be run periodically by way of preventative maintenance. Agreed that there is a tendency for folk to go to either extreme when considering security and that the best measures involve lots of common sense as has already been pointed out.

XP firewall incomplete? Hogwash, it's possibly the best XP firewall available. If you disagree please explain why and supply your source.

Hardware router essential? Hogwash, If you have a single PC connected directly to the internet and it's sitting behind XP firewall you are secure enough. If you disagree please explain why and supply your source.

The problem with security software is that people keep falling for the hype, how many people do you actually know that have had their PC hacked? Ever? I don't even run a firewall most of the time, the chances of anyone ever choosing my IP address to target for a hacking attempt is billions to one, and then they have to find an operating system vulnerability to exploit which increases the probability of a successful hack immensely.

Antivirus for sure is needed, and arguably spyware although this depends on your surfing habits.

[Plus]

I have Comodo and if I look into logs I find lots of unwanted requests turned away. People do not search for vulnerable IP addresses manualy, I think a simple program can go through a million pings in a matter of minutes and if your IP was in their range, tough luck.

XP firewall is adequate for what it does but I personally prefer Comodo for more control over what's going on with my Internet traffic.

One malicious program that slipped into an office network is perfectly capable of infecting ALL computers, so I think real time shield is very important. Out of all free antivirus programs only Avast provides scanning for all the files that go into your computer, free products usually don't do it, they'll wait until the next scan to find anything, which might be too late.

[bkkguy1970]

Antivirus for sure is needed, and arguably spyware although this depends on your surfing habits.

Hogwash, and if you disagree please explain why and supply your source.

bkkguy

[mac.wheeler]

Antivirus for sure is needed, and arguably spyware although this depends on your surfing habits.

Hogwash, and if you disagree please explain why and supply your source.

bkkguy

I disagree, if you do not subject yourself to websites/download that can lead to malware/spyware infection you have no need to run anything but anti-virus.

One source of many: http://www.io.com/~cwagner/spyware/

[chiang mai]

Before someone asks about the need for a PC in the first place I'm outta here, but thanks anyway.

Edited August 7, 2007 by chiang mai

[Deserted]

I realize that PC security is rarely if ever going to be 100% but wonder what are the reasonable steps that people think they should take to safeguard their system. Obvious steps such as keeping up to date on downloads and updates is a must, as is a firewall and an anti-virus solution. malware and spyware detection systems are also important. Perhaps the most important one for me is not logging on and using the PC as an Administrator for daily surfing needs.

My protective software suite comprises the following:

Norton Anti-virus

Comodo firewall,

Spyware blaster

Spybot

Ad-Aware

Rootkit revealer

Crap cleaner and Easycleaner

Using Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird.

Microsoft Baseline Security Manager

A packet sniffing router

Anybody see anything missing they think is very important?

Look into stronger anti-virus software such as http://www.free-av.com/ , http://free.grisoft.com/ or kaspersky. This is the singlemost thing you can do to protect your PC. Most computer magazines agree that Norton is mediocre and not cannot pick up many viruses that contain autorun, temp 1 and temp 2 files.

[cdnvic]

Look into stronger anti-virus software such as http://www.free-av.com/ , http://free.grisoft.com/ or kaspersky. This is the singlemost thing you can do to protect your PC. Most computer magazines agree that Norton is mediocre and not cannot pick up many viruses that contain autorun, temp 1 and temp 2 files.

Please cite which computer magazine says this.

Norton has a 99% detection rate in lab tests, compared to the 88% rate for the Grisoft product you recommended. Norton's big problem is it's intrusiveness and resource usage, not it's virus detection abilities.

[Richard-BKK]

Yes Core2 Duo with huge amount of memory to run Norton AV to detect a virus and scan for it.....this world is getting to crazy. About talking crazy, the free Avast software is also work pretty good and keeps a good track of daily virus detection updates (Good Virus scanner is nothing without good updates).

By the way Avast for Windows XP and Vista is also a visual good looking package, with audio notification of virus database updates. Nice just nice.....

Edited August 7, 2007 by Richard-BKK

[cdnvic]

By the way Avast for Windows XP and Vista is also a visual good looking package, with audio notification of virus database updates. Nice just nice.....

This has caused me trouble before

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=27192