Any opinions on my computer's security?

[Creaphis]

I have a completely brand new computer in front of me, and want to make it secure as simply and cheaply as possible. I've already installed the newest free versions of AVG and Ad-Aware. This computer uses Windows XP Media Center Edition, or something like that, and Internet Explorer 6.

 

 

 

Here's the questions: Is the built in Windows firewall good enough, or should I download a different free one? Also, is it important that I use a browser other than Internet Explorer? I like using the browser I'm familiar with, though if a free browser has banner ad blocking I could be convinced to switch.

[Icingdeath]

I would honestly go ahead and purchase a program. It's really worth it. I myself don't know any free ones, but Norton Anti-Virus has worked fine for years on the four or five PCs I've owned.

[weezcake]

I'd download Zone Alarm (it's free). I dont like the built in Windows firewall -- I personally disable it. I don't like Norton or McAfee either -- they take up way too much RAM with their multiple programs. My opinion anyways.

 

 

 

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/c ... wnload.jsp

 

 

 

You can also try Spybot S&D along with Ad-Aware. They work well if you use them both together.

 

 

 

For browsers, try Firefox or Opera. I haven't tried Opera, but I've heard the two browsers are similar -- it's just up to personal preference. They both should have built-in popup blockers and are generally more secure (with default settings) than Internet Explorer. :)

[Creaphis]

Okay thanks, I'll probably download your recommendations.

 

 

 

Does Firefox or Opera have a banner ad blocker, though? Not pop-ups, banner ads. My family computer has Norton Internet Security which blocks banner ads and I never realized how nice that was until now that I don't have it.

[insane]

Okay thanks, I'll probably download your recommendations.

 

 

 

Does Firefox or Opera have a banner ad blocker, though? Not pop-ups, banner ads. My family computer has Norton Internet Security which blocks banner ads and I never realized how nice that was until now that I don't have it.

 

 

 

Firefox blocks banner ads. I'm sure Opera would as well, but as I've never tried it, I wouldn't know.

[Vape]

Neither Firefox nor Opera blocks banner ads by default. Firefox's great extensions will of course allow you to do almost everything you could dream of. Adblock is an extension which allows you to filter out items, with support for wildcards and regular expressions - although by default it doesn't filter anything, you have to add them manually. Adblock Filterset.G Updater automatically maintains a list of items to block, and with frequent updates you'll be blocking almost all ads on the net. (so you need both of them together btw.)

 

 

 

Please, before you install adblock, think of the webmasters that run the websites you visit. Take tip.it for example - it costs hundreds of dollars a month to pay for the servers and bandwidth, and without advertising revenue & donations, they're paying for it out of their own pocket. If you really want to block ads, you should consider donating to the site.

 

 

 

An even better solution (that I employ) is to block flash advertisements. Flash are the worst ones - they use loads of CPU, they have sound, they blink and move and are a right pain. So I use Flashblock to block all flash by default. When you want to view a flash object, just click it. You can of course whitelist sites which you visit frequently which employ flash in their design.

[Creaphis]

Do banner ads generate revenue just from loading, or does the viewer have to click? I never click on banners anyway.

[monkfish101]

get firefox and avast anti-virus (best free anti-virus, industry level but free for home use, you have to register but it's no cost (http://www.avast.com))

 

 

 

if you can get hold of an old copy of sygate personal firewall (now owned by norton so has inevitably gone downhill) and understand enough about firewalls to make use of all the features and can set it up that's the best set-up.

[Cruiser]

Do banner ads generate revenue just from loading, or does the viewer have to click? I never click on banners anyway.

 

 

 

Some will pay very, very little for "impressions" (viewing the ad), but as far as I know, most only pay by click count.

[Creaphis]

Do banner ads generate revenue just from loading, or does the viewer have to click? I never click on banners anyway.

 

 

 

Some will pay very, very little for "impressions" (viewing the ad), but as far as I know, most only pay by click count.

 

 

 

Okay thanks, thought so.

[Sinkhan]

Here are a few more choices for you to pick when it comes to free (and a few pay to use) security applications followed by some tips at the end:

 

 

 

Antivirus

 

 

 

1. Grisoft's AVG

 

 

 

Boasting the highest level of popularity amongst all freeware antivirus applications, AVG has a good feature set, including e-mail scanner and active guard, combined with its long history of acceptable detection and removal making this program a valuable asset to your computer. It has one of the most flexible scanning options, allowing you to choose each individual folder, and its update process is quite indepth. However, the detection and removal rates of this application are somewhat subpar compared to its competitors. This program also is quite user-friendly and best for beginner computer novices.

 

 

 

2. Awil's avast!

 

 

 

Although this program is less popular than AVG, this program proves to quite more effective. Packing a better scanning engine that allows it to detect and remove malware with greater proficiency, avast! is a better program than AVG if you're looking for more raw virus removing power instead of overall presentation. Although AVG's Control Center is slightly better than avast!'s On-Access scanner screen, avast! looks very slick, similar to a media player with a play button to start a scan, pause to pause, and stop to, well, stop. A better program than AVG in many aspects, but not a beginner's program.

 

 

 

3. Avira's AntiVir

 

 

 

Probably the best free program available, this program is still almost virtually unknown to many people. This program packs the biggest punch to malware. With the highest detection and removal rates of any other free antivirus program, AntiVir is downright the best program to use to defend your computer from viruses, trojans, and worms. Its active guard is also one of the most powerful, rivalling larger companies like McAffee.

 

The update process is very smooth and the interface is not bad. The downsides to this program is that some of the features might take a bit more of an advanced user to make good use of them.

 

 

 

Very good app and best amongst the freeware world.

 

 

 

And if you have a little bit of money in your wallet, go for Eset's NOD32.

 

 

 

Antispyware

 

 

 

1. Ad-Aware

 

The most popular and the best, Ad-Aware is pretty much king in the freeware world. Fast scanning, attractive interface, good detection and removal. What more could you ask. Free? Yes, it's that too.

 

 

 

2. Safer Networking's Spybot

 

A great program with an excellent active guard against spyware (known as the TeaTimer). The one downside it that the detection and removal rates are quite poor.

 

 

 

3. Microsoft Defender

 

GIANT antispyware was once a magnificent company that made exceptional antispyware software. Then came along Microsoft and bought it out. Now the program is well...let's just say Microsoft's "touch" has made it...different. Still, the basic workings of the original program are still present, still allowing the program to be one the best freeware applications available to the public for free.

 

 

 

And if you have some money in your pocket, SpySweeper and Spyware Doctor are unparalelled.

 

 

 

However, there are no set standards for antispyware applications as there are for antiviruses like WestLabs and VB. That means that even a good program like Ad-Aware doesn't catch a whole lot of spyware. You'll need the three free one's I mentioned, or 1 paid and 1 free.

 

 

 

Hope that helps. If you need more information or more applications, PM me.

[DaN]

Do banner ads generate revenue just from loading, or does the viewer have to click? I never click on banners anyway.

 

 

 

Most ad revenue come from just the displaying of ads on the page so to block banner ads is a very selfish thing to do as your taking away revenue needed to maintain the website.

 

 

 

Blocking pop-ups is ok since they are intrusive and appear outside of the site and its designated window/tab

 

 

 

Also blocking ones that mess with your system such as auto installers is fine anysite who trys to install a program on your system deserves to go bust.

 

 

 

 

 

I dont know why people bother with adblockers its not like ads are a problem on the internet i have no ad blockers and my hosts file is empty

 

I block access at the router to only two domains

 

tribalfusion.com

 

burstnet.com

 

Ive had bad encounters with these two in the past.

 

 

 

I donot understand why people kickup such a fuss over a few ads (i know people who have thousands of entries in there hosts file) so what if an admins trying to recover some running costs wheres the problem.

 

 

 

Considering the services people provide freely to the internet why remove the little revenue they do make? and if you think one person dosent make a diffrence think how quick that 1 turns into a thousand espessially if you frequent a site over a number of months/years.

[Dragon_Scyth]

I'd download Zone Alarm (it's free). I dont like the built in Windows firewall -- I personally disable it. I don't like Norton or McAfee either -- they take up way too much RAM with their multiple programs. My opinion anyways.

 

 

 

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/c ... wnload.jsp

 

 

 

You can also try Spybot S&D along with Ad-Aware. They work well if you use them both together.

 

 

 

For browsers, try Firefox or Opera. I haven't tried Opera, but I've heard the two browsers are similar -- it's just up to personal preference. They both should have built-in popup blockers and are generally more secure (with default settings) than Internet Explorer. :)

 

 

 

Yep i was going to say that if no one had =)

[Sinkhan]

Plus, use common sense and you won't need half of these programs. That means no P2P programs like Limewire and such :shame: It's from file sharing that most spyware and viruses come from.

 

 

 

Also, don't be surfing up porn sites or illegal software hack sites. Remember common sense!

 

 

 

Common sense, combined with Firefox will make you almost invincible.