Spyware, viruses, & security : the best of internet security
the best of internet security
by damom111 - 10/17/06 2:40 PMNot sure if this is the right place, so I apologize if it isn't. My Norton internet security is getting ready to expire. I am interested in what everyone thinks or believes to be the best for security. Whether it is the free software that is out there or the paid software. I like the idea of having it all in one package and one area to be able to access. But I have had problems with NOrton before. Virus, spam, spyware,adware, etc...
thanks in advance for your help and opinion.
Windows Xp
Stacey
Personally, I'm Using......
by tobeach - 10/17/06 11:12 PM In reply to: the best of internet security by damom111AVG 7 Free (Avast is ok too), Adaware SE 1.06, Spybot S&D 1.4,C(rap)Cleaner SLIM (!) & new free product Cyberhawk 1.1.3.2 from Novatix. This is behavior based guard watching for dangerous behavior attempts from any source. Possibly could catch say 0 day attacks not yet defined by AV. All free & all play nicely with each other with no squabbles!
Not free but important: A D-Link Wired router Dl-604 (several other brands also in inexpensive range (<$50)include Syslink, Netgear & others. This will leave your firewall with little to do.
Also recommend NOT using IE. Better to use Mozilla Firefox w/SunMicro's Java(or other non IE based browser) except for MS Updates. I also have available (already downloaded & saved to machine & 1 copy of each off machine) various tools: Stinger, Hijack This(saved several reports when clean for reference/comparison if I get trouble), Ewido (free trial)NOW called AVG Anti-Spy, Trojan Hunter,Cool Web Shredder(CWS) & many repair tools like IE Fix, LSP Fix, Deleted file recover tool, etc.
Also commendable & free are tools Like SpywareBlaster & SpywareGuard by Javacool. Links for everything named above are in C-nets files accessed via (advanced)Search usually along with instructions how to set up/use them.
At some point: How much is too much? Only 100% safe bet is to cut plug from the cord! Enjoy!!! 
re:personally
by damom111 - 10/18/06 7:00 AM In reply to: Personally, I'm Using...... by tobeachthanks
Renewing Norton Internet Security
by sargento - 10/23/06 1:21 AM In reply to: re:personally by damom111Hi Damon,
I tried to renew & it wouldn't downoad, after several e=mails requesting a refund, NORTON WOULDN'T EVEN ANSWER MY E-MAILS. I am out $50. My PC wouldn't let me fill out their PDF form for refund.
Request a Refund
by bowacl - 10/23/06 7:10 AM In reply to: Renewing Norton Internet Security by sargentoYou may want to request your refund from the address below. I have had good results going directly to the company headquarters when I have problems with products. I would suggest you state your case and include a copy of your purchase email so you have proof of purchase, include your name, address, email and phone number so they can contact you. You only have 60 days for a refund and it will go by the date the letter is stamped so you may want to at least get a certificate of mailing from the post office, it costs 95c. If all else fails you may want to consider disputing the charge on your credit card which also is usually 60 days to dispute.
World Headquarters
20330 Stevens Creek Blvd.
Cupertino, CA 95014
Phone: +1 408 517 8000
If you decide you would like to try the re-download you may do that signing into your account online with them as information in the order email should provide you ways to do this. In poking around I even found a page that can check your current installed version. In searching the help online I have found they mainly blame a firewall for blocking out the down load.
As for not being able to use PDF format is that because you do not have the free reader installed on your computer or you are using a browser that requires a plug-in to use it?
Hope this helps. I personally haven't used Norton since it became a slug but I do know they are not really a shady company so I am sure they will work with you on this it just may take time for them to get to you.
BtheB
Stack up your security, and do it for free
by ersatz - 10/23/06 12:17 PM In reply to: Renewing Norton Internet Security by sargentoNo program is perfect, and I've found that stacking or layering security applications provides the best risk management for my system. What one app may miss, another may catch.
What to watch for -
Two critical issues to running several security applications are their compatibility with each other as well as your system and the amount of memory the apps use.
What you'd like -
The apps' ability for automatic scans and monitoring is desirable because nobody likes to manually do all this.
--------------------------------------------
What has worked for me for years and years -
Anti-virus - AVG FREE
(auto update, customizable settings including auto scan, no noticeable system slowing, no conflicts)
Firewall - Zone Alarm FREE
(auto update, customizable settings including auto updates, no conflicts)
Anti-hijacker - Trend Micro CWShredder FREE
(tiny app, takes about 10 seconds to manually run it daily, no conflicts)
Anti-spyware - Spyware Blaster FREE
(small app, takes about 20 seconds to check updates daily, customizable, no conflicts)
Anti-spyware - Ewido FREE
(small app, customizable, a few seconds to update daily, manual scan which takes a few minutes depending on settings and system size, no conflicts)
Anti- adware/malware - Ad-aware SE Personal FREE
(small app, customizable, a few seconds to update daily, manual scan which takes a few minutes depending on settings and system size, no conflicts)
Browser - Mozilla Firefox FREE
(auto updates, customizable security preferences, no conflicts)
The one and only application I've ever paid for -
Webroot Window Washer - around $30 - worth every cent
(cleans, bleaches/encrypts, frees up space, free updates for 1 year, no conflicts)
--------------------------------------------
I've run the apps above for years with no security issues. However, if I were to encounter one, I'd recommend -
HijackThis FREE -
(small app, manually run and submit report to security forum(s) for FREE assistance.
--------------------------------------------
Pentium 4 2.20GHz 512MB RAM
XP Home SP1
My security
by knock_out_uk2002 - 10/20/06 5:32 PM In reply to: Personally, I'm Using...... by tobeachI use NOD32, it is the only program i have ever paid for in terms of antivirus, recently purchased a second license for my laptop, for free antivirus i would recommend Avast(i personally hated AVG in everyway imaginable) and antivir(antivir is unique in that it can be run from a pen drive giving you that portable virus solution you always wanted-learnt this from a pc mag-remember to keep it upto date).
I have two antispyware/adware programs, lavasofts ever popular ad-aware se personal(free!!!), and spyware docter 4 which i paid for at a mere £12 from netto was version 3.5 but you get free upgrades with the license. I have only been using Spyware Doctor a month or less and its active defense has near eliminated all tracking cookies and other unwanted detections.
I agree whole heartedly with the comment on avoiding the use of IE other than for microsoft updates, by avoiding this alone will improve you systems security, and from my experience with IE7 your system stability.
As for many firewall solutions most users will be overwhelmed with the options they are given and most are quite resource hungry or excessive in their protection. I personally rely little on the windows firewall(it is on-i just have little faith in microsoft especially security wise), so i use the routers security and try to browse safe and keep my other security upto date, and always scan regularly.
I have used tools like spyware blaster and spyware firewalls and found they only really help if you use IE also found they could be over protective blocking things that were safe as well as being resource hungry.
Anyway hope this helps people.
And Also....
by skycatcher - 10/20/06 3:27 AM In reply to: the best of internet security by damom111Brilliant advice from Tobeach. I would also strongly recommend using A-Squared Free for anti Spyware, Malware, Greyware etc and Outpost Firewall. Outpost is fast and small compared to some others.
Make sure all of your old Norton is uninstalled before starting, then go to http://www.trendmicro.com (the PC-cillin people, so it's a trusted site) and run their Free Virus scan. It needs Java but that will load if you haven't got it. It finds EVERYTHING, including warning you if you are missing vital MS Updates.
As regards AntiVirus, AVG has some 100% awards so it's good and you'd have to go for something like Sophos to better it. Sophos AV takes care of viruses and spyware, malware etc. all in one go and can also provide Puremessage antispam and a whole range of stuff. They will only sell you a minimum of 5 licences as they are industrial standard but if you get several friends together and do it that way it works out fairly cheap for non-free solutions. You'll have to go through a re-seller as they don't sell direct http://www.sophos.com
In addition to the list ...
by baja463 - 10/20/06 4:29 AM In reply to: And Also.... by skycatcher... provided by ToBeach, I'm also using Spyware Terminator: excellent and FREE. Highly recommended.
One To Avoid
by JWK - 10/20/06 4:32 AM In reply to: the best of internet security by damom111Stay away from McAfee. Both the Viruscan Plus 2007 and Internet Security 2007 brought my system to a crawl. I have a AMD 3400+ and 1G Ram.
Myself I chose not to buy a Internet Security Suite this year as I didnt want or use alot of the features.
This year im using NOD32, Norton Firewll 2005, SocketShield and AdAware SE Pro.
As for the new security suiet's, if you have a current norton 2006 key you can update to the new 2007 and can continue to use it till the subscription runs out. I liked it myself, way better than 2006 but I only had 4 days left on mine. Be sure to uninstall the 2006 version first!
Norton Internet Sec Free
by rochagomes - 10/20/06 7:55 AM In reply to: One To Avoid by JWKDon't forget, with rebates Circuit City, Staples or Office Max will run ads that state "free" if you are upgrading from previous version. So look for rebates and update to newer version of Norton. That is how I updated From System Works 2003>>>System Works 2005 and when my virus subscription ran out in March...I decided to try just Mcafee Virus Scan instead.
ditto re one to avoid
by mfumbly - 10/20/06 9:42 AM In reply to: One To Avoid by JWKI agree with "stay away from McAfee" big time! I ditched all my mcafee when 2007 came out. Now use Avast, Lavasoft Personal Firewall (Outpost), Ad-Aware SE Plus, and Windows Defender. Also CCleaner and Macecraft RegSupreme Pro. No problems.
One Caution About Defender: It Creates 1 Sys.Restore Point..
by tobeach - 10/21/06 12:44 AM In reply to: ditto re one to avoid by mfumblyOR MORE every day and after awhile can jam up your systems memory. Suggest users dump(if comfortable) current points build up, and go to sys restore>sys restore Settings and reduce the amount of hard-drive it is allowed to use. I find on my 80 Gig HD, 3 percent(move slider to left) gives me at least 2 months worth of points to choose from (plenty). Basically, it will simply over-write the same 3% on an on going basis. " If you want ta run cool.." yours sounds good.
I Agree Also
by keturahjones - 10/20/06 10:17 AM In reply to: One To Avoid by JWKStay away from McAfee. The new version slowed all my computers to the point where we were ready to throw them out the window.
I removed McAfee and all of its associated software and loaded Avast 4.7 and all the computers are now running great. Even the Pentium 2 that my wife uses loads and runs fast. Along with Avast and all its features running, I use AOL and its Spyware and Spam programs and everything runs great.
Avast is free and seems to update its virus definitions file, more frequently, much faster and without slowing the computer when it does it. Hope this helps.
mcafee security
by ttrojak - 10/21/06 8:47 PM In reply to: One To Avoid by JWKBOY DID YOU HIT THAT ONE ON THE MONEY WHAT A CROCK , COMCAST TOLD ME I HAD TO INSTALL THIS GARBAGE ON MY MACHINE OR THEY WOULD NOT TURN MY PORT BACK ON TO SEND E-MAILS. EVER SINCE THEN I HAD NOTHING BUT SLOW, A MILLION QUESTION FROM THE PROGRAM WHAT I WANT TO DO . EVERY 10 MIN IT FINDS ANOTHER TROJAN, I HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION THEY PROGRAM THIS IN TO SCARE YOU INTO KEEPING THIS GARBAGE PROGRAM. I BELIEVE COMCAST GETS A CUT , BECAUSE WHEN I CALLED THEM UP THEY TOLD ME TO DOWNLOAD MCAFEE AND THEY WOULD TURN MY E-MAIL BACK ON, WITH OUT CHECKING TO SEE IF THE VIRUS IS GONE. RAN MCAFEE ON 2 MACHINES NEVER FOUND A PROBLEM. I RUN 3 DIFFERENT SPYWARE AND NEVER HAVE A PROBLEM TILL I DOWNLOADED MCAFEE. YOU THINK THE VIRUSE SOFTWARE IS BAD , TRY THE FIREWALL, CAN'T EVEN GET NETSCAPE TO WORK RIGHT, COMCAST HAS A HARD TIME TO. HAVE MCAFEE CALL ME I'LL GIVE THE A REVIEW.
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