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Spyware, viruses, & security : Protection for my laptop
Protection for my laptop
by Ralph Kirkpatrick - 4/2/09 5:06 PMI want to add some security for my laptop, but I don't know which way to go. I have been advise to try something like: PC Tools Spyware Doctor, Zone Alarm Internet Security Suite, or GhostSurf Invisibility on thr Internet. How do you know which one or all of them to use?
Thanks, REK
Ralph, what protection do you have at the moment?
by Donna Buenaventura
- 4/2/09 5:39 PM
In reply to: Protection for my laptop by Ralph Kirkpatrick
What anti-malware do you have? Do you use 3rd party firewall software? What is your operating system?
Note: GhostSurf Invisibility is privacy protection but ZA suite offers that already.
Laptop Protection
by Ralph Kirkpatrick - 4/2/09 5:56 PM In reply to: Ralph, what protection do you have at the moment? by Donna Buenaventura
I don't have anything yet. That's why I want to know what I need to protect my laptop while I'm online. I am running XP on a Dell laptop.
Thanks for your advice.
REK
Ralph, if you do not mind...
by Donna Buenaventura - 4/2/09 6:16 PM
In reply to: Laptop Protection by Ralph Kirkpatrick
using free but effective protection tools, you can choose from below:
Antivirus (choose 1 only)
1. Antivirus with Antispyware:
Antivir v9 - http://download.cnet.com/Avira-AntiVir-Personal-Free-Antivirus/3000-2239_4-10322935.html
2. Antivirus with Antispyware and Web Shield:
Avast Home Edition: http://download.cnet.com/Avast-Home-Edition/3000-2239_4-10019223.html
Firewall protection (choose 1 only):
1. Online Armor Personal Firewall: http://download.cnet.com/Online-Armor-Personal-Firewall/3000-10435_4-10426782.html
2. Comodo Pro: (Uncheck the toolbar offering. It's not necessary to use or run) http://download.cnet.com/Comodo-Firewall-Pro/3000-10435_4-10460704.html
On-demand Antispyware scanner and removal (you can get these all because it don't offer real-time protection):
1. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware: http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html
2. SUPERAntispyware: http://download.cnet.com/SuperAntiSpyware-Free-Edition/3000-8022_4-10523889.html
3. A-squared Free: http://download.cnet.com/A-squared-Free/3000-2239_4-10262215.html
Privacy Tool:
CCleaner: Scroll down to get the Slim installer (with no toolbar)
http://www.ccleaner.com/download/builds
Real-time protection against spyware via ActiveX or protection against known malicious sites:
1. SpywareBlaster: http://download.cnet.com/SpywareBlaster/3000-8022_4-10196637.html
2. HOSTS File:
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm or
http://hosts-file.net/
3. WOT: http://mywot.com
To check if the file you want to download is safe or not:
Dr.Web Link Checker: http://www.freedrweb.com/browser/
Just a little more explanation, please?
by ravav - 4/3/09 6:07 PM In reply to: Ralph, if you do not mind... by Donna Buenaventura
Donna,
I noticed you specified that only one of each of the groups of "Antivirus" and "Firewall protection" programs should be selected.
How about your category of "Real-time protection against spyware via ActiveX or protection against known malicious sites"? Should you run only one of these, also, or is it better to run more than one?
Also, do your suggestions apply equally to IE and Firefox? I am on IE 7, and am poised for the jump over to Firefox.
Thanks. ravav.
I am running Windows XP Pro SP3, on Compaq Presario Notebook V6741, 4 G of ram.
Ravav...
by Donna Buenaventura - 4/3/09 6:26 PM
In reply to: Just a little more explanation, please? by ravav
If you want extra protection for your IE and Firefox (also your Windows), you can add them all but please more below:
1. SpywareBlaster will immunized IE against many bad sites that will install spyware via ActiveX. It will also immunized Firefox and IE against spy cookies.
2. HOSTS file will block connections to known malicious spyware and malware sites. You can first try to use the MVPS HOSTS file (if you will use WOT)
3. WOT have database of hpHOSTS file already (and other database because this is a community work). WOT will work for IE and Firefox but you need to install them separately because it's add-on for the browser. WOT will rate bad links if you will use Google and other search providers.
If you don't want any or all of the above, you can just use OpenDNS
"1. OpenDNS - No software is required to use OpenDNS. This service is free to all users. Simply enter the following DNS servers in your router or internet connection settings to start using OpenDNS:
208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220
You can create a free Opendns account to configure the filters (to block adware, rogue spyware, phishing, other bad sites or to allow it to auto-correct misspelled website, or enter your home network so all computers in your home network or business network will use OpenDNS and will be protected from the spyware, rogue, phishing etc)"
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6132_102-0.html?messageID=2820869#2820869
Thank you, Donna!
by ravav - 4/3/09 7:09 PM In reply to: Ravav... by Donna Buenaventura
Donna,
I'm going to check these suggestions out and move forward. Thank you so much.
ravav
You're welcome, ravav
by Donna Buenaventura - 4/4/09 10:48 PM
In reply to: Thank you, Donna! by ravav
Enjoy your weekend!
But if you prefer...
by Donna Buenaventura - 4/2/09 6:23 PM
In reply to: Laptop Protection by Ralph Kirkpatrick
paid edition and suite (all-in-one)
1. Antivir Premium with Antispyware, Firewall, Web Shield or Web Protection, etc: http://download.cnet.com/Avira-Premium-Security-Suite/3000-2239_4-10683930.html
2. ESET Smart Security: http://download.cnet.com/ESET-Smart-Security/3000-2239_4-10807868.html
HOSTS is Confusing...
by JandNLarson - 4/4/09 8:40 PM In reply to: But if you prefer... by Donna Buenaventura
We have never used HOSTS before, and we aren't sure how it works. The zipped files did not include a *.exe. Please clarify. Thanks!
Here's how to easy way for you...
by Donna Buenaventura - 4/4/09 10:43 PM
In reply to: HOSTS is Confusing... by JandNLarson
Hi,
The easiest way for you to have the hosts file:
1. Go to http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.txt
Select all items in the said page then copy the content of the said page(crtl A then ctrl c)
Open your notepad and paste what you copied.
Save it as hosts.txt
Rename it as HOSTS (no file extension, no .txt. Just rename it as HOSTS and click OK to the prompt that you are renaming it to HOSTS only).
Go to C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC folder
There is existing HOSTS file inside the ETC folder which is the default hosts file in Windows.
Replace that Hosts file by moving the HOSTS (the one you renamed from hosts.txt to HOSTS) to the ETC folder.
You're done! 
2. If you prefer the HOSTS file with .exe, the hpHOSTS HOSTS file has the executable (.exe)
http://hosts-file.net/?s=Download
Or just click this --> http://www.montanamenagerie.org/hostsfile/hpHosts-Setup-Win32.exe to download the hpHosts-Setup-Win32.exe
Run the hpHosts-Setup-Win32.exe to start installing the HOSTS file.
Note: The hpHOSTS file installer will give you option to disable the "Windows DNS Client (Recommended)", put a check in the box to select it.
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