Holadem

Please recommend protection for my PC

Affordable protection that is

I have had broadband for a couple of months now, my computer is constantly on. The trial version of MCcafee expired a couple of days ago, and I guess I am all nekkid now... I will probably buy the damn thing. Before I go ahead, i do have a couple of questions:

1 - I have a Norton Antivirus 2000 or something lying around, I believe I used to get free updates a couple of years ago, would it still offer adequate protection?

2 - I know nothing about firewall, and I am not about to buy another PC (even a cheap one) just for that, are there affordable software protections?

Basically, what do I need to get to be reasonnably safe online?

Thanks much.

--
Holadem

Steve_Tk

I have Norton's Firewall, it's not expensive, it's just software. Just to let you know, I get attacked probably 3-4 times a day with a SubSeven Backdoor Trojan Horse that it blocks. Now I don't know what that means, or what it can do, but I'm glad I have the firewall up.

Patrick_S

I'd get a hardware-based firewall with NAT to protect yourself from intruders and of course get your anti-virus software up to date.

The truth is that no network is 100% safe but like anything else the ones who want to do harm generally start with the low hanging fruit first and then work their way up.

Steve_Ch

If you go to the "deals" section (gotapex.com), I think it was either today or yesterday, there is a 802.11b and 10/100 router for $19.99 with 1cent shipping. It was not specified, but all 802.11b and 10/100 routers these days have buildin hardware firewall, and I assume it's true in this case, so you can get that for $20, download a free copy of Zone Alarm (or some such), and if you look hard, you can get Norton System Works (which inludes NAV) 2003 for almost free, or just go to EBay, you should get one including shipping for about $12. So for about $32, you get a wireless and 10/100 router, hopefully with buildin firewall, software freebie firewall, and Norton, I think that's pretty good.

Francois Caron

Holadem, if you have Windows XP, go to the Control Panel and double-click the "Network Connections" icon. Right-click the entry that corresponds to your high speed Internet connection and select "Properties". Go to the "Advanced" page and click on the "Protect my computer..." checkbox. You now have an active firewall. For added protection, you should also perform the same operation on the entry related to your network card.

Perform a final test of your security with the SheldsUP! test available at http://www.grc.com . If there are still any open holes left in your configuration, this site will tell you where they are.

For the antivirus protection, you can install Grisoft's free antivirus program which you'll find at http://www.grisoft.com . You can even set it to perform automatic updates and virus scans at specific times.

Total cost: $0.

Rob Gillespie

Router. Router. Router.

Accept no substitute.

John_Berger

Rob beat me to it. Forget software firewalls. Get a Linksys, D-Link, or Netgear broadband firewall.


Computer security 101
---------------------

Rule #1: Never install a firewall on the system that's being protected.

Rule #2: If you take the bad advice from people who suggest that you violate rule #1, prepare to re-read rule #1 in the future after someone breaks into your system.


Zone Alarm is fine is you want to use it to protect yourself from programs that are reporting out to the Internet without your knowledge. Just remember rule #1 if you're considering using it for inbound protection.

If privacy is important, change your Mozilla/IE settings to reject cookies from any site other than the site that you're visiting, and get your hands on AdAware (www.lavasoftusa.com) to get rid of spyware/malware/adware.

Max Leung

Aside from a router, the cheapest way to protect yourself is to NOT DOWNLOAD CRAP AND DOUBLE CLICK ON THEM.

You receive an email. You see an attachment. DON'T OPEN IT.

Be sure to enable "show file extensions" and "show hidden files" and UNcheck "hide file extensions on known file types". Hopefully that will convince Microsoft Outpuke (Express) to cough up the file extension of the attachment YOU SHOULD NOT OPEN ANYWAYS.

DON'T SAY YES when your browser wants to open an ActiveSuX control, unless you really KNOW what you are doing. I read the dialog box very carefully. Clicking yes may expose you to viruses and trojans that may actually download CHILD PORN onto your computer (Acquitted man says virus put porn on PC ). I usually let Microsoft ActiveX controls run, but I still double check the webpage and make sure it really is from Microsoft.

Cloudmark (http://www.cloudmark.com/) is a very effective spam and virus blocker as well...works with Microsoft Outpuke and hopefully soon will support Outpuke Express. I have not gotten a single piece of spam because of this outstanding program.

DON'T RUN KAZAA. Don't run any file-sharing program at all if you can resist the temptation. They are a known source of viruses and trojans, and are spyware to boot. File sharing sucks -- although I suppose BitTorrent may not suck as bad or so I hear. But, whenever you run a filesharing program you ARE exposing yourself...

Mahatma Gandhi, as you know, walked barefoot most of the time, which produced an impressive set of calluses on his feet. He also ate very little, which made him rather frail and with his odd diet, he suffered from bad breath. This made him...a super-callused fragile mystic hexed by halitosis.

Gameshow host: "Is taking Viagra kosher during Passover dinner?"
Whoopee Goldberg: "Not if it leads to pork."
Kermit the Frog: "Hey, that's my line!"

Michael Reuben

The single best post in this thread.

M.

"Most people never have to face the fact that, at the right time and the right place, they're capable of anything." -- Chinatown

"What kind of movies would there be if everyone in them had to do what we thought they should do?" -- Roger Ebert

HTF Beginner's Primer and FAQ

John_Berger