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Tools you can use, Sites you can visit (Updated 20th May 2007)
Tags: Anti spyware, Anti virus, Tools.This entry has been re-surfaced (a 2005 entry) for readers to update.
Feel free to add some suggestions into the list or even comment on the software mentioned. I’ll make this *sticky*
Browsers
Mozilla Firefox Version 2.0.0.3 (Latest)
Opera
The reason being 99% malwares & spywares aims your Internet Explorer (the one that comes with your Windows). So using another browser will be your best bet.
Free Antivirus
Avast
AVG
Antivir
The free ones, but still better than Norton Antivirus anytime
Well worth the money, best and does not hog your memory at all.
The rest of the popular ones such as Norton is not listed as it does not match its own reputation. Panda and some others tend to overload your memory (even with a 1GB of memory). The two above has the best AV ratings by virusbtn.com
Antispyware
Lavasoft Personal Adaware SE
Microsoft Antispyware (Beta)
Search & Destroy 1.4 (Current Version)
IMO, Spywares are more irritating than any virii. At any point of time, if any spyware hits your virii, 80% chance is that you might have to format your PC again. Lavasoft is the clear winner.
Free Firewall
Zonealarm Personal Edition
Sygate Personal Firewall
Comodo Firewall (Contribution from JoseLeon)
Windows Firewall alone is not enough. Read here
Password Manager
Roboform
KeePass
Keywallet
Roboform, free version allows 10 passwords to be stored, anything more than that you’ll have to pay 29.95$ (which is definitely worth every penny of it). You get lifetime free upgrades once you upgrade with them. Your passwords are safe as well, and best of all, generate different strong passwords for every different logins. Talking about security paranoia! (Oh there’s a thread on Nobsnetwork as well on Roboform, offering a ticket for 20% discount)
Sites
Trend – Free Housecall Antivirus Online Scan
Trend – Free Spyware Scan
Virusbtn.com – Latest virii/adware/malware updates with best AV rating
add into the list if u have any other useful suggestions!
Popularity: 10% [?]
Great List of Software! I’ll be back to “borrow” some of your links!
But I’d like to add my 2 cents worth on the topic of AntiSpyware & AntiVirus
While many people now know to keep their AntiSpyware& AntiVirus programs updated — most are oblivious that the software’s default settings do NOT scan for all possible problems!
Software manufactures state that users don’t want to wait a long time for scanning, so they choose a (quicker) default scanning time. So to “properly” configure the software:
SpyBot Search & Destroy
1) Launch program and check for (& install) updates
(Re)immunize to include the newly included “All Productsâ€
2) Select “Advanced Mode†from the “Mode†pull-down menu
3) Click on the “Tools†button on the side toolbar
4) Select ALL Tools except for the “Bug Report†(only needed when troubleshooting the SpyBot program)
5) Click on the “Settings†button on the side toolbar
6) Click on “Ignore Productsâ€
7) Select “All Products†– then right-mouse click on the list and “Deselect All†items, but (re)select “DSO Exploitâ€
9) Click on “Check for problemsâ€
——————————————————————————–
Lavasoft’s AdAware
1) Launch program and check for (& install) updates [click on "Check for updates now" -- click "Connect" to continue, then "Finish"]
2) Click “Start” to begin scanning.
3) The first time requires that we configure the settings — click on “Customize” (Change all items that are RED “X” (not grey) to GREEN “Check”) — Select ALL of your local hard drives
4) Click “Customize” to select this type of scanning
5) Click “Next” to begin scanning.
——————————————————————————–
Microsoft’s AntiSpyware
1) Launch program and check for (& install) updates (under the File pull-down menu)
2) Click on “Scan Optionsâ€
3) Select “Run a full system scan’
4) Ensure that all check boxes are selected (as well as ALL of your local hard drives)
5) Click on “Save these options†then “Run Scan Nowâ€
Thanks for the tips! and they’re seriously useful. You have a great blog btw.
I own a computer repair center and would like to express my opinion on a few of your programs with which I am intimately familiar.
Lavasoft’s Adaware was great last year, but seems to have not kept up with the progress of some others. I recommend a paid anti-spyware program – SpySweeper. It is well worth the price of around $30. It finds many, many spyware infections that Adaware misses. Also Spyware Doctor is very good, but seems to be a bit more of a resource hog and the updates are not fully automatic. Both are great at preventing and removing problem files.
As for Microsoft’s Antispyware (beta), it is a joke. More infections go through it than water through a siv.
Search and Destroy is in the same category as Adaware – good last year, but…
Comodo’s free firewall to me is better. It passed all the penitration tests with flying colors and seems easier to set up. It is better than some firewalls that come with suites.
Run away from Symantic’s antivirus and suites. Thy are prone to attack which crashes the protection. Also McAfee seems to be a resource hog.
Don’t update to Microsoft Internet Explorer 7. It causes many computers to hang or crash, or just go loopy. If you already installed it as part of an update, go th add/remove programs and remove it. It will automatically revert back to IE 6. Then don’t use it. Use Firefox 2 or Opera.
Hey Mike, thanks for sharing all these. I should probably write an updated one pretty soon, and maybe highlight those that could be use with the new Vista as well.
Thanks, Jude,
If I can be of any help, let me know. I am not a computer guru, just someone in the trinches.
Woot, Mike, would you like to write one for us here?
Sounds like a plan. What would you like me to do?
Sent you an email
Best advice would be not to use Windows platforms at all!
I would also recommend comodo firewall (it’s great and free) and antirootkits to check your windows o.s.
AntiRootKits? Added Comodo Firewall to the list Jose!
What’s Antirootkits for?
Check this post Jude:
http://noponzi.com/?p=110
Although i have a firewalled router, i use Agnitum Outpost software firewall. Has not failed me yet
woo, gaby, is that a free one or i’ll have to pay to test it out?
Here is an official download trial. (url: http://www.shareit.com/product.html?sessionid=620812452&random=7398f811726dabe86b31afb426971873&productid=192676)
If you try to buy it then you reach this page where you can download the 30-day evaluation.
I have a much older version (haven’t upgraded yet…)
1) Use a Macintosh (Just Don’t use the Windows Platform)
2) NetBarrier X4
3) VirusBarrier X4
4) Firefox / Safari
5) 1Passwd
Make sure everything is set to check for updates automatically. Take the time (on any computer) to understand any software added for security to be able to set it intelligently. As stated above just don’t install and walk away.
I am not some die hard Mac fan but actually switched to Mac after about a year in this arena. Best decision I have made in a while. And now slowly becoming a die hard Mac Fan.
Jude,
Sorry I haven’t gotten back sooner, but I am busily working on my new computer security site. It is still in beta, but I am also learning CSS and PHP programming as I go along.
I am developing a “suite” of FREE programs (someone else developed the programs, Ijust put them together) that can give you almost 100% protection.
As in building custom computers, it is not the individual parts, but how they fit together for maximum performance, that makes the difference.
Once I finalize everything, I will let you know. In the mean time, you can take a look at my temporary work in progress for some ideas.
Live long and prosper.
Sorry, the above link does not work. Try http://www.elbertonga.com/freecomputersecurity
For paid antivirus, I would recommend Kasperky Anitivirus or Kasperky Internet Security. It is a good companion while surfing the internet.
I tried to download comodo firewall. Its not good. When I opened IE my pc hanged out.
marius: I am using comodo firewall without problems more than a year, I don’t know how your pc hanged out, but I recommend you not using IE when you surf internet. Firefox is safer.
Another overdue feature is antivirus protection build in to the Windows 8 OS. Windows 8 will include the antivirus features from Microsoft Security Essentials.