Viewing Thread:
"Security Software."

Could I just ask for your recommendations / ratings on anti-virus / firewall, (etc) software packages which you currently use?

At the moment, I've got Norton Internet Security 2003, but am intending to get some newer software as the subscription expires at the end of the month.

I was just going to get the 2005 edition, but wanted to see what the more experienced among this forum use - if you wouldn't mind sparing a minute or two?

Nimco wrote:
> Miserableman wrote:
> Sometimes ad-aware will pick up bits of spyware in spybot's
> quarantine folder (or vice-versa, can't remember which program picks
> on which).
>
> Fair enough - I never use quarantine, I just delete the li'l beggars!

I think it's the record it keeps even after it deletes the spyware, or something. I'm not sure of the particulars, I just remember that it can sometimes happen.

Miserableman wrote:
> Sometimes ad-aware will pick up bits of spyware in spybot's
> quarantine folder (or vice-versa, can't remember which program picks
> on which).

Fair enough - I never use quarantine, I just delete the li'l beggars!

Nimco wrote:
> Anti-spyware programs won't (shouldn't) conflict though.

Sometimes ad-aware will pick up bits of spyware in spybot's quarantine folder (or vice-versa, can't remember which program picks on which).

All you really need is a hardware firewall (a router will do) and a knowledge of how to conduct yourself securely on the internet. Anti-virus software is less than worthless, and a software firewall is inadequate protection (although markedly better than nothing). Keeping spyware programs to hand is a good idea, although if you keep getting spyware on your machine then there's something wrong with the way you are browsing the web.

Also, Windows Update is your best friend.

Hmmm... wrote:
> Do you keep your Windows Updates up straight? Otherwise malicious
> code could still run if you're unlucky...

Generally, yes, although I am finding myself relying on the auto-update to download them and ask me to install, although I find that when each security package is released (every second Tuesday I believe) that it takes my PC two or three days to start downloading.

Cheers for the info Nimco, I'll have to go through all the options and make sure just one is running in Heuristic scanning.

cjh wrote:
> > And just out of interest Tyla, what made you switch from NIS?

Got a freebie of Sophos from my friend there, and Black Ice is just so much better

cjh wrote:
> I've got everything on your list Nimco (minus Windows Firewall
> enabled), as well as NIS 2003, yet still got stung somehow.

Do you keep your Windows Updates up straight ? Otherwise malicious code could still run if you're unlucky...

As MS quote everywhere on their security pages you need 3 things to stay safe:

Firewall - Windows Updates - Anti-Virus

Obviously if you (or someone else using your PC) gets tricked in to clicking YES for anything then you can still get 'stung'.

Some AV packages will attack each other if they've got the Heuristic scanning turned on cos they're designed to look for programs scanning files - which obviously each program is doing.

Similarly with firewalls, they each detect a firewall trying to control access.

Anti-spyware programs won't (shouldn't) conflict though.

I've got everything on your list Nimco (minus Windows Firewall enabled), as well as NIS 2003, yet still got stung somehow. Is there any truth that multiple apps (NIS 2003 vs. the rest) conflict with one another, meaning protection is compromised (I also managed to get that PrevX software that Tyla recommended working too)?

And just out of interest Tyla, what made you switch from NIS?

Allred wrote:
> Tyla wrote:
>
> Sophos
>
> We have a running joke at college in computing that Sophos's update
> client was written it Visual Basic and just displays some random file
> names instead of actually doing anything.

I could ask them for you if you want. Friend of mine is one of their software testers there and their UK office is only just down the road from me!;)