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Hi guys,
I've just got net access at home for the first time, I've installed Firefox 2.0, but I don't know what firewall & antivirus programs I should use...
What are the suggestions but keep in mind that the programs should be for free and not slow down my comp too much as I've got a P3-1000Mhz and a relatively slow (ISDN) connection.
Thanks! :)
For a free firewall, there is Comodo Firewall. I'd encourage you to try it since it is fully functional and non-annoyware freeware.
For free anti virus programs, AVG Free is highly regarded but it's been sooo long since the last time I tried that.
Good luck but keep in mind that most of the modern programs would be a resource hog for that PC.
Frankly, I'm not sure how necessary a firewall is these days. I agree that using AVG free is a good idea, and perhaps a script-blocking program such as SpywareBlaster (links in the Free Software thread).
More security than that may be overkill, especially if you keep your system patched and up to date.
I'll second AVG and Spywareblaster. Also, I recommend the NoScript addon for Firefox.
While not technically software, I'd also recommend a decent broadband NAT router to shield your comp from the horrors of the Internet. :skull:
Thanks for the advice!
Should I let the AVG scan for viruses continuosly, all the time while I'm on-line or rather run a virus scan say, once a week?
There's no good reason to have a continuous virus scan running -- you'd take a massive performance hit. A weekly scan is more than enough.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nikpalj
For a windows box that is behind a NAT router there is probably no need as it's using private IP addresses (192.x.x.x or 10,x,x,x ) that cannot be accessed from the WAN. For a windows box connected directly via a USB modem, a firewall, even if it is a personal firewall such as zonealarm, kerio, etc, is essential.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lemur
Edit: Kerio not "Kero", that was a typo btw.
Which one is a better solution for a firewall - Comodo or Zone Labs (Zone Alarm). A friend gave me his copy of ZL, so I'm uncertain if I should use this or Comodo...
I'd go with LEN's suggestion, the Comodo one. I've never tried it myself, but I'd try anything free before resorting to Zonealarm. (don't pay for a firewall)
Best solution is called Mac OS X... ;)
It's Kerio and I use only that, no virus stuff, never found anything anyway.:juggle2:Quote:
Originally Posted by Caravel
"Best solution is called Mac OS X... ;)"
Damn Mac users - they're everywhere... ;)
"It's Kerio and I use only that, no virus stuff, never found anything anyway."
Well, I've just installed the AVG anti virus, run a full sweep of the disk for the first time... and it found and terminated 12 Trojan's Inside!
Good stuff...
Well, I also use Opera instead of IE and stay away from *you know*, so...~;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Nikpalj
And I tried AVG, had it installed for some weeks, but it never ever found anything...:shrug:
Linux is a better solution still. The problem is that you can't run any TW games on either of them AFAIK.Quote:
Originally Posted by BDC
Hmmm... I fail to see the logic in not using an AV program because you've never found a virus...Quote:
Originally Posted by Husar
Using Opera is rather sensible too. Never had any problems whilst using it. Using IE is just suicide.
*runs like hell*
MAXTHON MAXTHON MAXTHON !!! K-YAAAAAH !!
*runs past like hell*
Had AVG find some viruses once again this morning - this prog is definitely doing it's job, I have no complaints so far...
While I can see that using any other browser then I.E. is probably *a better solution*, I'm unwilling to deinstall my Firefox (which I rather like) just to try out Opera. Then again, I may be wrong...
Is Opera a better choice then Firefox, your opinions, please! :)
There's no need to uninstall Firefox to run Opera; to the best of my knowledge, you can have both running on the same machine with no conflicts.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nikpalj
Opera has two distinct advantages over Firefox in terms of security:
- It is closed source, which would normally be a disadvantage, except that:
- Opera has a smaller market share than IE and FF. This means that it is a smaller target for spyware and malware creators.
I have seen no studies of real-world security differences between Firefox and Opera, but both of the above points are valid. Personally, I find Firefox plenty secure.
Firefox's open source nature wouldn't be a problem if it was patched/updated much more frequently than it is. The problem with Firefox is that it's now getting much more popular. Back in the old days of Mozilla 1.5/1.6 and Firebird and early Firefox the browser was so little known that you didn't really have to worry about it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lemur
It takes away system performance and as long as my firewall and browser keep the bad guys out there is no use in cleaning the inside, right?Quote:
Originally Posted by Caravel
Well no, because a firewall won't stop a virus infected file from landing on your system. I will block worms, and backdoor attempts but not infected files. Your browser stops nothing unless you configure it to block activex, java, flash, scripts and certain cookies. By the time you've done that you're working so restrictively that browsing becomes a chore. You're right as regards system performance, though a firewall does that also. Certain AV programs are horribly slow though, such as Mcafee.Quote:
Originally Posted by Husar
Well, I need to download and open an infected file and as long as none of my friends send me infected files I am fine. As for Active X, Opera does not support it for security reasons, never had a problem with Java, but as I said, I do not visit certain sites or download certain stuff that often comes with a virus inside.
Stay away from the girls and the illegal copies and that makes a whole lot of a difference IMO.
And while my firewall needs performance, it also blocks some intrusion attempts, as is visible in the log. The virus scanners never found anything which tells me they use up performance for no gain.
And I'm not talking generally, if you like your girls, well deal with the evils of infection and get a virus scanner, I didn't really need one so far. Avirus once a year might be a good reason to reinstall again(didn't happen yet).~;)
The amount of resources AVG uses are negligible for normal computing, but if you're really looking to free up everything you can, just disable it before launching demanding games/apps.Quote:
Originally Posted by Husar
I run a linksys router, Spybot S&D, Spyware Blaster, AVG, and Firefox w/NoScript & Adblock. I've never had a problem. :2thumbsup:
That's what I do. I usually terminate all unnecessary processes before starting MTW.Quote:
Originally Posted by Xiahou
With AVG you don't need the control centre anyway. You can disable it via msconfig.