Best/most suitable internet security
Discussion
I run broadband and have got a basic Norton Anti Virus on the PC that is due for renewal shortly. Any suggestions on a better/more suitable set up? Norton failed to pick up a trojan so I'm not 100% confident using it.
I only use the PC for home stuff, but want to secure against viruses and trojan's etc.
Your help and guidance is well appreciated.
By the way, I am running Firefox rather than Explorer on previous advice, and the PC is new so I assume the operating system is pretty up to date too. Sorry for the vagueness, but I really don't know PCs!
Looking forward to your comments.
Cheers
Rob
I only use the PC for home stuff, but want to secure against viruses and trojan's etc.
Your help and guidance is well appreciated.
By the way, I am running Firefox rather than Explorer on previous advice, and the PC is new so I assume the operating system is pretty up to date too. Sorry for the vagueness, but I really don't know PCs!
Looking forward to your comments.
Cheers
Rob
Avast for viruses
Zonealarm firewall
Spybot and Adaware for spyware
All free, no issues in a few years. As long as everything is kept up to date you should be fine with the above (or any of the other suggestions above).
Just removed Norton from my sister's pc... it's worse than most viruses that it's meant to protect against...
Zonealarm firewall
Spybot and Adaware for spyware
All free, no issues in a few years. As long as everything is kept up to date you should be fine with the above (or any of the other suggestions above).
Just removed Norton from my sister's pc... it's worse than most viruses that it's meant to protect against...
Securing your PC requires a mutli-issue approach. Some of these issues have already been discussed but broadly:
1. If your router has a firewall, switch it on.
2. Turn on Windows Update.
3. Install a software firewall on your PC or use Windows Firewall.
4. Use the Firefox web browser and install the NoScript extension which enables you to create a whitelist of sites allowed to execute JavaScript and Java. All other sites are automatically barred - this gives a *massive* increase in browsing security.
5. Install anti-virus software.
6. Install anti-spyware software such as Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta.
7. Encrypt sensitive files. Use the NTFS security as a minimum but ideally use something like PGP Desktop Professional 9.0 which includes whole-disk encryption so if your PC/laptop is stolen it is unusable.
8. Back-up your PC - if malware (malicious software) gets through your defences and damages your data then you should be able to restore it.
9. Use an anti-spam product or something like Mozilla Thunderbird which has anti-spam functionality built-in.
10. Switch off automatic image loading in your emails which can be used by spammers to both confirm your email address is active (hence causing more spam) and potentially associate your email address with your IP address.
11. Most important, be sensible. If you get emails or websites that look dodgy, don't open them or visit them respectively.
I strongly recommend Trend Micro's PC-cillin. (Independent reviews here and here). This is the anti-virus provider used by hotmail and it comes with software firewall, wireless network intrusion detection, anti-spam, URL protection and anti-spyware. You can install products like Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta in addition - that's what I do.
1. If your router has a firewall, switch it on.
2. Turn on Windows Update.
3. Install a software firewall on your PC or use Windows Firewall.
4. Use the Firefox web browser and install the NoScript extension which enables you to create a whitelist of sites allowed to execute JavaScript and Java. All other sites are automatically barred - this gives a *massive* increase in browsing security.
5. Install anti-virus software.
6. Install anti-spyware software such as Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta.
7. Encrypt sensitive files. Use the NTFS security as a minimum but ideally use something like PGP Desktop Professional 9.0 which includes whole-disk encryption so if your PC/laptop is stolen it is unusable.
8. Back-up your PC - if malware (malicious software) gets through your defences and damages your data then you should be able to restore it.
9. Use an anti-spam product or something like Mozilla Thunderbird which has anti-spam functionality built-in.
10. Switch off automatic image loading in your emails which can be used by spammers to both confirm your email address is active (hence causing more spam) and potentially associate your email address with your IP address.
11. Most important, be sensible. If you get emails or websites that look dodgy, don't open them or visit them respectively.
I strongly recommend Trend Micro's PC-cillin. (Independent reviews here and here). This is the anti-virus provider used by hotmail and it comes with software firewall, wireless network intrusion detection, anti-spam, URL protection and anti-spyware. You can install products like Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta in addition - that's what I do.
tahiti said:
Cheers for the info...Will look into it now. One thing, and please excuse my ignorance. How do I find out if the router has a firewall? I'm with Telewest by the way.
Rob
>> Edited by tahiti on Friday 14th October 20:55
You don't, you only have a BroadBand Modem unless you purchased a Router yourself that is.
Normally, routers are controlled via web browsers. You enter a URL like http://123.456.7.8 and it will open a screen with all the options.
Look at your router instructions to find the right URL.
Look at your router instructions to find the right URL.
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