I disagree with Trigger completely. Your router will NOT protect from outgoing internet contacts. If you're system gets infected, and your anti-malware software doesn't catch it, then the only way you'll find out is if the malware tries to call home and your software firewall alerts you to the attempt. If course noticing your system is running slower then crap is another indicator...
Zonealarm has gone from being a great program to being CRAP!. Recently the vista version was caught loading microsloth updates without informing the user. Not good.
I've been testing Comodo for months now and so far it's a very good program, as long as you disable the defense
portion and use it just as a firewall. The defense portion will drive you crazy with alerts and isn't needed if you already have other anti-malware programs running.
I've heard Nod32 is good also, but haven't played with it myself. I have heard a lot of good things about it, so you probably won't go wrong if you decide to use it.
Here's a review of Node32 from last april if ya want to read it.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,130906-page,1/article.htmlHere's a page which talks about the free programs vs the pay programs. It might help you decide for yourself.
http://askbobrankin.com/free_antivirus_programs.htmlI took a quick look at Esat's home page for Nod32, and I didn't see a free version, other then the 30-day trial. Personally if there isn't a free version for home users, then I wouldn't recomend it, no matter how good it is. I have never been successfully attacked by a virus while running AVG free and I make a point of visiting dangerous sites on a weekly basis to make certain my protection is working as promised. Again, I've never been infected!
I see absolutely no reason what-so-ever to pay for anti-virus or anti-malware protection. Give AVG Free a try and you'll see for yourself. If you're not happy then pay for Nod32, or whatever else you decide on.
You should be using some type of image backup software to help protect you if the worst happens, just as another layer of protection, not against being compromised, but to save your butt if something does go wrong.
For that I recommend Acronis True Image. It's easy to use and works well. Unfortunately it isn't free, costly arount $50.00 bucks. I'm still looking for a free alternative, but no luck so far.
I disagree with vulcan on the false positives and failures. Neither my clients or myself have seen the so-called 'false positives that many reviewers talk about. I've been installing AVG free on my clients systems for years and not one has ever been infected.
Adaware is a good program but I think Spybot- Search & Destroy is better. Both are free. Adaware's scanner is slower then sludge in the dead of winter, whereas Spybot's works a lot faster. Spybot also has Tea timer included with it that monitors changes to your registry, (ie for startup programs, etc, etc). This is a very good thing as it adds another layer of protection to your system and doesn't use up much in resources. Over the years, I've never seen adaware catch anything that spybot didn't catch also, so why use both? Use the one that works faster and uses less resources.
My Advice:
Use AVG Free for Antivirus, (or Nod32 ifluff'n ya want).
Use Spybot Search & Destroy for spyware/malware protection.
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/download-free-anti-virus/us/frt/0If you use Adobe acrobat or Adobe reader, turn off javascript, (as mentioned previously in this thread). There is a new Adobe reader lite program that sounds good if ya want to try that.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/Adobe_Reader_Lite_d5915.htmlUse Firefox instead of internet enema, and in Firefox, turn off the advanced javascript options., and also turn off java, (this is not required, but I've found no problems with turning java off myself, so why have it running..)
there are a number of great extensions for Firefox, including Adblock Plus, Blocksite and objection, that will allow you to block advertiements, completely block unwanted sites, and remove the LSO's which Flash places on your system as cookie backups, If you use flash. Did you know Flash was placing cookies on your system that your browser can't prevent?
http://www.mozilla.org/download.htmlP.S. Use Thunderbird for your email:
Use Comodo for your firewall, and remember to disable the Defense option.
http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/Use Spybot - Search & destroy, (and activate Tea Timer), instead of adaware.
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.htmlThese are the programs I install on client's systems, and run on my own personal systems.
Wabbit
P.S. If I ever git rid of this blasted cold, and get on line, I'll be happy to chat with ya about all this.
