do i have any redundancy here?

Discussion in 'Software' started by 9550, Jun 30, 2012.

  1. 9550

    9550 Private E-2

    hey all

    i dont have any apparent problems at the moment, but im trying to figure out what i should be doing and what software i should have to keep things running smoothly.

    not sure exactly how to go about it however. best thing i can do i guess is list what im using here, and hopefully somebody can start teaching me:)

    this is what i have running/use on a regular basis (with windows 7):
    avira free antivirus
    advanced system care 5
    ccleaner
    iobit malware fighter

    i just installed zone alarm free


    now, what i dont know is if i have redundancy, if theyre incompatable with each other, or if theyre incompatable with any windows programs (defender, whatever), or if im missing anything obvious

    apparently zone alarm is also anti-virus, and as far as i know, we shouldnt be using multiple anti-virus software, no?
    i added the zone alarm for firewall protection, because i dont know enough to know if the windows firewall works, is working, or works well.


    thanks in advance for any insight
     
  2. pwillener

    pwillener MajorGeek

    Do you also have Windows Defender or Microsoft Security Essentials installed and running?

    Do you also have the Windows Firewall active?

    P.S. ZoneAlarm free does not provide antivirus protection.
     
  3. mjnc

    mjnc MajorGeek

    Hi 9550.

    Here are a couple of articles about the Windows 7 firewall:

    3 Things You Should Know About Your Windows 7 Firewall
    Windows 7 Firewall: How It Compares Against Other Firewalls

    I suggest you dump the ZoneAlarm.

    Privatefirewall and Comodo Personal Firewall are both highly rated
    and both are listed on the Top Freeware Picks page.

    For additional security you can consider SpywareBlaster which is Free and provides passive protection.
    There is an instructional video by Major Attitude on the download page.

    You can also use OpenDNS which adds another layer of protection.

    Here are some links that I hope will be helpful.
    Change Your Settings
    Configuration for Windows XP
    Knowledge Base: Networks with Dynamic IP Address
    Dynamic IP: General Info
    Dynamic IP: Windows Updater Documentation

    Update:
    Yes, you are correct.
    Only One antivirus and One firewall (active).
     
  4. solaris89

    solaris89 First Sergeant

    I'll second that.
     
  5. 9550

    9550 Private E-2

    not sure.
    not sure.

    do you mean literally or figuratively? because the zone alarm software says antivirus and firewall


    sorry for the delay in response, been without power for a while
     
  6. pwillener

    pwillener MajorGeek

    Sorry for that misinformation; it seems that it has changed since I last used ZoneAlarm; it does seem to offer antivirus now.
     
  7. 9550

    9550 Private E-2

    so i ditched the zonealarm, and im trying to install comodo personal firewall. after it asks me what language i want, i choose english, next popup says 'this installation does not support target platform'
    any ideas?
    using windows 7
     
  8. mjnc

    mjnc MajorGeek

    Check to see if you should be using the standard version OR the 64 bit version.

    Both are available at the MG download page.
     
  9. 9550

    9550 Private E-2

    went to comodo site http://personalfirewall.comodo.com/free-download.html
    was able to install the 32/64bit windows installer
    didnt realize however the drop down included options for 32bit windows 7 and 64bit windows 7.
    the link from here for the personal comodo firewall is for 64x which i assume is the 64bit, and was the one i was having trouble with.
    so, whats the difference between 32/64bit windows installer, and 32 bit windows 7/vista/xp sp2, and 64bit windows 7/vista/xp sp2 choices?
     
  10. 9550

    9550 Private E-2

    see my recent post, but regarding your reply, how would i check that?
     
  11. 9550

    9550 Private E-2

    hmm, i just noticed that the download i tried from mg was x86. i dont even know that that is.
    i see theres the 64bit link as well as you said mjnc

    going to uninstall everything and try the x64
     
  12. mjnc

    mjnc MajorGeek

  13. 9550

    9550 Private E-2

  14. mjnc

    mjnc MajorGeek

    To begin with, I suggest that you do Not change your DNS server configuration.

    Wait until everything is working properly and then consider if you want to change.

    There is info about OpenDNS in my first post.
     
  15. 9550

    9550 Private E-2

    ah, i didnt get down to that link yet

    so when you say wait til 'everything is working properly' youre talking about the new install, correct? because i didnt have any problems before.
     
  16. mjnc

    mjnc MajorGeek

    Yes.

    You are installing a new software firewall.

    I've never had any first hand experience with Comodo firewall.
    I'm now using Privatefirewall.
     

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