computer protection

Hello, i am a rookie at computers. I need some advice on what programs i should use to protect my computer.

 

Anti virus
A decent firewall like Norton firewall (not Zone Alarm)

 

what kind of OS are you running here? windows XP? are you using dial up/broadband? here is a good website about security www.grc.com (the sheilds up section is most relevant here)

Personally i use a router, and a personal firewall on all computers, and a AntiVirus on all computers. (i use Kerio Personal Firewall, and eTrust Antivirus combined with AVG Antivirus)

 

Vlad! Why Not Zone Alarm?

I have been using Zone Alarm with Norton Anti irus for aorund two years with no successful intrusions. I've not even had many virus a attacks (only one or two that NAV blocked)

Leigh

 

Just curious... (While MAjor Geeks has turned into a place to argue that My setup is better!!) as to why Norton over ZoneAlarm..
I have been using ZA for a while with no issues, never used Norton, while I do have a copy sitting in front of me that came with my Mobo.....

Honestly, just curious why one over the other??

"I ain't startin' no fights" Curtis

 

Thanks everyone.

 

well,the argument that I've heard is that ZA has become bloated, which I personally don't see as an issue.. I mean, Hard drives over 120G? I doubt that ZA would really put a dent in the HDD storage. I haven' t used ZA for a LOOOOONG time and thus, I don't know how much RAM it uses up while running so I can't say anything in that regards. In essence, some people just call it a resource hog. I have been using Kerio Personal Firewall along with my Linksys so I can open port 80 on the router and then use kerio to filter the IP's that I want to allow in. I also like it's notification of apps requesting access (though annoying at times is very useful) .. if I remember correctly, ZA had this too. It really comes down to preference. It's really hard to measure something like that unless you know you're being attacked. If all's been quiet and you've never had a hack, then you wouldn't know if your firewall was good or not.

 

wow, i feel privilaged, i use the same firewall as Kodomeister

The server uses ZoneAlarm (security isnt a matter, because that server is so screwed up by now, anything you do to it wont make much difference) and seems to run it fine. Only thing is that we managed to squeeze about 10 more connections to it without the firewall in place (on our particular setup). Generally speaking, I dont think this is much of an issue.

oh, and btw if you want to test your setup, try this link:

https://grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

ive been finding that very useful just recently

 

1.) I dont recommend GRC as Steve Gibson is full of... manure (Yeah right, he thought of syn cookies when they were invented a loooooooong time ago.....)

2.) I dont like either firewalls, but Norton is the one I least hate, the best firewall is a dedicated box. ZA has problems and I have used it before (a looong time ago) and I didn't like it at all, Norton at least is partially good

3.) Kodo, bah, see 2 And truly no one but a s' kiddie would go for a home box so a personal firewall is needed unless USENET kooks are following you

 

sorry vlad.. but hardware firewalls are the best. If you set up a box running software firewalls, then you risk entry as software can be by passed much more easily than a hardware firewall. I can't comment on Nortons FW because I've never used it.
And Steve Gibson is one smart mofo..

 

i use a router, weekly online av scans and i'm normaly ok,,, just got over win32_CIH but thats another story =D

 

I dont like software firewalls, they suck, I am talking about a dedicated OBSD box, and OBSD is funded by DARPA so if it's so bad then just blame your government!

*snort* Yeah, right... grcsucks.com

 

any other tests? I tried the site goldfish provided and was totally stealth! Any others?
BTW, I am using the latest ZA despite what others may think!

 

Run a full vulnerability test(nessus) and a full port scan/OS identification (nmap)