Firewall Issues

Hi guys, just need some advice on firewall and antivirus software selection.....Since my 3 mths norton internet security is going to expire

1) Plan to use mcafee anti-virus
2) Sygate personal firewall + Peerguardian (my friend recommended this for p2p users)

OR just use mcafee internet security

any comments? Sorry, I know these r pretty stupid qns...but this is the first comp that i actually bought myself....Need all the help i can get....Thanks

 

My recomendation is for AVG for antiviral, Then for firewall I really like Sygate Personal Firewall, both are free. I have been up and running for over 2 years with no problems.
Avg seems to be constantly on guard and I receive updates every other day or so.
I do not do alot of p2p but have used limewire(past) and the above combo has saved me many times

McCaffee---------not sure i really like it as its part of those nefairious bundled titles, never used it just heard more negative than positive.

 

AVG shouldnt be used if you are a 'high risked' surfer or you are in trouble. AVG is best on 'low risked' sufers.

McAfee antivirus is one of the best and is sort of heavy on the resources but runs fine overall. It also has a little better detection then norton does. If you liked norton on your system then I recommend you keep it on there.

I heard that the McAfee's firewall is actually pretty good, and the internet suite also has alot of different modules with it, so I would probably go with McAfee Internet Suite if you decide to ditch norton and sygate.


Brandon

 

What?!?

Please enlighten me as to the difference between "high-risk surfing" and "low-risk surfing".

Are you saying all pr0n freaks should use Avast or Nod?

 

Low risk: Regular surfing too the sites you trust/know eg; Majorgeeks
High risk: Pr0n sites, sites you dont trust/know and warez sites(since most of them contain trojans,viruses)

High risk users should use a pretty secured computers apps should be used:

Antivirus
Either NOD32(http scanning/great detection/great hueristics) or Norton/McAfee/Kaspersky/BitDefender/Avast (great detection rates)
Firewall
A highly configured firewall eg; made own rules or a configured file
AntiTrojan
Ewido(paid) and onaccess scanner enabled or A-Squared(paid) guard enabled etc
Ewido free
A-squared free
AntiSpyware
Spybot S&D
Ad-Aware free
Prevention
SpywareBlaster enabled all protection
A host file (I use MVP's host file)
Spybot's immunized enabled
WormGuard with certian ext. blocked
ProcessGuard protects againest various attacks eg; browser attacks
RegDefend helps protect the registry againest changes


Brandon

 

Still doesn't answer my question regarding your comment about AVG. You list all these things, all fine programs, but offer no documentation that AVG shouldn't be used in certain circumstances.

If what you say about "high-risk" - "low-risk" were true, do you think they'd still be in business? Or at the very least, offering a free version?

IMO, way too much emphasis is put on the paid-versions of many programs; in most cases, all you are paying for is tech support.

I have only a fraction of the programs you listed installed; I feel safe. I use AVG and haven't had a single problem. I wasn't happy with Nod32 (and paid for it), and Avast was way too much a resource hog for my liking.

 

My favourite is ZoneAlarm Security Suite.

It bundles a firewall, antivirus, antispam, spyware protection, ad blocking, parental control, Instant Messaging security and email protection all in the one unit.

Doesn't use a lot of resources and very effective.

 

AVG's detection rates arnt the greatest among av's so thats why I think it shouldnt be advised too go on 'high risked' sites without some good security setup backing you up incase avg misses something.

Yes, they still would be in business because avg offers good protection along with all the other security software around on the web with your computer protecting you againest attacks.

They offer a free version becuase they want to provide protection for the people who dont want to spend money on software when they can get it for free or for those who cant afford it.

A paid version of software enables you too have all the features too a product and it could be the onaccess scanner of a antvirus product or antitrojan etc. With that you can have more protection too your computer and a less of a chance too get infected.

Im not trying too make avg look bad Im just saying that it shouldnt be used for high risk surfers without the user having common surfing sense and not a good security setup to protect them


Brandon

 

Bunch of B.S.

AVG is fine where ever ya go.
AVG or Avast for that matter (Free Anti-Virus) are very good.
If your surfing what you call High risk sites it probably wont matter much any way. (sometimes the biggest differance between AV programs is the amount of common sense used by the user or the level of control desiganated by the user)

Free firewalls, Seagate or ZA pretty much good as any.
AdAware SE & SpywareBlaster ( both free) excellant spyware removal/prevention tool's, I dont use Spybot anymore was good in it's day, just pointless now with the other two.

I see no reason to purchase AV/Firewall or Spyware utilities when such good one are avaible for Free.

Norton I dislike, some love it.
McAfee, I do like, I get for free from Comcast my ISP provider but I opt for the free one's I listed.

 

Well, which is it? I put NO credence on software ratings; as I've said before they are more-often-than-not paid bias. They didn't test it on my computer.

Again, how is AVG supposed to know what a "high-risk" site is? The user controls the surfing, not AVG or any other program.

Well, saying "AVG shouldnt be used if you are a 'high risked' surfer or you are in trouble. AVG is best on 'low risked' sufers" doesn't help them.

I don't feel the few free versions of products I have installed are compromising my security on the internet. Having all the anti-spyware programs you mentioned installed does make for a safer environment and lessens the possibilities of trouble, but it doesn't make an AV program any better. And nothing is much good when visiting any warez site; IMO, you deserve what you get

 

Yes AVG is fine wherever you go, but AVG is not as good as avast and antivir in detection of viruses, trojans etc so when surfing through those 'high risked' sites(assuming you will get infected with something) then doing a ondemand scan with AVG, AVG will most likely will miss something while avast and antivir will probably pick it up. Im not making AVG look bad im just saying that AVG misses alot of viruses while other freeware/commerical products pick them up.

Yes avast and antivir are actually better then some commerical antivirus software on the market.

If you dont want too get infected then it should matter You can still use avg just have a good security setup too backup avg.

Good protection is the features along with avg which I do not know

It doesnt, and as I stated about common sense

Then I guess I missed stated that on my first post

I respect your opinion, but I feel that having a paid product enables you too more protection or features too help you out.


Brandon

 

Well, since you've contradicted yourself 4 times in this thread, and since I'm beginning to feel like I'm running in circles chasing my own tail, I'll let this one go in whatever direction it's headed