What can I do to make my computer extremely protected?

Question

I want to make my computer really safe. I have norton antivirus and webroot spysweeper. These two subscriptions are almost up. I know that I need an antivirus, a spyware sweep and a firewall. What are alternative programs to each of these that I can use that will keep my computer protected?

Answer 1

Get AVG Anti Virus and you can used it and the other ones are real good so you should be safe.

use the windows XP firewall. It is just as good as ZA or anything else.

I have all of these too.

Answer 2

Spyware removers: One is not enough. I use three different programs and run them all every other week.
Spybot search and destroy
Adaware
Spyware Doctor (the first two are free)
They can be found at www.download.com

Firewall: You only want one firwall on your computer. Any more will cause conflicts. Use the one built in to Windows or a free one from Zonealarm.

Antivirus: This is a must to be extremely protected, but like the firewall you should only have one. Norton, McAfee, or E-Trust are your best bet.

The only way to be truly protected is to unplug the internet and do not load software from people you do not trust.

Answer 3

Depending on how protected you want to be, you can use AVG (http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/), ZoneAlarm (http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp) and AdAware (http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html), all for free, and all rated fairly high. Remember, though, that AntiVirus is only as good as the last update. The firewall will only work if you set it up to actually filter stuff out. And Anti-Malware programs only work if you actually use them.

Aside from that, the safest way to protect your computer is unplug it from the internet. Of course, that's probably not an option.

Answer 4

I feel that if a Software Company sells an OS, they should also provide the protection and care of the data. Alot of that is just good backup routine, but if I can get Linux and not pay for Firewall ,Anti Virus, an Entire suite of System Diagnostic Tools and Utilities, I allready took XP off this new PC and havent had one problem that I could not solve with a Backup.

Answer 5

Here's some ideas to "roll ya own" Internet Security Suite for free. Free is always the best.

1. For your Anti-Virus......(Always use only 1 A-V)

I like the AOL AntiVirusShield. Don't let the name AOL scare you. AntiVirusShield is made by Kaspersky which is one of top-rated anti-virus vendors in the world.

In recent tests, the most popular free anti-virus, AVG, was only able to detect about 82% of a very large sample of viruses. On the other hand, AntiVirusShield was able to detect better than 99% in the same test.
Full test results are here:
http://www.virus.gr/english/fullxml/default.asp?id=82&mnu=82

AntiVirusShield has excellent virus detection rates and is extremely light on using your computer resources.

Updates many times per day to detect new malware.

Free to anyone, AOL member or not from:
http://www.activevirusshield.com/antivirus/freeav/index.adp?


2. For your Firewall..........(Always use only 1 firewall)

An excellent free firewall is Comodo Personal Firewall. It can pass firewall "leak tests" that even most of the "paid-for" firewalls cannot pass.

And Comodo has a great support forum. Where the CEO / President of the company might even himself answer your question! Check it out at:
http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/


3. For your Anti-Adware and Anti-Spyware needs...............(use 2)

Pick and choose, 2 anti-spywares from the list below and alternate scanning with them on a regular basis. New spywares are created literally hourly, so no single anti-spyware can really detect all malware. Have at least 2 on hand and alternate scanning with each every few days or so. All are free. All can remove as well as detect.

Spybot Search and Destroy:
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/spybotsd/index.html

Ewido:
http://www.ewido.net/en/download/

Adaware SE:
http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/

A-Squared:
http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/

SUPERAntiSpyware:
http://www.superantispyware.com/

Windows Defender:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

Unfortunately, many "paid for" anti-spyware products are in fact either of limited usefulness or downright scams. When in doubt, look at the list of rogue anti-spyware solutions listed here:
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm


4. And to protect your computer from ever getting infected with spyware in the first place............ (use them both)

SpywareBlaster:
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

SiteAdvisor:
http://www.siteadvisor.com/

Everything here is 100% free!!!!

Norton can be a total pain to remove completely. And if not totally removed, it can conflict with other anti-viruses that you may install.
You may need to download and run the Norton Removal Tool from the Norton / Symantic website to remove Norton completely.
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

Great luck!

Answer 6

Well the easiest way to protect your computer is to unplug the network cable. However, doing this also prevents you from accessing the internet. There are many free programs out there that offer protection. For me I don't need a firewall because I have a DSL modem and that has a firewall on it but I use Avast! anti virus software ( http://www.avast.com )and that seems to work good for me.

Answer 7

Most people who use Comcast as their internet service provider are unaware that Comcast offers Mcaffee antivirus suite which is valued at around $100 for free. All you have to do is log into your comcast account at comcast.net and click on the security tab.

Answer 8

i'm here to share one simple advise,

Virus scan : avast antivirus
Firewall : Behind router, Router firewall - if you want some,
zone alarm pro, but don't install avast if you install this already.

Package : SP2 ( service pack 2 )
Browser : mozilla firefox 2 - "your cookie can't be copy by hacker"

monitor : BBmonitor absolute futurity - see real time your router connection upload and download speed.

Answer 9

Firewall & antivirus

Answer 10

perosnally i would renew norton (better protection than avg or avast) and get adaware se personal
www.lavasoft.com
get update, reboot and do a full scan

for firewall get zonealarm
www.zonelabs.com
has a free version or a paid pro version