I recently had some major problems with Norton security services on my Pc. Their effectiveness caused me to have to reboot my entire pc and lose all data plus some interesting software.
This has lead me to find a good free security kit. I already downloaded AVG antivirus and now I'm looking for a good firewall that's either free of charge or available for pennies. If anyone can recommend a spyware blocker I would be greatly interested too.
Best suggestion wins him/herself 10 points
2007-01-16 19:21:17 · 21 answers · asked by peter gunn 7 in Computers & Internet ➔ Security
You need to install one firewall.
The Windows firewall doesn't stop malware on your pc from dialling out.
http://www.zonelabs.com Zone Alarm firewall OR
http://www.comodogroup.com/ - Comodo firewall.
You need to install one anti virus;
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/ -AVG anti virus or
http://www.avast.com - Avast Antivirus
You need all three anti spyware programs;
http://www.ewido.net - AVG(Ewido) anti trojan.
http://www.lavasoft.com - Ad-Aware SE Personal anti adware
http://www.safer-networking.org - Spybot Search and Destroy anti spyware. Use the Teatimer settings to protect Internet Explorer, and the Immuniser to stop malware getting on your pc.
Also use Microsoft Defender and their online scans.
And these are useful utilities;
http://www.mozilla.com/ - Firefox web browser.
http://www.ccleaner.com Cr*pcleaner Registry cleaner and privacy tool
Winpatrol is a handy utility that manages cookies on your pc and stops unwanted changes to your startup folder.
http://www.winpatrol.com
Spywareblaster works with Internet Explorer and Firefox. It won't uninstall spyware that is already on your pc, but it will prevent hijacks and other malicious changes to your browser.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com
http://www.siteadvisor.com -MacAffee Site Advisor warns about malware on sites you are about to visit.
http://spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm - The Spyware Warrior site identifies fake anti spyware programs.
https://www.grc.com - Shields Up security site, check your firewall works.
Remember to update and run all of you anti malware programs at least once a week.
Other software;
http://www.sys-shield.com - AbsoluteShield File Shredder
http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/reader_2/down_reader.htm - Foxit pdf reader.
http://www.eecs.wsu.edu/paint.net/ -Paint.net Paint with layers.
http://www.irfanview.com - useful graphics tool
http://www.download.com/Deep-Paint/3000-2191_4-10398243.html - Deep Paint
http://www.gimp.org - Like Photoshop 7
http://www.inkscape.org - vector image tool
http://www.blender.org - professional 3D rendering software plus manual.
2007-01-16 20:38:46 · answer #1 · answered by sarah c 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Everyone has given good suggestions however my personal reccomendations are:
Firewall: Keiro - A very effective firewall, easy to set up and I have used this for over two years with no problems or conflicts and the personal version is free
Spyware: Ad-Aware-SE which is very good scanner for spyware Spybot Search & Destroy which locates Spyware diallers and programs Spyware Guard - This is a Spyware firewall which also blocks your Browser Homepage being hijacked. Spyware Blaster which prevents Spyware being installed on your sysyem in the first place. I also use CCleaner to clean out any loose registry enteries that can exist from Spyware and Ewido(now AVG) is also excellent.
All these programs are free but be careful of using fake spyware programs as this can be spyware themselves. For a full list of free genuine antispware and rogue spyware programs which should be avoided go to http://spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm
Hope this helps!
2007-01-16 20:52:45 · answer #2 · answered by phillip_bournemouth 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All of the following are freeware:
Registry Cleaners: CCleaner
Eusing Free Registry
Spyware/Adware Cleaners: Spybot Search and Destroy
Ad-Aware SE Personal
Firewalls: Zone Alarm Personal Firewall
Kerio Firewall Engine
Antivirus: AVG Free Antivirus
2007-01-16 21:01:07 · answer #3 · answered by Studly Jim 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The best is the simplest.
Your broadband modem will have a Firewall.
Combined with the Firewall that is a part of Windows XP SP2
It's all you need.
See the shields up website to test your security.
https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2
Then click Proceed at the bottom of the page.
While free Spyware "catchers" such as Ad Aware are available the blocker versions have to be paid for.
2007-01-16 23:00:55 · answer #4 · answered by Gowrie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1.FIREWALL
> Comodo Personal Firewall
http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/
2.ANTI-SPYWARE WITH REAL-TIME PROTECTION
> Windows Defender (for genuine Windows XP)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=435bfce7-da2b-4a6a-afa4-f7f14e605a0d&displaylang=en
> Spyware Terminator (in case you don't have genuine Windows)
http://www.spywareterminator.com/
3.SUBSTITUTE ANTI-SPYWARE
> AdAware SE
http://www.download.com/ad-aware-se-pers...
4.SOME OTHER USEFUL FREEWARE
> CCleaner (multi-utility trash file cleaner)
http://www.ccleaner.com/
> SnoopFree Privacy Shield (anti-keylogger)
http://www.snoopfree.com/
>PCSleek Free Error Cleaner (registry editor)
http://www.pcsleek.com/
Here are some security tips you may require:
1.Never use more than one anti-virus or firewall. There is a good possibility that they will fight each other. However, you can use as many anti-spywares as you wish (2 are recommended).
2.Always keep the real time scanning/resident shield of your anti-virus and any one of your anti-spyware active.
3.Keep all your security software updated, and scan your computer for spyware every 4-5 days and for viruses every 8-10 days.
You have done a good job by switching over to free security options!
2007-01-16 21:31:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
An excellent free and very strong 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 (Melih) might even himself answer your question! Check it out at:
http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/
------------------------------------
Or if you prefer a good and free firewall that is extremely easy on using your computers system resources, then Kerio 2.1.5 is just about the lightest firewall there is. Uses about 4 MB RAM on my machine.
Although it is no longer officially supported by the makers of Kerio, there is a great Kerio 2.1.5 support forum at
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/kerio
to help and guide you if you have any problems.
2.1.5 is availible for free at:
http://www.321download.com/LastFreeware/page7.html
2007-01-16 20:25:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Zone Alarm Free is a good one, as is SyGate Personal Firewall. For spyware, I use SpyBot S&D in conjunction with AdAware.
ZA Free: http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp
SyGate: http://www.tucows.com/preview/213160
AdAware: http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html
SpyBot S&D: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html
2007-01-16 19:24:18 · answer #7 · answered by Lee Harvey Wallbanger 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Zone Alarm
2007-01-16 22:46:01 · answer #8 · answered by id36uk 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ZoneAlarm from Zone Labs
2016-05-23 23:24:15 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
for spyware
adaware se personal
www.lavasoft.com
get update, reboot and do a full scan
spybot also is a good choice
both are free
zonealarm
www.zonelabs.com
has a free or paid version
2007-01-16 20:09:04 · answer #10 · answered by great one 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋