Self defence

Mickey_T_Fish · 17-08-2004, 21:40

What are your top tips for security programs. My computer is protected for free by the following :-

Agnitum outpost firewall personal (free) edition
AVG Anti virus free edition
Adaware 6 personal (free) edition
Spybot S+D
Window washer 5 (free but only 1 download allowed - pity cos it's bloody ruthless!)
Spyware blaster
MRU Blaster
Startup monitor
Hijack this

Hell, am I TOO paranoid?!?

Anyone else use other programs? Any better bets than my setup?
Is security THAT important anyway?

KIPAX · 29-08-2004, 14:53

Most of those programs are NOT protecting your system. They are tools for fixing problems AFTER you get them. If your firewall and virus protection work properly then you don't need half the rest.

I have recently uninstalled spybot after upgrading my adaware to the latest download I now find spybot finds nothing after adaware is run.. it used to find some but not anymore so isn't any use to me.

Roy · 29-08-2004, 14:58

I find that I don't need any of the above. You know why? Cos I don't go looking for porn!

KIPAX · 29-08-2004, 15:05

Cheers for that Roy.. Not even slightly funny as the rest of my family read this including my children

I dont look for porn either but I do end up at websites that do infect my computer and do add adverts... I ahve a hard time with emails blocking the ones with evil scripts as well and manage to get most but sometimes not all

Consider yer hands slapped

Mick · 29-08-2004, 15:11

At this moment in time i am using NORTON SECURITY 2004 which i picked up at a charity shop in accy for £1
It has the book,cd and reg number i now have up dates for the antivirus till 29/8/05 all for £1

KIPAX · 29-08-2004, 15:22

Norton is the one I have used for years and AUTO PROTECT is always on. I paid for my updates every year but for some reason UK pay through an Irish website and pay there higher VAT band.. But the updates are well worth paying for. Its one of my most important bits of software.

entwisi · 29-08-2004, 19:55

One word, Linux.

)

KIPAX · 30-08-2004, 04:06

Your not suggesting Linux users don't get Virus or spam are you? hehe surely not

Mickey_T_Fish · 30-08-2004, 08:46

I don't go looking for porn either!!!

I do like to research odd topics on the web - that's my favourite thing about the internet - you can find out about anything. Sometimes this ends up with rubbish being downloaded to your computer.

The argument about firewalls etc. is a tricky one isn't it? Sure, if we all blocked everything, then there'd be no problem, but then java or flash games would be unavailable, streaming music wouldn't work, etc. etc.

And Linux, which I wish I had the patience to switch to is only relatively safe as long as it's in the minority. Why would someone write a virus with such a limited target audience? If Linux occupied the top spot as Windows does currently, you can bet your ass it would be attacked more regularly!