Security Programs

Here is a list of the Security programs I am currently using on all my Windows computers. My main theme in my program choices are:

1 - It must Work

2 - I Prefer it be Free, or low cost

3 - It cannot Bog down, or overload my computer's Ram or Processor

The List: {Click on each item to go to the publishers download site}

1 - Zone Alarm
Firewall, Free for Home use. They Do have a more feature rich pay version
2 - Avast Antivirus
Free for Home use. They Do have a more feature rich pay version
3 - Spybot search and destroy
Freeware, but they do ask for donations
4 - Firefox
FREE, use instead of internet explorer. An Absolute must have
5 - No Script {Add -on for firefox}
An Absolute must have
6 - Adblock Plus {Add -on for firefox}
An Absolute must have
7 - WOT {Add -on for firefox}
Warns you of dangerous sites

The key provision with using these programs is to make sure you use the automatic updates on all of them. I have not been infected on any of my computers since using the above combination.
I will go into the settings to use on each one in a later post.

antivirus 360 scam

I spent all day Saturday trying to figure out the problem with a friends computer. It's a family computer that he lets everyone use, so it is prone to get viruses. Apparently someone had clicked on a link to the "anti virus 360" malware while using internet explorer.

Here is a link to www.bleepingcomputer.com that covers it in detail. http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/malware-removal/remove-antivirus-360

I Used the malwarebytes anti-malware to remove it availible here http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

The lesson in this is Use Firefox with Noscript, Adblock plus, WOT, and you will probably avoid this. he had antivirus and a firewall running, but that does you no good when someone starts hitting yes to every popup that comes along.

Symantec Software Virtualization Solution

I'm Trying out "Altiris Software Virtualization Solution (SVS)" [now owned by symntec]. It lets you isolate installation of software into managed units called Virtual Software Packages (VSP's). You can prevent dll and registry coruption by using this. I just started using it yesterday, and will post my progress.

Here is the Link to Download it: http://www.altiris.com/Download/svsPersonal.aspx

It's fairly easy to use so far, after installing you just start the program, select file, create new layer, and follow the on screen directions. Read the the pdf file that comes with it before you use it.

Supposedly it also installs the program into a special read only layer {Fancy name for their folders} of the hard drive.

I've posted a pic of the programs main screen showing what I am running, and the bold programs are the active ones.

p.s. It is free for personal use, with some limitations