antivirus and firewall

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bonnie
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Bonnie

I just wanted to ask the experts what antivirus programs and firewalls you
use. Are they idiot proof (for me) or do they need an expert to configure
them correctly? Today will be my last day running Windows ME. This evening I
will have my new computer, with XP installed on it. I have a cable modem and
my Trend Micro Internet Security subscription will be expiring soon.

Thanks,
Bonnie
 
Hi,

Not an expert and I'm sure your question will initiate a lengthy discussion.

Well, I guess the general answer will be - it depends. Each one has its own
advantages and disadvantages.

But for my 2 cents and based on my limited experiences, I would still
recommend NIS 2005 from Symantec is worthy to be considered. Of course, many
will disagree.

Here is the thing - it's not so expensive and it consistently updates its
software including virus definition. Since I used it from NIS 2003 Pro, I
have not had a virus attack and the firewall is very effective to the degree
of personal use. But that also includes certain good personal practice,
such as do not open files directly from emails. And of course, a really
good hacker can break into any system he/she wants to.

But installation is kind of tricky in some cases. You would better to
follow exactly the instructions for how to install and configure it. It is
also advised, based on my experience, that you run all updates after
installation and before do the detailed configurations and integration with
other programs, such as email client.

My own reasoning about this practice is that this will correct all the
previous bugs or other defects first before it integrated with other
applications.

Based on reviews I read, Trend Micro is also a nice one but I don't have
hands-on experience. But personally, I dislike MacAfee because its
integration with Windows XP got me so many problems, and its support. So I
don't use it even it is FREE with my paid MSN subscription.

That's it for my part, and you can hear what others have to say.

Good luck.
 
Bonnie wrote:
|| I just wanted to ask the experts what antivirus programs and
|| firewalls you use. Are they idiot proof (for me) or do they need an
|| expert to configure them correctly? Today will be my last day
|| running Windows ME. This evening I will have my new computer, with
|| XP installed on it.

Firstly, BEFORE you connect your new XP machine to the Internet, YOU MUST
either install your Trend package onto the new machine, OR, enable the
Windows XP Firewall. Otherwise you will get worms within seconds of
connecting.
 
Windows XP Firewall. Otherwise you will get worms within seconds of
connecting.
Click to expand...

Hi Gordon,
excuse the interupt of the thread, but I too am curious about OP's
topic.
is it really true that the attacks come due to non-firewall instal?
I have my win98 (this one) connected to the net and I have never
had a firewall. I do however have an AV.
Is it an XP attack orientated thing primarily?
I have XP pro but it isnt connected, but even though its not, I
certainly would have expected better security.

ta
griff
 
You should definately have a firewall as anything can enter your computer in
seconds without one. There are loads of free ones out there. Microsoft XP
SP2's Windows Firewall is effective but only protects against incoming, not
outgoing bugs.
Protection of your PC is your responsibility not MSFT's.
 
griffin wrote:
||| Windows XP Firewall. Otherwise you will get worms within seconds of
||| connecting.
||
|| Hi Gordon,
|| excuse the interupt of the thread, but I too am curious about OP's
|| topic.
|| is it really true that the attacks come due to non-firewall instal?
|| I have my win98 (this one) connected to the net and I have never
|| had a firewall. I do however have an AV.
|| Is it an XP attack orientated thing primarily?
|| I have XP pro but it isnt connected, but even though its not, I
|| certainly would have expected better security.
||
|| ta
|| griff

Windows 9x were immune to Blaster and Sasser I believe....XP certainly is
not, and neither is W2K (I think)....
 
Bonnie said:
I just wanted to ask the experts what antivirus programs and firewalls you
use. Are they idiot proof (for me) or do they need an expert to configure
them correctly? Today will be my last day running Windows ME. This evening I
will have my new computer, with XP installed on it. I have a cable modem and
my Trend Micro Internet Security subscription will be expiring soon.

Thanks,
Bonnie
Click to expand...


You'll get nearly as many differing opinions as you will responses.

I used, and recommended, Norton Antivirus and then Norton Internet
Security, for many years, on Win98, WinNT, Win2K, and WinXP, all without
any significant problems. I had used McAfee prior to that. But it's
been several years since I've been tempted to try McAfee products.
Their quality seemed to take a steep nose-dive after they were acquired
by Network Associates.

However, when my subscription to Symantec's updates for Norton
Internet Security 2002 came up for renewal (at a cost substantially
higher than the preceding year's subscription), I decided to try less
expensive solutions. I downloaded and installed the free version of
GriSoft's AVG (http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php ) and the free
version of Sygate's Personal Firewall
(http://smb.sygate.com/free/default.php ). Both have proven to be
easily installed, easy to use, and quite effective. Additionally, I was
pleasantly surprised to see a small but very noticeable improvement in
my PC's performance, once I'd replaced the Symantec product.

There are several essential components to computer security: a
knowledgeable and pro-active user, a properly configured firewall,
reliable and up-to-date antivirus software, and the prompt repair (via
patches, hotfixes, or service packs) of any known vulnerabilities.

The weakest link in this "equation" is, of course, the computer
user. No software manufacturer can -- nor should they be expected to --
protect the computer user from him/herself. All too many people have
bought into the various PC/software manufacturers marketing claims of
easy computing. They believe that their computer should be no harder to
operate than a toaster oven; they have neither the inclination or desire
to learn how to safely use their computer. All too few people keep
their antivirus software current, install patches in a timely manner, or
stop to really think about that cutesy link they're about to click.

Firewalls and anti-virus applications, which should always be used
and should always be running, are important components of "safe hex,"
but they cannot, and should not be expected to, protect the computer
user from him/herself. Ultimately, it is incumbent upon each and every
computer user to learn how to secure his/her own computer.

To learn more about practicing "safe hex," start with these links:

Protect Your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/default.asp

Home Computer Security
http://www.cert.org/homeusers/HomeComputerSecurity/

List of Antivirus Software Vendors
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;49500

Home PC Firewall Guide
http://www.firewallguide.com/

Scumware.com
http://www.scumware.com/

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH
 
griffin said:
Hi Gordon,
excuse the interupt of the thread, but I too am curious about OP's
topic.
is it really true that the attacks come due to non-firewall instal?
I have my win98 (this one) connected to the net and I have never
had a firewall. I do however have an AV.
Is it an XP attack orientated thing primarily?
I have XP pro but it isnt connected, but even though its not, I
certainly would have expected better security.

ta
griff
Click to expand...


There are several well-known and widely publicized Worms that are
specifically designed to attack and infect unpatched and unprotected
Win2K and WinXP machines via networking services that do not exist on
Win9x computers.

For instance:

What You Should Know About the Blaster Worm
http://www.microsoft.com/security/incident/blast.asp


W32.Welchia.Worm a.k.a. W32/Nachi.Worm
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.welchia.worm.html

What You should Know about the Sasser Worm and its Variants
http://www.microsoft.com/security/incident/sasser.asp



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH
 
In
Bonnie said:
I just wanted to ask the experts what antivirus programs and
firewalls you use.
Click to expand...


The problem with a question like this is that you will get many
different opinions. Because there are lots of choices, and many
of them are good, different folks will use different products,
and you may end up as confused as when you started.

That said, I use Norton Anti-Virus. Although most of my fellow
MVPs speak of it with scorn, I've used it for years without a
problem, and have never seen any reason to change.

For a firewall, I use the free version of ZoneAlarm.


Are they idiot proof (for me) or do they need an
expert to configure them correctly?
Click to expand...


Nothing is quite idiot-proof, but they are both easy to use and
configure. An expert shouldn't be required.
 
Bonnie said:
I just wanted to ask the experts what antivirus programs and firewalls you
use. Are they idiot proof (for me) or do they need an expert to configure
them correctly? Today will be my last day running Windows ME. This evening I
will have my new computer, with XP installed on it. I have a cable modem and
my Trend Micro Internet Security subscription will be expiring soon.

Thanks,
Bonnie
Click to expand...
We use the Corporate version of Trend Micro at work and I use the
Internet 2005 suite at my house. I've never had it conflict with
other programs and I've never had a virus get through. Been running
both for over 5 years. IMO renew your subscription.

gls858
 
gls858 said:
We use the Corporate version of Trend Micro at work and I use the
Internet 2005 suite at my house. I've never had it conflict with
other programs and I've never had a virus get through. Been running
both for over 5 years. IMO renew your subscription.

gls858
Click to expand...

I've never had a problem with it either...so I think I'll stick with it.
Norton really messed up my present computer with WinME on it. Left such a
bad taste in my mouth that it would be my last choice.

But thanks to everyone for their input. I will investigate your suggestions
anyway.

Bonnie
 
Hi,

About McAfee, I totally agreed and used it for many many years before moving
to Symantec. I used to think this is the so-called Microsoft in the
anti-virus field but was disappointed that I won't use its products anymore.
 
I personally use Norton's Internet Security 2005 at present [2003 before
that] and find them find both the Firewall and Anti-Virus components to be
very effective. I do not care for McAfee products.There are many free
products out there which do an excellent job; among them, the free version
of Zone Alarm for a Firewall AND the free version of AVG as an Anti-Virus
program. I would try them prior to spending money. The MAIN thing is to keep
them updated [every day if possible]. As a matter of comment, I do not use
the Spam and parental control portions of Norton because of problems in the
past with them. Most ISP's now provide some form of built-in spam control.
For POP E-mail spam control, I am now trying OnlyMyEmail
[http:\\www.onlymyemail.com] which PC World magazine states is the best they
have tested.
Gene K
 
Bonnie said:
I just wanted to ask the experts what antivirus programs and firewalls you
use. Are they idiot proof (for me) or do they need an expert to configure
them correctly? Today will be my last day running Windows ME. This evening
I
will have my new computer, with XP installed on it. I have a cable modem
and
my Trend Micro Internet Security subscription will be expiring soon.

Thanks,
Bonnie
Click to expand...

I use the WinXP SP2 firewall and AVG 7 (free) anti-virus.

--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP, IE/OE
Please respond in Newsgroup only. Do not send email
http://www.fjsmjs.com
Protect your PC
http://www.microsoft.com./athome/security/protect/default.aspx
http://defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com/
 
I have used Panda AV for three years, with no issues. Cost is in the $40-50
range, updates at least daily, easy to work with, I have had no viruses in 3
yrs.
 
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