Protection package that you recommend

[Tiberium Wolf]

My sister bought a laptop and it norton av, norton internet security, etc. She uses this only in the uni far from mine.

What I want to know is what are your recommendations for a protection package that is free and easy to get updates. I mean anti-virus, spyware protection, firewall, etc. Just tell me your opinions and then I'll go test them.

For the anti-virus I am think in going with Avast AV.

[Kurz]

AVG nice Antivirus even checks your email.

Ad aware, SpyDoctor. Both good Spyware seekers.

[mr.muffin]

Avast and AVG are good. Another free anti-virus program you may want to check out is AntiVir PersonalEdition.

As for a firewall solution there's always ZoneAlarm.

Just to add one more good anti-spyware software. Its Spybot Search & Destroy.

[Kurz]

Btw Spydoctor I forgot is Pay to Disinfect...
So Spybot Search & Destroy is your best bet.

[Kimura-sensei]

AdAware is good but afterwards, I always run X Cleaner. It finds stuff that others missed... it's also free.

http://www.spywareinfo.com/xscan.php

I hope it goes without saying, does your sister have the laptop security lock device? Or a motion alarm? Laptops are easily stolen in school.

[SvenTheSweeper]

General Recommendation of Security Sites to Bookmark and Visit:
Wilders Security Forums http://www.wilderssecurity.com/index.php?

SpywareInfo http://www.spywareinfo.com/ http://forums.spywareinfo.com/

Castle Cops http://castlecops.com/

Spyware Warrior http://spywarewarrior.com/index.php http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm

Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts Files: http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

From the site- “You can use a HOSTS file to block ads, banners, 3rd party Cookies, 3rd party page counters, web bugs, and even most hijackers. This is accomplished by blocking the Server that supplies these little gems.”

Wilders is the best in my opinion for overall Security info. Hosts Files are an often neglected security feature that has been helpful in blocking unwanted stuff on the internet.

My Free Security Set-Up
My freeware security setup is geared towards P2P torrents using µtorrent client. Kerio Firewall allows incoming connections with µtorrent. Avast has a P2P Shield that works with most major bittorrent clients. I use HostMan for my HOST files. SnoopFree against keyloggers. MS Windows Defender as a general anti-spyware/malware protection, but I may change it. Don’t turn more than one anti-spyware/malware real-time protection at a time, in order to minimize conflicts between programs.

I tested the set-up to be compatible/conflict-free, not use too much memory, and not slow down system function and internet surfing. It’s been stable on my system for several months. However pick and choose what works best for your system. You may want use an uninstaller or a virtual machine program to test things out.

Virtual machine programs-
Free- http://www.vmware.com/products/player/
VMware Player lets you evaluate new or pre-release software contained in virtual machines, without any installation or configuration hassles. You can also share existing virtual machines with colleagues or friends—just use VMware Player to run any virtual machine.

Don’t know if it’s free or not.
http://juice.altiris.com/svs
http://www.svsdownloads.com/

Also see BufferZone below.

Uninstallers-
Free- ZSoft Uninstaller 2.3 http://www.zsoft.dk/?goto=software
Others- http://fileforum.betanews.com/browse...&sortby=rating


The following are free or become free-versions when the trial period expires.

Realtime protection I use: MS Windows Defender (not as good as the previous versions, but its free)+ Hostman + Avast Home Edition + Winpatrol+ Snoopfree+ Kerio FireWall
+ Spywareblaster


On-Demand Malware I use: Spybot S&D, X-Cleaner, aSquared, Ad-Ware Personal, Ewido, Spycatcher-Express, Malware Destroyer

Also get something like CCleaner to clean up internet and computer data; just don’t install the Yahoo Toolbar that comes with it if you don’t want it. Other than that it's a good tool.

Optional: Virtualization- BufferZone Home v1.70-6 or Single Application Versions

I use it once in awhile. It can slow down computer function if your computer is using a lot of memory or CPU power & doesn’t have any to spare, some websites may not download properly, data and settings saved in virtualized mode need to be used in or transfer out of the virtual environment (which is a hassle to me), the advanced features are not intuitive to use, and BZ requires some learning to understand the program.

However it’s been very effective when I have used it. Check it out to see if it's for you, and it's free to home users.

http://www.trustware.com/products_home.php From the site:
BufferZone utterly prevents the intrusion of hostile code and eliminates signature/definition updating forever. All possible threats are neutralized in the virtual BufferZone where unfamiliar programs can run without damage to systems and with no possibility of data theft or replication by email – even by malware not yet recognized by conventional antivirus or antispyware software.

Protect yourself from Internet threat
In addition to protecting against all forms of malware, easy to deploy and manage BufferZone lets users surf the Internet without damage due to unwanted cookies, history and cyber junk, and test software installations and updates safely, because applications managed by BufferZone do not modify files on disk. Applications running in BufferZone cannot read designated directories such as “My Secure Documents.” BufferZone also allows multiple users to use one system without PC change problems and minimizes system downtime.

Eliminate identity theft
Because BufferZone compartmentalize files, trojan horses containing keyloggers, SpyWare or other malicious code can never access trusted files or report its finding back to its sender.

Sign up on the forum to get the free versions-
http://www.trustware.com/forum/

I hope this helps.

P.S.- I don’t work for any of these companies. I just like trying stuff out, and passing along my findings.

[Tiberium Wolf]

So many that I didn't know it existed.

[SvenTheSweeper]

I forgot to add that I use Cookie Wall with other Real-time protection. I use it to block tracking cookies. The program is not automatic. You have to decide what cookies to block. It uses about 2.6MB of memory. It’s free.

http://www.analogx.com/contents/down...ork/cookie.htm From the site:
" Online privacy is a big deal these days, with huge companies being formed every month to both protect and exploit information gathered about you. By far the most common method used to track individuals on the Internet is the 'Cookie', a small file stored on your machine with information provided by a website... While the majority of the websites out there use this tool as it was intended, more and more are exploiting it in ways that were never intended - that's where AnalogX CookieWall comes in.

AnalogX CookieWall allows you to quickly and easily decide which cookies can stay on your system, and which cookies should go - once you let CookieWall know which ones are unwelcome, it does the rest. CookieWall can be configured to delete cookies as soon as they arrive, to notify you of any new ones, or just queue them up for you to check out at a later date.

CookieWall is currently only compatible with Microsoft Internet Explorer or derived versions (such as NeoPlanet); Netscape support should be available in the near future."

In addition to using CookieWall, you can set your browser to block third party cookies, which often helps block unwanted cookies. In Internet Explorer it's Options>Internet Options> Privacy>Advanced> Under Third Party Cookies, check Block. In Opera it's Tools>Preferences>Advanced>Cookies>Under Third Party Cookies, select Refuse All Cookies.

Some aspects of a website may not work. These are cookies usually involved with ads, tracking stats, and links to other sites. However I've found most legitimate links and ads work fine with Blocking Third Party Cookies. Besides, I don't bother with most ad links anyways. If you don't like it, just reset the Privacy Options.

[shiro83]

Antivirus: AVG, Avast
Antispyware: Windows Defender, Adaware, Spybot - Search & Destroy
Firewall: ZoneAlarm

All of them are free.