Question:
have read in the papers recently of all the problems people are having with stolen identities etc and want to ask those who know about these things if I am doing enough.
I run windows XP and have the firewall. I used to have norton but when it expired I now have the free AVG which I regularly update. I do a full system scan about every week or two. I also have some spy ware ( cant think but it may be spybot) which I also scan about 2-3 times a month. As far as I know I dont have any p to 2 programmes and didnt join sky by pc due to this.I have online banks so was worried about passwords/ket strokes etc. Do you think I am doing enough to protect me? I have looked at a couple of sites that store passwords but have wondered how secure they are as well.
Answers:
I'd start by using a better firewall - the standard one in XP only checks incoming traffic, not outgoing (the sort of thing a Trojan would try & exploit). There are a number of free ones such as Zone Alarm & Sygate (a quick Google search will track them down).
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I agree that you should install a proper firewall like which is much better than the pathetic one in windoze.
You say that you scan with Spybot 2-3 times a month but when did you last update it? The new definitions tend to be released on a Friday, so update every week and after downloading the update, click on the Immunize button to apply added protection to your PC. Have you ever done this?
There are now better free anti-virus programs available, like which is based on one of the best there is.
HTH
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Echo all said above. Good advice.
Read this handy little guide too ...
It will take you through the steps to a better protected computer. All the links to the downloads are there too so you just "click and install".
The tutroial was written by Steamwiz, a Microsoft MVP and computer security expert.
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thanks all, thats very useful. I update the spy bot every time i use it.
if I install another firewall like the one suggested I am assuming I would have to diable the current one first?
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thanks all, thats very useful. I update the spy bot every time i use it.
if I install another firewall like the one suggested I am assuming I would have to diable the current one first?
Have you used the Immunize function of Spybot?
I would recommend Zone Alarm and have never had any problems with it on many systems using various operating systems. When you install, simply disable the windoze firewall in the Security centre.
HTH
Answers:
Have you used the Immunize function of Spybot?
HTH
to be honest I dont know. will have a look later when I get home
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to be honest I dont know. will have a look later when I get home
Fine, open Spybot and click on Help, Tutorial to find out how to get the best out of this useful program.
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zonealarm can be a pain in the !!! - wouldn't reccomend it. If yo uhave a router with a hardware firewall that and the windows one is more than sufficient - hardware firewalls are (in most cases) infinatly better than their software counterparts
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hardware firewalls are (in most cases) infinatly better than their software counterparts
That's like comparing apples and oranges. They are two different forms of protection, and the best protection is done in layers, and different layers at that. So both a software firewall and hardware firewall are advisable.
What a software firewall will do that a hardware one won't (or in some cases not as easily):
- Protect on a per machine basis. You may have different settings for different machines.
- Protect on a per application basis. A hardware firewall can merely block a port, it won't know which application is using that port.
- Block outbound connections (leaks). This is possible on a hardware firewall, but doing so is a huge inconvenience, and a pain to maintain.
- Protect you against internal attacks. A hardware firewall (with regards to most users on this site) just blocks inbound external attacks.
The windows firewall isn't as good as something like Kerio or ZoneAlarm as:
- It doesn't block outbound connections, one of the key bonuses of using a software firewall.
- It has an open API that allows local applications to open up ports as they wish. A huge flaw in its design.
- Less functionality, simpler rules etc... in comparison to other free products such as Kerio and ZoneAlarm.
Answers:
Download and enable SpywareBlaster from too - this will prevent your PC from connecting to some known malicious websites.
The most important thing with all these anti-spyware and anti-virus programs is that you keep them up-to-date. I know that when I update Spybot/SpywareBlaster and enable the protection, it only does this for my Windows username - I then need to log in as the other users and enable the protection for them too. Strangely enough AVG seems to update correctly for all users...
Finally, I wouldn't recommend ANY password-remembering service. The only one that can't be hacked is in your head! (Or at least hacking your head is unlikely to yield any passwords!!!)
Answers:
Download and enable SpywareBlaster from too - this will prevent your PC from connecting to some known malicious websites.
The most important thing with all these anti-spyware and anti-virus programs is that you keep them up-to-date. I know that when I update Spybot/SpywareBlaster and enable the protection, it only does this for my Windows username - I then need to log in as the other users and enable the protection for them too. Strangely enough AVG seems to update correctly for all users...
All this (and more) is detailed in the guide referred to in post number 4 above.
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Surprised no-one had mentioned Ewido - it's free if you can remember to do updates & scans manually
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Ewido free version can remove threats but, no, there is no realtime protection and no "automatic" updates. The inference in the orignal question was that the user wants to avoid getting infected in the first place not just "fix" them when infections occur.
Yes, Ewido will do all you say if you pay for it. You make a good point. Maybe this should have been mentioned. I think that, in our haste, we have all been true to the ethos of this site and trying to help worriedwife with free programs.
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dont forget to get Peergaurdian2 its really good
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IMO the best ways for you to afford "identity theft" are these :
1) switch to Firefox instead of IE
2) avoid all P2P software
3) Install an anti virus suite such as f-secure
4) Don't open any attachments you receive from people you don't know
5) Don't open any attachments from anyone if you aren't expecting them
6) Use your brain. Very little comes for free... all those "click here to get free stuff" banners u see.. don't click them.. especially if you are using Internet Explorer.
Answers:
have read in the papers recently of all the problems people are having with stolen identities etc and want to ask those who know about these things if I am doing enough.
I run windows XP and have the firewall. I used to have norton but when it expired I now have the free AVG which I regularly update. I do a full system scan about every week or two. I also have some spy ware ( cant think but it may be spybot) which I also scan about 2-3 times a month. As far as I know I dont have any p to 2 programmes and didnt join sky by pc due to this.I have online banks so was worried about passwords/ket strokes etc. Do you think I am doing enough to protect me? I have looked at a couple of sites that store passwords but have wondered how secure they are as well.
I use AVG and its a fantastic product - especially being that its free also. Would recommend Zone Alarm as an additional firewall to the XP one (free version also available....)