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Which security programs do you really need?

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Dirki's Avatar
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31-May-2009, 09:08 AM #1
Which security programs do you really need?
There are so many tests, opinions about which security programs / kind of security programs one should have running on the PC (or not) to protect it for all kinds of malware. So which kind of programs (anti-virus-, anit-spyware / -ad-ware, firewall, programs offering a combination of that) do one really need, which (kind of) programs are useful?

As far as I know there are three categories of programs one should use:

1. malware program (protecting / blocking / detecting for spyware, adware, Trojan Horses...)
2. firewall program (protecting for unwanted access from / to your system)
3. anti-virus program (protecting for viruses and similar...I am just wondering what else for..)

Is that right?

And which programs (e.g. Malwarebytes, SuperAntiSpyware, AntiVir, SypBot & Destroy, ZoneAlarm...) do really a good work?

Nice greetings, Dirk
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31-May-2009, 11:41 AM #2
Hi and Welcome to TSG,
A very intereting article on that subject at TechSupportAlert - an indpendent site free of ads etc:
http://www.techsupportalert.com/how-...re-your-pc.php

Richard
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31-May-2009, 12:47 PM #3
I use only one program that covers all you ask for.I used to have 4/5 different programs until I found this one.I have been using it for 3 years now and it works great.I actually forget about security knowing how good this one is.
http://www.eeye.com/html/products/blink/index.html
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31-May-2009, 01:06 PM #4
I personally take the dedicated program route,as compared to a suite.
Avira AntiVir (free)
Comodo Personal Firewall
SuperAntiSpyware (on demand scanning)
MalwareBytes (on demand scanning)
SpywareBlaster (on startup)
WinPatrol (on startup) Gotta have Scotty.
Jason08's Avatar
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31-May-2009, 01:42 PM #5
I use MBAM, McAfee Anti-virus, and McAfee firewall.
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31-May-2009, 02:07 PM #6
  • ESET Smart Security (NOD32 antivirus + firewall + anti-spyware)
  • Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (free or real-time scanning)
  • SuperAntiSpyware (free)
  • SpywareBlaster (free)
  • Common sense!
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31-May-2009, 02:59 PM #7
I won't post my setup since that would just start another dissussion I don't feel like going into.....again

What you need depends on how high risk of a web surfer you are,
If you constantly download questionable programs from unknown places and browse to dangerous sites then you'll need more security.

But I would agree with what everyone else has posted and basically for most users it should be
1 Firewall
1 Anti-Virus
Supplement with some Anti-spyware scanners like Malwarebytes' and/or SUPERAntispyware

And like Phantom010 said "common sense", probably one of the most important steps to computer security.
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Phantom010's Avatar
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31-May-2009, 03:02 PM #8
And... don't download through P2P or torrent applications and stay away from porn sites...
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31-May-2009, 03:07 PM #9
kaspersky internet security 2009 is fantastic for me. I haven't had any malware for almost 2-3 months. Thats a bit surprising because I am a very heavy downloader.
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31-May-2009, 03:08 PM #10
Quote:
I am a very heavy downloader
Shame on you!
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31-May-2009, 03:12 PM #11
I know.
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31-May-2009, 03:12 PM #12
I dont use p2p s*** any more.
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31-May-2009, 03:21 PM #13
Consumer reports magazine recently tested out quite a few. ESET smart security did the best, so i recently got it. works perfectly and fast.
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31-May-2009, 03:48 PM #14
It a balancing act of trade-offs. Some of them are: Cost; Resource Consumption; Effort to Configure/Maintain; Effectiveness; Risk; Ability; and so forth.

Everyone must make these decisions for themselves. Like everything else, it does take some effort to make informed decisions.
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01-Jun-2009, 02:31 PM #15
to echo whats been said above, a (properly configured) router, an anti-virus program and common sense is ample protection. common sense being the MOST important thing.
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