In need of armor

[JewishIntent]

Ok well I just had to give my comp to a friend for about a week so he could track down and repair it due to some nasty virus. Now that my comp is back up and running again i really really really want to avoid a repeat. After asking my friend what the best virus blocking program was, I learned how different ones protect in different ways. He also told me that while more is generally better, some of these programs tend to conflict with each other and to go here to find out the best combo.

SO I'm here and this is my question:

What wold be the best, in your guys opinion, combination of firewall, pop-up blocker, virus scanner etc. that i can get on my computer without them conflicting with each other? I would prefer at this point to have as many as i can. Thanks in advance.

[morganlefay]

One of each will be fine.....as long as you keep them updated

What operating system.??

How do you connect to the internet??

MLF

[JewishIntent]

im running windows xp home with service pack one. only reason i dont have service pack two yet is because i want to get all of these programs on my computer before i connect to the internet. as for my isp i use sbc yahoo dsl with the 2wire connection that converts from my phone jack in the wall into a usb port.

[morganlefay]

Well patching your machine is a must!!

Any antivirus will do...as long as you keep it updated....I tend to stick with known companies.

Google bar has a pop up blocker as does the newest version of IE

There are several Antispyware programs...you can get an all-in-one from symantec.

Put a router (hardware firewall) in front of your internet connection...which will block worms and malicious scans from accessing your computer...unless you open up ports.

Search and read info on this site\google.

Watch your surfing\download habits..and opening attachments or email.

There....

As for multiple programs doing the same thing...all it does is chew resources, cause conflicts and is not nessecary...IMHO ..of course.

Patching and updates is your best starting point.

MLF

[Nokia]

I use (on my home PC!) zone alarm 5.5 security suite, this is my firewall and (not so fast) anti-virus.
As for pop-up blocker using a properly configured Firefox instead of IE tends to stop pop-ups.

Zona alarm as it is easy for a beginer to use and configure and does not take up a lot of system resources like other F/W's & A/V's do!

[Aspman]

programs on my computer before i connect to the internet

Good thinking batman

Try searching around the forums and the tutorials. There have been quite a few posts about what to put on a pc to keep it safer.

Post back with your choices.

[tsmonkey]

Definitely run Ad-aware, Spybot and one antivirus program. More than one antivirus programs running at the same time can cause problems. See (http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT...00031316555206).

Ad-Aware (www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/)
Spybot Search & Destroy (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/)

For antivirus My choice is Symantec
http://www.symantec.com/product/index_homecomp.html

But there are many to choose from (Free and $$$) in no particular order:
McAfee (http://www.mcafee.com/), AVG (http://www.grisoft.com/doc/1), ClamWin (http://www.clamwin.com/) ... Just to name a few.

You can (and probably should) run a personal firewall if for nothing else than seeing what on your box is trying to make outgoing connections. ;-)

I like Kerio Personal Firewall
http://www.kerio.com/kerio.html

If you have a high-speed connection you can (and probably should) install a firewall/router. Like something from LinkSys (http://www.linksys.com).

-ts

[JewishIntent]

I did some looking around and am thinking about going with firefox instead of ie, well come on why wouldn't I, and useing zone alarm, ad subtract, and that google bar. One of the it guys here at work just suggested a program called Black Ice, and said it was pretty much all i would need. What do you all think of black ice?

[jm459]

Originally posted here by JewishIntent

What wold be the best, in your guys opinion, combination of firewall, pop-up blocker, virus scanner etc. that i can get on my computer without them conflicting with each other? I would prefer at this point to have as many as i can. Thanks in advance.

My answer would be , whatever works best for the individual user. Having used various combinations / mixes over the years , my advice would be to experiment and use what you find easiest and most suitable for your individual set-up, and of course one that works. The advice you are looking for at this level means ****, unless you are comparing like for like, so you will get lots of different personal opinions. Go do some work on your problem and make your own decision

[JewishIntent]

as to adding a firewall/router i ask this, my computer is not the main computer in the house as far as our isp is concerned. the actuall router is directly connected to my mother's computer and then into the wall which is how the other computers are able to connect with it. would adding a physical router/firewall on my computers end give me any problems?