Vista Security: What are You Using?

[Znod]

Originally Posted by Znod

Here is what I am doing currently much of the time: http://www.vistababble.com/forums/vi...-thoughts.html. But, when I am not using a VM, I use Bit-Defender (AV and malware) and ZoneAlarm (free). That's it.

I got tired of fooling with Virtual systems after having a few problems. So, I am back to standard security measures--with one very good new addition.

On Desktop
BitDefener 64-bit--AV/Malware
Comodo Firewall--64-bit (at least as good as ZoneAlarm--also available in 32-bit)
ThreatFire (if and when available in 64-bit)--Zero Day Threats and Difficult to Detect Already Installed BadWare--An incredibly good complement to what's above--Check it out at PCtools.com.

On HP Laptop
BitDefener 32-bit--AV/Malware
ZoneAlare Firewall (free)--Only available in 32-bit
ThreatFire--Zero Day Threats and Difficult to Detect Already Installed BadWare--An incredibly good complement to what's above--Check it out at PCtools.com.

On Dell Laptop
SpyWare Doctor 32-bit--AV/Malware
ZoneAlare Firewall (free)--Only available in 32-bit
ThreatFire--Zero Day Threats and Difficult to Detect Already Installed BadWare--An incredibly good complement to what's above--Check it out at PCtools.com.

[CrowdAds]

[backspin2006]

avg free edition (updated daily)
windows defender
windows firewall on
immunize with spybot s & d
do ewido scan every week

[airman]

Security update if anyone was waiting for the Pro version of Zone Labs it is out and stable so far on my 3 systems do a clean install. Version 7.1.248.0 is the vista Pro version 32 bit

[Znod]

Thanks. I'll check it out, but the free and Pro are supposed to provide the same benefits once ZoneAlarm settles down with the alerts. Right? The free version seldomly gives me an alert any more. And, when it does, I pay attention.

[airman]

The one feature about the Pro version i always liked was the anti-spyware cleaner which I have do a scan every evening. Plus I do not let it do the scan at first startup and not do anything auto that way you have more control. I have used it since day one on all my systems and a couple of people I know also use Pro. The site was a little bogged down for downloading the other night. Good luck. I will have my new key for Ultimate from Newegg I hope in a couple days.

[Znod]

Great on your key. I see about Pro. I use Bit Torrent or Spy Ware Doctor depending on the machine.

[Mehmet]

I am using Nod32 for antispyware and antivirus..

[Znod]

Good setup. You might want to consider adding a free firewall such as Commodo. Also, Threatfire is a good free unusual approach to protection.

[rchase14]

CA Security Suite (free for Road Runner users)
Vista Firewall
Linksys router
Windows Defender (seems useless but enabled anyway)
UAC is off

[Znod]

Another vote is cast for UAC off.

[felix8406]

I tried to use a supposedly "key generator" application on a Win XP PC. I knew about the possibilities of a virus infection, but fell safe knowing that I had AOL's free Mccafee AV software installed. However, though Mccafee detected and supposedly deleted a Trojan virus, it let the virus through. The Trojan took over IE7, stop Windows from receiving any updates, turned automatic update off, kept bringing new browser windows, stopped Firefox dead in its track, slow down the PC, didn't allow any anti-spyware application to run or update its database and other issues. My first thought was to reinstall Win XP (it's dual-boot with Vista), but I just have a regular Win XP disk w/out SP2/SP3 and didn't feel like messing around with reinstalling XP and then downloading and reinstalling all the updates.

All this occurred last night. This morning I decided to try and get rid of the Trojan and was successful at it without spending any money on software that might or not work. These are the steps I took and hope you find them useful someday:

1. Downloaded (used another PC) Windows Defender and Avast Free AV and saved them to a clean USB drive. You won't want any files in the USB drive because the drive may get infected when installed to the infected PC.
2. Disconnected the PC from the Internet and disabled System Restore. The virus may get hidden in one of the restore points.
3. Uninstall Mccafee. I figured my PC was already infected, so removing Mccafee was not going to hurt the PC much. But the main reason I removed Mccafee is because installing two AV software on a system creates conflicts. When asked if I wanted to Restart the PC to complete the removal process, I selected "NO".
4. I installed Avast Free Home Edition and selected the Scan at Startup option. When the PC started, Avast began a scan of the system. These took a while to complete, but it detected and deleted five infected files.
5. When Windows started, Avast brought a warning about a Trojan virus. I tried the delete, rename and quarantine options, but the warning kept popping up. So I selected the "do nothing" option, restarted the PC and Avast completed cleaning the system. When the PC restarted, it ran normal, I was able to turn on automatic updates, IE and Firefox ran perfectly and Avast didn't detect any viruses.
6. I then installed and ran Windows Defender; it immediately detected two "critical" spy-ware, which it deleted.
7. Just in case, I downloaded and reinstalled Win XP3.

Now my PC is back to normal again...as fast as ever.

[samsu]

I m From Bangladesh and having vast problems in my Pc for erros and virus

[crabby]

Grab a free anti virus like AVG... if you don't protect your PC this is bound to happen if you go on dodgy sites. You can also use Firefox as your web browser with the NoScript extension which will stop all websites from activating code on your computer.

crabby

[felix8406]

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Feel free to browse my blog, leave comments, asks questions or make suggestions.

Feel free to browse my blog, leave comments, asks questions or make suggestions.