Help: Good Security Programs for XP

[rVidia]

Hello, everyone. I'd like to introduce myself - my name is Ray. I tend to use the alias rVidia on forums, as I get quite the chuckle out of it myself. I think "rayVidia" - the new nVidia. Aside from that, this is my first time posting here. My neice is interested in many of the same things as I myself am, including security programs - I think you've met her already Anyhow, thanks for helping her out with a few things. I am looking forward to being a part of ABXZone.

[fvbounty]

Originally Posted by rVidia

Hello, everyone. I'd like to introduce myself - my name is Ray. I tend to use the alias rVidia on forums, as I get quite the chuckle out of it myself. I think "rayVidia" - the new nVidia. Aside from that, this is my first time posting here. My neice, Rachael, is interested in many of the same things as I myself am, including security programs - I think you've met her already Anyhow, thanks for helping her out with a few things. I am looking forward to being a part of ABXZone.

Nice to have you here Ray, enjoy the stay...

[wallijonn]

Originally Posted by rVidia

I'm not particularly sure where to go from here.

The first thing I would do is to make sure that I create Restricted / Limited accounts when I access the internet and download emails. Heck, I'd create an email account even if it web based and they do anti-virus checking. But that is just me...

My problem with some firewalls and AV apps. is that a lot of them are written to run in Administrator mode, like some games. What I want is to install the programs through the Admin account, logout, log into my Restricted accounts and have the Admin installed apps. running in the background (OS). There is no reason why I should have to run updates, download updates, etc. through the Restricted accounts. In this regard McAfee and Kerio Firewall were a good match: McAfee would download the .dats "through" the Restricted account but I would need to logout and into the Admin account to install the updates.

Running my present firewall with BitDefender is a royal pain. There is no way that I would install ZoneAlarm on my system (too many bad experiences from previous versions).

Installing a HOST file? Admin account.
Updating and running SpywareGuard, SpywareBlaster, SpyBot?, etc. - all done through the Admin account. But having to run SpyBot in a Restricted account just so that it scans its own part of the registry will need to be "Run As" Admin. That's when I pull the ethernet cable from my router, least there be a key logger running somewhere, and it is only run after I have scanned the whole system (Admin account.)

Security is more than just installing the programs, it entails being paranoid.

[rVidia]

Originally Posted by wallijonn

...install the programs through the Admin account, logout, log into my Restricted accounts and have the Admin installed apps. running in the background (OS).

A bit of a hassle, don't you think? If you're just concerned about running internet and email with limited rights, why not try this method? -->> http://www.kickenhardware.net/forum/...ead.php?t=3157 (I wrote this at another forum -- very knowledgeable, friendly folks over there)