Help: Good Security Programs for XP

[rVidia]

Hello, I'm new to the forums and am relatively new to security programs for Windows XP (SP2). I just recently installed the OS and I purchased ZoneAlarm Pro, which I am very pleased with. I also have SpywareGuard and SpywareBlaster, which is currently all I am using to protect my computer.

I am looking into buying eTrust's PestPatrol and AVG anti-virus; from the looks of it, they seem to be good. I'm not particularly sure where to go from here. Are these any good? What are some good security programs? I would greatly appreciate any recommendations. I don't mind buying some if they're worth it.

I was also thinking about using Softsphere's "DefenseWall HIPS" program. I'm not sure if that's worth looking at; does anyone have any input on this program?

Thanks in advance for any help!

EDIT:

Hello, everyone. My name is Ray. Just wanted to let you know everything from here on through the first page are posts from my neice, who's interested in some of the same things I am. It seems she had a few questions Anyway, I'm glad to be here at ABXZone. My first post starts on the second page for those interested. Thanks!

[rVidia]

On the other hand, would I be better off with Diamond CS' ProcessGuard? Ah, I'm not sure what's good anymore. I guess that's what happens when you start dreaming about firewalls and AV programs at night >.<

[Ozzie]

Now that you have registered, I would suggest looking this over...

http://www.abxzone.com/abx_reviews/t...secure_p1.html

[sorrow]

Also, unless they changed it, zonealarm constantly reports to the company.

In my opinion, all anyones needs is this:
avg anti virus
this in your hosts file: http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.txt

copy whats at that site (http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm) to your c:/windows/system32/drivers/etc/hosts file.. just replace whats in there save the file and read only it. Bam, most adds and pop ups will be a thing of the past.

that should pretty much keep you rocking.

[rVidia]

Ozzie: Thanks for the welcome ^_^ The article was a great help. I especially appreciated the services table, so I was able to disable some unnecessary ones.

After reading some other threads, apparently some security programs can conflict with others. This is where I need some additional help. All I have thus far is ZoneAlarm Pro as my firewall. To my knowledge, you should also have a good anti-virus program as well as a HIPS program... (HOSTS file is covered, thanks to sorrow.) I'm not sure if that's the best way to go, but if there are any suggestions as to good AV (I was thinking about AVG's) and HIPS programs I could use (paid-for or freeware) that would Not conflict with ZA Pro, I would appreciate the help, especially with a HIPS program, as I'm not sure what the actual benefit of using one would even be - edit: rather, what a HIPS program is/does.

Thanks

[sorrow]

I don't think you really need "Host Instrusion Prevention System" but thats just me (:

Hell, i have friends who don't use firewalls or anti-virus apps and haven't gotten anything yet....though i find it hard to accept anything from them via e-mail or chat client lol

[Ilya Rabinovich]

Originally Posted by sorrow

I don't think you really need "Host Instrusion Prevention System" but thats just me (:

OK, and how you are going to protect yourself from 0-day, unknown by your AV malware? Could you explain it?

Originally Posted by sorrow

Hell, i have friends who don't use firewalls or anti-virus apps and haven't gotten anything yet....though i find it hard to accept anything from them via e-mail or chat client lol

So am I- I don't use AV and firewall, only self-written defense systems. And had no problems with viruses/malware at all (for all 12+ years).

[rVidia]

Okay, here’s what I’ve come up with. First, I got a refund on ZA Pro. I didn't want to have to pay for annual updates. Aside from that... I’ve found I don’t need to pay for security programs to achieve relatively good protection, so I’m layering. For virus protection, I’ve decided to use AVG Free Edition, and for trojan protection I’m using ewido anti-spyware. Although it is "anti-spyware," ewido provides protection against trojans, am I correct? My third layer of protection is against spyware, for which I use Windows Defender. The last program I am currently using is Prevx Home as an intrusion detection program. I also use the MVPS HOSTS file (thanks, sorrow) and just the Windows Firewall with no exceptions except file/printer sharing. That's it. IYO, is this good enough protection?

[FearFactory]

Originally Posted by rVidia

Okay, here’s what I’ve come up with. First, I got a refund on ZA Pro. I didn't want to have to pay for annual updates. Aside from that... I’ve found I don’t need to pay for security programs to achieve relatively good protection, so I’m layering. For virus protection, I’ve decided to use AVG Free Edition, and for trojan protection I’m using ewido anti-spyware. Although it is "anti-spyware" it provided protection against Trojans, am I correct? My third layer of protection is anti-spyware, for which I use Windows Defender. The last program I am currently using is Prevx Home as an intrusion detection program. I also use the MVPS HOSTS file (thanks, sorrow) but just the Windows Firewall with no exceptions except file/printer sharing. That's it. Is this good enough protection IYO?

For anti-spyware you can add AD-Aware SE Personal and Spybot. Windows firewall is very weak, there are good free firewalls like Sunbel Kerio and Free ZoneAlarm.

[fvbounty]

You could also just buy a cheap 4 port router for $29 and have a hardware firewall and with XP's builtin firewall you will be covered.......I've been using free AVG on all my machines and I've been very happy, good choice...

[FearFactory]

Originally Posted by fvbounty

You could also just buy a cheap 4 port router for $29 and have a hardware firewall

That's what i need, an adsl router with SPI firewall.

[CYCLOPS]

I swear by:
Nod32 AV
Zone Alarm free
Firefox browser
AdAware SE Plus with AdWatch, not for the AdAware but for the AdWatch which locks down the registry against any modifications.
AdAware never finds anything to remove as nothing ever gets in.

I have never had an infestation of any kind, including adware, on any of my machines using this combo.

I suggest you visit Kickenhardware.net where we have a continuing debate on security products and many long discussion threads.

[rVidia]

Thanks for the suggestions!

Cyclops: I understand NOD32 is one of the best-ranked AV programs (and the addded bonus -- it's not much of a resource hog). I have been looking into several AV programs and am convinced to purchase Nod. The only thing that's holding me back is the fact I can't afford annual updates. If only there was a "forever" subscription ;-)

[polonyc2]

Kaspersky Anti-Virus 6.0 is an excellent anti-virus...ranked right up there with NOD32...

and there is a way to "extend" the subscription term limit...wink wink

[rVidia]

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

polonyc2: Is there?

I'm thinking about yet another setup. I've been trying various security setups on my laptop before I install the programs on my main PC, as I know I've been doing a lot of installing/uninstalling. Do you think an intrusion detection program is really necessary?