I'm just about to get a broadband connection and am conscious that i'll be leaving my pc on sometimes when leaving downloads running.

At the moment, I don't really browse anywhere risky, am vigilant with emails and switch off my machine when not in use. I have vista, up to date Defender and Vista's firewall is properly in place. That's it though.

What security does everyone else recommend ? a dedicated software firewall? which anti virus?

Should I surf from an ubuntuu instance inside a vmware - would that stop infected files processes getting to the host vista machine?


thanks

 

I am 18 stone and i reckon you need a good firewall

 

The nod32 package is popular with folks on here, I have it on three machines and find it low footprint and easy to use. Don't have virus problems but i do like to see what programs are accessing the internet and the firewall does a good job. Things like - excel on exit, word on exit, ntfs defrag on starting plus all the trials, demos and shareware I download.
I don't like the built in one from MS, advanced configuration is a pain and I'm willing to bet the MS firewall doesn't ever stop ms components doing whatever theny want to do. Me, I don't want my disk defrag tool phoning home.

 

SM

HS - Is "ESET Smart Security 4" a good package? It seems to have NOD32 in it.

 

Yeah, sorry, should have said. That's the suite, just checked and mine is 3 so will need to look into that. I got the multi pricing and worked out well priced.

 

Got v4 downloaded under my existing licence but PITA that v3 has to be uninstalled first.
Anyone done it? Does it remember settings and rules?

 

Kaspersky is another one for as its well priced and stops pretty much most things (as nothing out there is 100%) I have used it over 2 years with lots of internet use and no viruses/trojans/worms etc.
Well priced also (you can get it for less than 15 quid for the full internet suit, anti spam, firewall, popup, av etc)

Tony

 

You should probably get an Anti-virus program of some description. I use Kaspersky and my wife uses AVG (Free), both seem to be pretty good. I chose Kaspersky as I visit more dodgy sites than my wife and wanted more protection.

Steve

 

I use avg free with my system and vistas firewall.

Been on for two years not had a virus yet. Even scanned with nod32 because people on here slated avg. No viruses found spending stuck with avg

 

its like asking what protective clothing do you need to start playing football in a mine field

dont play in minefields and you dont need much protective clothing

if you play in mindfields you will get blown up -- how badly, anyones guess


massive yes, play football in a virtual minefield -- your safe

 

thanks hodgy, I have an ubuntuu instance set up already.

I still like the ESET package as it's all in.

 

you just need to protect your host OS -- but any decent natted firewall will do, keep it patched to, and make sure your firewall cannot be managed from its wan port

but once you get the the setup mentioned above going thats pretty much as safe as it comes

 

one of the beenfits of vista is that u dont need a virus checker. been running vista since it 1st come out and am a heavy user and never had a any issues

 

Yep, I'd also recommend Kaspersky Internet Security. I've used it for a couple years and it's been excellent. Pretty cheap as well. The 3 PC version is even cheaper then the 1 PC version on Amazon. Only £16.99 (down from £49.99). Kaspersky Internet Security 2009, 3-Desktop, 1 year Subscription (PC): Amazon.co.uk: Software.

 

isn't defender anti spyware?

 

i got the eset smart security - GRC shields up couldn't see a thing

 

sound like you know what you doing chefdude

 

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