Security
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If you think you already have a virus, go to my "Virus Help" page.
Also read: "PC Security: Your Essential Software Toolbox" |
In my opinion, there can be too much protection. How? When the protection you have interferes with your capability to accomplish your tasks. You may have an anti-virus, a firewall, a spyware program, a security suite, and an ad preventing program. I have seen five levels of defense on some computers; most recently one that was newly formatted but was crawling along because of all the protection.
There are three “commercial” programs out there (I’m sure there are more, but I’ll stick with the first three). These are Norton, McAfee, and Kaspersky. My last choice would be Norton. In my opinion it has always been way too big, and the bigger they are, the slower they get. McAfee would be my runner up. My first choice in purchased anti-virus software would be the Kaspersky suite. I actually use it on one of my computers and have been very pleased.
There are also three “free” programs. The first, and for a long time was my favorite, is AVG Free Edition. Nice thing about this is that you don’t have to register. You just download and install. The not-so-nice thing about this is that sometimes you have to look hard to find the free edition and when you do, you need to go through several clicks to get to the download file. But what’s worse is that when there is an upgrade, unless the user is really careful, they will be led to the website where they purchase the full version instead of getting the upgrade of the free version. I know AVG is in the business of making money, but I don’t like what seems to be their underhandedness. To top things off, I’ve heard many reports of AVG getting bigger and slower than what it used to be and for these reasons I’ve stopped installing it. If you are an AVG fan, the best way to download and install it is to completely forget the AVG web site and go to Ninite and download it from there.
The second “free” program is Avast. Unlike AVG you do have to register to use Avast after the first 30 days. Registration is free, but it’s just one more place where you need to send your email address. I’ve found Avast to work well, but my only complaint with it is I always have a hard time figuring out the control panel on it, where to press to do something. It doesn’t seem so clear cut to me. You can also download and install Avast through Ninite.
Lately I’ve been installing Microsoft Security Essentials. It is free. It is light. It is easy to use. Some have concerns with it’s effectiveness but I haven’t encountered any problems with it. And, like the others, you can download and install this through Ninite also.
For a review of various anti-virus programs click here.
What about other forms of protection? Ad-aware, Spybot, Firewall? I don't use them. I only use an anti-virus and a filtering program.
Filtering
There are two options that I recommend for filtering. The one I currently use is a free one called K9 Web Protection. It is a very small program that will warn you if you are going into a web site that has harmful material. Simple as that. With K9 I don’t have to worry about nasty web sites that leave garbage in my computer. K9 also does something else - you can set it to block any type of web site that you find offensive. You always have the option of bypassing the protection with a password (if you’re sure a site is OK), but at least it’s there.
Another filtering option that is highly recommended is Bsecure. Bsecure not only allows you to filter your own computer, but it can also provide filtering for all computers that connect through your router. It also has lots and lots of great features - particularly if you have children in the house. If you have kids, Bsecure is a must!
Bottom Line: Use Microsoft Security Essentials with the Windows build in firewall and K9 Web Protection and you will be secure and your computer will not slow down.
There are three “commercial” programs out there (I’m sure there are more, but I’ll stick with the first three). These are Norton, McAfee, and Kaspersky. My last choice would be Norton. In my opinion it has always been way too big, and the bigger they are, the slower they get. McAfee would be my runner up. My first choice in purchased anti-virus software would be the Kaspersky suite. I actually use it on one of my computers and have been very pleased.
There are also three “free” programs. The first, and for a long time was my favorite, is AVG Free Edition. Nice thing about this is that you don’t have to register. You just download and install. The not-so-nice thing about this is that sometimes you have to look hard to find the free edition and when you do, you need to go through several clicks to get to the download file. But what’s worse is that when there is an upgrade, unless the user is really careful, they will be led to the website where they purchase the full version instead of getting the upgrade of the free version. I know AVG is in the business of making money, but I don’t like what seems to be their underhandedness. To top things off, I’ve heard many reports of AVG getting bigger and slower than what it used to be and for these reasons I’ve stopped installing it. If you are an AVG fan, the best way to download and install it is to completely forget the AVG web site and go to Ninite and download it from there.
The second “free” program is Avast. Unlike AVG you do have to register to use Avast after the first 30 days. Registration is free, but it’s just one more place where you need to send your email address. I’ve found Avast to work well, but my only complaint with it is I always have a hard time figuring out the control panel on it, where to press to do something. It doesn’t seem so clear cut to me. You can also download and install Avast through Ninite.
Lately I’ve been installing Microsoft Security Essentials. It is free. It is light. It is easy to use. Some have concerns with it’s effectiveness but I haven’t encountered any problems with it. And, like the others, you can download and install this through Ninite also.
For a review of various anti-virus programs click here.
What about other forms of protection? Ad-aware, Spybot, Firewall? I don't use them. I only use an anti-virus and a filtering program.
Filtering
There are two options that I recommend for filtering. The one I currently use is a free one called K9 Web Protection. It is a very small program that will warn you if you are going into a web site that has harmful material. Simple as that. With K9 I don’t have to worry about nasty web sites that leave garbage in my computer. K9 also does something else - you can set it to block any type of web site that you find offensive. You always have the option of bypassing the protection with a password (if you’re sure a site is OK), but at least it’s there.
Another filtering option that is highly recommended is Bsecure. Bsecure not only allows you to filter your own computer, but it can also provide filtering for all computers that connect through your router. It also has lots and lots of great features - particularly if you have children in the house. If you have kids, Bsecure is a must!
Bottom Line: Use Microsoft Security Essentials with the Windows build in firewall and K9 Web Protection and you will be secure and your computer will not slow down.