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Resolved Are these Security Programs enough to protect my computer?

Discussion in 'Security and Privacy' started by Evan Omo, 2008/05/15.

  1. 2008/05/15
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff Thread Starter

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    Hi all. I know that viruses, spyware and adware are becmoing more sophisticated and becoming harder to detect by Antivirus and Antispyware programs. I am currently running Windows Vista Ultimate with all of the security settings set to their recommended levels. I have Windows Defender, Spybot Search and Destroy, Spyware Terminator, Spyware Blaster, and Mcafee Siteadvisor on my computer as well as on my parents computer which is running Windows XP. I usually scan the computers every week but I have never found anything on either of the machines. So is the security software that I have installed enough? Do I need any other protection for my system? Are there any programs that are more effective at preventing and detecting malware than the programs I have now? I just want to make sure that I am adequetly protected in case something does try and get into my system. Thanks for the feedback! :cool:
     
    Evan Omo,
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  2. 2008/05/15
    James

    James Inactive

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    I observed a number of anti-spyware programs but no antivirus program. Do you have one?
     
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  4. 2008/05/15
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

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    Also, using Windows firewall?
     
    broni,
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  5. 2008/05/15
    TeMerc

    TeMerc Inactive Alumni

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    TeMerc,
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  6. 2008/05/16
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff Thread Starter

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    I'm using Spyware Terminator which also includes Clam Antivirus, I have the Windows Firewall turned on and I am using Spybots hosts file. Is that enough?
     
    Evan Omo,
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  7. 2008/05/16
    James

    James Inactive

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    Yes, it's probably enough. The Windows firewall that came with Vista has a two-way capability (which the former firewall lacked) so it should probably suffice. Nothing really can take the place of common sense (i.e. do not click on hyperlinks or attachments in your e-mail; do not navigate to questionable sites, etc.) so it goes without saying that using one's common sense is the most important protection we can have. And keep your MS critical updates up-to-date. You should be fine.
     
    James,
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  8. 2008/05/16
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff Thread Starter

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    Ok, thanks James! I appreciate your response. I always keep my system up to date with the latest patches and I use a lot of common sense when browsing the web. I guess I won't be needing any more new security programs since it looks like I am adequetly protected. I just wanted to make sure that my system would be secure enough because you never know what could get into your computer these days. :rolleyes:
     
    Last edited: 2008/05/16
    Evan Omo,
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  9. 2008/05/16
    mflynn

    mflynn Inactive

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    Hi Evan

    If you are behind a Router as opposed to directly connected to a Cable/DSL modem then the Windows firewall is suffecient.

    A NAT Router (is not a firewall) but is a natural firewall by essence of what it does.

    If you are connected directly to a Cable/DSL modem then you need more Firewall. Check out COMODO!

    I have used Xclean_Micro for years. Used to use it as a pre cleaner before SpyBot and Adaware and I always always run them both back to back. Then one day I ran XClean after both Spybot and Adaware and it found items they both missed. Since then I always run it last and have seen it find things they missed quite often. No install just run it, when it expires download another.

    http://www.xblock.com/download/xclean_micro.exe


    Recently I have become impressed with the below!

    http://www.threatfire.com/

    http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

    The new kid on the block!

    http://www.orbitech.org/hazardshield.html

    Mike
     
    mflynn,
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  10. 2008/05/16
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff Thread Starter

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    Thanks for the links mike! I will check out those programs and see if I will add any of those to my arsenal of security software. The XClean Micro program looks good since its a standalone program and doesn't require installation. :D
     
    Evan Omo,
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  11. 2008/05/16
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

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    Some time ago, I did very thorough testing of Vista's firewall outcoming traffic protection (leaks), and it failed most of tests.
    If you really want to have good firewall, Windows firewall is not the way to go.
     
    broni,
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  12. 2008/05/16
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff Thread Starter

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    Hi Broni. Even with all of the security software that I already have installed would I still be at risk of getting infected by using the windows firewall and not a 3rd party firewall? I have always been cautious when browsing the web and my system has never been infected with any nasties that I am aware of but should I be worried?
     
    Evan Omo,
    #11
  13. 2008/05/16
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

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    Not likely.
    We're talking about two different firewall aspects here.
    Using simplified descriptions...
    Any firewall should protect you two-ways:
    - in-bound traffic - outside world trying to access your computer (Windows firewall does pretty good job here)
    - out-bound traffic - transmitting personal data to the outside world (Windows firewall fails most tests)

    Results of my tests are here: http://www.smartestcomputing.us.com/index.php?showtopic=28597&hl=vista+firewall
     
    broni,
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  14. 2008/05/17
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff Thread Starter

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    Interesting information. I will probably just stick with the Windows Firewall since It looks like I am pretty secure with all of my other security programs installed. I appreciate your input and if I have any more questions I will let you guys know! This forum is great! :D Thanks for the help. :)
     
    Evan Omo,
    #13

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