What do I need in the way of protection or other useful software? I've already got the spybot and anti-popup stuff going but what about firewalls and stuff? I was sure I wasn't as dim as this, but I was wrong apparently - so any help and links would be useful cheers.
Probably your best bang-for-the-buck would be to buy a router to sit between your PC and the internet. That would provide the best security you could possibly hope for - when configured properly, hackers won't even know your computer exists. You next best bet - and still a good thing to have if you decide to open ports in your router for a webserver or something else - is a software firewall on your PC. Assuming you have Windows, there are a lot of suggestions. I use the non-free version of ZoneAlarm, but there is a free version which is also pretty good, I hear. ramckay's freeware thread in FreeForAll has some good suggestions as well. The router will keep people out, but it won't protect you from your own "idiocy". The software firewall will allow you to set permissions for software trying to reach the internet, so if you unwittingly download a worm and some program you don't recognize tries to access the internet, ZoneAlarm can stop it dead. A good antivirus software (I use AVG Anti Virus, which is free) would serve you well.
I got a sygate firewall .... good quality free firewall.. http://download.com.com/3000-2092-10049526.html as for anti-virus.. I would go for mcafee .
Thanks. I forgot about the free-ware thread on FFA, I'll head off there in a minute. Initially I suppose I just want something free to plug whatever gaps I have. After I've looked into it more I might splash out on that router - providing I feel the need for it, which by the sounds of what's on offer for free, I won't. I've heard of some firewall problems (ie what it will and won't let you do) - what are they exactly? Or am I just making things up?
Ok sinner I got that sygate firewall. What's the deal with little messages popping up all the time. Do I have to 'ok' all the applications on my PC? And what's wrong with the Norton anti-virus (already on PC)? Is it just not worth having? Oh yeah, one other thing, what about that new microsoft patch thing? Should I get that? I've been trying to get on their site and I can't. Which is odd.
see the little box in the corner?? remember my answer and do not ask me again for this application Just check that box before you make a choice for each application... You'll have to decide what option you want for each application... -allow -ask -block You'll want to allow your interent explorer ,file sharing programs,..... Some IT people say that norton is crap and it allegedly takes up lots of processing power every time you use your PC. I took it off and replaced it with mcafee. if you look at the product reviews on www.amazon.co.uk some people dont seem to be happy with it. You'll need all the patches from microsoft... I hear there is a new security threat which will be even bigger than the msblast thing from last year.. the site is down at the moment... keep trying until it works..
Cheers bud. I realise now that checking 'that box' you mention isn't all that much hassle. Seemed like it was going to be after the first few minutes. Is there any issue to the computer from running 2 firewalls at the same time? Didn't know which one to choose so I've now got a few - and since nothings blown up because I've running 2, I figured everything's fine- and if anything I'm now even extra -safe.
no idea.. never tried running 2 firewalls at once. I suppose its alright as long as they dont conflict with each other.You sometimes get software conflicts..
On closer inspection it seems to be just more of a pain in the arse to have 2 going. All they do is pick up the same stuff. And the questions keepa comin'... I'm accepting these things as they come and click on the 'don't bother me with this again' thing, but I'm not fully aware of what I'm accpeting all the time. Will it automatically get rid of the nasty ones? Because if it's left to me, I fear for the future of my computer.
They'll be quite afew things popping up when you first install the firewall. I've had it for afew weeks and now Im hardly getting any messages. go into your list of programs and click on the sygate personal firewall from your programs list.. the sygate application window will appear.. in the bottom half of the screen you;ll see a list of running applications.. right click on each running application and choose allow from the menu.. right now on my firewall im allowing.. -NT kernel & system -LSA shell -generic host process -NDIS user -Internet explorer If I was to open kazaa then that would also appear on the running applications list... The firewall is to stop hackers getting into your computer....If you suddenly got a message on screen which said someone from the IP address 12.34.56.45 (for example) is trying to gain access to your computer you could block them. if you;re suspicious of something then block it.
If you don't know what it is, don't allow it! It could be spyware, malware, a virus, whatever. Every time a new (or changed) program tries to access the internet, your firewall should alert you to this fact. If you just updated windows, services.exe should ask for access. If you didn't update a program but it comes us as "changed program" or whatever, you've got problems. This is especially true if the program asks to be a server. The firewall will still block unauthorized outside access, but you are going to reduce it's effectiveness if you automatically allow everything out. 99% of the stuff that asks for net access is OK, but...
Ok, thanks people. I'm all safe and sorted. Still trying to get onto microsoft site - is everyone having a problem or is it just me? Seems odd that their site should be down for the best part of 3 days at least.
Well, done my microsoft business now. But 1 more question...will any of the new programs I've just put on stop me from logging into sites? I'm having some problems looging into certain ones. I was hoping it was them and not me. Something to do with cookies??
nah ,dont think so.. the microsoft patches or the sygate firewall wont stop you visiting any sites...
Apropos "The estimated 40% of broadband users who don't use a firewall wind up acting as spam relays or bus stations for the latest worms." "E-mail security companies estimate that between one-third and two-thirds of unwanted messages are relayed unwittingly by PC owners who set up software incorrectly or fail to secure their machines." http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/38912