Software for Safe Browsing

Last week, I promised a software guide to useful tools to use to stop the scammers trying to infect your PC. While these tools are seemingly simple to use, you should still take time to learn to use them effectively and understand how they work.

Stopping Virus, Trojans, & Worms
Viruses spread from program to program, trojan horses usually are programs made to do malicious acts when executed, and worms are self-replicating computer programs similar to viruses. They can but do not need to attach to other programs. Worms mostly bother the network, whereas virus normally corrupt data.

What tools are needed?

1. Antivirus, Antispyware, software are a must have.
2. A firewall is a must have, can be hardware or software or both.

The above items can all be purchased all separately or conveniently in a suite package. If you use a router to connect to the internet, then usually the router has a built in firewall, so you can save money knowing this and just make sure your firewall is configured properly. Or for extra paranoid people, you can use both.
Firewall software, can be a nightmare to the novice user as you have to teach it and know what to teach it. If you are unskilled, impatient and unwilling to learn, go with a hardware router with firewall. I highly recommend Linksys products or Netgear if Linksys is not available. When using a router, make sure your ports are closed off, does not respond to any port scan requests and your router's firmware is up to date, a secure password is set, and remote admin access is turned off. If using wireless router be sure to change your wireless password (key) monthly.

Antivirus software

Software designed to detect and respond to malicious software, such as viruses, trojan horses and worms. Antivirus software responses may include blocking user access to infected files, cleaning infected files or systems, or informing the user that an infected program was detected

Listed below are links to quality software selections, in which you can download evaluation copies to see which one is best for you. Listed in no particular order.

Avast AntiVirus (Free For Home Version, optional pro upgrade (Added 7/29/2009) F-Secure Corp. - free trial
Symantec - free trial
Trend Micro, Inc. - free trial
Kaspersky Lab - free trial
McAfee, Inc. - free trial
Computer Associates International, Inc. - free trial

Antispyware software

Stopping Spyware, Adware
Spyware and Adware is typically promoted via deceptive practices and trickery.
The following products can help identify these installations and provide help in removing them.

The companies above probably also have anti-spyware software included, in suite packages, or separate purchases, below are also some good alternatives.

Microsoft Defender - free
Lavasoft Ad-Aware SE Personal - free

Firewalls

Firewalls are systems designed to prevent unauthorized access to a private network. Firewalls can be configured to allow data to pass thru, be blocked or refused via a specified rule set.

Basically, why you as a end user will want a firewall up is so that your system will not respond to any random type requests that may result in identifying you are actually a system online, or perhaps a vulnerability in your system which may be identified via port scans, done by hackers, bots, and or worms. If they do get thru and recognize a vulnerability, your system will most likely be immediately compromised via the exploit found. Which is why I emphasize also, running windows update regularly and patching all your software frequently... Also do not run un-required services on your systems. Firewall configuring can be very tricky and hard to understand at first, the documentation from your firewall software/router should be read and understood, and if you have a gaming friend, they probably are more experienced in using/configuring firewalls and would be a good source to ask questions, as they have to open/close ports regularly to host games, and whatnot.

Again, the companies above probably also have firewall software in suite packages, or separate purchases, or using a router with firewall feature. See products at Linksys

If choosing a wireless router, at this time 3/7/2007 i recommend a Wireless-G Router with SRX. The Wireless-N protocol is out, but its technology is incomplete at this time and rumors are that the wireless G is currently performing way better. This may change in near future.

Enjoy Surfing Safely!
Cya - AMP

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