New
#11
three antivirus programs
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New #12
well some idiots are going to get a virus no matter what kind of protection they use. but generally safe browsing habits will be your number one defense.
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New #13
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New #15
Honestly, anybody who has more than one antivirus is being paranoid lol (jking). There is absolutely NO reason you would need anymore than one simple antivirus or antimalware. Even a firewall is redundant. There are many many other iwndows 7 security features that will prevent viruses lol. Some viruses and malware right now are not even COMPATIBLE with windows 7 yet. I use to like installing more antivirus thinking that more protection is better after reading all the articles about windows security. WITH JUST MICROSOFT SECURITY ESSENTIALS, I HAVEN'T GOT A SINGLE VIRUS IN MY LIFE XD. It even caught something NIS failed to catch.
As for firewall, if you are using a router, IT ALREADY HAS HARDWARE FIREWALL which is even BETTER than software firewall. to configure your router firewall, go to the router setup page and configure it. By default, most of the common ports should block anonymous requests. You can test your ports here: https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2
With the router firewall, it said that on my windows 7 system, not one port was open and accepting anonymous connections. All were in stealth mode.
The only "point" in a firewall would be if you use your laptop in public facilities or if you are using a desktop, to which you are not connecting by means of a router. Of course firewall companies will try to convince users that they are in danger all the time *rolls eyes*
In the end, it is still your choice, but my suggestion is to use only microsoft security essentials or only avira or only avast. "Less is more" In this case, you don't need any more than you need.
Hope you make a good choice :)
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New #16
Well, a layered approach to security is never a bad thing. Using programs like ThreatFire or Prevx or other programs that can run alongside an anti virus program is never a bad thing in my opinion. You also state that you've never got a single virus your entire life with Microsoft Security Essentials. To be fair, not exactly a lot of test data there considering you state "entire life" yet MSE has been on the market for what 8 months?
Sorry, but I strongly disagree. Sure, you may perhaps be protected from "incoming" connections to a certain extent with the firewall built-in to your router, but what about outgoing connections? Programs that try to call home, including malware, spyware, etc. I like to know what software is trying to access the Internet and call out on my system. Your hardware firewall will do nothing to help you there, nor will it tell you anything as to what software is trying to connect and send data, etc.
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New #17
Windows firewall also blocks outbound connections. However, this isn't the point. You wouldn't have any outbound connections if your av or antimalware catches them. I have no problem with programs like threatfire. The trouble is, although they are good security, you do not need the security of a government building. Even a corporate workplace usually only has one antivirus
Has your firewall ever actually caught an outward connection? it is possible, but your av most likely catches the culprit b4 it can even attempt to. You can also simply disable all outwards connections if something you notice is really wrong. Then use the malware/av to remove it. The thing is, the majority of malware that send outward connections are easily recognizable.
If you notice your computer running slow, investigate it. However, installing multiple av just to avoid this, is redundant, because if you are sensible, you barely are in any risk for malware virus.
Another concern I have is the definitions of various av programs even if you run them in an inactive mode. Many av programs, even with realtime protection disabled, will fill many registry keys that are only used when that program is active. Since, you are running inactive, surely, those registry keys are redundant and bloating? I understand that registry corruption is much less common on modern systems. However, they are something that you can without and when you remove the programs, many uninstallers leave these keys behind.
Read this btw, about firewalls. He uses router firewall with NAT enabled.
Is an outbound firewall needed?
Routers will not allow such a connection if you configure it with security in mind. Actually, most routers DO include inward and outward protection.
My last concern with firewalls, is that utorrent speed can definitely be affected...Last edited by Capella; 30 Jan 2010 at 11:16.
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New #18
sparkie: "Windows firewall also blocks outbound connections."
Windows Firewall doesnīt block OUTGOING connections, by default.
you have to create rules, which requires a lot of work.
sparkie: "However, this isn't the point. You wouldn't have any outbound connections if your av or antimalware catches them."
but what happens if they donīt catch them ?
no antivirus / antimalware can find everything, itīs always like "found 99,8%"...
this is why itīs very important to have a firewall that blocks outgoing connections.
running 3 antivirus programs with reealtime-protection can give you a lot of problems.
when i installed MSE i didnīt trust it because it was a beta, so i decided to keep Avira.
Avira wasnīt on the non-compatible list & MSE didnīt complain about Avira when i installed it.
iīm glad i kept Avira because MSE has shown some problems, it turned itself off and then it didnīt want to start again.
i even kept Avira when MSE was released, as i didnīt really trust MSE, so iīve been running Avira, MSE & a2 without problems.
good FREE antivirus-programs: Avira, MSE, Avast
a-squared (FREE) is a very good antimalware-program, which has better detection-rate than MBAM.
also take a look at my signature below...
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New #19
lol, 99.8 % is more than three standard deviations on a normal density curve.....Im actually willing to take that chance
XD.
Im willing to take that chance lol, as far as I know, again, most corporate settings even aren't so protective by installing multiple av and spyware. Simply, update update update, make sure all holes are filled in the building, not by creating a brick wall in front of the building (windows update and definitions)
For .2% chance: you want slower internet speed, more to load at startup, etc........I just don't think that is worth it.
Even with the firewall, there is still that .01% chance lol
But my main point was that if you used a router (most people do) it has hardware outgoing and ingoing protection. The hardware protection is faster and more reliable than software protection. You get that without installing anything on your computer.
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New #20
sparkie: well, the question was "Any ideas about the above, or better ways to protect the computer, would be appreciated."
if you donīt want to protect your computer....
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