What security setup do you have?

[Bill2]

One resident AV and one on-demand scanner should suffice. But you dont have to believe me.

 

[gautam7]

One resident AV and one on-demand scanner should suffice. But you dont have to believe me.

Thanks for the reply. But IMO one strong firewall is really needed others are optional.

 

[Bill2]

You can configure advanced settings in windows firewall, but I have no quarrel if you use a 3rd party one.

 

[gautam7]

It was not a quarrel bill i am perfectly happy to discuss any issue after all it helps me to learn something new everytime. I tried advanced control in windows firewall but unfortunatly i find it very confusing.

Regards

 

[Ibrad]

I have a few different machines:

My netbook: Panda Cloud Antivirus Pro
Laptop: Panda Cloud + CounterSpy + Winpatrol Plus
Desktop: Panda Cloud + CounterSpy

 

[TD7BA]

Norton360 and Norton DNS
Malwarebytes and SuperAntiSpyware
I also have a KeyScrambler and several security add-on's for Firefox.
UAC @ Always Notify.

 

[Dinesh]

I have a few different machines:

My netbook: Panda Cloud Antivirus Pro
Laptop: Panda Cloud + CounterSpy + Winpatrol Plus
Desktop: Panda Cloud + CounterSpy

I have used Counterspy in the past and loved the program.

 

[FranzB]

I don't want to be cynical but is it really that important what security programs you use? It is more important
to be careful about what you are doing, keep your windows programs and others up-to-date, and scan regularly. And remember, if you have never had a virus or whatever it may not be due to whatever security
programs you use but simply because you have stayed below the radar and have not been targeted. So saying "I use this and this program and i have never had a virus" does not prove anything about the programs installed. You only get 100.00% safety by not going online.
And one other thing i am more and more convinced of is to use a Linux or Ubuntu OS for safe(r) surfing (the reason why it is safer is an endless discussion).
Don't lynch me, think about it

 

[TD7BA]

And one other thing i am more and more convinced of is to use a Linux or Ubuntu OS for safe(r) surfing (the reason why it is safer is an endless discussion).
Don't lynch me, think about it

I totally agree with this. I use Ubuntu for internet use and Windows 7 for important software (e.g. Microsoft, Photoshop) and I have all my documents on Windows 7. I do this because most malicious software is aimed for Windows. I'm not saying that Linux is full virus-proof but something that can affect Windows cannot affect Linux. Most Black Hats want to attack as many computers as possible, therefore writing a malicious code for Windows would be more successful at spreading than Linux. Therefore, using Linux will decrease the chances of getting a virus.

 

[gautam7]

And one other thing i am more and more convinced of is to use a Linux or Ubuntu OS for safe(r) surfing (the reason why it is safer is an endless discussion).
Don't lynch me, think about it

I totally agree with this. I use Ubuntu for internet use and Windows 7 for important software (e.g. Microsoft, Photoshop) and I have all my documents on Windows 7. I do this because most malicious software is aimed for Windows. I'm not saying that Linux is full virus-proof but something that can affect Windows cannot affect Linux. Most Black Hats want to attack as many computers as possible, therefore writing a malicious code for Windows would be more successful at spreading than Linux. Therefore, using Linux will decrease the chances of getting a virus.

Using linux just for surfing the net and switching back to windows for other work is not very convinient. There are some simple ways by which it is possible to remain safe while browsing in windows environment. Just run your browser sandboxed by sandboxie or if you still not satisfaied then try virtualization. I personally like sandboxie.
Sandboxing vs Virtual machine | EAL IT technologist (2010 Autumn)

 

[gautam7]

You only get 100.00% safety by not going online.

Not true. You can get viruses offline too by transferring file from an infected pc with usb. Only way to get 100% safety is by isolating your pc completely online or offline. Which is generally not possible.

 

[Bill2]

Too much safety is injurious to the mind.

 

[Konceptz804]

i let windows firewall do its thing and follow that up with the firewall in my router. Antivirus is NOD32 64bit

I have completely replaced NOD32 with MSE 64bit on all my windows machines, UAC is disabled completely. Still use win7 firewall with my router's hardware firewall, spyware/virus free. MSE surprisingly is just as good as NOD32 is as far as being very lightweight on the system and detecting things. Kudos Microsoft.

 

[legacy7955]

My machine Win XP sp3 MSE v2, and MBAM.

My parents machine Win 7 MSE v1 and MBAM

I totally agree with Franz CAREFUL surfing and other related activities like never opening attachments if possible and then only opening from known trusted senders with a scan before opening. Never using a USB drive....disable autoplay, and I try and not use java, it is not even loaded into my parents machine and on my PC it will only run when first asking my permission on my machine.

I'd say almost 99% of malicious code can be avoided with common sense and avoiding obvious trouble spots.

 

[Konceptz804]

I don't want to be cynical but is it really that important what security programs you use? It is more important
to be careful about what you are doing, keep your windows programs and others up-to-date, and scan regularly. And remember, if you have never had a virus or whatever it may not be due to whatever security
programs you use but simply because you have stayed below the radar and have not been targeted. So saying "I use this and this program and i have never had a virus" does not prove anything about the programs installed. You only get 100.00% safety by not going online.
And one other thing i am more and more convinced of is to use a Linux or Ubuntu OS for safe(r) surfing (the reason why it is safer is an endless discussion).
Don't lynch me, think about it

Honestly no, as most people on here use TOO many AV/security programs as it is. Seperate firewall, av, spyware, etc??? Too many programs and its overkill. Run just one program that does everything.

 

[MaxPayne]

I am currently using this setup, and so far so good:

Comodo Internet Security (antivirus enabled, defense + enabled, firewall enabled)
MBAM PRO (realtime protection on)
SuperAntiSpyware (ondemand)
Hitman Pro (ondemand)
WinPatrol Plus
Norton DNS

 

[chrysalis]

I don't want to be cynical but is it really that important what security programs you use? It is more important
to be careful about what you are doing, keep your windows programs and others up-to-date, and scan regularly. And remember, if you have never had a virus or whatever it may not be due to whatever security
programs you use but simply because you have stayed below the radar and have not been targeted. So saying "I use this and this program and i have never had a virus" does not prove anything about the programs installed. You only get 100.00% safety by not going online.
And one other thing i am more and more convinced of is to use a Linux or Ubuntu OS for safe(r) surfing (the reason why it is safer is an endless discussion).
Don't lynch me, think about it

good post, I am even considering dropping my AV as it causes some file lock issues etc. increases memory consumption etc. In about a 6 year period I have had about 4 viruses blocked in email attachments which I wouldnt have ran anyway. 0 viruses blocked accidently in browser (only ones I tested deliberatly).

The simple things required are brains when browsing and downloading. Keeping things up to date, and running an ad blocker which in turn will kill the main way fly by viruses spread via infected ad servers. Also locking down the web browser, such as noscript in firefox and tightening up IE security settings. I also reccomend using limited user accounts alongside SRP.

Some people go even crazier by using a VM to browse the net and are super paranoid.

 

[FranzB]

Unfortunately that does not only apply to computer users but also to websites
on the net. Recently i came across a site by my internet provider when i wanted to change my password. The request for the change was done by an http, not an https connection. User name and (old) password required. I found the site by googling and it is given first in the list. There is, however, ALSO a site of the provider with an https connection if you look long enough. My complaint was answered with "your computer is infected".
It is simply a site that was not removed from the internet when they changed it to an https connection. No brains.
So even if you have a good security setup you have to watch it.

 

[A Guy]

Unfortunately, more and more legitimate websites are serving up malware and other exploits these days. So even if you only surf "safe" sites, you still run the risk if unprotected. Being careful and safe are not replacements for proper security, but rather an integral component. A Guy

 

[Greg S]

Unfortunately, more and more legitimate websites are serving up malware and other exploits these days. So even if you only surf "safe" sites, you still run the risk if unprotected. Being careful and safe are not replacements for proper security, but rather an integral component. A Guy

Well put!