What security setup do you have?

[joodoo]

Hardware firewall, Router, Windows Firewall, WOT, safe browsing habits (not) and enough experience to know how to kill malware before it gets embedded. That is it on my machine. Oh, and the most effective weapon in my modest arsenal; old and current system/disk images.
No AV/AM.

Edit: Forgot to mention my virtual machine(s).

 

[blueyepez69]

UAC disabled, Windows Firewall and Nod32 x64 antivirus, nothing else needed really.

Im wondering if i should switch to Nod32 security suit or just stay with the free windows firewall.

Hey i am new to the forums, what is nod32? & what is UAC and should i turn it off?

I use windows firewall and spy bot verizon security suite which kinda idk sucks. It keeps giving me a pop-up about something being wrong.. its. 5 bucks a month on my Fios bill.

 

[bingefeller]

Hi guys,

After reading this thread I'm a little confused if I have enough security protection.

Currently I have a router firewall and Windows Firewall turned on.

I also have Microsoft Security Essentials installed and running.

Do I need to do anything else?

Hi BingFeller,

You already have a good setup. The general recommendation is to have a layered approach to security, so you might consider also using the FREE version of Malwarebytes to do the odd occasional scan (since its the free version, you will have to update it manually prior to every scan so it picks up the latest malware definitions).

Apart from that, be careful what you download, and make sure Adobe Reader and FlashPlayer, and Java, are updated regularly. Use this tutorial to help you identify if they require updating.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/181981-secunia-online-software-inspector.html

Regards,
Golden

Hi Golden,

Thanks for the reply. I downloaded the free version of Malwarebytes, although I didn't install it yet. I'm a little confused how this program works, does this program run at start or can I run it manually? If I choose to run it manually should I also have Microsoft Security Essentials running too?

 

[Golden]

Hi,

Since its the free version, you can only run it manually - remember to update it before you start the scan. MSE will already be resident on your PC, so you only need to ensure that MSE is physically not in the process of scanning before you run a Malwarebytes scan. Note : just because MSE is installed and resident on your system, it doesn't mean you cannot run another anti-virus program - its just recommended that both do not scan at the same time.

Regards,
Golden

 

[AussieGuy92]

current: MSE, Malwarebytes Pro W/ Realtime Protection and windows firewall behind router/modem i have norton 360 that i could put on if i really want to instead of MSE.

 

[bingefeller]

Hi,

Since its the free version, you can only run it manually - remember to update it before you start the scan. MSE will already be resident on your PC, so you only need to ensure that MSE is physically not in the process of scanning before you run a Malwarebytes scan. Note : just because MSE is installed and resident on your system, it doesn't mean you cannot run another anti-virus program - its just recommended that both do not scan at the same time.

Regards,
Golden

Thanks, I will get the Malwarebytes installed now

 

[AlvitrValkyrie]

My main antivirus is Trend Micro Titanium AV+
Pro: It's really cheap, has a scanner, and a great firewall. Really does block a lot.
Con: The scanner is lame.

As a backup scanner, I have HitmanPro 3.5
Pro: Is a cloud scanner, will boot before windows, to clean especially pesky malware that likes to hide, and uses GData, Emisisoft, Prevx, Dr.Web, and Ikarus. It does all this without causing issues with other security programs. Comes in portable edition. Saved my system when I had a massive breach.
Con: Doesn't seem to find the same things consistently, even if they are still there. False positives a lot (XChat, etc)

To scan for kits, I've got Kaspersky's TDSSKiller.
Pro: Works great! Insanely fast, and portable.
Con: ....yet to find one

I'm putting the big guns together: Superantispyware and Spybot
Pro: Both have the best definitions, and Spybot comes in portable form. Scans are very thurough.
Con: SASpyware tends to use 500MB of RAM on my system, but no prob b/c I've got 8. May be an issue with those with older computers.

Unless mentioned, none are resource hogs. I use to use Trend Micro's Rubotted for bot protection, but it's incompatible with the most recent version of Winpcap, which you need for wireshark, nmap, etc. I'm using Trend Micro's Browser Guard. Name is self explanatory.

Malwarebytes didnt work for me. Always conflicted with my other programs, and Hitman has better definitions anyhow!

 

[jloc]

Windows 7 Ultimate with UAC.
Malwarebytes Anti Malware set to run scans every day.
NOD 32 active all the time.
Adblock Plus on Firefox.
LastPass for Firefox.
Sandboxie.

Hiyya and welcome jloc You don't mention what version of MBAM you are using as I said to Paranoid the full version can conflict with your man suite mate

It's the Malwarebytes Anti Malware FREE version, don't see a point in buying the full version if I already have NOD32. Thanks for the tip though

 

[bingefeller]

Well, after reading this thread I now have the following programs installed:

Microsoft Security Essentials running all the time.
Malware Bytes to do occasional scans.
Superantispyware to do occasional scans.
Windows Firewall

Hopefully I'm well protected with all of these things :3

 

[A Guy]

Well, after reading this thread I now have the following programs installed:

Microsoft Security Essentials running all the time.
Malware Bytes to do occasional scans.
Superantispyware to do occasional scans.
Windows Firewall

Hopefully I'm well protected with all of these things :3

Sounds like a good solid setup

A Guy

 

[joodoo]

Well, after reading this thread I now have the following programs installed:

Microsoft Security Essentials running all the time.
Malware Bytes to do occasional scans.
Superantispyware to do occasional scans.
Windows Firewall

Hopefully I'm well protected with all of these things :3

Sounds like a good solid setup

A Guy

I'll second that.

 

[bru]

Well, after reading this thread I now have the following programs installed:

Microsoft Security Essentials running all the time.
Malware Bytes to do occasional scans.
Superantispyware to do occasional scans.
Windows Firewall

Hopefully I'm well protected with all of these things :3

I hope so too since I run the same with the addition of SpywareBlaster.

So that would be:

MSE
MBAM
SpywareBlaster
SUPERAntiSpyware

SAS has been a bit problematic as it never finds any tracking cookies like it used to. I know about tracking cookies and their role in security but my concern is why the program stopped finding them. I had conversations with people at SAS but they did not have an answer. It makes me a bit unsure of it's total effectiveness.

 

[Wont]

MSE and Windows firewall - UAC off

That's my same configuration. Should I add anything else?

 

[bru]

MSE and Windows firewall - UAC off

That's my same configuration. Should I add anything else?

I have UAC on and would recommend it be on for most.

Regarding adding anything else, as has been mentioned having an on demand scanner program is certainly a good idea. Several good ones have been mentioned including Malwarebytes and SUPERAntiSpyware. There are others but those two are pretty darn popular and good.

 

[Wont]

Why do you recommend to turn on UAC?

 

[Infinite]

Real-Time Protection - Microsoft Security Essentials, Windows Firewall, Windows Defender & Comodo Firewall.
Should I disable Windows Firewall/Defender?

Run Every Week - MalwareBytes Free, SuperAntiSpyware Free & Threatfire Free.

File/Drive Protection - Unlocker, Recuva and TrueCrypt

Cleanup (not Registry) - CCleaner with CCEnhancer.

General Protection - UAC Maxed, All Windows Updates installed, Java, Flash, Net Framework, and DirectX fully updated. Sandboxie, Secunia PSI, and EMET, and thinking if whether or not I should use a Virtual Machine. Secure Passwords (mixed and lengthy)

I have added exclusions for each program and vise virsa.

Browser Protection - Mozilla Firefox with AdBlock Plus and AdBlock Plus Popup Addon (excluded SevenForums). BetterPrivacy, BitDefender Quick Scan, BrowserProtect, Click&Clean, CookieKiller, FlashBlock, FlashGot, NoRedirect, NoScript, Optimize Google, Procon Latte Content Filter, QuickJava, RedirectRemover, RequestPolicy, WOT, and Ghostery.

Backup - None (except Windows Backup) tiny backups and some Dll backups for modified ones. If anyone can suggest me a good solid Free Backup Solution, please let me know.

I have been running this setup for over 2 weeks, with no problems.

 

[Golden]

Why do you recommend to turn on UAC?

UAC is the final line of defense between any malware in traditional installtions, or not.

Also, if UAC is turned OFF, then Internet Protected Mode using IE is also turned OFF (see image below).

Regards,
Golden

 

[Golden]

Real-Time Protection - Microsoft Security Essentials, Windows Firewall, Windows Defender & Comodo Firewall.
Should I disable Windows Firewall/Defender?

I'm not sure whether the firewalls will clash but having two running is more likely to cause system confusion, than help. Also, Windows Defender is already incorporated into MSE, so you do not need that to run seperately - turn it off.

Regards,
Golden

 

[Layback Bear]

When you install MSE it should of turned off Defender.

 

[Layback Bear]

Just dropped a check in the mail to get Malwarebytes Anti Malware. I hope the bought one works as good and better than the free one.