"Natasha" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> I'm about to buy a new computer and have to make decisions about what to
buy
> in terms of anti-virus, spyware, firewalls, etc. Thought it might not be
a
> bad idea to throw some questions out to this forum.
>
> I should preface these questions by saying that I am not technologically
> oriented and am looking for basic, solid protection.
>
> 1. Anti-Virus:
> A. What anti-virus do you most recommend and why?
>
> B. I do have anti-virus screened through my ISP, does that make a
> difference?

You'll probably want an AV program of your own. Usually most ISP just screen
email. Not sure where you are or if it's still available but last week I
noticed that Kaspersky 7.0 AV was on sale at several Chicagoland stores for
$20 instead of it's usual $60.

I'm about to buy a new computer and have to make decisions about what to buy
in terms of anti-virus, spyware, firewalls, etc. Thought it might not be a
bad idea to throw some questions out to this forum.

I should preface these questions by saying that I am not technologically
oriented and am looking for basic, solid protection.

1. Anti-Virus:
A. What anti-virus do you most recommend and why?

B. I do have anti-virus screened through my ISP, does that make a
difference?

2. Firewalls:

A. If I have a firewall at the router, do I need one installed in the
computer as well? If so, what do you recommend?

B. I'm using W98 right now, but the new system will (obviously) be either
XP or Vista (probably the former). I understand newer versions of Windows
have a built-in firewall - does this apply to both Vista and XP and do I
still need a 3rd firewall on top of that one and the one at the router?

3. Do you recommend a separate program for spyware and if so, which? (I
understand some of the anti-virus programs are now incorporating spyware)

Thanks in advance!

On Sat, 5 Jan 2008 12:39:54 -0900 Natasha wrote:

> I'm about to buy a new computer and have to make decisions about what to buy
> in terms of anti-virus, spyware, firewalls, etc. Thought it might not be a
> bad idea to throw some questions out to this forum.
>
> I should preface these questions by saying that I am not technologically
> oriented and am looking for basic, solid protection.
>
> 1. Anti-Virus:
> A. What anti-virus do you most recommend and why?
>
It depends on how much money you want to spend. Kaspersky and NOD32 are
highly recommended but they are costly. Avast,
<http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html>, is good and it's free for home
use.

> B. I do have anti-virus screened through my ISP, does that make a
> difference?
>
ISP screeners usually scan incoming email only. There are other sources that
can infect your computer. Some ISPs offer a suite as part of your fee, you
might look into that.

> 2. Firewalls:
>
> A. If I have a firewall at the router, do I need one installed in the
> computer as well? If so, what do you recommend?
>
I think so, I use Zonealarm free, <http://tinyurl.com/kzq>, because it will
alert you to *outgoing* attempts of programs to "call home".

> B. I'm using W98 right now, but the new system will (obviously) be either
> XP or Vista (probably the former). I understand newer versions of Windows
> have a built-in firewall - does this apply to both Vista and XP and do I
> still need a 3rd firewall on top of that one and the one at the router?
>
The Windows firewall only blocks incoming stuph, it doesn't tell you anything
about what's trying to get out.

> 3. Do you recommend a separate program for spyware and if so, which? (I
> understand some of the anti-virus programs are now incorporating spyware)
>
Yes. I use...

Spybot Search & Destroy, <http://www.spybot.info/en/index.html>
a-squared <http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/>
Superantispyware, <http://www.superantispyware.com/>
AVG anti-rootkit, <http://tinyurl.com/2lr2l3>

.... to detect most of the cooties that you will find. Spybot finds key
loggers etc., a-squared is optimized for Trojans, Superantispyware is a
general-purpose scanner and AVG anti-rootkit is supposed to detect rootkits.
Download, install, update and try them.

> Thanks in advance!
>
Welcome.
--
Ernie B.

Communication: The art of moving an idea from one mind to another, hopefully
without distortion.

"tom" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "Natasha" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> > I'm about to buy a new computer and have to make decisions about what to
> buy
> > in terms of anti-virus, spyware, firewalls, etc. Thought it might not
be
> a
> > bad idea to throw some questions out to this forum.
> >
> > I should preface these questions by saying that I am not technologically
> > oriented and am looking for basic, solid protection.
> >
> > 1. Anti-Virus:
> > A. What anti-virus do you most recommend and why?
> >
> > B. I do have anti-virus screened through my ISP, does that make a
> > difference?
>
> You'll probably want an AV program of your own. Usually most ISP just
screen
> email. Not sure where you are or if it's still available but last week I
> noticed that Kaspersky 7.0 AV was on sale at several Chicagoland stores
for
> $20 instead of it's usual $60.

Thanks for your reply, Tom. I hear Kaspersky is not so user friendly for
the non-technological savvy person - would you agree with that? Does it
include any spyware components?

"Natasha" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "tom" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> >
> > "Natasha" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> > > I'm about to buy a new computer and have to make decisions about what
to
> > buy
> > > in terms of anti-virus, spyware, firewalls, etc. Thought it might not
> be
> > a
> > > bad idea to throw some questions out to this forum.
> > >
> > > I should preface these questions by saying that I am not
technologically
> > > oriented and am looking for basic, solid protection.
> > >
> > > 1. Anti-Virus:
> > > A. What anti-virus do you most recommend and why?
> > >
> > > B. I do have anti-virus screened through my ISP, does that make a
> > > difference?
> >
> > You'll probably want an AV program of your own. Usually most ISP just
> screen
> > email. Not sure where you are or if it's still available but last week I
> > noticed that Kaspersky 7.0 AV was on sale at several Chicagoland stores
> for
> > $20 instead of it's usual $60.
>
> Thanks for your reply, Tom. I hear Kaspersky is not so user friendly for
> the non-technological savvy person - would you agree with that? Does it
> include any spyware components?
>
I use KAV and don't feel it's anymore complicated than most other AV's I've
used in the past. It's got a couple more bells and whistles than others but
they can be turned off with out losing the basic AV protection it's known
for. It also includes spyware, adware and dialer protection. You can DL it
and try for 30 days for free before deciding if you like it.
http://usa.kaspersky.com/ I just looked at the Sunday paper and Circuit
City has it on sale for $9.99 after a $50 mail in rebate.

"Natasha" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
news:(E-Mail Removed):

> I'm about to buy a new computer and have to make decisions about what
> to buy in terms of anti-virus, spyware, firewalls, etc. Thought it
> might not be a bad idea to throw some questions out to this forum.
>
> I should preface these questions by saying that I am not
> technologically oriented and am looking for basic, solid protection.
>
> 1. Anti-Virus:
> A. What anti-virus do you most recommend and why?
>
> B. I do have anti-virus screened through my ISP, does that make a
> difference?
>
> 2. Firewalls:
>
> A. If I have a firewall at the router, do I need one installed in the
> computer as well? If so, what do you recommend?
>
> B. I'm using W98 right now, but the new system will (obviously) be
> either XP or Vista (probably the former). I understand newer versions
> of Windows have a built-in firewall - does this apply to both Vista
> and XP and do I still need a 3rd firewall on top of that one and the
> one at the router?
>
> 3. Do you recommend a separate program for spyware and if so, which?
> (I understand some of the anti-virus programs are now incorporating
> spyware)
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
>

I too lik ethe Kaspersky AV product. The anti virus product also scans
for spyware, and their Intenet Security suite also includes a great
firewall. Kaspersky also has a top notch user forum to answer any
questions and can help with prepurchase concerns as well
http://forum.kaspersky.com/

Dave

Per Natasha:
>1. Anti-Virus:
>A. What anti-virus do you most recommend and why?

I went through a couple of paid programs (PC-Cillen and another I
can't recall).

Been using the freebie version of Avast for several years now -
with zero problems.... and the price is definitely right.
--
PeteCresswell

> I should preface these questions by saying that I am not technologically
> oriented and am looking for basic, solid protection.
>
> 1. Anti-Virus:
> A. What anti-virus do you most recommend and why?
>
> B. I do have anti-virus screened through my ISP, does that make a
> difference?
>
> 2. Firewalls:
>
> A. If I have a firewall at the router, do I need one installed in the
> computer as well? If so, what do you recommend?
>
> B. I'm using W98 right now, but the new system will (obviously) be either
> XP or Vista (probably the former). I understand newer versions of Windows
> have a built-in firewall - does this apply to both Vista and XP and do I
> still need a 3rd firewall on top of that one and the one at the router?
>
> 3. Do you recommend a separate program for spyware and if so, which? (I
> understand some of the anti-virus programs are now incorporating spyware)

My ISP offers a version of Norton Internet Security. I think NIS is a good
choice if you're not "technologically oriented" because it does a pretty
good job of managing the system without a lot of user input. Some people
hate the Norton product line, but they do work well most of the time and
provide pretty good security in my experience.

Both XP and Vista come with built-in firewalls and they will be ON by
default. The OS firewall will only be turned OFF if you install another
firewall to take it's place. In the control panel there is an icon called
Security Center. When you get the new system open the Security Center to
see the status of the FW, AV & AS software on the PC.

No matter how good the antivirus is I would definitely install a separate
antispyware program with a real-time shield (which means it's watching the
data-stream all the time to intercept bugs just like the antivirus).

Security "suites" usually include all three types of defense (FW, AV, & AS)
so if you go with a suite you only have to make one choice. Another
advantage with suites is the various functions are integrated and you can
see the status on one screen. Norton makes it easy by putting a big green
check on the screen if everything is fine or a big red X if something needs
attention - simple and effective.

Regardless of the software you choose it's important to keep it updated and
let it scan the system on a regular basis (weekly is good). A common
problem is people install decent security software and then let their
subscriptions lapse so the software stops updating - then the viruses start
taking over.

Natasha wrote:

> 1. Anti-Virus:
Nod32 is great Anti-virus if you want a pay for one. I use a free
Avast which is also great. I noticed your running windows 98 and AVG
Free runs pretty well on windows 98
> A. What anti-virus do you most recommend and why?
>
> B. I do have anti-virus screened through my ISP, does that make a
> difference?

Depends on the brand most ISP's use a package that contains numerous
things and I prefer to use each program I feel is best.
>
> 2. Firewalls:
>
> A. If I have a firewall at the router, do I need one installed in the
> computer as well? If so, what do you recommend?

Probably don't need a firewall but its nice to have and Commodo I
feel is the best and its free. Commodo does not work with Windows 98
however but there is an old version of sygate that does still
around that works.
>
> B. I'm using W98 right now, but the new system will (obviously) be either
> XP or Vista (probably the former). I understand newer versions of Windows
> have a built-in firewall - does this apply to both Vista and XP and do I
> still need a 3rd firewall on top of that one and the one at the router?

Probably do not need it but if you want to check any out going
programs and see what is trying to call out Commodo is my
recommendation.
>
> 3. Do you recommend a separate program for spyware and if so, which? (I
> understand some of the anti-virus programs are now incorporating spyware)
>
> Thanks in advance!

Most of the antispyware progams that are free only do on demand
scans. They are nice to have the best ones I feel are spybot search
and destroy, Spyware Blaster. AVG antispyware and SuperAntispyware
Free edition

Also if you upgrade to Vista you can use the Free Spyware doctor
which is in the google pack.

Also a good pay for one is Webroots spysweeper.
Spyware Terminator is free also.

>
>

On Jan 5, 4:39 pm, "Natasha" <kod...@akk.net> wrote:
> I'm about to buy a new computer and have to make decisions about what to buy
> in terms of anti-virus, spyware, firewalls, etc. Thought it might not be a
> bad idea to throw some questions out to this forum.
>
> I should preface these questions by saying that I am not technologically
> oriented and am looking for basic, solid protection.
>
> 1. Anti-Virus:
> A. What anti-virus do you most recommend and why?
>
> B. I do have anti-virus screened through my ISP, does that make a
> difference?
>
> 2. Firewalls:
>
> A. If I have a firewall at the router, do I need one installed in the
> computer as well? If so, what do you recommend?
>
> B. I'm using W98 right now, but the new system will (obviously) be either
> XP or Vista (probably the former). I understand newer versions of Windows
> have a built-in firewall - does this apply to both Vista and XP and do I
> still need a 3rd firewall on top of that one and the one at the router?
>
> 3. Do you recommend a separate program for spyware and if so, which? (I
> understand some of the anti-virus programs are now incorporating spyware)
>
> Thanks in advance!

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