Secure Enough?

[John R]

I have on XP HE the following : Zone Alert firewall (MS firewall is off),
Avast Antivirus, AdAware SE, and Spy Blaster. Is this enough security
protection? If not suggestions? Have tried Spy Doctor but it drags my
machine down.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I have on XP HE the following : Zone Alert firewall (MS firewall is off),
Avast Antivirus, AdAware SE, and Spy Blaster. Is this enough security
protection? If not suggestions? Have tried Spy Doctor but it drags my
machine down.

There are several essential components to computer security: a
knowledgeable and pro-active user, a properly configured firewall,
reliable and up-to-date antivirus software, and the prompt repair (via
patches, hotfixes, or service packs) of any known vulnerabilities.

The weakest link in this "equation" is, of course, the computer
user. No software manufacturer can -- nor should they be expected
to -- protect the computer user from him/herself. All too many people
have bought into the various PC/software manufacturers marketing
claims of easy computing. They believe that their computer should be
no harder to use than a toaster oven; they have neither the
inclination or desire to learn how to safely use their computer. All
too few people keep their antivirus software current, install patches
in a timely manner, or stop to really think about that cutesy link
they're about to click.

Firewalls and anti-virus applications, which should always be used
and should always be running, are important components of "safe hex,"
but they cannot, and should not be expected to, protect the computer
user from him/herself. Ultimately, it is incumbent upon each and
every computer user to learn how to secure his/her own computer.

To learn more about practicing "safe hex," start with these links:

Protect Your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/default.asp

Home Computer Security
http://www.cert.org/homeusers/HomeComputerSecurity/

List of Antivirus Software Vendors
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;49500

Home PC Firewall Guide
http://www.firewallguide.com/

Scumware.com
http://www.scumware.com/




--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

 

[What's in a Name?]

In

I have on XP HE the following : Zone Alert firewall (MS firewall is
off), Avast Antivirus, AdAware SE, and Spy Blaster. Is this enough
security protection? If not suggestions? Have tried Spy Doctor but it
drags my machine down.

Buy a router with built-in firewall.
Stop using OE6 and IE6.
See below for other tips.

max

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I have on XP HE the following : Zone Alert firewall

Never heard of Zone Alert. Do you mean Zone Alarm?

MS firewall is
off), Avast Antivirus, AdAware SE, and Spy Blaster.

Do you mean Spyware Blaster?

Is this enough
security protection? If not suggestions?

"Enough" is a hard question to answer. First, you have software protedction
in all three crtical areas, and that's very good. Second, you have chosen
excellent products in all three areas. Again, that's good. Third, you are
running two different anti-spyware products, and that's good.

So you are in much better shape than the great majority of Windows users.

Can you make it better? Sure, you can add another anti-spyware product or
two. That increases your safety, but it's very hard to say whether or not
it's necessary. Personally, I'm ultra-cautious, and although I use all the
same products you do, I also run Spybot Search and Destroy and Windows
Defender.

Only you can answer the question of whether to add additional software.