Is this all I need?

Hi,
I'm using...
AV: avast! Home Edition
FW: Windows (XP SP2) Firewall (I have to use this for a personal reason)
AS: SuperAntiSpyware
Browser: Opera 9.23

This is all I'm using, and I think it's sufficient.
Do I need to add some more? I can't touch the firewall though...
Can you give me some advice fore some freeware that I need?
SpywareBlaster? AVG-AS? RKU?
Thanks in advance
Have a nice day~

 

Hi, I run a very similar set up but with the addition of SpywareBlaster and GeSWall. My two laptops run vey well and I also use ESETs online scanner to check that nothing has got in. But perhaps the biggest difference is that I am behind a router as well.

 

"FW: Windows (XP SP2) Firewall (I have to use this for a personal reason)"

Huh?

 

Is that because you want a firewall that is totally maintenance free and doesn't require you to do anything to set it up?

 

Actually... yes... and no. I'm using a family PC, and my family members
don't know how to use a firewall. They blame me if something doesn't work.
So I just need some easy-to-use security softwares... or maybe a software that I don't have to touch anything... It's a dillemma for me.. hehe

 

FW: GhostWall

 

hehe, is it soemthing like windows firewall?

 

It's forum is Wilders. Search here.

 

I would use Sandboxie with either the latest IE or Firefox and ditch Opera and SuperAntiSpyware, but that is my opinion. You probably won't listen to it, thus you will continue to struggle with spyware and other nasties you contract from the web.

 

Why ditch Opera? It's a perfectly fine browser.

 

Actually, I feel your pain.
My family also uses computers of mine and are not familiar with security software. So I end up selecting what gets used on the systems.

The Windows XP SP2 firewall is the simplest of all Firewalls. Unless you want to add a rule to the program, it is virtually a set and forget program.

Ghost firewall that was mentioned previously does provide a bit more information than the XP firewall, so novices may not understand the graphs.
http://www.ghostsecurity.com/ghostwall/

I use Zone Alarm on a couple of PCs and it is a set and forget program, but there are some users who have gotten a lot of problems running the program or upgrading it so it is not guaranteed to run smoothly on each PC.

Spyware Blaster is a good program and is geared towards making Internet Explorer and Firefox more safer to use. You can use multiple antispyware programs and other related security software, but be aware that if any run in real time fashion, that conflicts and BSODs can sometimes pop up. I don't use any realtime antispyware applications and haven't gotten any problems with running the on demand versions.

Here are some tips about keeping yourself safe from malware.
http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/index.php?autocom=custom&page=How_did_I

http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm

 

ccsito, Thank you for your kindness, I really appreciate it
I'll put things you said in my mind. Thank you very much!
btw are sandbox, HIPS, Virtualization, & System Hardening apps too much for a family PC?
Family full of novices, actually who knows nothing abou security apps?
Thanks in advance

P.S Ghostwall doesn't seem to be a good software for a family full of newbies...

 

HIPS, sandbox, virtualization and system hardening applications require a user to become familiar with their setup and knowledge to be able to decipher an alert when something is broadcast by the program. Novices on computers would find those type of applications to be very "noisy" and "annoying" because you have to respond to them when you encounter an attempt to change something on your PC. For someone who doesn't understand, BHO, registry entries, CAB and many of the other Microsoft abbreviations, they would be confused and wouldn't know to click accept or deny. Some may keep bugging you to tell me what to do and after they ask you about 100 times, they most likely will say "forget it" and then answer on their own (or just turn off the PC for pissing them off).

The XP firewall is supposed to be near silent when in use and you don't get any information on attempted intrusions to your PC unless you want them. Ghostwall will show the access attempts and display graphs to show where they came from. It provides more statistical information. Back when I got the IBM XT PC, there was no firewall with the 300bps modem in use. But of course, back then, when you dialed out, you did not have to worry about someone trying to hack into your system.

 

GhostWAll is perfect for n00bs. No interaction.

 

Thank you guys

Escalader/ Yes, I think I'm kind of worried too much.. maybe paranoid...
zapjb/ Thanks, I'll try it out someday, when I get my "OWN" pc or a labtop.
ccsito/ Thanks for the information

regards,
omegakilo

 

The only thing I would change is the fw.
I use a two way firewall.
You could also install Firefox and Spyware Blaster.
Spyware Blaster is very easy to use.
Some family members may like Firefox better.It won't hurt having FireFox and Opera both installed.

 

the Tester/ thanks for your reply I wish I could change my firewall...
but it's not my PC, and I have to consider the bad effects that would
cause to my family members. I use to use both FireFox and Opera, but
now I only have Opera, because I think I like it more.

 

same for my wife laptop....... cant install certain applications........

on top of the antivirus and windows firewall, u can try

1. Threatfire
2. Look n stop Lite

 

Thanks! I'll try out Threatfire.
But I better have a second thought about Look n Stop,
because I'm not actually allowed to use any rule setting firewall
Thanks anyways

omegakilo

 

Did you even look at GhostWall?

Just install it. Turn off windows firewall.

Thats it, done, forever.

 

Thanks zapjb for your strong recommendation
However, I still can't use any firewall...
Any firewall I install just interferes my father's works.
He usually does his work at home, and send it to his office PC
by using this software called "Global Access."
Every single firewall I installed blocked it, even GhostWall, and he always complain it to me.
I'm kind of tired...
I just wish, if I was a expert I would make a rule for that darn software to work.

P.S. Ghostwall was a really nice firwall, although I tried it only for 10 minutes. lol

 

I found out there is two IP address that this darn "Global Access" uses.
Is there any way that I can make a rule with it?
I'll show you a screenshot of what it looks like.
I'll translate it...

The title of the first section with a checkbox says "L2TP Tunneling Enable"
and below that it says "Security Center Address(IP)"
And the title of the second section, it says "Administration Server"
and below that, there is a blank space where you put your IP address.
(I erased the IP Address)

Is it possible to make a rule with just these two IP address?
(based on ghostwall, I'm starting to like it)