Please un-confuse me about what security I really need

I am using Agnitum Outpost Pro and AVIRA Antivirus and have been doing so for years and that's all the security I use.
I haven't had a virus or malware infection that I am aware of but I am concerned about keyloggers etc as I bank on line.
Do I really need programs like Mamutu, or Spyshelter etc or is my current security sufficient.
I don't want numerous layers of protection all doing the same thing and having to click OK for every single program that wants to approve a piece of software that is being loaded.
Thanks

 

What is your operating system?

 

..then I'd recommend Prevx SafeOnline. It's a failsafe in case something slips past Avira and Outpost.

 

You could do a quick risk analysis about your online behaviour. Some questions to help your thinking:

1. What are my computing habits and is there any major risks involved?
2. What is my probability of getting infected, according to my computing habits?
3. What are the consequences if I get infected, do I have any valuable data or very private information?
4. What is my level of expertise in it-security matters and computers?

For example:

1. I don't use p2p, I keep my OS updated and I don't open suspicious emails or links.
2. According to step 1, I consider my probabilities low
3. I don't have anything special that would lead to severe consequences in case of data loss or information leak.
4. I am quite aware of security issues and computers overall.

In this case, you probably don't need all the bells and whistles and could do just fine with basic security like antivirus and firewall. However, if you have risky computing habits and/or there is some valuable data stored, and you are not quite sure about what is safe and what is not, then you might want to consider some additional security. You also need to evaluate your skills with computers in general and select software that you can handle

 

What risl has posted is a good approach. If there are 'devastating consequences' of something slipping through, then you need look at how you close that gap/eliminate the risk. If there aren't then you are likely just fine as you are.

 

Additional recommendations:

Free:
Prevx SafeOnline
SpyShelter Free (x86 only)

Paid:
DefenseWall Personal Firewall

 

I'm using Windows 7

I don't go to Warez sites (or Porn)

 

OK.

A few suggestions/questions to start with:

* Do you make use of standard user account? (By default when Windows is installed an Administrator account is created)

A standard user account creates boundaries of what a user can or cannot do to important parts of the systems. I know that Outpost also protects sensitive areas, but as happens with any other software, bugs do exist, and it could fail at something at some point.

Since Windows Vista, Microsoft made it a lot easier to work from within a standard user account. If you don't run there, I'd advise you to do it so.

Then, and taking Kees1958 thread (https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=279624), which you should take a look, I could advise you to follow that same principle, but making use of Outpost Firewall Pro.

Make use of one browser for regular browsing, and use the other (Internet Explorer for compatibility reasons, if problems exist with others.) only for home banking, and restricting this browser in Outpost only to be allowed to connect to the bank's IPs.

You could use Chrome for regular browsing. Along side with Internet Explorer, it is the only browser I run with Windows 7, because it makes use of something called low integrity level, which basically means it won't be possible for any infection that may occur to do pretty much anything. It will be contained. Internet Explorer 8/9 works the same way, but this low integrity level is enforced by UAC. You may be familiar with Internet Explorer's Protected Mode; well, that's the low integrity level.

I even make use of different Chrome profiles for different tasks, such as e-mail, youtube.

Now, regarding Windows 7 itself, it introduces security improvements and mechanisms that help prevent infections.

You could install Microsoft EMET v2 and add the browsers, pdf reader, multimedia players, office applications... under its protection

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=c6f0a6ee-05ac-4eb6-acd0-362559fd2f04

http://blogs.technet.com/b/srd/archive/2010/09/10/use-emet-2-0-to-block-the-adobe-0-day-exploit.aspx

 

Many thanks for the suggestions, I'll take a good l;ook at all of them

 

I forgot one suggestion, and it's something that I like having, even if just for following the development, because I do install it to family members, which AVG LinkScanner.

http://linkscanner.avg.com/

First, try and search the AVG Free forum (http://forums.avg.com/us-en/avg-free-forum?sec=theme&act=show&id=203) to see if any one mentioned or is mentioning any issues with a similar setup as yours. Even if they don't, and if you can do it, it would be always a great idea to have a virtual machine for testing if problems will occur between applications. I always have one in hand to test applications before installing them in the real system.

If you can, then do it. Just in case, reboot the virtual machine to see if any problems occur when booting or when entering the user session; do some browsing.
It's always a good practice, IMO.

-Edit-

I'm not sure if your ISP offers any sort of protection against malware? If not, you could try ClearCloud DNS by Sunbelt, which will. I've been using it for quite some time now, and so far I can't tell a difference between theirs and my ISP's.

http://www.clearclouddns.com/

 

to unconfuse you your ok as you are

 

Which version of Avira did you have ? in my setup,I found Avira Premium (webguard)& LinkScanner (latest version) didn't play well each other. My browsing experience become slow so I uninstalled ALS. Now, all went fine

 

Whenever I tried Avira (free edition), without LinkScanner, I never could connect to the Internet. So, I never really tested it further, so I cannot really say if they would play well or not. Sorry.

But, I see you mention that the culprits would be webguard and linkscanner; maybe disabling webguard and leaving linkscanner? At least, if you're deciding to use one different DNS provider like the one I mentioned, which will already block access to websites hosting malware.

According to AVG FAQ, there's the following confirming an issue with Avira WebGuard

After all, it seems that some conflicts do exist, because I couldn't find any with MSE and avast! 5. AVG told me they are going to re-test any possible conflicts between these.

Regarding Avira, I think you'll have to decide what you need the most, or that you'll think you'll be a much better asset. Avira WebGuard seems to also block exploits, but I can't say which one is better at that, because my internet connection always died with WebGuard component enabled.

 

You are fine risk of threats is decreasing anyway, so way increase security when you managed with lousier operatings systems in the past?

 

Care to develop a bit more?