standard security setup ?

Hi,
the question came to my mind when my brother-in-law's PC recently got infected with a fake-AV, currently using only Avira AV for security. And still it seems the public opinion that a good Antivirus app is all you need. We know that this doesn't save you at all nowadays.

Now i wonder if all members here could agree to a recommended standard security setup for beginners. What i don't mean are basic Windows settings and things like "don't use an admin account". The goal should simply be a (short) list of software (or software suite?) that gives a beginner an easy but high level of protection.

only an example (!):

1) Avira Antivir
2) Firefox + NoScript, Adblock, Keyscrambler
3) ZoneAlarm
4) Winpatrol

 

you may want to check this https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=111264 instead

 

As you can see from the post "What is your security setup these days?" the combination of security apps and system tweaking is almost endless. For a beginner I would recommend 1) make sure all system components are kept up to date (adobe reader, Windows, flash, etc.). A good way to do this is run an online scan with Secunia Online Software Inspector: http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/online/ 2) I would then recommend making sure some kind of software firewall is kept on at all times (in combination with a hardware firewall (router) is even better) and 3) having a program that will protect against unknown or 0-day threats (DefenseWall, GeSWall, Sandboxie, etc.). For this you will have to do some research as there are quite a fgew aplicatiions that are out there both free and paid versions and 4) finally use some common sense which only comes with experience don't visit porn, gambling and other dangerous sites. Don't fall for phishing or fake pop-ups (for browser WOT, Web of Trust helps ID bad sites. Also keep a good AV program and make sure it is kept up to date.

The system you propose is not bad. For WinPatrol, WinPatrol PLUS (paid version) has real time monitoring.

 

Nowadays the problem is not protecting your operating system and HD contents in general from disasters like virus, data corruption, ... That problem is easily solved with solutions like disk images or software like Deep Freeze, Shadow Defender etc.

Nowadays the problem is protecting your sensitive information, mainly bank login credentials and password from services like paypal, from thieves.

 

Thank you guys,
but imagine a friend of you is asking you too name the different tools, could we all get to a list of named tools, let's say a list of "reference tools" ?

 

For exemple, this combo:

- Avira Personal
- CIS ( 3,14 version would be carefully as far )
- GesWall

 

What is CIS please ? Comodo ?

 

Comodo Internet Security

 

Please tell us what operating system (OS) is he using, some security products will run on 32 bits OS, but not on 64 bits.

 

Another suggestion:

- Online Armor ++
- GesWall

I tried only Online Armor Premium with GesWall, but I believe there are not problems with ++.

 

@Kees1958: He's running Vista 32, but it's a general question about a list of security setup.

@blacknight: Thank you for the suggestions. Shouldn't we have a kind of sticky-post with some recommended setups ? As i started once i wished to find some basic "setups" to start with. But i had to read a lot of threads to get an idea of all the weak spots and all the different programs available.

 

Take a read thru this thread also to get some good ideas.

https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=252253

 

On Vista x32, DefenseWall V3 is the best for beginners IMO, that is all the list you need
Add avast free with file and behavioral shield when you want an AV and you have a lean and very secure PC